Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Holiday Hotspot – Cobbler’s Cove Barbados
www.cobblerscove.com
Barbados a member of the West Indies Island chain in the western Atlantic Ocean was once a member of the Portuguese, British and Spanish colonial empires. A popular tourist destination with turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and warm climate this small island paradise has a significant number of hotels however it’s important to be selective. At family owned Cobblers Cove, you will find an exquisite “Eng-
lish” style country house with a stunning location between two sandy beaches. This allsuite destination is hidden by mature greenery, creating a sense of privacy and tranquility to compliment the relaxing sounds of the nearby Caribbean Sea. My recently refurbished “ocean front suite” offered a nautical but sophisticated theme combining white rattan furnishings, cottons and tiles while the living-room opens onto a private terrace with reclining loungers and cocktail tables. The pink coral stoned “Great House” opens onto a bar with dining terrace overlooking the sea. Sunset cocktails at
n Ocean Front Suite at Cobblers Cove Barbados.
the bar are a taster to a fine dining experience at “Camelot Restaurant”, where talented chef Jason Joseph fuses a menu crafted from fresh local produce with an impressive wine list. Popular with couples and families, Cobblers Cove offers a range of activities and facilities. Adventure seeking children and adults can enjoy complimentary water sports daily, including water skiing, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing. For golfers, Cobblers Cove has a privilege system in place at the Royal Westmoreland Golf and Country Club. For the less energetic, leisurely recreations include soaking up the sun on a terra-cotta deck around the fresh water pool or by the beach. As with most of Barbados, sugar and the wealth it generated played a part in the history of Cobblers. The property was built in 1943 by the Haynes family, who first settled on the island in 1647 and were among its original circle of sugar barons. In 1968, the property was sold to Alan Godsal, a descendant of the Colleton family, another prominent sugar-growing tribe who also founded the British colony that would
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eventually become the U.S. state of South Carolina. Godsal converted Cobblers into a hotel and in the early 1980s, repositioned it to the luxury market with an emphasis on fine cuisine, More recently, Alan’s son, Hugh, took over as chairman later drafting in UK hotelier Will Oakley as general manager. With a wellestablished career in the luxury hotel n The Great House at Cobblers Co industry this former ve Barbados. Cadogan London executive brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Cobblers Cove offers long rooms facing the street, and the oldest on the a choice of attractive early as elegant as it is simple. island), and walking along booking specials to guests From January through April the talcum-powder sands of booking by 31st January with the trust hold monthly open- Carlisle Bay. Grantley Adams a chance to upgrade to an all house events, which are a International Airport services inclusive supplement with all great way to experience the most major carriers, with dimeals, house spirits, house island’s diverse architecture rect flights to London and wines and selected cocktails and history. You can gain ac- several cities in the United included at an additional cost cess to all types of grand old States via Dublin airport. of US$200 per person, per plantation houses (Holder’s www.barbados.org day. www.cobblerscove.com House, Golden Grove PlanRobert Walshe is a travel There is never a shortage of tation House and Lancaster things to do in Barbados, House to name but a few. broadcaster with Q Radio in nearby Speightstown the Other visitor highlights in- Network and Travel Editor National Trust has restored clude Bathsheba and Cherry for River Media newspaArlington House, a classic Tree Hill, one of the island’s per titles across the island three-story Charleston-style highest points St James Par- of Ireland. www.robertw“single” house with a stack of ish Church (dating from 1628 alshe.com