The Crane Resort (Holiday Resorts in Barbados in general)

Member Name: macluke

Product:	Holiday Resorts in Barbados in general
Date:	17/11/03 (513 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wonderful Beach, Excellent Accommodation, Sun, Sun, Sun

Disadvantages: Building Work, Need a car, Sun goes down early!

It's been some time since we have been to Barbados, some 14 years in fact, and unlike last time, when it was just my wife and myself, this time we were taking our nine-year-old son and we were hoping that he would enjoy the Caribbean. We were on a three-week vacation starting and ending in Barbados, but taking a middle week in St. Lucia.

The first week we were staying at The Crane Resort on the south east of the island and we were fortunate to be staying in the original resort (they are building new blocks, but more of that later). Our apartment overlooked the pool to such an extent that we could throw down the towels onto the beds below and if we had wished to, we could have jumped into the pool from our balcony. However, it is the view that is spectacular, overlooking the colonnaded pool and after that and I quote, 'one of the best ten beaches in the world' and that I would agree with. The Crane has an excellent restaurant to dine in the evening and since it is somewhat isolated it would need to be, you really do need a car to get about even if it is only to get the groceries as it is a bit of a walk to the nearest decent sized supermarket (4 miles!). We in fact found this small local supermarket on the first night and wondered why everyone was looking at us, was it the fact that we were the only white people in there, of course not, this is Barbados they don't go in for that sort of prejudice here, then I realised what it was, we were tourists, they don't use local supermarkets, sorry guys we do!

The Crane as I have said has an excellent beach and to get to it you have to walk down wooden stairs attached to the cliff side, but it is well worth it and because you are staying at the Crane then the beach beds etc. are free for guests, plus like so many Caribbean resorts you also get beach towels that you can change whenever you wish. There is also a range of beach equipment that you can use such as mini surf boards, agai
n for free, but unlike other parts of the island it does not have any boats as this is nearly the Atlantic side and is pretty rough. You can also get drinks on the beach but unfortunately you will have to pay for them, however I must admit that I preferred to go back up the stairs and sit on the deck above and watch the world go by.

The Crane also has very good accommodation in the old original resort; the beds need a taxi to get round and the living room could be used for 5 a-side football, the drawbacks are a small but adequate kitchen and a poorly furnished bathroom, we also had a second larger balcony that needed something doing to it so it could be used more effectively.

Now I mentioned that there were some new blocks being built and this is were the draw back for the resort occurs. There is major building work going on in the grounds and although this is supposed not to have an effect on the guests (their words not mine), it does. After the first weekend there we were sunbathing down on the beach and all of a sudden not one, not two but three jackhammers started their cacophony of sound. We lasted about an hour before moving back to the poolside, were believe it or not the noise was not as noticeable. Basically after that we stayed at the poolside to avoid the noise. They are at present, and it will probably last at least another year, building several very expensive new blocks with everything anyone could wish for in them including plunge pools on all floors except the ground floor which have 'a disappearing edge' pool and I must admit they did make me envious of the people who were staying there, however we still had the better view from our balcony than they did! Another drawback to this building is the fact that everybody is having to use the main pool (if they do not have their own) and although this was not a problem whilst we were there (late August) I should imagine that at busier times of the year it is. This will be
rectified when the building work is finished as they are building another swimming pool.

Whilst on Barbados you must go to the monkey zoo as it is one of the few zoos in the world were you can go and walk amongst the animals - rabbits, tortoises, small deer, geese, parrots, flamingos, lizards, alligators (personally I wouldn't) and of course the green monkeys of Barbados. These animals come swinging through the trees sometime around 2p.m. to eat at the zoo otherwise you may find them in the trees nearby, however if you do not see them then you can get your ticket stamped and come back another day for another try. We were very fortunate, as the zoo had said they came at 2p.m. and everyone was there at that time, but it wasn't until 3p.m. that they actually turned up, which was when we turned up and at first had the scene all to ourselves. There is nothing quite as spectacular for a 9 year old than being surrounded by little monkeys, who jump on the tortoises' backs to avoid the other animals, all to get some nuts.

Other places to see include Harrison's Cave, where you can go underground on a little train to see the inside of these caves in the middle of the island. Gun Hill where you can see the proud lion that still stands where the British had one of its' outposts to keep a wary eye on the surrounding seas. Bridgetown where you can shop to your hearts delight especially at Cave Shepherd, but do remember with some duty free goods you will have to collect them at the airport. Talking of which there is one sight that unfortunately you will never be able to see again, however we were indeed very fortunate not only to see it as we arrived, but on two more occasions as well. It is the biggest most beautiful slinky bird that you will never see fly again - Concorde - but more on that in the next part of the journey, I've gone on for long enough in this piece.

Rating is based on work having been finished, otherwise
only 4 stars.


If you want to see more
then click on http://www.thecrane.com/ for The Crane Resort.

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