Hilton Barbados Resort Reinvents Itself as the Premier Culinary and Cultural Destination, Showcasing Local Art and Cuisine

By Marlon Madden

The Hilton Barbados Resort, long established as the Barbadian People’s hotel, is taking major steps to reposition the multi-storey, 350-room hotel it co-owns with the government as the country’s leading accommodation centred on Bajan culinary experiences and cultural heritage.

Recently, Hilton Barbados representatives announced the commissioning of a wide range of art pieces from Barbadian artists at the Needham’s Point resort as part of an expanded project aimed at supporting and promoting local artists.

In addition, Hilton Barbados has relaunched the Grille Restaurant to serve a range of Bajan-inspired dishes and introduced the Careenage Rum Stop – a Bajan rum shop-inspired bar and dining option that will only feature locally-inspired menus and serve Barbados rum.

General Manager of Hilton Barbados Resort Jacques Monteil said so far, the hotel had over 40 local paintings, sculptures, as well as clay designs and he was committed to increasing that number.

Addressing specially invited guests at the unveiling ceremony, Monteil explained that in addition to a massive painting displayed at the front desk, depicting a section of the ocean surrounding the hotel, a major art piece will be placed on each of the eight floors of the hotel, which was first opened at Barbados’ independence in November 1966. The original hotel was demolished and rebuilt at the turn of the century and further remodelled in 2017.

Each will have different themes, showcasing various aspects of Barbadian heritage and culture, including the neighbouring Garrison Savannah and Main Guard clock tower, the sugar cane and rum industry, the ocean and the Old Charles Fort on which the property sits, the rugged East Coast, Bridgetown on a Saturday, fisherfolk, music including the steel pan, the culinary delights associated with Oistins, and cricket.

He said the partnership with the local artists will see each painting having a QR code that can be scanned so that individuals can visit the websites of the artists and view the information on the hotel’s art collection.

On the Careenage Rum Stop, Monteil explained that this represented the island’s popular rum shops.

“That is only going to serve Barbados rums,” he announced. “We have great rums here represented by many. We spend a lot of money getting the collection and there is still more to do. We are invested. We have rum barrels as furniture and we are doing enhancements. It is seven nights a week entertainment, and guess what, the entertainment is all [local].”