As many of you know, Andrew is often the one sharing his travel experiences and insights with our clients. This time we’re handing things over to Lauren, Andrew’s daughter, who recently joined the Beaver Travel team to help with our social media and marketing. Lauren was invited, alongside Andrew, to join a special educational trip to Barbados. It was her first work trip and here’s her account…
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I’ve just returned from a five-night stay on the beautiful Caribbean island of Barbados. The trip was hosted by LUSSO and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), giving us travel agents the opportunity to experience the island first-hand and explore an array of hotels, experiences and restaurants. It was the perfect chance to build our knowledge and create bespoke itineraries and recommendations for clients looking to experience the Caribbean.
Having never been on an educational trip before, it was fascinating to see first-hand how they work. The itinerary was packed from start to finish, combining hotel visits, local experiences and plenty of opportunities to learn more about the destination. It gave us invaluable insight into what makes Barbados unique and allowed us to experience the island in the same way our clients might.
Sharing it with my dad made it even more special, as I was able to learn from his years in the travel industry while discovering a destination that completely exceeded my expectations.
We started the trip at Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club, a new hotel to the island that opened in July 2026 and is impressively part of The Leading Hotels of the World. The hotel has a city vibe and is in close proximity to the beach. With just 28 rooms, it feels boutique and intimate, making it perfect for those who prefer a more personal experience rather than a large, busy resort. The rooms were clean and spacious, while the lobby and surrounding areas had a chic, contemporary feel. And the pastry chef was one of the best we’ve experienced!
The private beach club was across the road from the hotel, with beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea and crystal-clear waters, close to the stunning Number One Sandy Lane complex.
We enjoyed our first evening at Local & Co, which gave us the perfect opportunity to sample some local delicacies. We even witnessed a turtle coming onto the beach next to our table to lay her eggs – a memorable way to start the trip!
On our first full day, we boarded a boat for a fantastic day out. We snorkelled with turtles and explored a shipwreck before docking to enjoy delicious Bajan food and a sunset swim.
The following day, we were hosted on a jeep safari, giving us the opportunity to explore the island and see much more of what Barbados has to offer. We finished the day at Oistins Fish Market, a popular spot for experiencing the local atmosphere, culture and true Bajan way of life.
On Saturday, we enjoyed lunch hosted by a local Bajan family, giving us the chance to experience authentic flavours and dishes while learning more about the island and its culture. We also saw so many monkeys along the way!
We ended the day with a fantastic dinner at Lone Star. Think contemporary surroundings, five-star food, live music and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore beside you. A firm favourite for us!
Sunday, our final day, was packed with site inspections as we visited some of the island’s top hotels, including Colony Club and Fairmont Royal Pavilion.
Colony Club has recently undergone a renovation and now showcases clean, natural interiors, gorgeous outdoor dining areas and views overlooking either the sea or the beautiful gardens.
Fairmont Royal Pavilion also offers clean, contemporary rooms, with many boasting incredible sea views. The dining area is modern yet relaxed and sits right beside the sea, where you can look out across the long stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. Fairmont also has another restaurant currently undergoing renovation, with the plans looking amazing ahead of its forthcoming opening.
We then had a site inspection of the truly spectacular Sandy Lane, which never fails to impress. Here, you can experience premier Caribbean luxury, with incredible facilities – including three world-class golf courses and an exceptional spa. The beach is also private, offering guests a wonderfully exclusive experience. We were fortunate enough to enjoy dinner here too, dining to perfection with a delicious three-course meal.
We visited so many more hotels and restaurants during our trip, and we now have an even greater understanding of what Barbados has to offer and how we can curate the perfect holiday for our clients. With the Caribbean heading into peak season, now is the perfect time to start planning. It’s certainly not too late to book your winter sun escape, or to start looking ahead to your Caribbean adventure in 2027.
Many thanks to LUSSO and BTMI for hosting us.
