The Fairmont Royal Pavilion-History
Learn more about Fairmont Royal Pavilion or make a booking.
The Fairmont Royal Pavilion was formerly The Miramar Hotel, which was built in the 1940s as the first hotel to be constructed on the West Coast of Barbados. At this time, the property comprised just twelve rooms.
The resort was originally built adjacent to the winter estate of Sir Edward Cunard, scion of the Cunard family, owners and operators of the renowned Cunard Steamship Company and originally The White Star Line of Liverpool, England.
In 1987, Lynne and Mike Pemberton, the 'power couple' from UK society, bought The Miramar. They were featured across Europe in society and lifestyle magazines and launched the Barbados chapter of the Variety Club International in 1995 by hosting a garden tea party auction at Glitter Bay. Guests included Joan Collins and Lord Banfield, and watercolours by Prince Charles were sold to raise in excess of $40,000. In 1985, Queen Elizabeth visited the hotel, travelling with Concorde from the UK.
In 1987, Mike Pemberton took the decision to redevelop The Miramar into the luxurious Royal Pavilion. Following a miraculously short renovation, the doors opened in December 1987 - just in time for Christmas.
The hotel was acquired by Princess Hotels in February 1996 and then became a Canadian Pacific hotel, following the merger of these two brands in 1998. In October 1999, following the acquisition by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the property was renamed The Fairmont Royal Pavilion.
The Fairmont Royal Pavilion is situated on one of the most appealing of all Caribbean shorelines - the famous West Coast of Barbados. The site was discovered and named at the turn of the century by prominent Barbados businessman, George Manning.
Located beachfront on an 11-acre estate in the parish of St. James, the resort is set on the incomparable west coast of Barbados, overlooking the Caribbean. The Fairmont Royal Pavilion has been described as "The Jewel in the Crown of Barbados" and this world premier couples-oriented resort has built up an enviable position for service and luxury.
The pale pink façaded structure has an intimate European style and is set amidst exquisitely landscaped gardens with tropical flowers, water features and fountains.
The hotel is situated 32 km (20 miles) from the airport and 12.8 km (8 miles) from the capital city Bridgetown, and a half-mile from the nearest shopping centre in Holetown.