Barbados Accomodation

So I have booked 3 weeks in Bim and now looking at accommodation. Have only been to Barbados once before so limited knowledge on the island, know some of the basics (mount gay > captin Morgan's, don,t go in September because of the tree frogs!)

I am open to looking at Hotels, Condos or Villas but must have own kitchen (not a great fan of eating out) and ideally modern and clean.

Last time we stayed at The House which was very nice if a little quiet and an obviously refurb/rebranded hotel and the area was a little quiet and also at Oceans Two which we loved, not too quiet an area, modern, really good staff and a nice Kitchen and Bathroom with massive shower.

Prices so far for Oceans 2 are £7K with Virgin, £6300 with Virgin holidays and £5515 if direct with some other stuff thrown in! Last time we actually booked this hotel once we were actually on the Island at The House with Low Cost for a really good price (was actually worried it was a scam but booked with a Credit Card). We are also waiting on a price for Ocean One which are Condos.

Does anyone have any suggestions on booking Villas and even better any direct recommendations. I have emailed a lady called Lily of Caribound to see if she can help, has anyone used them.

Also any good suggestions for Christmas Day as well, have heard The Crane does a special?

Any help would be great or feel free to ask your own questions about BIM.

Well, continuing on from the previous thread, I have once before stayed at Turtle beach (11 years ago, was the first long haul for our elder daughter who was about 7 months old). Absolutely loved it and will be in pole position when we look at 2016 options. Other than that, we stayed many times at the 3 Almond properties, which doesn't really help much as they went bust sadly...

Have heard good things about the partner hotels. Of TB (crystal cove, tamarind), but don't think they have AI options, which we tend to prefer. Also heard good things about Ocean Two and also Sea Breeze, although the latter one's picture with a yellow accommodation block and small pool isn't totally selling me.

As I commented on the other thread, Turtle Beach would always be my first choice, as you've been to Verandah (ANU), I can say it's similar,but different and better! Smaller (by miles) than Verandah, but miles better staff, slightly better food, similar accommodation, tiny beach but what it lacks in size it packs in punch.

Also an ex-almond customer I am trying Sugar Cane (no kids) this year....it's a way from the beach but reviews and price are super.

I will also recommend Turtle Beach - we're returning for our 10th and 11th stays this year!

Have visited the partner hotels - they are nice enough, but without the super atmosphere and supber staff INHO

Crane Beach have apartments with kitchens if you are looking for self catering + also a restaurant on site.

Try Blue sky for villas, you earn virgin miles for booking with them too http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/fl ... e-sky.html

Also Oliver'sTravels.
http://www.oliverstravels.com

Crane Beach have apartments with kitchens if you are looking for self catering + also a restaurant on site.

Crane is now too over developed IMHO .I've stayed there twice - once before the development really took hold and once since . Whilst the sea view apartments are nice ( and very spacious) its all become very commercialised ( and the air conditioning is useless!) .
Shame as the beach used to be fantastic .

DL

Thanks for the replies so far.
DragonLady - Any mention of sub par Air Con gets a No from me, I love hot weather but not so much indoors! Must be all those trips to Vegas!
polb74 - Got excited about Blue Sky Villas especially when I saw the weekly prices! Whoops their nightly prices, a little out of my budget :0
I think I am going to go for 1 week on the West Coast (perhaps in the hills?) and 2 weeks on the South Coast, hopefully Villas although not ruling out a hotel (that has a Kitchen).

Any ideas on places open for Christmas Lunch kid friendly.

I've done Christmas dinner at Harlequins in the Gap, which could be handy if you decide on Oceans Two or there abouts. Nothing fancy but good value and child friendly. I think it was just under BDS100 per person for a good 3 course meal. Christmas day not many restuarants open so you need to book early.

Good shout Lucy, will contact them in September as they haven't decided if they are going to be open this year (sure they will be). Thanks

I hope you have a better Christmas day than we did - it poured with rain ALL day and only cleared up in the evening. It wasn't the best Christmas Day I have ever had! We ended up sitting in the car at Miami beach watching the rain come down almost horizontall across the beach, eating rolls for lunch and it felt like a bad holiday in the UK! Good idea to ensure you have provisions for Christmas Day ahead of time just in case!

We were last there is September 2012, it rained for the first 3 days (everywhere is not as nice when it rains!) but we were lucky afterwards.

I have found the following Villa - for the first week costing $500, looks nice to me? Is avx through various agents, did enquire via a Canadian Company called Luxury Retreats.

http://www.luxuryretreats.com/destinati ... eze-110188