Everything about this property is appealing, starting with its locale (sexy Barbados, home to Rihanna, and site of one of the Caribbean's best Carnivals). Located on the island's western coast, its most dramatic visual features are focused around water: There are the tiered freshwater lagoon pools—three in total—with waterfalls and foot bridges. There's the swim-up bar in a grotto. And of course, there are

Everything about this property is appealing, starting with its locale (sexy Barbados, home to Rihanna, and site of one of the Caribbean's best Carnivals). Located on the island's western coast, its most dramatic visual features are focused around water: There are the tiered freshwater lagoon pools—three in total—with waterfalls and foot bridges. There's the swim-up bar in a grotto. And of course, there are the lovely ocean views from atop a cliff. By day, that ocean is turquoise and inviting; at dusk, it's opalescent and mysterious. Interior décor doesn't try to compete with the magnificent outdoors; instead, rooms are clean, bright, and mostly white, with gleaming tile floors and brightly colored accents. There are only two restaurants—and only one open for dinner—but happily, this hotel's "dine around" program allows guests to eat at sister properties including Tamarind Cove and Turtle Beach. Regular water-taxi service takes guests to and from properties on the west coast.

Lena Katz is the author of the Travel Temptations series from Globe Pequot Press, including the recently published SUN: California and SIP: California guides.