An All-Inclusive Resort and Spa on the Caribbean Sea

Situated on the Western coast of the Caribbean island, the all-inclusive Waves Resort takes cues from its tropical surroundings to inspire a leisurely and elegant getaway. Anchoring the resort is an undulating swimming pool, where rows of majestic palm trees serve as both sources of shade and deferential dance partners. Generously sized sunbathing beds scatter across a wooden lounging deck where visitors can order enjoy poolside cocktails, delivered from the nearby Seascape Bar. A white-sand beach helms the back of the property, treating sun seekers to unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea, complimentary wait service for drinks, lounge chairs, and umbrellas. Lodgers also get all-inclusive access to kayaks, sailing, and snorkeling equipment throughout their stay, making underwater exploration and water sports a daily indulgence.

Appointed in damask décor and contemporary furnishings, standard Island View guest rooms come outfitted with king-size beds topped with memory-foam mattresses. Tucked into the second and third floors of the hotel's Ocean House building, the rooms showcase island views and boast luxurious, multi-jet showers in modern, minimalist bathrooms. Nestled behind lush tropical gardens and the main pool, The Spa at Waves features a hydrotherapy room, sauna, steam room, and a full-service gym. There visitors can take advantage of two included spa treatements, such as massages, facials, body wraps, and mani-pedis, along with a range of Ayurvedic therapies inspired by ancient, holistic Indian philosophies.

Waves Resort abounds with eclectic dining options at which guests can redeem their three included meals per day, starting with the classic Caribbean specialties and international delicacies at Seascape. The open-air eatery serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner embellished with spicy East Indian influences on an expansive porch overlooking the sea. Feast proffers everything from sushi to steak with signature Asian preparations, and Spanish, Greek, and Italian fare takes center stage at Rosso Vivo in an elegant, modern dining room appointed with sweeping water views. For cocktails, guests flock to the Sunset Bar located on the beach deck, or the After Hours Bar, serving libations until 1 a.m.

St. James: An Enclave of Historic Landmarks and Bountiful Barbadian Reefs

Located about 15 minutes northeast of Waves Resort and Prospect Beach, the sprawling property of St. Nicholas Abbey perches atop the rolling hills of the parish of St. James. Built in 1660 as a private home, the estate spans more than 350 acres populated by a plantation, a rum distillery, and the Great House, a Jacobean mansion originally built as a private residence. A wealth of antique furniture dating back to the 1800s, elaborate Flemish gables, and ornamental Tudor arches fill the Great House, adjacent to the plantation's undulating sugar-cane fields, exotic flower and herb garden, and mahogany-tree-lined walking avenues displaying sprawling views of Barbados's eastern coast. Guests can tour the boiling house and rum distillery while enjoying a complimentary fruit punch or rum punch. Located about 20 minutes southeast of Waves is Harrison's Cave, a massive system of crystallized limestone grottos more than 1.4 miles long and up to 50 feet high. A collection of growing stalactites and stalagmites punctuates the active cavernous structure dappled with a 40-foot waterfall and calm, reflective pools. During guided tours and intense games of hide-and-seek, visitors travel beneath the earth to observe fragile flowstone formations, accessing the subterranean world via tram. The area surrounding Waves Resort is rich with historic landmarks, and the resort's backyard—the Caribbean Sea—is prime for underwater adventure in the form of scuba and snorkeling tours. Teeming with diverse wildlife populations, Barbados offers some of the best conditions in the world for year-round diving during which explorers can observe a rich variety of fish, coral, shallow wrecks, and bountiful reefs.