The Apes Hill guide to buying a vacation home in Barbados

For many people, a vacation home gradually becomes something more settled. It’s where time with friends and family feels less planned, routines form naturally, and visits start to stretch out. Over time, it often takes on a longer-term role too, balancing flexibility today with future plans.

Barbados appeals because life finds its rhythm easily. White-sand beaches slip into crystal-clear shallows, while wide, open green landscapes roll inland and invite you to explore. Days tend to start outdoors and end the same way, whether that’s a coastal swim, a hike through the hills or a round of golf before the light softens.

The island’s food and bar scene is just as easygoing. Rum shacks sit happily alongside well-considered cocktail bars, and evenings are as likely to unfold over fresh fish and a cold Banks as they are around a perfectly mixed negroni. The pace feels full, but never forced.

From a practical perspective, the island continues to make sense. Barbados sits outside the Northern Atlantic hurricane corridor and is known for political stability, strong healthcare and reliable digital infrastructure. These details matter when a place becomes somewhere you return to often.

It’s this combination that keeps Barbados high on the list for second-home buyers. Whether the draw is golf, fresh air and space, or simply spending more time somewhere that feels easy, the Apes Hill Barbados team shares a few considerations to help guide the process.

Choosing where to buy in Barbados often comes down to how you picture daily life. The East Coast is shaped by the Atlantic and known for open landscapes, while the South Coast blends residential areas with a lively social scene. The West Coast is known for its beaches, dining and luxury homes. It is also the most expensive real estate on the island for good reason, bringing together some of the finest stretches of sand, the strongest food scene, considered shopping and a concentration of high-end hotels and residences.

Beachfront living has obvious appeal, but it also comes with practical considerations around privacy, security and long-term upkeep. Exposure to salty sea air can accelerate wear on buildings and finishes, while proximity to the shoreline often means higher maintenance and less seclusion. For some buyers, looking slightly inland offers a more balanced alternative, with greater privacy, cooler temperatures and a setting that feels calmer and more sustainable over time.

Set above sea level, Apes Hill Barbados benefits from cooler temperatures, more space and a greater sense of calm. Surrounded by nature and anchored by a Ron Kirby-designed golf course, it feels removed without being disconnected, with both coasts still within easy reach.

Within the resort, choosing where to live starts with selecting your property lot. Each lot offers its own outlook, orientation and relationship to the landscape, from golf course views to more secluded settings. Proximity to resort amenities varies, allowing you to choose what suits your lifestyle. 

Apartments and condos suit some lifestyles, but shared amenities and limited outdoor space naturally shape how you live and entertain guests. For many buyers, space becomes a deciding factor, with a desire for their vacation home to have plenty of space to host evening dinners and cocktail parties.

Homes in elevated locations tend to benefit from steady trade winds, which can make everyday living noticeably more comfortable.  When homes are designed with sustainability in mind, they benefit from enhanced airflow and natural privacy.

Across Apes Hill, homes sit within open landscapes at low density, with sea views, golf views and landscape filled with indigenous flora found throughout the resort. Private pools and generous outdoor areas are standard, creating a relaxed sense of arrival.

All homes at Apes Hill are custom builds. Rather than offering ready-made properties, members create homes designed around how they want to live, now and over time.

That process takes different forms. Members typically begin with one of our established design routes, such as Villa Oasis or The Pavilions. Each provides a strong architectural foundation with scope for considered personalisation. In select cases, and subject to architectural agreement, bespoke adaptations or optional enhancements may be explored

Residential neighbourhoods, coastal villas and condo developments all offer different ways of living. Resort living brings a more connected experience, with shared amenities and fewer day-to-day concerns but the advantage of your own private space to relax and reconnect.

Apes Hill Barbados is shaped by its setting. Open views, cooling breezes and generous green space make outdoor living feel natural, while sustainability is woven into every aspect of how the resort operates.

Homes are positioned across 475 acres of varied terrain, creating a range of settings rather than a single residential feel. Some locations sit closer to the Clubhouse and sports facilities, while others offer greater privacy and serenity, with equal access to the wider resort.

Life at Apes Hill is social, but never prescribed. Days might include a round of golf, Padel, tennis or yoga, followed by an easy lunch or a drink at the Clubhouse.

To own a home at Apes Hill is to be a member of the community. Ownership brings access to the amenities and shared experiences that define life on the hill. Where you choose to build your second home influences how connected you feel day to day. Some members enjoy being close to the heart of the resort, while others prefer quieter pockets. Both sit comfortably within the same community.

For many owners, a second home needs to work for everyone, pets included. 

Safety considerations can be an important part of choosing a second home, particularly when travelling with young children. Barbados has a low crime rate, and at Apes Hill that sense of reassurance is reinforced by a secure, private setting designed for relaxed, everyday living.

Here, there’s no need for bars on windows or visible security systems. Homes are designed to feel open and connected, with sliding glass walls that allow children to move easily between indoors and out, while keeping parents comfortably at ease. It’s a setting that supports an open-door lifestyle, where time outside feels natural, safe and part of the rhythm of the day.

At Apes Hill, members create new homes from the ground up, allowing for modern layouts, efficient systems and designs that work in harmony with the climate and landscape from the outset.

Architecture across the resort is contemporary and understated, defined by natural materials, clean lines and a seamless connection between indoors and out. Homes are designed for everyday living as much as time away, with private pools and generous outdoor spaces that support relaxed, open-air living.

Choosing where to invest in a second home is as much about lifestyle as it is about location. If you’re still weighing up whether Barbados is the right fit, it’s often the everyday moments that make the difference. A morning walk along the soft white sands of Paynes Bay, the water calm and close enough to wander straight in. A change of pace on the east coast, where the landscape feels wilder and the waves bring a different kind of energy.

Life here unfolds outdoors. Days might include time on the golf course, exploring coral caves and gullies, or simply settling into a rhythm that leaves space for fresh air, movement and good food. It’s a way of living that feels balanced rather than busy, shaped by variety and a strong connection to the island.

Whether you’re considering a second home, planning longer stays or thinking ahead to future living in Barbados, our team is here to help you explore what’s possible. From available property