Barbados Beckons Canadian Travellers with Big Plans for 2025 and 2026

Barbados is gearing up to welcome Canadian travellers in a big way, enhancing its offerings and experiences for 2025 and 2026. With a mix of natural beauty, cultural richness, and luxurious hospitality, the island continues to set itself apart in the Caribbean.

New and Upgraded Accommodations

Barbados is seeing a surge in resort development and upgrades aimed at elevating the visitor experience:

• Beaches Barbados, a major 600-room family resort by Sandals, will begin construction in 2025, featuring beachfront suites and family-friendly amenities.

• Apes Hill Barbados is rolling out new offerings, including a 9-hole “Little Apes” golf course, sea-view villas, private chef services, and a wellness-focused collaboration with Oyogo.

• Several luxury resorts are also being refreshed and relaunched:

  • Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club reopens in summer 2025.

  • Marriott’s The House Boutique Hotel starts welcoming guests from April 1, 2025.

  • Tamarind Resort returns fully revamped on January 1, 2026.

  • The Waves and Treasure Beach, two adults-only favorites, are expanding Marriott’s footprint on the island.

  • Royalton CHIC Barbados, opening in spring 2026, will offer a blend of upscale relaxation and vibrant social energy.

  • Pendry Barbados, the brand’s first international outpost, will debut by late 2026 with 80 beachfront rooms, private residences, and exclusive marina access.

    
    

A Rising Culinary Destination

Barbados is also building its reputation as a culinary hotspot:

• Derriere French Brasserie, opened in December 2024 in Limegrove, delivers a fresh interpretation of classic French fare.

• Madison Bistro in Christ Church, launched in late 2024, blends Bajan flavors with Southern American soul food.

• The Oistin’s Experience at Wyndham Grand Barbados, beginning in 2025, brings the spirit of the famous night market to the resort every Tuesday with local cuisine, live performances, and handcrafted goods.

  
  

Celebrating History and Heritage

In spring 2025, Barbados will unveil the Barbados Heritage District in Christ Church. This landmark site will feature a memorial, museum, and research center dedicated to the memory of enslaved ancestors. Its opening coincides with the 400th anniversary of British settlement and leads into the island’s 60th independence anniversary in 2026.

Year-Long Celebration: We Gatherin’

Visitors are invited to We Gatherin’, a year-long cultural celebration that will take place across the island’s parishes. With monthly festivals, performances, and culinary events, the initiative offers both locals and international guests an opportunity to connect with Barbadian heritage and community spirit.

Barbados is positioning itself as a top-tier destination for Canadians seeking a blend of authenticity, luxury, and cultural depth — all just a direct flight away.