The calm waters of Barbados’ West Coast invite guests to swim, snorkel with turtles, water ski, or simply settle into a lounger and do nothing.
Everyone loves a good makeover, and Cobblers Cove in Barbados has transformed from the “Dowager Duchess/Maggie Smith of the Caribbean” to a property more akin to Cate Blanchett: effortlessly sexy and chic.
The hotel was originally built in the 1940s on the site of a Quaker battery station (a military site), and the Great House was constructed using steel from Barbados’ former railway line and is clad in coral stone. It’s impossible to miss as the building resembles a giant frosted cake, with a pink exterior and white trim. Alan and Lady Elizabeth Godsal purchased the building in 1968 and opened it as a hotel, attracting a loyal clientele for decades. The Godsals also played a part in adding a Concorde route to Barbados from London, putting Cobblers Cove within easy reach from Europe.
Lush gardens envelop Cobblers Cove’s pastel-pink Great House, where a gracious aesthetic has defined the boutique hotel for decades.
By the 2000s, the hotel was being run by the owner’s son, Hugh Godsal, and his wife Sam de Teran, who wanted to respectfully refresh the property, which had lost some of its luster, while maintaining the personality that made it a Barbados institution.
When it came to undertaking the renovations, de Teran was the perfect person for the project thanks to her deep familiarity with the hotel and her fashion background. Born in Italy and raised in Franco’s Spain, “where we all made our own clothes,” de Teran later studied at Central Saint Martins in London. She designed high-end skiwear for 15 years, and Sophie Marceau wore one of her pieces in “The World is Not Enough.”
For de Teran, the transition from fashion to interior design was natural. “So many of the same parameters apply, where you have to weigh up the look and performance of the fabrics, whether you’re in the Caribbean or on a ski slope.”
Few scenes are more quintessentially Cobblers Cove than its striped umbrellas, white loungers, and palm-fringed terrace overlooking the sea.
De Teran spent five years updating Cobblers Cove, and one of the first things she did was swap yellow poolside umbrellas for pink and white striped ones with scalloped trim. These umbrellas became the visual DNA for the hotel’s palette. Every space is infused with playfulness and joy, along with plenty of pink and green. Pink and white stripes are also used on the swimming platform, the ice cream cart, and even the canopy of the resort’s boat (be sure to carve out time for daily complimentary snorkeling trips to see turtles, or try water-skiing).
Located on two floors, the Camelot Suite at Cobblers Cove has a storybook charm.
De Teran worked with the British firm Soane Britain to curate Cobblers Cove’s interiors. The 43 guest rooms embrace pattern in an elegant, cozy way. The team layered vintage pieces and color throughout the property, including the Great Room and Stanley’s Bar, a tropical confection in pink with a fluted bar crafted from scagliola (a mix of resin and marble). She also worked closely with local Barbadian artists and makers, commissioning paintings, ceramics, and baskets, creating a relaxed but glamorous vibe. It feels like staying in the vacation home of a fabulous friend who also happens to serve gourmet cuisine and afternoon tea on proper china, designed by de Teran in conjunction with Royal Crown Derby.
Scalloped edges, sugar-pink patterns, and touches of wicker set the tone for the property’s playful take on Barbadian style.
The same eye for detail carried into recent bathroom renovations, which showcase bespoke tiles from Bert & May featuring fern-like motifs inspired by the gardens. Metal “monkey chairs” by the pool are based on a design by Oliver Messel and created by a local craftsman named Elvis who had apprenticed with him. It’s the kind of chic setting that inspires guests to dress up for dinner.
The emphasis on design also extends to the pink tennis court, and the in-house boutique, CoCo, offering a selection of resort wear, prints, and accessories like colorful matches and the hotel’s signature seersucker robes in pink and blue. The gardens, designed by Barbadian horticulturalist Nicki Farmer, are lush and fragrant, and at night, the entire resort is lit as if it’s a movie set. Even the resort’s communications, beautifully printed on illustrated, thick cardstock, reflect this commitment to beauty.
(Left): With its dramatic cliffside setting and sweeping sea views, QP Bistro is one of Barbados’ most coveted sunset dining destinations. (Right): From the custom china to the hand-selected furnishings, every detail at Cobblers Cove has been thoughtfully curated by owner Sam de Teran.
While you’ll want to spend long, lazy days by the pool or swimming in the crystal-clear, calm waters in front of the hotel, it’s worth leaving for the visitor center at Mount Gay, the oldest continuously running commercial rum distillery in the world, established in 1703. Tours feel like stand-up comedy and include tastings, of course. For a Caribbean fusion meal with unforgettable views, book dinner at nearby QP Bistro, perched on a cliff with ocean views.
Back at Cobblers Cove, the Dowager Duchess may be gone, but the original spirit of the hotel remains. “Cobblers Cove has always had charm and effervescence, and you can’t replicate that,” says de Teran. De Teran never tried to reinvent the property — she just gave it a wardrobe worthy of its personality.
Special thanks to Visit Barbados and American Airlines for assistance with this story.
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