Talk to me about Barbados

[Lola]

Love Barbados and have been 6 times. The Sandals resort is fairly new and looks good, the location is a St Lawrence Gap which can be lively and noisy but their place is at the quieter end. The West coast is beautiful with fantastic beaches and we like Holetown and Payne’s Bay. The East coast is different but spectacular with cliffs and views. The Crane Resort there is a great place with apartments and pools. A quiet place is the Atlantis in the East or the Fish Pot in the West, both owned by the same people.
Prices for meals etc can vary hugely and are often quoted in both American and Bsrbadan Dollars so check prices first. Transport is easy but don’t use unlicensed taxis, buses are cheap and fun. Car hire is easy too and they drive on the left so explore.

[janeywaney]

Thanks everyone plenty of hints and tips.

We are definitely looking at AI, but will leave the hotel! We are not the kind of folks that wouldn't get out and about.

We are looking for a quieter more relaxed laid back place. Like I said no kids, before I get flamed for this I have kids of my own and I also have grandkids who I adore. When we go on holiday I want to be able to lay on a sun bed and not have other peoples kids climbing over me or under the sun bed whilst the parents sit at the bar getting wasted! Believe me this has happened to us before in the Canaries and I don't want it!. I would like to sit and have a meal where there isn't a frazzled child crying because they are so tired and mum and dad just sit ignoring them whilst they are on their phones. Realistically it isn't the kids but their parents that allow this behaviour and do nothing to entertain their kids! One of the hotels 2 young kids were going to the wine dispenser to get mums wine 2 glasses every time!

Barbados looks amazing and we are looking forward to booking! Will ponder on the information provided by all of you lovely Dibbers

Thanks again

Jane

[Vanillapod]

Originally Posted by novocastrian

NB this was @20 years ago

we stayed neat st lawrence gap, plenty of bars/eateries

can recommend the Friday Night Fish Fry at Oistins , great food & music and perfectly safe we found

used the local mini buses to get about, a fixed fare to Bridgetown and other places

also make sure you visit Bathsheba on the atlantic side

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We also stayed there 20 years ago! We loved it. I always felt perfectly safe. I was more than happy to wander down to the shops by myself before my lazy boyfriend (at the time) surfaced!
I didn’t love Bridgetown to be honest. We were constantly hassled and it really didn’t matter how firm we were.
We mainly used the buses which were an experience! Honestly, I’m giggling just thinking about it.

OP I definitely wouldn’t go AI. I think you’d be missing out.
You must go to Oistins!
I really hope it hasn’t changed much by the time we get back there.

There were another couple of restaurants we really liked.
Cafe Sol and Piscies. Both of these may be absolutely awful now, or even no longer exist of course.

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by janeywaney

Thanks everyone plenty of hints and tips.

We are definitely looking at AI, but will leave the hotel! We are not the kind of folks that wouldn't get out and about.

We are looking for a quieter more relaxed laid back place. Like I said no kids, before I get flamed for this I have kids of my own and I also have grandkids who I adore. When we go on holiday I want to be able to lay on a sun bed and not have other peoples kids climbing over me or under the sun bed whilst the parents sit at the bar getting wasted! Believe me this has happened to us before in the Canaries and I don't want it!. I would like to sit and have a meal where there isn't a frazzled child crying because they are so tired and mum and dad just sit ignoring them whilst they are on their phones. Realistically it isn't the kids but their parents that allow this behaviour and do nothing to entertain their kids! One of the hotels 2 young kids were going to the wine dispenser to get mums wine 2 glasses every time!

Barbados looks amazing and we are looking forward to booking! Will ponder on the information provided by all of you lovely Dibbers

Thanks again

Jane

See more...

I think you would actually struggle to find a hotel in Barbados with enough kids to bother you.

[Lola]

Cafe Sol was still there a couple of years ago but Pisces had closed which surprised me. Our favourite beach bar/restaurant is Zacchios (formerly Cocomos) in Holetown. There are so many to choose from though

[Deb B]

I can highly recommend Sea Breeze Beach Hotel, which is quite close to Sandals, near Oistins. Although we took our kids, it most certainly wasn’t overrun with kids, and there was an adults only pool area. The staff and service were amazing. It is easy to catch the buses to Bridgetown, but just as easy to wander up the road to Oistins.

[MarkJ]

We've been there twice and will be going back next week!

First time stayed on the west coast at the Fairmont Pavillions - really liked it and spent a lot of time touring the island and visiting some of the great restaurants they have there - our list included:
The Cliff
Daphnes
Carambola
The Tides
Muse
Cin Cin
Fish Pot
Lone Star
The roti den - paynes bay

It has a very British feel and its a relaxed and enjoyable island to visit.

We've also been to Sandals there and loved that too. So are going back to the Royal Barbados next week as this new resort has had enough time to "settle in". We are not beach people so enjoy the resort and its pools and bars but do like to spend some time out around the island so will do that too.

For us Sandals has such a good choice of facilities and restaurants and we have already visited the key restaurants around the Island.

So, my advice would be to have 2 weeks for your first time there -choose a nice hotel on the west coast for week one and rent and car but book some of the restaurants before you go! Then you will see the island and enjoy the local hospitality

Then for week 2 after all the touring move to Sandals and enjoy the resort

[Trouble3]

I'd recommend The Club Barbados, AI and Adults only. I stayed there a few years ago and it's a lovely location in Holetown. It doesn't really have a beach, if that's something you want (has a sandy area overlooking the sea with sunbeds). It is however just round the corner from the beach that catamarans come to snorkel with turtles at and the other way is Sandy Lane Beach.