I write this week’s article in my freezing apartment, chilled further by having just spent two weeks in the Barbados sunshine. I was first introduced to this Caribbean island in 1993 by my favourite holiday companion of the time, Annie Woolfe. After great holidays to Israel and Bali, she suggested I would love Barbados.
Back then Barbados was the only holiday destination in the world served by Concorde. Flight time was three hours and 45 minutes at a speed of 20 miles a minute. I still remember vividly the phenomenal experience of Concorde take-off and landing. The roar of the Rolls-Royce engines, combined with being pushed back into your seat, was like no other flight. On landing, the sense of speed hit dramatically, as passengers were pushed forward against straining seat belts, as Concorde went into considerable reverse thrust.
Arriving for departure at Heathrow you had a private check-in discreetly tucked away at the far end of Terminal Four, where you were personally greeted and escorted to the exclusive Concorde lounge. There was no long walk to the gate for Concorde passengers, as boarding was straight from the lounge. On my many Concorde flights, I met Paul McCartney, Rupert Murdoch, Tim Rice, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cliff Richard, Naomi Campbell, and Michael Winner. All of them were very affable because, for three hours or so, we would be sharing membership of this special club.
Whether you want to laze on the beach, swim with the turtles or enjoy a gourmet meal with a dreamy sunset view, Barbados has something for everyone. It is a dreamland of spotless white sand and sky-blue oceans.
Regulars all have their own special places to stay. Sandy Lane is best known, and I have stayed there many times. This year though we chose to take a Plantation Suite at the classic, understated Coral Reef Club. Owned and run by the delightful O’Hara family, it is quite simply one of the best family hotels in the world. The epitome of West Indian elegance and charming hospitality, it offers guests beautiful gardens, elegant rooms, two swimming pools and its own beach. The O’Hara brothers, Mark, and Patrick are omnipresent and with the help of truly wonderful staff ensure the absolute care and comfort of guests in what is an exceptional hotel.
Our first day on the island this year coincided with my wife Katrina’s birthday. Close friends treated us at the island’s newest restaurant Local & Co. After serving us banana leaf wrapped kingfish, chef-patron Sophie Michell personally brought out the best tasting birthday cake ever. Only three weeks before, Sophie had cooked dinner for Prince Charles when he was in Barbados, honouring its independence. Prince Charles loved it so much, she was invited back a second night to cook for him again.
Barbados has a prime minister in Mia Mottley who is so impressive that her Labour party won every seat at the 2018 election. My advice to the UK Labour Party is get Mia to London. She is a brilliant winner making her mark on the international stage at the Cop26 climate change conference last year in Glasgow with a rip-roaring speech.
As Katrina, my parents Sophie and David and ‘daughter’ Sofia know so well, my favourite restaurant in the world is the beach fronted Lone Star, offering a mix of European fare with Caribbean influence, and refreshing salads. My go to dish will always be the market fish. The brilliant general and restaurant managers Kristin and Roy always make sure a table is available. My advice to first timers is order a Pornstar Martini which is vanilla vodka, passion fruit liquor, pineapple juice and lemon served with a shot of prosecco.
Thousands of miles away, current troubles in Kazakhstan prompt different memories. In 2013 I attended the wedding of then President Nazarbayev’s grandson, where my client Britain’s Got Talent winners Shadow Theatre Group ‘Attraction’ performed along with Kanye West. The wedding was sumptuous on the grandest scale. When chatting late at night with the president he told me of his great pride at the prestige Tony Blair had given to his country by giving advice, for a multi-million pound fee. In that part of the world ‘Sir’ Tony was revered.
My charity shout out this month is Historic Royal Palaces. Culture and history are part of the DNA which makes Britain great. Being responsible for some of the United Kingdom’s most well-known historic buildings, post Covid funds are desperately needed. Please visit hrp.org.uk and become a custodian. Thank you.