Can anyone recommend a hotel in Barbados for two adults looking for an escape? Requirements:<BR>no kids<BR>mellow - no club scene necessary<BR>good food/drink<BR>beautiful rooms/property<BR>excellent service<BR>

Would you reccomend the Bougainvillea Beach Resort?<BR>When are you going?

Try Villa Nova -- just opened last year. A luxury resort inner island - lush, tropical surroundings, gorgeous pool, THE BEST in service and state of the art things in the room. They transport you to a beach -- away from hustle & no kids.

Lois-Have you actually stayed at Villa Nova?I've been researching it(looks great)but I'd love to hear from someone who has been there.

No, but we had a private tour by the management in November while on the island. I was doing some work with the Tourism Board and went several places, this among them. It was very nice - difference between it and Sandy Lane was it's inland - but lush/tropical. Also, it's more traditional Barbadian (mahogany and island style). State of the art things in the room, the service seemed to be very good. We ate lunch and dinner there and the food was excellent. It's quieter due to location.

lois, did you happen to tour any all-inclusives that would be good for a family of 5, 2 adults and 3 boys 11, 14, and 15?

Mary,<BR><BR>We only toured luxury properties. However, I hear that Almond Beach Village all inclusive is supposed to be good for families, as is Turtle Beach (on the South Coast). Look at the Tourism Board website and you can click onto Turtle Beach to tour. That site is: http://www.barbados.org Look under hotels, names, and then you will get a listing. To see Almond Beach do a search on this for Barbados as they have their own site.

Lois, Which properties did you tour? What was your impression of each?

louis,<BR><BR>what did you think of Sandy Lane...it seems very pricey...is it worth the price (ie it seems more like aroiund $1000/night vs. 5-600/night like a Cap Juluca on Anguilla etc...

We toured Villa Nova & Sandy Lane. Sandy Laney is definitely THE resort on the island. It's all state of the art in every room. Private balconies or patios, gorgeous bathrooms, right on the water on the West Coast and the Spa is to die for -- the ultimate. For the summer I believe they have lowered the rates to around $600 or $700/night - check their site.<BR><BR>Villa Nova was about $200-$300 less per room and also worth it. Of the 2, Sandy lane would be my first choice.<BR><BR>I haven't been to Cap Juluca, so I cannot compare. But of this quality resort, either one would be good - Sandy Lane preferable as it's right on the water and the spa is more elaborate.