We may have just found the perfect Barbados family holiday. Take a look around the luxurious Apes Hill Barbados to find out exactly what we mean.
Families come first at Apes Hill Barbados
Lay eyes on Apes Hill Barbados for the first time and from its location alone, you know it was practically born to be extraordinary.
The resort is set in the Scotland District in the Central Highlands of Barbados. Soaring above the rest of the island, it gazes over the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, from a rich, glossy green landscape of indigenous plants and trees which is also, unsurprisingly, a habitat for local wildlife: troupes of green monkeys will thrill your kids.
Apes Hill Barbados is more than a golf resort, it’s an intimate community where luxury combines with laid-back Bajan charm and families really matter.
Yes, serious golfers live here and the course isn’t just beautiful, it’s a true individual. But even non-golfers love to stay, and it’s the sense of community which makes it so perfect for a Barbados family holiday with children.
Visit any time and you’ll find something happening, from kids’ creative activities and organised adventures to family events, celebrations of traditional Bajan culture and more familiar seasonal festivities.
But Apes Hill Barbados has never made a secret of its family-first philosophy, and if that’s the last thing you expect from a golf resort, we can confirm that even the golf here is family friendly.
19th Hole, Apes Hill Barbados
The golf is outstanding, just don’t be distracted by the views
We probably don’t need to explain how glorious it is to golf in this location, albeit a little distracting on the view front; only to be expected from a course designed to blend with a coastal setting that’s 1,000ft above sea level.
At first glance it’s an exceptional 18-hole, par-71 championship course. But there’s a twist. Finish a round, and you have one more hole to play.
The 19th Hole at Apes Hill sits on its very own island within view of the Clubhouse. It’s definitely demanding, and obviously, you don’t have to accept the challenge, although you should know, very few can resist.
All guests at Apes Hill Barbados enjoy full access to the course, and the state-of-the-art Performance Centre is another plus for dedicated players and beginners alike. Kids also have the fun of the Little Apes 9-hole, par-3 Course which is a great family experience too, with a laid back vibe that quickly wins over young first time players.
Circling back to the privileged location, it’s good to know that Apes Hill Barbados is certified under the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programme which grants third-party verification for sustainability efforts. So in addition to enjoying the rich, natural heritage in which it sits, the resort is unquestionably committed to caring for its own 475 acres, maintaining the golf course responsibly and protecting the surrounding area.
Speightstown, Barbados
No family holiday in Barbados is complete without beach time
Apart from golf, the resort also has two full size tennis courts and eight padel courts, all with LED lighting. There are wellness activities from sunrise to sunset including yoga and Pilates. The fully equipped on-site gym rewards your workouts with views. And Gully walks round the resort grounds and local area are one of the best ways to spot the aforementioned monkeys.
Also, it’s Barbados, so you’re never far from the beach.
When we say ‘never far’, it’s literally 11 minutes on the resort’s shuttle to the Platinum Coast where you have access to a wide range of water sports.
Alternatively, if you just want to laze, the resort will arrange anything for you in advance of your beach day, from loungers and umbrellas to lunch. In more good news, the resort’s new One Eleven Beach Club, located in historic Speightstown, opens in winter 2025.
Speaking of Speightstown, it’s another must-do with kids. Again it’s great for beaches, but just as good for museums and art galleries, markets, colourful history or just strolling around and seeing where the day takes you.
20th Hole restaurant, Apes Hill Barbados
Apes Hill Barbados says farm-to-fork and means every word
You don’t have to leave the resort to enjoy something that makes Barbados one of the best loved of all Caribbean islands. Of course, we’re talking about food.
All Apes Hill villas feature chef-standard kitchens, and if you’re keen to cook the island has plenty of incredible markets packed with inspiring ingredients. Or you could indulge in the luxury of in-villa dining which can be easily arranged for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of your stay, or just for a special occasion.
The resort also has two restaurants on-site, the 20th Hole and the Noisy Cricket. Both are family friendly and committed to supporting the local agricultural community, as well as using Apes Hill Barbados’ own home-grown, fresh produce. So when they say farm-to-fork here, it’s not just an overused phrase, it’s a natural part of traditional Bajan life.
Perfect setting for a Barbados family holiday
Perfect family villas for Apes Hill Barbados’ endless summers
Barbados is famous for its endless summers, year round sun and warm seas, so any time is a good time to visit. Apes Hill Barbados extends exactly the same invitation and welcomes families to stay in its remarkable villas 365 days a year.
4- bedroom Hilltop Villa, made for a Barbados family holiday
Hilltop Villas: made for a multi-gen Barbados family holiday
Hilltop Villas are the latest addition to the community at Apes Hill Barbados, and another collection that aligns well with larger or multi-gen family holidays.
Each four bedroom villa has its own private pool and terraces for light, shade and catching sunsets.
Open-plan interior, Hilltop Villa
One of the freshest design elements here is the open-plan living space which also merges indoor and outdoor living beautifully with a wall of sliding glass doors on to the pool terrace.
We like the idea of both master suites opening on to the pool terrace too. And it goes without saying that immersing each villa in lush, green surroundings is inspired.
Although, for all the calm and quiet, it’s a definite plus for families to be minutes away from the clubhouse, and the Noisy Cricket Restaurant. That said, each Hilltop Villa does come with a very inviting kitchen.
Courtyard Villa, Apes Hill Barbados
Courtyard Villas: bright, airy and all about outdoor living
Three-bedroom Courtyard Villas take full advantage of an idyllic location with southwest views of the Caribbean Sea and sunsets over the 18th Fairway.
Ideal for families, they’re spacious, open-plan and feature a sheltered patio, as well as outdoor seating areas, a 30ft pool and pool deck.
Courtyard Villas are all about outdoor living, so they also come with a BBQ, outdoor dining, pool loungers and umbrellas. Plus, everything from the Club House to resort restaurants is nearby, so you have your own relaxed, private space, but at the heart of the Apes Hill Barbados’ community.
Take a closer look at Apes Hill Barbados entire collection of family villas