Antigua, West Indies – Visionary hotelier and entrepreneur, Sir Robert A. Barrett, KCN, passed away peacefully today surrounded by friends and family.
Sir Barrett was born on 21 May 1940. After growing up in California, Sir Barrett moved to the Caribbean in the early 1960s to pursue a career in travel and tourism.
After spending time working and living in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and New York, Sir Barrett moved to Antigua in the mid-1980s. He immediately fell in love with the people and beauty of Antigua and Barbuda and made Antigua his permanent home for the rest of his life.
Sir Barrett’s Caribbean hospitality career spanned over six decades. During this time, he purchased and built an impressive collection of beautiful all-inclusive resorts and related businesses in Antigua.
Over the years, he also owned and operated resorts in Barbados, the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Tortola. He loved the Caribbean lifestyle and enjoyed sailing, playing cards, and most of all, a good cigar.
During his career, Sir Barrett created employment and business opportunities for thousands of people in Antigua and throughout the Caribbean.
He established the Wishing Well Foundation in Antigua, a local charity that provides children and adults with lifesaving surgery, scholarships, and disaster relief.
Sir Barrett was also a major contributor to the Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society, which operates Antigua’s beloved Donkey Sanctuary.
In 2023, Sir Barrett was knighted in Antigua and awarded the title of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation (KCN). This national honor was in recognition of Sir Barrett’s significant lifetime contributions to Antigua and Barbuda tourism.
Sir Barrett will always be remembered for his many contributions to Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism and business sectors. He helped countless young people develop successful business and hospitality careers.
To many, he was a lifelong mentor. Above all, Sir Barrett always took care of and looked after his family, friends, and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.
All of the hotels and businesses established by Sir Barrett will continue to operate for many years to come. His entire executive team and key staff members are committed to carrying on and honoring Sir Barrett’s legacy of excellence.
A private family gathering will be held in Sir Barrett’s honor. A celebration of life event will be held for close friends and colleagues in Antigua later in the year.
In lieu of cards or flowers, Sir and Lady Barrett ask that donations in honor of Sir Barrett be made to the Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society.
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We pray for his soul as a human being. However him and his family are one of the major pillagers of our country. We need to look at there true impact on our society.
You was an incredible person and an inspiring employer. Rest in peace, Sir.
A true pioneer in Antigua’s tourism industry. His legacy will live on. Rest in peace, Sir Robert.
Deepest condolences to his family. His contributions to the hospitality sector were unmatched.
A sad day for Antigua and Barbuda. Sir Robert’s vision helped put us on the global tourism map.
Such a tremendous loss. He gave so many people opportunities in the hotel sector.
I met him once, and he was such a kind and humble man. Rest well, Sir Robert.
This man changed lives through his businesses. He will be missed.
@GET RID A DEM. Mr. Barrett and his family have employed thousands of Antiguans and put food on the tables of thousands more. What the fuck have you done?
Sir Barrett legacy will surely live on. His major contributions to the hospitality sector of Antigua and Barbuda will truly go on with us. To his family and friends, we salute thee in honor of Mr. Barrett. Thank you for allowing him to make such big contributions to our nation. We thank you for this! Rest in peace Mr. Barrett.
The reliable and highly regarded trustee of Sir Robert Barret, who telephoned this morning, Thursday 6 March 2025, conveyed a message which Sir Robert delivered before breathing his last breath: “Tell P.M. Browne that he is an extraordinary leader and that he is taking the country in the right direction.”
WTF?
R.I.P a great man and his group granting wishes to kids was notable.
R.I.P
thank you Rob, rest in peace. So all you colonizers see all the money in the world cant save you. Gaston take this as a lesson and be more kind you cant take al that money with you
Good to see good comments about him
He was a man who loved to help. He always have his financial support to people. He built homes for the needy. He really helped alot of poor people. Rip sir Rob
RIP Sir Robert Barrett. May peace find his family and friends
R IP sir robert Barrett you will be missed you helped plenty people with a bed or something you will be sadly missed rip
We lost a good man. Rip sir
Robin outlived Asot and Barrett. Damn!
Ain’t that something else
He was a very sweet and generous man.
Condolences to his family but a now we go get tax out of existence
A generous man?? His hotels are the lowest paying. Rest in peace sir
What a man he will be remembered as a leader in business but had time to stop and asked how we were. We will miss him at breakfast at Hammock Cove. Our visit to The Verandah in May & Hammock in September will not be the same.
Our thoughts will be with his family, Friend & Staff
Richard & Jean Parsons