Food Cost - Aruba and Barbados
 

I'm trying to gauge between All-Inclusive and Non on these two islands or Turks/Caicos for that matter. I think these places are one's to get out and see different areas so thinking non-all inclusive is way to go.

anyway, question is what am I looking at spending on food and drinks in Barbados and Aruba?

Good adults only resorts?

There is only one adults only hotel on Aruba that I am aware of and it's AI; The Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa. It's located on Eagle Beach. There are only 6 hotels in Aruba that offer AI.

Aruba has many restuarants in various price ranges. For a beach dinner or nicer restuarant around $100. More causal places around $30 to $50.

We had tapas at Salt & Pepper with beer for $40. Texas de' Brazil, we went on-line and got a coupon 2 for 1 and it was $79.00. Iguana Joes for lunch with beer was $28, and a steak and lobster dinner at La Petite Cafe was $100.00 with beer.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn and did their AI plan. Non-AI, they charged $9 for 2 beers and $11 for 2 pina colados.

I would not go AI there again, and we plan on returning. We are going to Curacao in May and chose non-AI there due to our experience in Aruba.

Here's a link to a really good site for resturant info on Aruba. Includes a map of each location:

http://www.restaurantsaruba.com/

We are currently researching Barbados. I've only found 5 AI hotels there, and only the Almond Beach Club & Spa is adult's only. I've read Barbardos is also not the place to go AI, but to not go that route, I would want to be in the heart of St. Lawrence Gap in order to walk to restuarants. Not much choice in that location. We're looking for extremely budget friendly accomendations.

I wrote a very detailed trip report on the cost of restaurants when we went to Turks & Caicos. We desperatly wanted to go AI there as the food and drinks were rather expensive. They only have 3 hotels offering AI, and we didn't care for any of them so we went non-AI. We had to tone down the drinks as to not go over budget. The overall prices, availabilty and taste was better in Aruba (IMHO). We went to T & C before we went to Aruba. Aruba blew us away. Exactly what we were looking for in a vacation destination as we are very active and like to eat/drink.

Here's the link to our report if you're interested:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...nd_Caicos.html

thanks, i'm looking for a honeymoon and we mainly want beach/pool, nice room and good food and drinks.

My take is places like Aruba and Barbados are not the place to do AI, more upscale and less 3rd world.

but go AI in places like Jamaica or Mexico.


I'm looking at the Bucatti resorts(Tara suites) for this, which aren't priced that bad and Trip Advisor claims its the top place to stay on island for a romantic setting. I'm guessing its not adults only though???

How hard is it go get around, time wise? Thats the thing, with it not being AI we'd need to go out each night to some part of the island to eat. Sounds like it could be a fun time though with all Aruba has to offer.

I did want to go to Barbados, and stay at The Crane. but can't get a direct flight on day need to travel, then I realize Crane is very far away from everything, although the restaraunts there are suppose to be good and has one of the best beaches in the world.

the corner room apts with private plunge pools(or full pull on bottom floor) look very nice as well.

Barbados is a place to go to check out some of the history of it, lots of British traditions.

IMO A.I. hotels on Barbados are not the way to go. You are on an island with a huge variety of sightseeing, beaches, nitelife, hotels with fine restaurants AND nitelife if you want to hang around. With A.I. you are hostage to being there too much. The A.I. hotels on B'dos are not the better ones and not on the nicer beaches, and are not better priced. To be reasonably close to things and be on a good calm water beach (for snorkeling), stay at a beach on the west coast north of Bridgetown. You can sign up for MAP, buying only lunch separately, but you may be out for lunch anyway. The class act on the island is Coral Reef Club--family owned for over 50 years, low rise plantation style, gorgeous grounds, fine food, nice beach. See www.coralreefbarbados.com

Aruba has great transportation. Their bus system is cheap and reliable. Taxis are plentiful and not too pricey. Renting a car and driving is fine also.

Our choice for next visit would be the Amsterdam Manor. It's the first hotel on Eagle Beach, so walking distance to Palm Beach where there is a good variety of resturants. They have recently remodeled. Their beach is acorss the street, but it's not an issue for us. The rooms on that that side have ocean views. They have a beach dinner/restaurant called Passions.

We are having the same issue with air going to Barbados. Only American services that Island from our home airport. Getting a decent flight is going to be difficult. We had that same problem for the last 2 years trying to get to Curacao. We finally found a flight on Continental to Aruba and then Insel air to Curacao.

Bucuti has the policy that discourages children. It is not adult only, but mostly adults.
I have heard that it is very nice and on a great beach. We stayed at the Marriott with our kids and a million other kids :)
Aruba was reasonable and has all price ranges for dining out. We took a taxi every night and it wasn't bad at all. We also stopped at the grocery store on the way to the hotel and picked up some beer, soda, juices, and a bottle of liquor for the room. Marriott had a mini fridge.
I think Aruba was great fun. I can not comment on Barbados or Turks Caicos as i have not been there yet.
Definitely do not do all inclusive in Aruba. The dining is too good around the island.

Do you think Bucuti(Tara beach suites) for a honeymoon is way to go in Aruba? We priced it and for 10 days with flight from CLT(direct) everything was going to be about $4400 plus food/drinks/etc. we pay for while there. So key is to gauge that cost if we do this.

I'm down to waying that option vs. 10 Days in Jamaica, 6 or 7 at Ocho or Dunns Sandals followed with 3 or 4 days at The Royal Plantation with current deals they are running. So All-Inclusive.

or an AI on Maroma Beach(secrets probably) in Riveria Maya.

want best experience for a honeymoon, Aruba has advantage of most likely being out of hurricane belt(going in mid August). However, since we will be exhausted after wedding AI has an allure to it

Best Aruba resort for adults only is The Bucuti on Eagle
Beach. I will be going to Aruba for the 3rd time in May and
staying at Bucuti for the 2nd time. Too many great restaurants
in Aruba to go " all inclusive ". Very easy to get around at night by bus or cab, go to the "high rise " area at night for
dinner and casinos. Dinner prices vary from low to high depending on what you are looking for.

Love the Crane! I heard they even put in an elevator to the beach...bonus! No more rickety stairs. Between Aruba and Bds I'd choose Bds. I love the Caribbean vibe and Island flavor that Aruba just doesnt have. Dont get me wrong, I enjoyed Aruba, but I enjoyed Curacao more! and Bds is a fav that we've been to several times!

If you rent a car, the Crane is not really that far from the St Laurence Gap. It's probably 10 min from airport, and the gap is prolly about 20 min from the airport.

Peace, Greenie

Aruba is the more reasonable destination for food and drinks and no, I wouldn't go AI there. Haven't been to Barbados in 20 years but even way back then it was very expensive for food and drinks and I keep getting scared off from going back by people who have been there recently and say the prices are really high (and we live in a metro area so we are used to $10 - 12 drinks but I keep hearing $15 - $18 down there). Turks & Caicos is not as expensive as Barbados but more expensive than Aruba -- 7 years ago we were paying $12 for pina coladas at our resort, although there are less expensive places of course, but I recall many dinners of about $150 for two. Barbados has many nice resorts that are not typical AI's like Sandals but traditionally include a meal plan (Coral Reef Club, Cobblers Cove, etc.) you might want to consider that. I remember that on my honeymoon I was so burned out from makig decisions for the wedding that I didn't want to even discuss/decide where to eat every day! One comment on the Bucuti that I may get bashed for but it's my opinion. While I have not stayed there, I have visited it twice and I think it seems very overrated based on the facilities. I would call it a hotel, not a resort. Yes it's on a great stretch of beach and it has some old-world charm but it did not seem very special and I think the outside of the Tara Suites are just plain ugly. Unfortunately Aruba is woefully short of special, unique, boutique-type properties so Bucuti does get a lot of attention. You would find it very different from Royal Plantation, for example. It's a pretty basic place. The Crane is definitely worth considering -- the location was spectacular 20 years ago and they have now developed it into a full-fledged resort with new villas, etc. Be aware that it is quite a distance from town. We have been to quite a few destinations in the Caribbean and if you really want a special honeymoon check out our two favorite resorts -- Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis (meal plan included) and Galley Bay in Antigua (all inclusive and no children allowed). And try not to worry about hurricanes, a few years ago even Aruba was hit so there is no predicting -- just purchase travel insurance and enjoy your honeymoon!

greenie, how much do you think I'd spend on average at The Crane for drinks and lunch/dinner over a week?

I hear the Crane allows you to rent cars for one day at a time if driving in-land.

looks like a great resort in pictures, downside to Barbados is lack of good coffee in favor of Tea from what I can tell

For a honeymoon, what would you guys choose? I'm looking at I think roughly same cost in the end between all of these I think:

non-AI:

Barbados - The Crane hopefully corner Apt. w/private pool
Aruba - Bucuti Tara Suites w/BP

AI:

Riveria Maya, probably Secrets Maroma
Jamaica: probably Sandals Dunns followed with a few days at Royal Plantation to be pampered. or Couples Swept Away in Negril

we will need alot of worry free downtime at start, so the AI way seems attractive in that sense. On other hand actually getting out a few days and seeing a decent island like Aruba or barbados has its appeal but I think we would be sacraficing some pampering in the process.

I've been reading Trip Advisor in researching Barbados and suprised to read how many people say that the cost of food and drinks in Barbados are reasonable becasue I've looked at some restaurant web-sites and their menu prices seem rather steep. I saw one for spagehetti $24, shrimp $35, kids hot dog with fries $12. I know that only one example, but in the intital phase of research that's high. The AI hotels we've found, their package price with AI is almost double then just a room, and don't really like any of the locations so I don't think that would be worth it. I'm sure we can find a least cheaper food/drinks somewhere on the Island.

I say this because, I don't think Barbados would be a good choice for a honeymoon based on all of your other posts.

I love the recommendation of Galley Bay on Antigua. I could never afford to stay there. It's also too secluded for us, but it's really nice and gets great reviews.

the Rondovals at Sandals Antigua look pretty cool, but also expensive.

re KVRs comments above. The Barbados dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar at 2:1, so any prices quoted in Bds are 1/2 that American.

so a $15 drink in Barbados would really be $7.50?

reasonable I guess then.

they have a great deal on The Crane right now at Orbitz.

you can get the Apt/suite with the Pool for $273 a night. I priced 9 nights in August and w/tax it came to $2900 bucks. Problem is I can't find any decent flights and what I can find is multiple stops and cost alot per ticket.

dang it!

Thanks, that good to know because either way we are still planning on going next year. I still want an AI hotel, so anyone out there that can recommend one, please post.

Hi jpniner,
My husband and I stayed at the Almond Beach Club on Barbados and it was AI, and we absolutely loved it. Wonderful beach and calm water. The people on that island were the most friendly people I have ever met in my entire life! (except for one cab driver :) ) It was so much fun, we rented a little car to cruise around the island and sightsee. We did take a taxi twice to go into the main town of Bridgetown as when you get down there they drive a little crazy :) We are going to Turks and Caicos at the end of April it will be our only other trip so far to the caribbean so because of how much fun we had in Barbados we are crossing our fingers that we will have as much fun in T&C. My husband was disappointed that we weren't going AI this time. He loved the fact that you could just go into the bar anytime and have a drink as many times as you wanted without paying anything! If you want some more info. on Barbados just let me know. Hope you have fun.
Kelly

KVR -- Just so you know, Galley Bay has been having lots of sales, last year we got 25% off, this year 50% which in my opinion is an incredible value. Should you ever want it, I have a direct email to a booking agent for Elite Island Resorts who always gets me great rates. Also, regarding the comment about Barbados prices -- the costs I quoted are American dollars. I keep hearing two things about Barbados -- one, that eating out is extremely expensive and two, that service and attitudes at upscale resorts at high prices are not what they should be. Jpniner -- your choices are all very different as you know -- different islands, boutique vs. larger resort, AI vs. Non AI. I think you need to decide overall whether you want AI or not, smaller or larger resort, price range and then this board will be able to give you lots of recommendations. That being said, I have been to all the destinations you are considering and I would probably choose Secrets Maroma or one of the other upscale AIs in the Riveria Maya for a pampering, no fuss, relaxing honeymoon where you can really plan your total expenses and not have to worry about spending thousands on food and beverages. And there are some great excursions in that area -- the ruins, cenotes, etc.

well, 90% chance will do AI for this trip and within those I thing I prefer the smaller version. Aruba is wildcard at this point(Barbados is out unless a flight comes up soon and not too expensive).

I keep hearing different things between Jamaica vs. Riveria Maya, others have told me Jamaica is more romantic than mexico?

How could you compare Royal Plantation to Secrets Maroma?

Eileen, thanks. Antigua is still on our list, but it's a ways away. I have looked at many restaurant menus for Barbados and many were listed in US funds. Personally, I thought the prices were high compared to other destinations we've been to. About the same as Grand Cayman, which we did AI there and enjoyed it. We're thinking the Coconut Beach Court AI. Came to $2,400 AI as we have one free airline ticket. We're very active on vacation, so we'll get to enjoy some of the food outside of the resort with activites and tours.

Jpniner, for Barbados look at air and hotel seperate, but I still don't think that's the destination you're looking for.

I think that Royal Plantation would be more romantic and quiter than Secrets Maroma. Maybe even a little more elegant. If money was no object, I would go with Royal Plantation over Secrets Maroma for a honeymoon. When do you have to make a final decision?

Royal Plantation has a deal, 55% off plus one free night on one of the first 3 level of rooms. the Free night stops with the higher end suites. So I could do 7 days for around 4k plus air at RP right now. Trying to figure out what these 3 sets of rooms that you can get free night on are like.

can't be too bad, they are all Butler service, but I would prefer the Verandah Honeymoon suite if it would come with the Free night which it doesn't. So would cost an extra 1300 or so for the week. Not sure its worth that.


My flight options to Barbados are pretty crappy anyway, right now its fly out of CLT at 6am to Miami, wait there and then fly to Barbados. We have an evening wedding/reception the nigt before. Plus it cost more than Jamiaca or Cancun Air.

final decision is anytime really, but I figure the sooner the better and I can quit obsessing over it. Pretty much decided we want some sort of 5-star quality resort for this. whether Secrets or El Dorado in RM or Royal Plantation in Jamaica.

although it will spoil us for future trips

Okay, another suggestion. If you are seriously considering Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios you should also take a look at Jamaica Inn. Not a traditional AI but there's a meal plan and AI option. It's one of the top Caribbean resorts, very intimate, upscale and peaceful. However, there will not be a lot of activity or tons of other honeymooners (although there may be a few) so if you are looking for a place to really socialize, party, this is not it. Not sure why someone thinks Mexico is less romantic than Jamaica I think it's the resort you choose that's romantic, not the destination. Also, keep in mind that if you fly into Montego Bay you have about a two hour car ride to Ocho Rios. The good news about both Riveria Maya and Jamaica is those are usually the two most reasonable destinations for airfare. Think about how many people you want to be surrounded by when considering the "romance" factor -- at a place that's relatively large such as Secrets Maroma there will be many, many people and probably many on their honeymoons. You certainly won't be alone on the beach or at the pool. I personally think greater isolation is more romantic so that's why I like resorts that are smaller and have a high space to person ratio. FYI, I don't think either Royal Plantation or Secrets is 5-Star -- what's more important is what 5-Star means to you and what you think you will get from those resorts. And have you read all the reviews on tripadvisor.com? Lord, I hope you are not regretting posting and getting my two cents . . . just trying to be helpful. The other thing I will say as a person who has been married 23 years . . . it's your honeymoon and it is going to be special no matter where you choose. You want a wonderful start for your life together but if you are lucky your vacations will get better and better (ours have)don't go crazy trying to make it the best experience ever as it's hard to live up to those expectations!

JI only has one restaurant from what I understand, however a better beach.

seems like everything is some sort of trade off, I mainly want a nice setting, good food and great service for this trip. I think I kinda like the exotic type vibe an island like Jamaica gives vs. Mexican Riveria.

that said if the deal for the resort is on par but cheaper I'd go to Mexico over it probably. bang for the buck factor.

Jpniner, the crane is a little more upscale. We had lunch there a couple of times and I remember it being a little on the high side. But what a beautiful place for a honeymoon.

Here's a link to a photo of crane beach...beautiful...wish I was there now bobbin in the waves!

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo...52488946pQWOXc

Peace, Greenie

great beach, if there was a decent flight from CLT on Aug. 9th to Barbados I'd be going there.


instead, I think I'm going to do 10-days in Jamaica. a Week at Royal Plantation, followed with 3-days at Royal Carribean before flying back. Good deals on that right now too

greenie, that is a nice beach shot! I wish I was there right now!!! :)

Just a FYI, we've found that the lower end AI hotels on Barbados offer a limited selection, so not worth it. In order to get the full AI, you have to pay for the higher end hotels on the West side. Not the price point or location we are interested in. Right now we are looking at the Butterfly Beach Hotel and the Sandy Bay Beach hotel. Afraid July will be too crowded with families/kids though.

Jpniner, the Royal Caribbean is in Montego Bay and considered one of their more partish hotels. Also close to the airport, so there will be overhead plane noise.

is The Crane out for you KVR?

I know its away from things, but that beach is awesome and the new apt suites look very nice. I'm thinking with the Oribitz price right now it would be a nice vacation for the funds, would just need to rent a car from resort for days interested in going elsewhere.

Yes, the Crane is out. Too expensive and not in the location we want. During our trip we plan on Island hopping to Grenada and the Grenadines/Tobago Cays, which is going to cost $2000. ($1,000 each Island) so we need more budget friendly accomendations and since we can't get AI in our price point, we need to be within walking distance to restaurants. A car would just be more of a unnecessary added expense. I've saved up enough points on my Visa for one airline ticket to Barbados, so just need hotel and one more airline ticket. The trip is all about seeing various Islands and doing many activities/tours. Not all that interested in the hotel. Just want a decent place without many large groups of loud people or rowdy kids.

girlonthego.....that Crane Beach shot was taken during lunch at the main restaurant. It was a gorgeous day. The waves were great too...really good...love playing in the waves. That's one reason we really love Barbados is for the waves.
We always stay on the south coast. I could spend hours and hours bobbin in the waves and body surfing.

Also the food was good too. We took a dip in the pool afterwards and had a cocktail by the pool. It says Crane guests only, but we ate and drank so we did....really nice!

Peace, Greenie

What do you plan to spend for your hotel each day and when is your honeymoon? Currently Barbados has their Best of Barbados specials going at several hotels on the island that will also get you up to $300 off on the air fare.

Bougainvillea Beach is nice and less costly than The Crane. They have a honeymoon suite there. Also nice is Accra Beach Resort. For more upscale check out Treasure Beach Hotel (west coast).

Lois

Right now looking at doing $600 per day(Room, Food, Air, most everything) for 10 days to Jamaica. 7 at Royal Plantation followed with 3 at Royal Carribean. RP is suppose to be very high class.

problem I have with Bardos is two things, no good flights when I need to go. secondly, don't think I'll get as much for the money at any of those places and the fiance kinda wants a nice AI so she doesn't have to worry about cost and leaving resort each night to go eat somewhere.

I'd love to go to Barbados, because of the flight Aruba is more likely if I decided against Jamaica. they have a Direct flight, though fare cost twice as much as Jamaica, when I need to go.

is it possible to do a 10 day, Barbados/PalmIsland trip for this price range you think?

the big problem is Flight, right now I'd have to leave very early the Sunday after a night wedding at 6am Flight to Miami, from there fly to Barbados.

Palm Island sounds nice however for an AI with no worries

I think for 10 days Barbados/Palm Island it would probably run more like $700 - $800/day.

Lois