Puddlejumper

My wife and I are going to Barbados for the first time, in Mid-May, 2004. We are interested in 4 & 5 star hotels. We would like to stay at a hotel on the beach with water sports available, and is close to a town, sightseeing and dining. Spa facilities would be great, but are not required. We like some seclusion, but don't want to travel 30+ minutes to get to town, etc. The hotels we're currently looking at are: Tamarind, Coconut Cove, Little Arches, The Crane, and Colony Club. Also, what places should we visit? What are "must-do's"? We plan to be there for 7-8 days / 6-7 nights.

Lois

I may have written you already, but if not, here are some answers based on your hotel possibilites:

Little Arches is very romantic, small (10 rooms), secluded, across the street from the beach (Miami Beach) -- ok beach but there are better. You can drive to any beach as all are public.

The Crane (if you are in the new "residences" is nice), but this is very far from everything on the island -- it's on the East Coast and there is a strong undertow in the water there. It's probably almost 50 min. ride to the fabulous west coast restaurants from here.

Colony Club is ok, but looking a bit in need of updating. Nice beach here. Tamarind is ok -- farther south on the West Coast. You may find water activities here.

You might want to consider Coral Reef Club or Royal Pavilion for water activities on nice west coast beach.

Not much in town -- a couple of hours there might do it for shopping/sights.

Write me for my tips which you may find helpful at: [email protected]

Lois

toolbabe

One hint, if you want your luggage to arrive with you, do not fly through San Juan. They pull bags when you change planes but then hold them for several days. No one at Barbados airport will help you and no one answers the customer service line. Can be a nightmare. Suggest carryons.

andy

definitely the Royal Pavillion-- it just underwent a Massive Million dollar renovation..All rooms open onto beach with either patio or balcony..small open air restaurant..

If you want more nitelife, you just walk over to the sister hotel, Glitter Bay for all that it offers...
Definitely 4 star!

The ultimate 5 star resort is Sandy Lane..with it's own golf course and spa..Way further out, but definitely in a class to it's own....

CLLRN

We honeymooned @Tamarind Cove in Sept.2001. While it was nice, it is in need of some updating. If I were to go now I would also recommend Royal Pavillion, as it is superior to Tamarind and, as the previous poster stated just underwent a massive renovation. We also visited the Crane--VERY beautiful, but again, as already mentioned, very much in the middle of nowhere.