info on The Crane?
Jul 14th, 2004, 06:09 PM
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info on The Crane?
I'm thinking of booking a vacation for August at The Crane in Barbados. The pictures on the website look stunning, the prices is great, and the reviews on trip advisor are glowing. But I trust this board alot more. Does anyone have firsthand information on the Crane? Also, I've never been to Barbados, but to many other islands in the summer months. Are there lots of mosquitoes in August? Or do the breezes on the Atlantic coast keep them down? I just got back from Cancun and there were NO mosquitoes, not one!
Teresa
Teresa
Jul 16th, 2004, 05:08 AM
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I was in Barbados in May, and did not stay at the Crane, but did stop by one morning for breakfast at their restaurant, just to see the place and see Crane Beach.
The property is beautiful, although there is construction right now on the premises, I think they are building condos.
The view from atop the cliff is beautiful, as is the beach itself. It appears spotless and well maintained on the property and grounds. They are very strict with visitors (those not staying at the hotel) on the grounds, so if peace and quiet is a priority for you, you'll love the place. The pool area also is stunning.
Now, for the bad.....I found the service and meal at the restaurant overlooking the beach/cliffs severely lacking. We were the only table occupied for most of the time we were there, and had to wait an inordinate amount of time for our meal. Also, our waiter was very unfriendly compared to the other servers we encountered on the island.
I don't think that necessarily reflects poorly on service as a whole at the Crane, though, because the gentleman (security?) who ushered us in to the restaurant was very friendly and professional. He even offered to give us the key to the steps that lead to Crane Beach so we could see it up close.
So, I wouldn't necessarily let my bad dining experience deter you...
Finally, I would only stay at the Crane if you want to be away from the "action", because it is pretty isolated and far from the attractions of the Gap and West Coast. I might suggest you split your trip..spend half on the "quiet" east side at the Crane, and then maybe check out the South or West coast for a bit more activity and proximity to all the fine dining the island has to offer.
As for the weather and mosquitoes, some of the days were definitely very hot, but there tends to be a breeze that helps with that a bit. Also, I did not find mosquitoes, or bugs in general, to be a problem...although I guess that varies according to season.
Hope you found this helpful, I'd be glad to assist if you have any other questions. It is a beautiful island, and I am sure you will have a lovely trip.
The property is beautiful, although there is construction right now on the premises, I think they are building condos.
The view from atop the cliff is beautiful, as is the beach itself. It appears spotless and well maintained on the property and grounds. They are very strict with visitors (those not staying at the hotel) on the grounds, so if peace and quiet is a priority for you, you'll love the place. The pool area also is stunning.
Now, for the bad.....I found the service and meal at the restaurant overlooking the beach/cliffs severely lacking. We were the only table occupied for most of the time we were there, and had to wait an inordinate amount of time for our meal. Also, our waiter was very unfriendly compared to the other servers we encountered on the island.
I don't think that necessarily reflects poorly on service as a whole at the Crane, though, because the gentleman (security?) who ushered us in to the restaurant was very friendly and professional. He even offered to give us the key to the steps that lead to Crane Beach so we could see it up close.
So, I wouldn't necessarily let my bad dining experience deter you...
Finally, I would only stay at the Crane if you want to be away from the "action", because it is pretty isolated and far from the attractions of the Gap and West Coast. I might suggest you split your trip..spend half on the "quiet" east side at the Crane, and then maybe check out the South or West coast for a bit more activity and proximity to all the fine dining the island has to offer.
As for the weather and mosquitoes, some of the days were definitely very hot, but there tends to be a breeze that helps with that a bit. Also, I did not find mosquitoes, or bugs in general, to be a problem...although I guess that varies according to season.
Hope you found this helpful, I'd be glad to assist if you have any other questions. It is a beautiful island, and I am sure you will have a lovely trip.
Jul 17th, 2004, 07:37 AM
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Elizabeth, thanks for replying on the Crane. I just have a few more questions. Did the beach have umbrellas and chairs set up by the resort, or would we have to rent them? And how crowded was the beach? Also, how tough is it to get down to the beach? Some people have complained that the rickety stairs down from the resort to the beach scared them.
Thanks so much for answering my questions!
Teresa
Thanks so much for answering my questions!
Teresa
Jul 19th, 2004, 05:11 AM
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Teresa,
It was raining the day I was there, but there was a man at the beach setting up chairs and umbrellas, so I assume they are for hotel guests' use only. I don't think you'd have to rent them.
Actually, the beach was completely empty the day I was there, again because of the rain. I imagine that it would not get too crowded, because they do mostly limit it to hotel guests and paying customers only..although all beaches are public in Barbados. The beach area really isn't very big, just a small crescent area, from what I could see.
If you would prefer a larger beach where you could walk along for a bit, the south coast or west coast would be a better fit.
As for the stairs, they did appear to be very steep...they were located just off the restaurant where we ate. They gave us the passkey to the gate of the stairs, but since it was raining, they appeared very slippery, so we didn't take the chance and returned the key. They did look scary!
Honestly, although the hotel and grounds were nice, and it appeared peaceful and quiet, you could probably find a comparable resort on a much nicer stretch of beach. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely beautiful there, in a wild untamed kind of way, but I prefered the calmer waters of the West and South Coast. My guess is it's way too rought to be in those waters.
If you have any more questions about the island, I'll be sure to check back.
It was raining the day I was there, but there was a man at the beach setting up chairs and umbrellas, so I assume they are for hotel guests' use only. I don't think you'd have to rent them.
Actually, the beach was completely empty the day I was there, again because of the rain. I imagine that it would not get too crowded, because they do mostly limit it to hotel guests and paying customers only..although all beaches are public in Barbados. The beach area really isn't very big, just a small crescent area, from what I could see.
If you would prefer a larger beach where you could walk along for a bit, the south coast or west coast would be a better fit.
As for the stairs, they did appear to be very steep...they were located just off the restaurant where we ate. They gave us the passkey to the gate of the stairs, but since it was raining, they appeared very slippery, so we didn't take the chance and returned the key. They did look scary!
Honestly, although the hotel and grounds were nice, and it appeared peaceful and quiet, you could probably find a comparable resort on a much nicer stretch of beach. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely beautiful there, in a wild untamed kind of way, but I prefered the calmer waters of the West and South Coast. My guess is it's way too rought to be in those waters.
If you have any more questions about the island, I'll be sure to check back.
Jul 19th, 2004, 11:20 PM
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Hi Teresa,
Like Elizabeth, I have only visited the Crane to eat (lunch) a couple of times, not stayed there. I'd agree that the location is stunning and I think Crane Beach is really beautiful - soft white sand and turquoise sea. The sea is pretty rough there however, not at all like the beaches on the West coast which are generally flat calm, but not as picturesque. There were plenty of people swimming there the last day I was there, although the waves were quite large.
The lunch I had at the Crane was good and I had no problem with the service.
After lunch we did spend the afternoon on the beach. There certainly were umbrellas and chairs for guests. I don't remember being particularly concerned by the stairs.
The potential downsides are the construction work going on and the relatviely remote location (but you might see that as a plus).
I could send you a photo or two of Crane Beach if you'd like - just post an email address.
John.
Like Elizabeth, I have only visited the Crane to eat (lunch) a couple of times, not stayed there. I'd agree that the location is stunning and I think Crane Beach is really beautiful - soft white sand and turquoise sea. The sea is pretty rough there however, not at all like the beaches on the West coast which are generally flat calm, but not as picturesque. There were plenty of people swimming there the last day I was there, although the waves were quite large.
The lunch I had at the Crane was good and I had no problem with the service.
After lunch we did spend the afternoon on the beach. There certainly were umbrellas and chairs for guests. I don't remember being particularly concerned by the stairs.
The potential downsides are the construction work going on and the relatviely remote location (but you might see that as a plus).
I could send you a photo or two of Crane Beach if you'd like - just post an email address.
John.
Jul 27th, 2004, 09:50 AM
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We just returned from 2 weeks in Barbados on Sunday.
We spent a day at the Crane (via Public Beach access). We've been going to the Crane for years. Now it's overrun with timeshare and lots of people at the pool. Beach has more people too. There are chairs there and umbrellas.
Be cautioned -- the beach here is gorgeous, but has an extremely strong undertow. People body surf in the waves -- that's about it. They also jump off a cliff near the hotel.
The stairs are extremely rickety -- we were surprised that with so much new building having been done there that they did not improve that.
This resort is very far away from everything. In my opinion, you are better off staying someplace else, then going over to spend a day there -- possibly enjoying the beach or just enjoy having a drink on their balcony overlooking it.
There is a whole new building currently under construction so you will have construction noise too.
Also, there were mosquitos on the island. The rest of my family got pretty bit up -- I escaped (don't know how).
Lois
We spent a day at the Crane (via Public Beach access). We've been going to the Crane for years. Now it's overrun with timeshare and lots of people at the pool. Beach has more people too. There are chairs there and umbrellas.
Be cautioned -- the beach here is gorgeous, but has an extremely strong undertow. People body surf in the waves -- that's about it. They also jump off a cliff near the hotel.
The stairs are extremely rickety -- we were surprised that with so much new building having been done there that they did not improve that.
This resort is very far away from everything. In my opinion, you are better off staying someplace else, then going over to spend a day there -- possibly enjoying the beach or just enjoy having a drink on their balcony overlooking it.
There is a whole new building currently under construction so you will have construction noise too.
Also, there were mosquitos on the island. The rest of my family got pretty bit up -- I escaped (don't know how).
Lois
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