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Planning a trip to - Barbados: Last Post 02-25-2007 02:15 PM by ChangeMe. 7 Replies. | Sort: |
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love_cab_chard  
Master of Wine
Posts: 12597
 | | 08-08-2004 08:31 PM |
| Thinking about going for T-Giving. My 1st question to those in the know, is that a good time to go (as far as climate goes)?
Also, would appreciate Hotel recommendations. Going with a three year old. So, a baby-friendly hotel would be good.
Also, I never really do "all inclusive vacations", but if there is a nice hotel(s) with good food that offer an "all inclusive" package, I would like to look into that type of a deal.
P.S.: Hotel must be very near the beach, on the beach.
Thank You as always. | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 08-09-2004 12:08 AM |
| | We stopped there on a cruise and enjoyed the island. There's plenty of poverty, but a good number of the people live well. It's a beautiful island with great beaches, but stay on the hotel beaches. They have been cleared of sea cucumbers which can give you a sting. I believe the rainy season is in June and the climate is great all year long. Have a great trip. | | | |
| Seek
Upstate NY
Wine Thief
Posts: 2772
| | 08-09-2004 01:20 AM |
| Only one place for you my man, one that is well worth the price of admission if you are bringing your daughter. Food was exceptional, sunsets to die for, and wonderful Rum!
Almond Beach Village
The only other restaurant we visited was theCarambola and it was very good.
Make sure to see the Eastern side of the island as well. This side iis on the Atlantic and is drastically different from the West Coast which is where all the resorts for the most part are. Andromeda Gardens, Harrisons Cave, Sam Lords Castle, many Plantations, and wonderful lookouts abound on Barbados. The island is rich in history.
Let me know if you have any other questions. | | | |
| wineismylife 
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12424
| | 08-09-2004 01:42 AM |
| So Seek, it doesn't suck, eh?  | | | Joe-----Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| travelrep
Northern Virginia
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2140
| | 08-09-2004 03:01 PM |
| LCC..
Just got back from Barbados about a month ago. I represent the Barbados Tourism Authority in the Mid-Atlantic area and would be happy to assist with questions, materials, etc., just drop me a PM if you'd like.
I stayed at Sandy Lane on this trip...the most luxurious hotel I've ever stayed at. Unbelievable experience. Unbelievably expensive. I saw kids there but the room that I stayed in (luckily it was comped) was $1000 per night, so unless you plan on spending your off spring's inheritance, Sandy Lane might not be a reasonable choice.
Almond Beach Village is the place to go with kids. It's a several hundred room all inclusive, with a family side and a couples side. They have an extensive kids program and facility. Not a bad choice for families.
There are quite a few smaller hotels that are just wonderful, but don't have the kids facilities that Almond Beach Village has....Cobbler's Cove, Glitter Bay, Royal Pavilion, the Crane, are just a few that come to mind.
When selecting a hotel, you'd be better off on the West Coast of the island. The south coast is typically where the single and young couple crowd goes. There aren't any hotels on the east coast due to the Atlanatic surf being too rough. It's beautiful to see, but not for vacationers.
I could go on and on....let me know if you'd like some more info.
T-Rep | | | |
| ChillyWino
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1755
| | 02-08-2007 11:28 PM |
| | We're sick of the cold and looking for places to go. Barbados is quickly jumping to the top of our list. How is it down there this time of year? We're thinking of staying at the Crane if we go. Has anyone stayed there? Also, I've heard the best way to do a rental car is through the hotel once you get there. Is that still the case? | | | |
| travelrep
Northern Virginia
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2140
| | 02-09-2007 01:41 PM |
| Chilly...
Barbados is my favorite Caribbean island. I used to rep the Barbados Tourism Authority so I've had the benefit of heading down that way quite a few times.
The Crane is a beautiful place. The only rap it takes is that it's on the south side of the island, east of the capital, Bridgetown, and is in a residential area. No restaurants around, no places to see/tour/etc. around. If you go there, you'll definitely need a car. Having said that, the accommodations are fantastic and the beach is great.
The temp is a pretty constant 80-85 degrees and I'd expect you to have great weather.
As to the rental car issue, I've never rented a car while there so I can't speak to your being able to get it while you're at your hotel. I assume that you can...
Are there any other hotels you're considering? The west coast of Barbados has far more hotels than the south side and there are other properties that are of the same quality of The Crane....PM me if you'd like any other suggestions.
T-Rep | | | |
| ChangeMe
Grape Picker
Posts: 1
| | 02-25-2007 02:15 PM |
| Quote:
We're sick of the cold and looking for places to go. Barbados is quickly jumping to the top of our list. How is it down there this time of year? We're thinking of staying at the Crane if we go. Has anyone stayed there? Also, I've heard the best way to do a rental car is through the hotel once you get there. Is that still the case?
We used to go to Barbados every year in the 80s but that's 20 years ago and a lot has changed. The Crane had been a hotel but was operating only as a restaurant and some appartments then [we always stayed at Paradise Beach close to Sandy Lane] but the change back to a luxury hotel was being discussed and this has clearly occurred. The Crane, built into a rock cliff, had great views of the coast and sea from high above a very good beach but it was always very windy when we were there in early-mid April when the rates on the island used to reduce enormously. IMO this was also the best time for the weather and the sea temperature and well before the rainy season. However the sea could be rough with the wind blowing hard even though you could see the protection the reef provided way out. In those days I liked the waves since they were big enough to surf but if you want more accessibility to water sports, sailing and facilities generally you need to go to the St. James coast rather than St. Philip. The island will have changed enormously in those 20 years so you will need more current advice but I doubt that my description of the wind and sea and relative isolation at the Crane will be very different today. But that may be what you are looking for. The new hotel certainly looks the part. | | | |
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