Barbados rental vacation help
 

Claudia and I are planning to go to Barbados this summer (august 8 to 24). We're trying to rent a flat/villa and found some offers on www.homelidays.com. Apartments are located the most among Oistins and Brighton on the west/south-west coast. There is one in particular that seems to meet our needs, placed in Oistins. Does anybody know the area? We know that not all the places are safe, especially those more quiet and isolated. What about the internet site? Can we trust it? Thanks a lot. Gluelace

you might wish to contact paul mermelstein at www.islandhideaways.com according to lois swanson (a fodorite who frequents barbados) he is well versed on what's available. if you'd rather not be too isolated perhaps look at the villas at sandy lane or settler's beach. these would be small groups of villas clustered around a common pool, so you get the villa with your own kitchen and world but you can socialize around the pool if you wish. phone is 800.832.2302 email at [email protected]

or take a look at this vrbo page: http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/caribbean/barbados

Thank you, a bit over our budget, but I will keep it in mind. Wonderful villas!
bye
gluelace

What's the name of the apartments you are looking at? I live in Barbados, so probably know them by name. There isn't actually accommodation in Oistins itself, but nearby there are quite a few apartments that are within walking distance of the beach also. Oistins is great for the Friday night fish fry, although a lot of the fish is actually grilled and it's open every night - Friday is the big party night.

Hi, we are near to reserve an apartment in the extreme south, at Inch Cape, through www.inchcape.com. The flat is called "Sunset upstairs". What about it? My only further concern now is the weather!

Sorry, the site is www.inchcape.net. Does anybody know how to insure my trip against weather threats? thanks a lot

Haven't stayed at Inchcape but stay down the beach and have walked by it many times. It is beside Silver Sands Resort and as far as I know you would have access to the pool there as Inchcape doesn't have one. It is fairly isolated and you would need to take a taxi or car rental to explore outside the area. We love this part of the island but it is very windy - lots of kiteboarding/windsurfing goes on here. Inchcape looks very nice from the outside - on a rocky promontory but the beach is right next door. It's a great place to relax and hang out but it depends what you have planned for your holiday. We have always felt safe in the area.

Inchcape should be fine, but you will need a taxi/car to get about as there's nothing to walk to in the area. Nice quiet area for rejuvenating and relaxing.
Weather - think positive! Today is a fabulous day, clear sky, nice breeze and from my office window, the sea looks very inviting. Anything can happen in August including getting hot and humid with little breeze, but Inchcape should be relatively cool always as it's right on the sea and will get the fresh breezes coming in from the Atlantic.

thank you all, we definitely confirmed our reservation at Inchcape and we are glad to know it's a safe and relaxing place. what we were looking for. now we're trying to rent a car since it seems necessary. so no need of weather insurance?
gluelace

You might want to look into hurricane insurance - that time of year can be pretty dicey. For dinners out, try the restaurant at Silver Point - just down the beach from Inchcape and beside Silver Sands resort. Beautiful view and good food. And of course, Oistens Fish Fry on Friday nights. Have a wonderful time - I'm sure you will enjoy Inchcape.

thank you starfish1, we'll take your advise in due care and make a trip report when we come back.
How can we make assurance against hurricanes? do you know any company operating from europe?

Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread...but hoping bajangirl or starfish can answer my question. How's the beach over by Silver Point? Is the water really wavy?
Would it make a good base for a 3 night stay, if we wanted to mostly explore the rest of the island but also get a bit of beach time for a few hours each day?

I'm trying to determine if this would be adequate or if I will kick myself for not staying on the west coast?

Thanks!

In reply to mymoosie, the beach at Silver Point is fabulous, but the sea for stronger swimmers generally. There can be calm days in August and September when it's suitable for anyone, however, there is no life guard on duty there. It's popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers. Great place for a 3-day unwind if you don't mind perhaps not being able to go in the sea, depending on conditions at the time. Think Silver Point has a pool, so at least you can cool off.
Hope that helps. Enjoy.

FYI - Paul Mermelstein is no longer at Island Hideaways - he sold it about a year ago. However, the staff is still there and quite knowledgeable.

Another good villa rental group is Bajan Services (right on the island). You can find them at www.bajanservices.com

Lois

mymoosie, bajangirl summed up your question very well but I will just add that if this is the only place you are staying on the island for three days you will be doing alot of driving if you want to explore. It depends where you want to go but alot of the attractions are closer to the west coast. Personally I love the south coast as it's away from the crowds but I have always stayed for a week so some days we would explore and others just hang out. There is another beach closer to Oistens called Enterprise Beach (the locals refer to it as Miami Beach) that is very calm if you want some beachtime.

Yes, Enterprise is a great beach with nice swimming. There is a nice restaurant at Little Arches - a hotel across the road from Enterprise Beach. If you make it in to Oistins other than for the fish fry - which is a must do - check out Surfers Cafe across from the Supercentre supermarket.

Thanks, bajangirl, starfish1.

We are also considering Little Arches, which gets rave reviews and is close to Enterprise Beach and Oistins from what I understand. At the other end, we are considering Little Good Harbour in Speightstown. But I do not relish the thought of being so far away from the airport for an early morning departure for home. We are not morning people as it is, and if it's going to take 45 minutes extra to get to the airport, that would be 45 more minutes I could have slept. LOL.

mymoosie, having been to both Little Arches for dinner (fantastic by the way) and Little Good Harbour I would have to say Little Arches location is much better as is the beach across from the hotel. Little Good Harbour is much more rocky with no real beach to speak of. If that helps at all. :)

mymoosie, I would definitely have to second Little Arches. Unique and charming hotel with a great restaurant steps from a fab beach ... what more could you want. Personally, I have only eaten at Little Good Harbour once and it was VERY disappointing and beach is miniscule.

Thanks, starfish1 and bajangirl. You've convinced me to stay at Little Arches instead. Appreciate your feedback. :)

Good morning/evening everyone! just back from Barbados. wonderful staying!
Inchcape Seaside villas are very good, especially the one we stood, Sunset Upstairs. Only 3 of 12 days of bad weather just at the end. We confirm Enterprise beach is beautiful, we believe it's the best of the west-south-west caribbean side. But we appreciated more the atlantic beaches and bays, especially those in the sout-east side: Crane, Cave, Palmetto beach and Bottom Bay... these only gave us that exotic and wild touch expected from a Caribbean island. We did not have many dinners out because driving in the night was terrible and we always got lost. In any case we enjoined so much having dinner at home since the house was so nice! The sound of the ocean is so romantic... sometimes scaring... in the night! Bye. Gluelace