Holiday destination ideas around Sept / Oct

[djc206]

davek_964 said:

Thanks, I'll keep Sugar Bay on the list - but still hope to persuade her that West Coast is the best option.

There are lots of big sharks on the South Coast right?

Loads

[DeejRC]

Dave - is that £6.5k each or for the pair?
That is v reasonable if it’s for the pair of you at 2 weeks & Virgin Upper.

[Shaoxter]

davek_964 said:

Sugar bay was one of the hotels we looked at last night, and it does seem very reasonably priced - 14 nights fully inclusive, ocean front room and upper class flights was in the region of £6.5k which seems like a bargain to me. The reviews were pretty mixed though and the description (on the Virgin page) seems to mention kids a lot which is a negative.

For 2 of you? If so where do I sign up!!

[davek_964]

DeejRC said:

Dave - is that £6.5k each or for the pair?
That is v reasonable if it’s for the pair of you at 2 weeks & Virgin Upper.

It was both, but when I try it now it's about £9.5k. Premium is about £6.5k - I'd swear I selected upper before but maybe not.
Would still be happy with £9.5k but there is a big difference if we choose October. Premium is about the same for both dates but upper is almost double the September price - flights alone would be £9.5k for upper!

[mikef]

djc206 said:

davek_964 said:

Thanks.

Sugar bay was one of the hotels we looked at last night, and it does seem very reasonably priced - 14 nights fully inclusive, ocean front room and upper class flights was in the region of £6.5k which seems like a bargain to me. The reviews were pretty mixed though and the description (on the Virgin page) seems to mention kids a lot which is a negative.

I have had a couple of people recommend West coast to me - it is probably my preference. But it may take some persuading with the g/f!

That seems quite reasonable. There are kids there but we never felt like it was infested with them. The pool area is obviously where they congregate which is away from the beach so peace and quiet is easily obtained. The food was very good when we were there and the staff truly lovely. Someone else on this forum went there quite recently I think so hopefully they pop by to let you know how it was.

The west coast definitely has the nicest beaches, you can swim out with the turtles easily. That said I did see a couple at sugar bay when I was paddle boarding. Other benefits of the west coast is access to the nice restaurants they have along the main drag.

Just got back from Sugar Bay, Barbados, There was a definite change before and after the school holidays ended. School holidays - lots of British kids, not many other nationalities, largely tattooed clientele (sorry if that sounds judgemental). After the schools went back more older folks/student age clientele, fair number of Canadians and Americans, still mainly Brits.

We wanted sun and relaxation, so can't comment on the watersports, which looked a bit basic compared with some resorts

The meals were better than most all-inclusives we've stayed at in the Caribbean, especially Umi ("Sea") the sushi restaurant. Drinks were good and generous - mojitos mixed by hand were particularly nice.

Staff were all super nice and helpful, they gave the impression of enjoying working there.

Short trip into Bridgetown and restaurants walkable along the Worthing road if you want a change of dining.

Car hire horrendously expensive if not pre-booked, so we took taxis and mini-buses as needed (which meant we didn't get to see the North or East of the Island)

All in all, we were pleased with Sugar Bay, so thanks for the recommendations in this forum

[mikef]

davek_964 said:

Japan : I've been on business several times, but we both want to go there at some point. But we don't really want a city break this year even if it's just for half of it

How about Okinawa? JAL organised a holiday for us that included a week at their private beach resort in Okinawa, JAL Private Resort Okuma. Okinawa was sub-tropical, great food (if you like Japanese), excellent water-sports including Kawasaki jet skis - and we were just about the only non-Japanese customers so lots of opportunity to practice the language ()

link then filter on Amenities: Beach

[djc206]

mikef said:

Just got back from Sugar Bay, Barbados, There was a definite change before and after the school holidays ended. School holidays - lots of British kids, not many other nationalities, largely tattooed clientele (sorry if that sounds judgemental). After the schools went back more older folks/student age clientele, fair number of Canadians and Americans, still mainly Brits.

We wanted sun and relaxation, so can't comment on the watersports, which looked a bit basic compared with some resorts

The meals were better than most all-inclusives we've stayed at in the Caribbean, especially Umi ("Sea") the sushi restaurant. Drinks were good and generous - mojitos mixed by hand were particularly nice.

Staff were all super nice and helpful, they gave the impression of enjoying working there.

Short trip into Bridgetown and restaurants walkable along the Worthing road if you want a change of dining.

Car hire horrendously expensive if not pre-booked, so we took taxis and mini-buses as needed (which meant we didn't get to see the North or East of the Island)

All in all, we were pleased with Sugar Bay, so thanks for the recommendations in this forum

Glad you enjoyed it.

That’s why I recommend Stoutes. I’m not sure they really care about making money because they don’t seem to respond to demand like the bigger providers. ~$50 per day for an entry level runaround seems to be where they sit permanently. We’ve rented through them a few times now and they’ve been great, dropped the car off at the hotel, extended the rental and amended a drop off all without any hassle. Great little company.

[davek_964]

mikef said:

How about Okinawa? JAL organised a holiday for us that included a week at their private beach resort in Okinawa, JAL Private Resort Okuma. Okinawa was sub-tropical, great food (if you like Japanese), excellent water-sports including Kawasaki jet skis - and we were just about the only non-Japanese customers so lots of opportunity to practice the language ()

link then filter on Amenities: Beach

We've ruled it out because - although we do want to go to Japan at some point - it won't be for this kind of holiday, and we think there are better places to do "beach" holidays.

[DeejRC]

davek_964 said:

DeejRC said:

Dave - is that £6.5k each or for the pair?
That is v reasonable if it’s for the pair of you at 2 weeks & Virgin Upper.

It was both, but when I try it now it's about £9.5k. Premium is about £6.5k - I'd swear I selected upper before but maybe not.
Would still be happy with £9.5k but there is a big difference if we choose October. Premium is about the same for both dates but upper is almost double the September price - flights alone would be £9.5k for upper!

That sounds more like what I would expect, thanks for the reply Dave.
I have Barb & St Luc for Sept & Oct pretty much permi loaded on BA & Virgin throughout the yr price watching.

[davek_964]

To update the thread :

Booked it this evening. We decided on Barbados and went for Fairmont Royal Pavilion - Beach front suite. With BA business class flights it's a tad excessive - especially since it's not all inclusive - but you only live once.

[DeejRC]

davek_964 said:

To update the thread :

Booked it this evening. We decided on Barbados and went for Fairmont Royal Pavilion - Beach front suite. With BA business class flights it's a tad excessive - especially since it's not all inclusive - but you only live once.

Well that's jolly lucky and good timing Ive spotted this.
We have exactly the same as you booked for mid Sept.
BA are currently doing a semi-decent sale and Sugar Bay AI is currently coming in at £1500 cheaper than the price Im at for the Fairmont. How was your stay Dave, was it worth the dosh? I don't mind spending, we have splashed out before on Bodyholiday and Sandy Lane, but well you know, £1500 saving is £1500 saving!