By Valerie Simmons
As we drive away from the Caribbean side of Barbados and head toward the Atlantic Coast, the roads get a bit bumpier, the vegetation becomes wilder and the palms sway a bit more in the ocean breeze. This is the undiscovered, untamed part of the island, a world away from the manicured, pink umbrella-covered beaches of the Platinum Coast. This ruggedly beautiful area is where we find EAST, a new, low-density resort that offers less glitz and more privacy, less noise and more waves, and endless, uninterrupted views of the ocean.
EAST is built adjacent to the largest protected nature reserve in Barbados. The villas are integrated into the hillside, surrounded by flowering bougainvillea, and camouflaged by rooftop gardens. At first glance, EAST feels more like The Shire than The Ritz.
Once we entered the villa, however, we understood almost immediately what owner Paul Doyle had created. Call it the “Ah ha” moment. The villas, positioned on the edge of a dramatic cliff, have enormous private terraces with lap pools. Each is furnished in a minimalist yet luxurious modern style with full kitchens. Outdoor showers are situated within tropical gardens, and four poster beds add romance to the already impossibly beautiful setting.
Activities at EAST include nature walks with a local guide, touring the farms where the locally sourced eggs, milk and produce come from, and day trips to surf mecca Bathsheba just up the coast. In other words, this is not the spot for people who crave organized activities. Quite the opposite—EAST is for savvy travelers seeking the ultimate escape and a place to reconnect with nature and family. This is a space for reading, a place to savour the sunrise and breathe in the salt air, and enjoy being away from the bustle of life, if only for a little while.
At EAST, accommodations range from cozy junior suites to spacious one and two-bedroom layouts, which can be combined into expansive three-bedroom villas. The apartments are available for purchase, and owners have access to The Crane Resort’s spacious beach-side pools nearby. As the resort grows and new villas are tiered up the hillside, green roofs and one-storey buildings will ensure sightlines remain unobstructed. A historic house on the site will become a farm-to-table restaurant, and a glass-fronted fitness centre is in the works.
For now, those who discover EAST can have a chef from The Crane Resort come to cater candle-lit al fresco meals under a canopy of stars, and they can enjoy a range of amenities from tennis courts to personal trainers to spa services.
To us, EAST Barbados felt like something totally new. A place to instantly relax. All we had to do was sit back and let the sound of the crashing waves do the rest.