My husband and I are interested in booking a moderately priced package trip to Barbados (all inclusive, or just air and hotel) in November. Can anyone recommend a good site or operator for this? Thanks.

Best of Barbados special runs to the end of November. You can find info on American Airlines vacations, Continental and Tradewind Tours. Coral Sands in the south is a great moderately priced hotel (off-season $155/nigh plus tax and service charge). We stayed there last Nov/early Dec. We booked the hotel separately and found great airfare on American. This hotel is not part of the Best of Barbados special I mentioned earlier, but the price is reasonable if you can find a good price for airfare. You should contact Lois who has a tip sheet for Barbados. She's the expert. Search the Barbados section for Lois. Her e-mail is posted so you can contact her. What's nice about Coral Sands is that they have a small kitchen where you can have meals in if you want. There's a grocery store located nearby. Keep in mind, Barbados can be very expensive for dining.

Hi,

There are a few places you can book. Check out www.caribbean-on-line and they have specials. Also check:
www.islandhideaways.com I believe they do also.

Definitely write me for my tips on Barbados. It should be a great help with your planning and making decisions.

Lois

e-mail: [email protected]

Thanks for the advice. I am still looking for good a package deal. Generally, is it advisable to go all-inclusive? I came across an all inclusive at Turtle Beach. Anyone heard of this resort before? Thanks

Turtle beach is nice. However, when you stay at an all inclusive sometimes the food is mediocre and there are so many fabulous restaurants you will miss out on while in Barbados. You may want to rethink that.

Lois

kiki1, I will throw my two cents in and suggest you take a look at www.peachandquiet.com. They have a wonderful package that seems almost to good to be true. You would still have to book your air but that's easy. We have stayed twice at P&Q and will be going for a third time next April. Can't say enough about it - truly wonderful.

One comment on Peach and Quiet -- it lost its roof in the hurricane. Not sure about operational status.

Lois

I ditto starfish1's comments. We stayed at Peach & Quiet in October 2003. It was one of the best Caribbean experiences we've *ever* had and was also the least expensive!

Lois, I heard the same thing about the roof. I was concerned and did an Internet search. I found only one source that said the roof had been blown off; I found several others that said a roof of the gazebo (by the pool) had been lost. So I think they're OK (I certainly hope so).

Re: Peach and Quiet, it is business as usual. Just to clarify, I emailed Margaret after the hurricane to see how they fared and other than a gazebo roof, they are fine. It was the roof of the property next door to them that was lost and landed on P&Q's tennis court. They had just finished putting some new roofs on and they were not damaged at all and the tiled roofs are all o.k. Very lucky!

Starfish1: I've just gotta know; where's the tennis court? I didn't know they had one!

I confirm starfish1 re the information on P&Q's roofs - all fine now. I too spoke to Margaret. For clarification, the other hotel's roof ended up in their car park.

Re Turtle Beach - food is awful - t here, I've said it !

NewcombGirl, I know what you mean! When Margaret told me the roof landed on the tennis court she confessed that it hadn't been used for a long time and therefore, as curiousx clarified, I guess it is also being used as the car park. Maybe we can encourage them to put up some nets! Wow, it's so nice to find other folks who get as excited about the place as me - I just love it!

So I guess the tennis court is just before and to the left to the main entrance? Anyhow, yes, I'm a *huge* fan of P&Q and of the Loveridges.