ARE, the smart set getting a bit sniffy this week about Barbados? One British newspaper this week had the temerity to suggest that perhaps the Caribbean hot spot was becoming Hello!-On Sea.
Apparently the arrival of increasing numbers of package tourists has changed the tone of the once sedate and secret hideaway. Barbados has suddenly become popular among all sorts of "celebrities" - last week Mandy Allwood, she of the very public octuplet pregnancy, was photographed enjoying a few days on the sunny island. However there are still several oases of civilisation on the island, including the very upmarket (£2,000 a night) Sandy Lane hotel which is believed to have been acquired by a consortium led by Dermot Desmond. It's where Dunnes, Stores supremo Margaret Heffernan spent Christmas with a party of a dozen family and friends.
Also enjoying the holidays in Barbados was actress Victoria Smurfit, there with her dad Dermot and his wife Geraldine and their three children Thomas, Sophia and James.