Samuel Hall Lord was born in 1778 in Long Bay, St. Philip, Barbados. Raised on his family’s grand estate, he grew to embody the ambition and extravagance of his time.
At age 26, he traveled to England, married Lucy Wightwick, and returned to Barbados to build what would become the island’s most famous mansion — a Georgian-style castle that glimmered above the Atlantic.

Stories tell of Sam Lord’s cunning and opulence. He was said to have hung lanterns in coconut trees along the shore, tricking passing ships into thinking they were approaching Bridgetown’s harbor. When their vessels ran aground on the reefs, Sam Lord’s men would seize their treasures — earning him the title of “The Pirate Lord of Barbados.”

His castle was a masterpiece of art and indulgence, inspired by Windsor Castle and adorned with Michelangelo-style ceilings, European paintings, and lion-paw furniture. In 1942 the estate changed hands and was transformed into a hotel by Barbadian hotelier Victor Marson.

Although a fire in 2010 left the original castle in ruins, its spirit lives on. The restored Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle Resort opened in October 2023, continuing the legacy of adventure, discovery, and timeless elegance.

Today, divers still explore the reefs off the coast, where the whispers of Sam Lord’s fabled fortune remain part of the island’s enduring mystery.