paulalou

Message: We are planning a trip to Barbados and are looking a place to stay with laid back elegance. We don't necssarily need ot be entertained. Mid-40's with the usual stress-filled jobs looking for stress relief in the sun....we are from Massachusetts where the temps only hit 50 today!!!! We like nice accomodations, good food and good wine, a nice beach in a peaceful, intimate setting...not asking for too much, are we??? Can anyone give me a few suggestions for accomodations???

ejcrowe

I recommend Cobbler's Cove, which is on the west coast near Speightstown. It's a lovely property with only about 40 rooms, each of which is a suite. Bedroom has A/C, balcony, kitchenette and sitting area are open air. Food is marvelous there, restaurant is right at the edge of the water. Grounds are nicely tended gardens. Wine list seemed pretty good, but I admit I tend more to the frou-frou beverages when I am on vacation rather than wine. It is a resort that offers plenty in the casual elegance category--it feels much like an English country house set on the beach than a hotel. The beach is rocky in front of the restaurant, but a few paces down is lovely sand. It's about 1/2 a mile long and shared only by private villas, so it doesn't get crowded. The
pool is small but in a lovely setting, and I never used it once as I prefer seabathing to swimming.

Hotel also offers exchange dining with other hotels when you purchase their MAP meal plan, so you can sample other restaurants without expending more money (other than cab fare if you don't rent a car). Hotel also offers a lovely afternoon tea, as 2/3 of the clientele, as well as owners, are British. www.cobblerscove.com. Oh, I forgot to say that it's also a member of the hotel group Relais & Chateaux. Post back if you have any questions. Enjoy!

Lois

Hi Paula,

Don't know when you are planning to go, as prices could be too high for what I'm suggesting in the "high season". But why don't you look at Coral Reef Club or Colony Club for laid-back elegance. Their sites can be found at the Tourism Board's website at:
www.barbados.org
Look under accommodations, then hotels, then names and contacts and you will find the various sites.

Sandy Lane is THE BEST on the island for pampering and luxury, but it's pricey. You need to do a search for their site as they list independently - look up Sandy Lane Hotel Barbados.

Also good is a Relaix & Chateau property - Cobblers Cove.

The above are all West Coast properties.

In land and very luxurious is Villa Nova. The stately Villa Nova is one of the Caribbean's last remaining Great Plantation Houses. Built in 1834, from handcut coral stone, it sits in 15 acres of landscaped gardens and a towering canopy of tropical rainforest.

Set high above the island's breathtaking East Coast and with panoramic views across the island's sugar cane fields, Villa Nova was the home of the British Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Winston Churchill and the legendary Noel Coward were among

Inside the privacy of this walled estate lies a luxury boutique hotel where guests can relax in an atmosphere designed for easy elegance, casual charm and pampered seclusion.

My husband and I stayed there last year and loved it. They will transport you to a lovely, calm East Coast beach (Bath beach) for swimming. Of course, if you have a rental car you can easily get to any of the gorgeous beaches on the island.

If you want more specifics and a copy of my tips sheet, please write me directly at: [email protected]

I know you will love it. We've been locked into clouds/rain/coldness here in the Washington, DC area for the past 6 weeks -- I can't wait to go someplace warm either.

Lois

lissaworkman

ejcrow - At Cobbler's Cove...can you snorkel off the beach and do they have an activities desk that can arrange day trips for you???

Thanks

ejcrowe

Yes, the concierge at Cobbler's Cove can arrange day trips and tours. I only did a little snorkeling while I was there and found it to be about average--not as good as the snorkeling I did in St. Lucia, but better than the snorkeling I did in Antigua. I'm just a beginning snorkeler, so I'm probably not the best person to advise you on that point. But even though I was only out snorkeling a couple of times, there were a few folks who stayed out for a couple of hours out in front of the hotel.

If you do decide on Cobbler's, I recommend requesting a room on the second floor--they have cathedral ceilings and give the impression of greater spaciousness. When my partner and I went, we got a package offered on luxurylink that inlcuded a garden view room--but when we checked in, they gave us a comp upgrade to oceanview on the second floor. Very nice.

Kelvin

Hi Everyone,
I have gotten lots of email from persons wanting things to do and places to go while on the island, so I Have compiled a short list for your benefit.

Party Spots...
The Boat Yard
The Ship Inn
After Dark
Reggae Lounge
Harbour Lights
Carlisle Bay

South Coast Beaches...
Browns Beach
Dover Beach
Rockley Beach
Worthing

West Coast Beaches...
Batts Rock
Mullins
Gibbs Beach
Folkstone marine reserve

Cultural Dinner Shows...
Harbour Lights Dinner Show (monday nights)
Plantations roots and rhythm (wednesdays and fridays) EXCELLENT

Snorkelling/Scuba..
Browns Beach (3 wrecks to see)
Folkstone marine reserve (very good)

Wind Surfing..
Silver Sands
Bathsheba

Jet Ski rides..
Browns Beach
Dover
Worthing beach
Mullins
Gibbs Beach

Restaurants..
The Cliff
Carambola
Daphne's
The Coach House
Pisces
Red Rooster
Waterfront Cafe
Brown Sugar

Places of interest..
Atlantis Submarine (see the colourful underwater of Barbados)
The Wildlife reserve (native animals like the green monkey etc.)
Grenade Hall Forest
The flower forest
Harrisons Cave (a Must see)
Barbados Museum
Orchid World
Sunbury Plantation House
Mount-Gay Distillery
Island Safari Tours (great island tour in 4X4)

Cruises..
Harbour Master
Jolly Roger

Car Rental Co.
Coconut Car Rentals

Taxi Service..
Nalita Taxi Service
Contact: Alvon Hunte
Tel: 231-5770
Taxi: Z-841

I hope I have helped you. If I have please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email me for any further information.

You can get lots more related information like this, by subscribing to my free newsletter, it gives great tips about the island and current and up to date information about hotels, restaurants, actual current weather, specials etc..so you can save time and money on your vacation. Go to http://www.bajanshowcase.com/newsletter.html

Kelvin/Clifton

librastarqueen

We just got back from our honeymoon and stayed at "The House at Tamarind Cove". It was absolute paradise - seems to have everything you are looking for. Laid back elegance. Not as pricey as Sandy Lane and the people there are wonderful. After only nine days we made friends for a lifetime.