TRAVEL personal service and those little details that turn a great stay into an unforgettable one. Proving the adage that not all all-inclusives are created equally, O2 really does raise the bar and dining here is anything but ordinary. Days begin with breakfast at Elements where cappuccinos are expertly frothed, eggs expertly cooked as requested and everything from breakfast smoothies to French toast is available. From 10am, Oasis opens, offering options from barista coffees to specialty frozen coffee with everything from salted caramel coconut milk concoctions to rum-laced beverages for your thirst-quenching needs … There’ s even a grab-and-go fridge and bar that offers everything from salads to crisps to afternoon tea sweet treats.
For casual lunches, Blue Fin is the go-to sun-drenched spot. Set poolside, barefoot is welcome here as guests enjoy a menu of island-inspired snacks from hummus two ways with pillowy flatbreads to signature open steak sandwiches with caramelised onions and a peppery aioli kick and Caesar salads delivering either a jerk salmon or chicken punchy Bajan twist; all perfect picks for leisurely, lazy lunches under the Barbadian sun.
While days are chilled with just the right notch of refinement, evenings offer an even more elevated experience.
With a distinct Ibiza-esque rooftop setting, Brisa brings a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe, where Bajan twists on Portuguese tapas and expertly mixed cocktails meet rooftop party pool and glorious sunset views. Standout dishes included marinated olives, an inspired guacamole enriched with in-house cured pork and served with baked paprika cheese sticks, and divine frituras de maiz- crisp cheddar fritters served with a vibrant tomato salsa- while the chef’ s mac and cheese was a daily special not to missed, especially when paired with falloff-the-bone BBQ ribs that redefined island comfort food with every bite.
Yet the most unforgettable dining experience was yet to come as we climbed to new heights, all nine floors in fact, to signature restaurant, Oro. Recognised as a dining destination in its own right and laying claim to the best dining experience on the South Coast no less, Oro is an absolute masterclass in fine dining with the best views.
Beginning by taking a seat at the bar where Jayvon expertly mixed our drinks from the restaurant’ s curated menu( every restaurant here and across its sister properties offers a unique cocktail list curated to match the dining offering). Following her recommendation, we were soon wowed with the crisp, fresh zing of the Oro 75, combining Whitley Neil Raspberry Gin with Chambord, fresh lemon juice, raspberry purée and sparkling rosé, as well as the deep smokey flavours of the Secret Spy- pineapple infused tequila, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice and agave syrup served in a chilli-rimmed glass in oak-smoked perfection.
Cocktails enjoyed and another round ordered, it was time to take our seats in the beautifully designed restaurant which is set to floor-to-ceiling windows and offers a range of jewel-toned banquette booths and intimate tables for two.
Dishes here are an absolute triumph. Utilising the very best ingredients, we began with the creamy burrata served with delicate shards of rich prosciutto, spinach and a rocket pesto, and the jumbo scallops, served lightly battered with bacon, apple and a hot mustard jus. For mains we simply had to choose the beef, rewarded first with an aged porthouse that had been slowroasted with herbs and garlic, and served with the most delicious red bliss potato chips with a hint of truffle, alongside the most perfectly cooked filet mignon served with a bacon potato cake, roasted island carrots, sautéed haricot verts and a moreish black truffle jus.
Dessert was every bit as impressive as the setting. Mr R opted for yet more rum, this time in a Mount Gay( the island’ s signature rum) laced crème brûlée, while I opted for the tableside theatrics of the Oro Chocolate Dome, where the fabulous Yvonne poured hot chocolate sauce on the bittersweet chocolate dome to reveal a hazelnut macaron and seasonal berries; the perfect decadent finish to an extraordinary dining experience.
And yet that’ s not all here … For the ultimate reset, the Acqua Spa on the eighth floor delivers some of the best views- and best massages- on the island. Awardwinning in its own right, I honestly stood, mouth agape, as I entered the pristine white and pale aqua haven, framed on all sides by glorious sea views. Here, the rhythmic roll of the ocean provided a natural soundtrack to a deeply restorative massage treatment. Expert hands worked away any lingering stress with warm island-infused oils, all while the trade winds swirled gently around the treatment space. Honestly it was a moment of pure serenity that lingered long after I’ d floated( via the seaview relaxation loungers complete with eye massage mask) away from the massage table.
Boasting modern luxury with a tropical heart, O2 Beach Club has effortlessly fused contemporary style with laid-back island charm. The result? An experience that is polished yet never pretentious, welcoming yet elevated, relaxed yet reinvigorating.
Whether you’ re floating in the pool, toasting the sunset on the rooftop, wandering across pristine white shores, indulging in a world-class spa treatment, or dining at some of the finest restaurants on the island, everything at O2 Beach Club invites you to slow down, soak it all in and embrace the rhythm of Barbados in true refined luxury. It was with utter reluctance that I watched my final sunset here, though filled with pride that we really did switch off,‘ breathe it all in’ and indulge in laid-back style; I implore you to do the same.
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O2 BEACH CLUB & SPA- UP TO 50 % OFF IN 2025!
Prices start from £ 2,460pp for seven nights in a Luxury Pool Junior Suite, all inclusive with private airport transfers and economy flights with Virgin, bookable through Simply Luxury Escapes in Tunbridge Wells at simplycaribbeanholidays. co. uk / product / o2-beach-club-and-spa or call 01732 810372.
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