Barbados - Winter 2022
Discussion
Had booked Dubai for the family in December 2021, however cancelled due to Covid (wife wasn't comfortable with going at the time).
The original plan was to simply change the booking to December 2022 (as have British Airways voucher for the Dubai trip), however quite fancy Barbados instead, but having never been there am unsure where about to stay, so would welcome any recommendations.
I'm travelling with the wife and three children (ages 9, 13 & 15) so somewhere that has something to do on an evening, obviously on (or very close to) the beach, and with a pool also (as not all the kids like the see - shark movies).
Thanks in advance.
The original plan was to simply change the booking to December 2022 (as have British Airways voucher for the Dubai trip), however quite fancy Barbados instead, but having never been there am unsure where about to stay, so would welcome any recommendations.
I'm travelling with the wife and three children (ages 9, 13 & 15) so somewhere that has something to do on an evening, obviously on (or very close to) the beach, and with a pool also (as not all the kids like the see - shark movies).
Thanks in advance.
East coast rugged and wild. Atlantic coast with rough sea.
West coast, or platinum coast, is the nicest part. Caribbean side, warm sea and turquoise blue, mid way up is Sandy Lane and that is in the middle of the bit you see in photos.
South West cheaper but still nice.
Went 12 years ago with kids a few weeks ago just the two of us, both hols were in Feb which is a fab time of year to go and a real contrast to the UK.
Lots to do as well a beach and pool.
We hired a Jeep and went all around the island, it’s lovely but apart from the glitzy hotels and villas lots of the communities look quite poor, but everyone we came across was lovely and didn’t appear to resent tourists.
When we went with the kids we did a submarine trip over a coral reef.
Lone Star restaurant is very nice, I would say it’s worth booking to go there.
West coast, or platinum coast, is the nicest part. Caribbean side, warm sea and turquoise blue, mid way up is Sandy Lane and that is in the middle of the bit you see in photos.
South West cheaper but still nice.
Went 12 years ago with kids a few weeks ago just the two of us, both hols were in Feb which is a fab time of year to go and a real contrast to the UK.
Lots to do as well a beach and pool.
We hired a Jeep and went all around the island, it’s lovely but apart from the glitzy hotels and villas lots of the communities look quite poor, but everyone we came across was lovely and didn’t appear to resent tourists.
When we went with the kids we did a submarine trip over a coral reef.
Lone Star restaurant is very nice, I would say it’s worth booking to go there.
We went last September for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. Stayed all inclusive and it was fine. Plenty to do if you wanted, relaxing fine is you didn’t. Had a car for a few days and it’s easy to tour round and plenty to see. As said east coast is scenic, but sea is rough and not so many hotels, the area from the airport round the coat at Bridgetown pretty much all developed. We were just south of Holetown on the west coast, a few shops, restaurants and bars in walking distance. Very friendly people abound, and very organised for tourists, but at least where we were not swamped by it too much.
West Coast is where the action is, especially around Holetown, with kids that would near top of my list. Loads of options on accommodation.
Speightstown (Northern West Coast) is up and coming - there is a really nice place there called Schooner Bay, it has a pool / gym and is on the beach. Walking distance to Speightstown but car to Holetown. I'd recommend the Dreamweaver villa.
Then St Lawrence Gap - again plenty to do, on the South Coast so a bit cheaper.
East Coast is nice, but much quieter.
Barbados is a small Island, so if you are happy to use a car, then you can stay anywhere.
We are going for 3 1/2 weeks over Xmas & NY, we're spending 2 weeks on the West Coast near Holetown, then going over to Bathsheba (East Coast) for the rest of the trip to chilli out.
As you are flying BA, be careful with dates as December can be eye wateringly expensive.
If you have any specific questions, please PM me, my partner is a born and bred Bajan so she'd be happy to help.
Have fun!
Speightstown (Northern West Coast) is up and coming - there is a really nice place there called Schooner Bay, it has a pool / gym and is on the beach. Walking distance to Speightstown but car to Holetown. I'd recommend the Dreamweaver villa.
Then St Lawrence Gap - again plenty to do, on the South Coast so a bit cheaper.
East Coast is nice, but much quieter.
Barbados is a small Island, so if you are happy to use a car, then you can stay anywhere.
We are going for 3 1/2 weeks over Xmas & NY, we're spending 2 weeks on the West Coast near Holetown, then going over to Bathsheba (East Coast) for the rest of the trip to chilli out.
As you are flying BA, be careful with dates as December can be eye wateringly expensive.
If you have any specific questions, please PM me, my partner is a born and bred Bajan so she'd be happy to help.
Have fun!
foliedouce said:
West Coast is where the action is, especially around Holetown, with kids that would near top of my list. Loads of options on accommodation.
Speightstown (Northern West Coast) is up and coming - there is a really nice place there called Schooner Bay, it has a pool / gym and is on the beach. Walking distance to Speightstown but car to Holetown. I'd recommend the Dreamweaver villa.
Then St Lawrence Gap - again plenty to do, on the South Coast so a bit cheaper.
East Coast is nice, but much quieter.
Barbados is a small Island, so if you are happy to use a car, then you can stay anywhere.
We are going for 3 1/2 weeks over Xmas & NY, we're spending 2 weeks on the West Coast near Holetown, then going over to Bathsheba (East Coast) for the rest of the trip to chilli out.
As you are flying BA, be careful with dates as December can be eye wateringly expensive.
If you have any specific questions, please PM me, my partner is a born and bred Bajan so she'd be happy to help.
Have fun!
We've been to Barbados a few times and have usually stayed on the South Coast, as you say it's a bit cheaper and in our opinion more "Bajan", we're quite happy on the West coast as well but South is closer to Oistins fish Fry and easier for me to catch up with an old windsurfing friend at Silver Beach and hire some kit from himSpeightstown (Northern West Coast) is up and coming - there is a really nice place there called Schooner Bay, it has a pool / gym and is on the beach. Walking distance to Speightstown but car to Holetown. I'd recommend the Dreamweaver villa.
Then St Lawrence Gap - again plenty to do, on the South Coast so a bit cheaper.
East Coast is nice, but much quieter.
Barbados is a small Island, so if you are happy to use a car, then you can stay anywhere.
We are going for 3 1/2 weeks over Xmas & NY, we're spending 2 weeks on the West Coast near Holetown, then going over to Bathsheba (East Coast) for the rest of the trip to chilli out.
As you are flying BA, be careful with dates as December can be eye wateringly expensive.
If you have any specific questions, please PM me, my partner is a born and bred Bajan so she'd be happy to help.
Have fun!
We've got totally fed up with the UK winter this year and so we're thinking of heading out to Barbados for the whole month of January next year for a bit of chilling in the sunshine, we think a self catering apartment or house with a pool or near to a beach would do us fine, I would also hire a car for at least part of the time.
I've just started looking at airbnb and there's a fair bit of choice at quite reasonable prices on both South and West coasts but I haven't got around to looking for local rental companies, would your partner have any suggestions for those please?
TeeRev said:
foliedouce said:
West Coast is where the action is, especially around Holetown, with kids that would near top of my list. Loads of options on accommodation.
Speightstown (Northern West Coast) is up and coming - there is a really nice place there called Schooner Bay, it has a pool / gym and is on the beach. Walking distance to Speightstown but car to Holetown. I'd recommend the Dreamweaver villa.
Then St Lawrence Gap - again plenty to do, on the South Coast so a bit cheaper.
East Coast is nice, but much quieter.
Barbados is a small Island, so if you are happy to use a car, then you can stay anywhere.
We are going for 3 1/2 weeks over Xmas & NY, we're spending 2 weeks on the West Coast near Holetown, then going over to Bathsheba (East Coast) for the rest of the trip to chilli out.
As you are flying BA, be careful with dates as December can be eye wateringly expensive.
If you have any specific questions, please PM me, my partner is a born and bred Bajan so she'd be happy to help.
Have fun!
We've been to Barbados a few times and have usually stayed on the South Coast, as you say it's a bit cheaper and in our opinion more "Bajan", we're quite happy on the West coast as well but South is closer to Oistins fish Fry and easier for me to catch up with an old windsurfing friend at Silver Beach and hire some kit from himSpeightstown (Northern West Coast) is up and coming - there is a really nice place there called Schooner Bay, it has a pool / gym and is on the beach. Walking distance to Speightstown but car to Holetown. I'd recommend the Dreamweaver villa.
Then St Lawrence Gap - again plenty to do, on the South Coast so a bit cheaper.
East Coast is nice, but much quieter.
Barbados is a small Island, so if you are happy to use a car, then you can stay anywhere.
We are going for 3 1/2 weeks over Xmas & NY, we're spending 2 weeks on the West Coast near Holetown, then going over to Bathsheba (East Coast) for the rest of the trip to chilli out.
As you are flying BA, be careful with dates as December can be eye wateringly expensive.
If you have any specific questions, please PM me, my partner is a born and bred Bajan so she'd be happy to help.
Have fun!
We've got totally fed up with the UK winter this year and so we're thinking of heading out to Barbados for the whole month of January next year for a bit of chilling in the sunshine, we think a self catering apartment or house with a pool or near to a beach would do us fine, I would also hire a car for at least part of the time.
I've just started looking at airbnb and there's a fair bit of choice at quite reasonable prices on both South and West coasts but I haven't got around to looking for local rental companies, would your partner have any suggestions for those please?
I’ll also ask about hire car companies and revert.
She can also point you in the right direction for fast track on arrival if you’re interested
I have been there lots of times and stayed at most parts but as said above the west coast will be better for kids.
We were there 2 weeks ago and its got quite expensive but thats because the pound is weak against the dollar, car hire was expensive and in short supply so book early. Very relaxing island and reasonably safe - enjoy!
We were there 2 weeks ago and its got quite expensive but thats because the pound is weak against the dollar, car hire was expensive and in short supply so book early. Very relaxing island and reasonably safe - enjoy!
I can highly recommend Champers a couple of miles from the gap. https://champersrestaurant.com
classicaholic said:
I can highly recommend Champers a couple of miles from the gap. https://champersrestaurant.com
Brilliant, thank you!Jonmx said:
Staying in St Lawrence Gap from the 27th November to the 5th December as a post divorce and 40th birthday present to myself. Been 3 times before but not since 2016. Any recommendations on restaurants, bars etc?
Get one of the Z buses along to Kermitts. If you’re into your beer there’s a brewery along there called Dreadhop, very good beers, not too expensive and they have food in the evenings.There’s a restaurant a couple of miles west of the gap called Tapas that is very good, not cheap though.
Obviously Oistins.
The Worthing Square Food Court is close to where you’re staying, it’s a food truck lot with a good selection of cuisines.
Cutters. Roger is a legend, the food is good and the punch is strong. It’s a bit of a trek from where you’re staying though so might not work.
If you’re looking for something to do one day I can highly recommend ebike island adventures.
djc206 said:
Get one of the Z buses along to Kermitts. If you’re into your beer there’s a brewery along there called Dreadhop, very good beers, not too expensive and they have food in the evenings.
There’s a restaurant a couple of miles west of the gap called Tapas that is very good, not cheap though.
Obviously Oistins.
The Worthing Square Food Court is close to where you’re staying, it’s a food truck lot with a good selection of cuisines.
Cutters. Roger is a legend, the food is good and the punch is strong. It’s a bit of a trek from where you’re staying though so might not work.
If you’re looking for something to do one day I can highly recommend ebike island adventures.
Excellent, thank you. Very much looking forward to getting back there and seeing some new bits of the island. There’s a restaurant a couple of miles west of the gap called Tapas that is very good, not cheap though.
Obviously Oistins.
The Worthing Square Food Court is close to where you’re staying, it’s a food truck lot with a good selection of cuisines.
Cutters. Roger is a legend, the food is good and the punch is strong. It’s a bit of a trek from where you’re staying though so might not work.
If you’re looking for something to do one day I can highly recommend ebike island adventures.
Jonmx said:
classicaholic said:
I can highly recommend Champers a couple of miles from the gap. https://champersrestaurant.com
Brilliant, thank you!
They did however go above and beyond with a personalised menu with my name and birthday printed on.I'll add another couple of recommendations. Sharkey's bar on the gap. Great little spot, with a car mad barman and quite a few PH type customers going through. And Sail Calabaza for a boat trip. Small groups, decent crew and a far better experience than some of the other operators on the island.
Jonmx said:
djc206 said:
Get one of the Z buses along to Kermitts. If you’re into your beer there’s a brewery along there called Dreadhop, very good beers, not too expensive and they have food in the evenings.
There’s a restaurant a couple of miles west of the gap called Tapas that is very good, not cheap though.
Obviously Oistins.
The Worthing Square Food Court is close to where you’re staying, it’s a food truck lot with a good selection of cuisines.
Cutters. Roger is a legend, the food is good and the punch is strong. It’s a bit of a trek from where you’re staying though so might not work.
If you’re looking for something to do one day I can highly recommend ebike island adventures.
Excellent, thank you. Very much looking forward to getting back there and seeing some new bits of the island. There’s a restaurant a couple of miles west of the gap called Tapas that is very good, not cheap though.
Obviously Oistins.
The Worthing Square Food Court is close to where you’re staying, it’s a food truck lot with a good selection of cuisines.
Cutters. Roger is a legend, the food is good and the punch is strong. It’s a bit of a trek from where you’re staying though so might not work.
If you’re looking for something to do one day I can highly recommend ebike island adventures.
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