- The Rockley Opens on the South Coast of Barbados
“Live like a Local” at this hip new boutique hotel from Ocean Hotels Barbados.
The Rockley opened today on the South Coast of Barbados, bringing a local vibe and a hip new hotel experience to the Rockley Beach area known for its lively bars, signature restaurants, and authentic island experiences. Owned and operated by the Ocean Hotels Group, the Rockley is the reincarnation of the old South Beach hotel, offering a playful new design and a live-like-a local vibe just steps from the sugar-white sand and sparkling water of Rockley Beach.
The modern 49-room boutique hotel, an urban chic oasis, was brought to life by Michelle Leotaud of Apple & Iron, a Barbados-based design firm that also fashioned the aesthetics for the hotel’s nearby sister property, the luxurious O2 Beach Club & Spa. Rooms at The Rockley feature colorful local touches including playful Bajan sayings on throw pillows, the island’s iconic Bus Stop sign, and thoughtful locally crafted amenities that celebrate Bajan culture. Guests can relax in style in junior suites with kitchenettes or the spacious, 700-square-foot one-bedroom suites with full kitchens and separate living areas. To create a true sense of place, the design incorporates the island’s vibrant culture into its social spaces to build a dynamic hub for mingling between visitors and locals. The hotel’s new outdoor covered bar area offers a trendy beach club vibe that will feature daily and nightly entertainment, while the stylish air-conditioned interior dining area is perfect for grabbing a quick snack or coffee. The Rockley has also upgraded and repurposed its reception, pool deck, and communal spaces including the fully equipped fitness room, play space, and guest hospitality suite that allows guests to continue to enjoy the property even after check-out and to freshen up before heading to the airport.
To further integrate visitors into the vibrant local community, the hotel will be introducing a unique “Dine and Sign” program so guests can visit partner restaurants across the neighborhood, and seamlessly charge their meal to their room, just as they would if they were dining at the resort itself. Engaging with the local community is central to The Rockley experience, and the resort’s staff can provide insider tips to discover the South Coast’s hidden gems, steering guests to customized experiences and the best local flavors.
Local artwork is displayed throughout The Rockley as part of its overall design. In the lobby, a new “Art for the People” gallery will spotlight rotating installations by local artists. A stunning hand-painted black and white mural showcasing some of Barbados’ most iconic items and symbols, including sheep, dominoes, chickens, and more, can be seen in the restaurant. At the heart of the lobby, the main column displays a local art collection representing each cardinal direction featuring the top Barbados attractions, inspiring guests to create their own adventure’s by exploring Barbados, but we know they will always return to The Rockley.
With great demand for travel to the island destination this year, there’s a robust offering of flights to the island destination this year. American Airlines will offer daily nonstop flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and weekly Saturday flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Barbados starting in November 2024, complementing its existing service from Miami and Charlotte for up to six peak daily flights this winter. Delta is also relaunching service to Barbados after a six-year hiatus, with planned daily flights from Atlanta and weekly flights from New York beginning in November. JetBlue has been the largest carrier between New York and Bridgetown, while United and Caribbean Airlines also serve this market.
