The Fairmont Royal Pavilion
was originally built in the 1940’s and was the first hotel to be constructed on
the West Coast of Barbados. Although it has expanded in size over the years,
the overall architecture of the hotel is Mediterranean, the buildings enhanced
by tropical gardens originally designed by the renowned South American
landscape architect Fernando Tabora.
Bushy Acalypha dripping with its red
tail-like flowers made our own very British summer bedding offerings seem
pathetic in comparison.
Away from the hotel buildings there are more botanical treasures to be found within the grounds –over 50 different varieties of palm to be discovered and one in particular, the silver fan palm, was shown off well by some brilliant textural plantings.
But onto the gastronomical element of my visit which, in this case, was breakfast. Every variety of fresh fruit, breads and pastries were the continental offering along with a selection of hot dishes and eggs cooked to order. But you could have a bit of everything and eating al fresco with an exceptional sea view was a perfect excuse to linger over as many breakfast courses that it was possible to have and for as long as possible, although 8am to 10am is the norm. Garden tours are every Wednesday from 10am to 11.30am and can assist in working off the calories once overindulgence has taken place.
NOTE: Fernando Tabora was
involved in designing the Parque Del Este in Caracas, Venezuela, and the Aterro
Do Flamengo Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1968, Tabora and his partner,
John Stoddart, received the National Venezuelan Award for Landscape
Architecture. Tabora is still consulted on landscape design at The Fairmont
Royal Pavilion.
You can also book for Sunday
buffet lunch and the special evenings here –the Tuesday night Gala dinner and
the Thursday night West Indian cookout.
Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Porters, St James
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