Set on the corner of the main coastal road and a quiet street traveling inland, Lantana comprises a pair of three-story British Colonial-style buildings painted taupe with white trim -- set on either side of a parking lot and facing the sea. One building is positioned close to the road (guests often complain of street noise), and the other is farther back where it’s more peaceful. However, the small school across the street can interfere with the calm ambience on weekdays. A curvaceous pool sits below each building -- with plenty of deck chairs, sun umbrellas, and a couple of outdoor dining settings. Neat tropical gardens surround the pools and line pathways. 

The vibe is low-key and relaxed -- there’s not a lot of action here other than guests having the odd dip in either of the pools or enjoying their decks. Lantana feels more like a small condo community than a typical hotel or resort, and these apartments provide an experience more akin to living in Barbados than merely visiting as a tourist. There is 24-hour security manning the boom-arm entrance gate, but no reception area to speak of. A Lantana representative meets guests on arrival instead. 

Lantana Resort is located on the west coast of Barbados, in St. James -- around 40 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport. There is beach access to Alleyne’s Bay virtually across the road, but there are other better equipped beaches farther up the coast. For instance, it’s five minutes to Mullins Beach -- where water sports and sunbeds are available through outside vendors, and there’s also a popular restaurant and bar perched right over the water. It’s a four-minute drive to Colony Club Beach in the other direction, five minutes to Folkestone Marine Park & Museum, and eight minutes to Holetown, which offers plenty of dining, shopping, entertainment options, and a supermarket for supplies. It’s also a 10-minute drive to Royal Westmoreland Golf Course. Guests at Lantana may be better off renting a car given there’s no concierge to arrange taxis, and there is plenty of on-site parking. However, there are also cheap and frequent local buses running up and down the coast road.

Lantana offers a range of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments spread over two low-rise towers, each of which has its own communal pool. They’re all self-contained, with full kitchens and open-plan living and dining areas. Bi-fold glass doors open onto furnished covered decks, and elevated rooms have sea views. Decor throughout is light, fresh, and contemporary. 

Bedrooms vary slightly from unit to unit, but all have a comfortable, homey feel with airy coastal decor and pops of color, such as seashell-printed bedding or Crayola-colored area rugs. Some bedrooms also have access to a deck or private balcony. The main bathroom in each unit features a shower/tub combo, but some additional bathrooms only have walk-in showers. 

Kitchens are modern and stylish with stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. They’re equipped with everything required to cook up a storm, down to sharp chopping knives and paper towels plus cleaning products and garbage bags. All kitchens have fridges, microwaves, toasters, integrated dishwashers, coffeemakers, and kettles. 

Amenities include washer/dryers (in the kitchen), air-conditioning, ceiling fans, flat-screen TVs with cable, iPod docks, safes, bathrobes, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi. Phones are also provided for free local calls. Note that there have been past reports of haphazard housekeeping and daytime traffic noise, so requesting a room in the rear building may make sense. Given units are set over three levels (with no elevators), less mobile guests should request a lower-level or ground-floor position. Housekeeping is provided every other day.

Lantana isn’t a proper hotel, so it lacks the features of one -- there’s no spa, fitness center, or restaurant. However, there are two communal outdoor pools -- one for each building -- and each has lounge chairs and outdoor patio sets. There’s plenty of free parking, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Security is provided around the clock. For everything else, guests must travel outside Lantana.