Cobblers Cove reminds us of a tropical country club: keep the pastels, vintage florals, and starched white linens of a Slim Aarons photograph, but add in the warmth of friendly staff, a gorgeous sea view, and a stiff rum punch. The 1940’s mansion has drawn guests through its powder-pink walls for decades, thanks to the impeccable service and a restaurant often hailed as the best on the island.
May 13, 2020
Cobblers Cove Hotel - Barbados
The newly renovated Cobblers Cove was one of the stunning backdrops for our Spring Summer 20 photoshoot. The Great House is one of the island’s best loved family hotels and was originally built in 1943 by plantation owner Joss Haynes. Over the years, it has been quietly transformed from beach house to a beautiful boutique hotel, retaining its plantation heritage whilst being updated for the 21st century.
Most recently it has enjoyed a beautiful make-over by Lulu Lytle of Soane Britain and re-opened last year. The success of the partnership is immediately obvious as you enter the hotel and take in the exquisite aesthetic.
Colour, charm and the blend of island style with English country house comfort greet you and take you on a journey through this beautiful, colonial house. The original rattan furniture has been added to with bespoke pieces from Soane and all materials were either sourced on the island or from the wider Caribbean, such as the handmade rush matting made in a jungle in Guyana or the coral stone floors from St Vincent. The result is truly uplifting interiors, which are both extremely luxurious and yet very homely at the same time.
Our favourite shot of the shoot was taken in the hall way with the beautiful mirros and rattan sofa.
We were won over by the beautiful colours; think deep pinks, powder blues and dark greens, the pattern and old-world charm. Everything is a feast for the eyes, not least the candy stripe umbrellas by the pool, inspired by the original paintwork of the Great House.These are a personal favourite of Lucy’s and we couldn’t have asked for a more glamourous backdrop for our shoot.
We love the work the hotel is undertaking in the gardens, replacing herbaceous borders with indigenous palms and ferns - they even have their own palm house on site to cultivate rare palms. It is this attention to detail – which you will find throughout the hotel and in every area, from bedding to linens, the unbelievably comfortable sun loungers and local botanical artwork, that sets this hotel apart. Little wonder that Homes and Gardens has just listed Cobblers Cove as among the 20 most beautiful hotels in the world.
On our visit, the staff were so helpful and friendly and we were given a guided tour of the hotel after our shoot. As a guest of the hotel, you would be spoilt for choice in terms of activities. From water-skiing, to paddle boarding and most other watersports, you can also watch turtle hatchings on the beach and take the hotel’s speedboat to a deserted island for a picnic lunch. There is tennis, yoga, a gym and the Sea Moon Salon offers a variety of treatments designed to restore, balance and energise.
The hotel’s restaurant, Camelot, is known as one of the best on the island and caters for all events and parties. If you’re looking for something more intimate, private dining on the beach or in other romantic spots within the grounds.
We definitely didn’t want to leave this oasis and we are hugely grateful to everyone at Cobblers Cove for making our shoot so special – we’ll be back!!
