In the third hour of our stay at the elegant yet supremely comfortable Coral Reef Club, my friend turned to me and pronounced, “I have a major crush on Barbados.” I agreed. The island has everything: one coast with soft, lapping Caribbean waves and another with dramatic Atlantic surf; world-class golf courses, restaurants, spas, shopping and fun spots for after-dinner revelry; a rich history and a culture of graciousness and of style.
Each of the world’s destinations has a personality, and ever...