Sandals Barbados sits on the white sands of Dover Beach at St Lawrence Gap, in the parish of Christ Church, fifteen minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport. It is adults only and built for couples, and everything is all inclusive, down to the stocked bar in the room and the tips and taxes. Next door stands Sandals Royal Barbados, and a stay at one gives you the run of both.

Fourteen room categories run across three levels, Sandals Luxury, Club Sandals and Butler Elite. Beachfront penthouses take the top floors with wraparound balconies, while swim up Butler Suites line the river pool with private patios and direct access to the water. Tranquility Soaking Tubs appear in the higher grades, along with butler service and round the clock in room dining. Views take in ocean, beachfront, pool or tropical garden.

Scuba diving is open to certified divers through the PADI programme, and snorkelling, kayaks, Hobie Cats, windsurfing, paddleboarding and a glass bottom boat all run from the beach. On land there is beach volleyball, bocce, cricket, table tennis, pool tables and yoga. Lovers Lanes adds four bowling lanes and a craft beer bar pouring nineteen beers. Evenings bring live bands, a piano bar, karaoke and beach parties.

The longest river pool in Barbados threads through the grounds, with swim up suites opening straight onto it, and a rooftop pool sits above them for a different view of the coast. Red Lane Spa handles the treatments, from full body and foot massage to facials and couples treatments, and holds a Six Star Diamond Award. A fitness centre runs TechnoGym equipment alongside aerobics and aqua fit classes, and there is a sauna and a salon.

Eleven restaurants sit within the resort and nine more at Sandals Royal Barbados next door, a short walk away. Bombay Club works Indian spice, Butch's Chophouse handles steak, Kimonos does teppanyaki at the table and Portofino's covers Italian. Dino's Pizzeria turns out Neapolitan pizza, Soy Sushi Bar takes care of raw fish, and Café de Paris bakes French pastries. Merry Monkey is the British pub. Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines pour throughout.

St Lawrence Gap sits on the doorstep, and Bridgetown with its historical buildings lies a short drive along the south coast. Island Routes runs excursions across the island, taking in Hunte's Gardens, the tram through Harrison's Cave, St Nicholas Abbey and a catamaran and snorkelling cruise at Carlisle Bay. Airport transfers are arranged both ways, and the drive back covers seven miles.