Hey, sunseekers!

Remember how I gushed about Turks & Caicos last year? Well, hold onto your sunhats our latest escape to Villa Casablanca in Saint James, Barbados, just raised the bar sky-high.

Picture this: palm trees swaying, the scent of frangipani in the air, and my kids racing toward a villa so stunning it made us all gasp. Let’s just say the “wow factor” here is real.

But first, a confession: I nearly cried when we arrived. Not because of the 7-hour flight (though teenage Emma did declare her legs “permanently numb”), but because Villa Casablanca’s butler, Marcus, greeted us with icy mango rum punches (virgin for the kids!) and a spread of Bajan fish cakes that tasted like heaven. This is how every vacation should start.

✨ The Villa That Feels Like Home (If Your Home Had a Private Chef and Infinity Pool)

Let me set the scene: You’re on the Sandy Lane Estate, where emerald golf greens meet turquoise ocean. The villa itself? A masterpiece of crisp whites and tropical pops of color, with art that had my artsy sister snapping photos for her Instagram nonstop. The kids immediately claimed the media room (“Mom, they have Apple TV and a chess table!”), while my husband Tom beelined for the Astroturf tennis court, his midlife crisis hobby now includes daily matches against our 12-year-old.

We stayed in the master suite, and folks, that marble tub with golf course views? I may have “accidentally” taken three baths a day. The kids took over the guest cottage, which is basically a mini-villa with its own kitchen and terrace. No sibling squabbles just pure bliss.

🍍 The Food: A Love Letter to Chef Anika

Let’s talk about the real MVP of this trip: Chef Anika. Imagine waking up to coconut pancakes drizzled with local honey, fresh passionfruit juice, and Bajan flying fish sandwiches for lunch. Dinner? She whipped up grilled lobster with rum sauce one night and a vegan curry for my sister that had her raving for days. The al fresco dining area became our nightly ritual twinkling lights, the sound of tree frogs, and Marcus the butler keeping our wine glasses magically full.

Pro tip: Ask Chef Anika to make her famous macaroni pie. The kids still talk about it like it’s a mythical creature.

🌴 How We Lived: Pool Mornings, Golf Cart Adventures & Sunsets

Our days fell into a rhythm straight out of a luxury catalog:

Mornings: Coffee on the terrace (with a side of golf course views) while the kids cannonballed into the infinity pool.

Afternoons: Tennis matches, gym sessions (okay, one gym session), and lazy hammock hangs. The teens even tried pickleball on the paddle court!

Evenings: Cocktails at the leisure bar (Emma mastered mocktail mojitos) and movie nights in the media room.

But the real magic? The Sandy Lane Beach access. Our private locker held towels, snorkel gear, and floats. We spent hours chasing parrotfish and pretending we were in a Bond movie.

🚗 Island Adventures: Caves, Catamarans & Cool Rum

Barbados isn’t just beaches, and we explored hard:

Harrison’s Cave: A jaw-dropping limestone wonderland. Max (8) declared it “way better than Minecraft.”

Bridgetown: Shopped for vibrant art at Pelican Craft Centre and ate the best coconut bread at a street stall.

Catamaran Cruise: Snorkeled with sea turtles at Carlisle Bay. Pro tip: The rum punch onboard is lethal (in the best way).

Oistins Fish Fry: Friday night = grilled mahi-mahi, live reggae, and dancing with locals. Even Tom shed his “dad moves”!

💡 Quick Practical Magic

Location: 10 mins to Holetown’s chic shops, 25 mins to Bridgetown.

Safety: Security cameras and carbon monoxide sensors peace of mind for paranoid moms like me.

Value: At $1,300/night for 14 people? Split between families, it’s cheaper than most hotels.

Staff: Shoutout to the housekeeper who folded my kids’ clothes into origami swans. How?

Final Thoughts

Leaving Villa Casablanca felt like saying goodbye to a friend. The blend of luxury, space, and that breezy “island time” vibe made this our best family trip yet. And Chef Anika? We’re plotting ways to kidnap her. (Kidding… mostly.)

Your Turn!

Have you been to Barbados? If you’re dreaming of turquoise waters and private chefs, Villa Casablanca is your answer. Just promise me one thing: Save a macaroni pie for me. 😉

P.S. Pet parents this villa’s pup-friendly! Our golden retriever’s FOMO is real.

Ready to book? DM me for tips or channel your inner Beyoncé at Villa Casablanca. Trust me, you’ll leave feeling like royalty. 👑