Barbados - Affordable Hedonism
Beach
Waterskiing
Finn Kids
Sandy Lane
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- The Cliff, Barbados (26/06/2005)
By the accepted laws of travel and tourism economics, if you lower the price of your product by 40% the punters will flock to you. So why has the USA, which is now considerably cheaper than it was just a few years ago, suffered a year-on-year fall in tourists since 2000?
Could it be that the aggressive reception by immigration officers at almost every entry point isn't helping, or that for Brits the USA is no longer the aspirational destination it was a decade ago?
Whatever the reason, while the USA travel industry has lost out in recent years, those countries that tie their currency to the US dollar have benefited big time. And perhaps no more so than Barbados, the celebs favourite holiday spot.
The tiny Caribbean island - with just 270,000 habitants - has one of the most developed and sophisticated tourist products, geared up for ensuring that visitors (they don't like the word tourists) go home feeling that they really have had their expectations exceeded. From arrival at the recently refurbished airport to the welcoming smile you receive from just about everyone you meet, holidaying in Barbados has something for everyone.
So it took little effort on the Finn's part when she talked me into a summer break (plus Master Finn and the Finnette) in Barbados. Now, notwithstanding the never-ending nightmare of bumping into Mr Winner, Barbados has been my winter destination of choice for many years, but it's only recently that the island has become as popular in summer as it is in winter. And given that prices are considerably lower in summer than they are over the winter season means good news for everyone who wants a change from the Greek islands or the Spanish Costas. But don't run away with the idea that Barbados is cheap. It's just less expensive than it used to be thanks to a weak dollar.
We stayed at the Almond Beach Village on the west coast. It's a large property, formally a sugar mill, with four restaurants and nine swimming pools plus the crystal clear, turquoise, warm-as-a-bath Caribbean sea right on your door step. All Almond resorts are all-inclusive and while it's a huge relief to know that just about everything is included in the price (all meals and drinks plus loads of watersports and other activities) it would be a shame if you didn't venture off the property to sample much that Barbados has to offer. So we came to an agreement with the kids. We would sample the attractions and restaurants on a one-day-in-the-hotel basis followed by one day out.
Barbados has without doubt the finest restaurants in the Caribbean, so eating out is an absolute pleasure and not to be missed. During our stay we dined at Lone Star for the Finnette's fifteenth birthday, one of the coolest restaurants in the world according to her (and who am I to disagree?) and at Sandy Lane (or as the Finnette described it: ohmigod Sandy Lane!)
Both are expensive, but with such wonderful food in such fabulous surroundings, worth every penny. Less expensive but equally enjoyable were Ragamuffins and Angry Annie's in Holetown (pronounced Ho'town) and Mango's in Speightstown (pronounced Spicetown).
Choosing what to see and where to go is almost as difficult as choosing where to eat, but the kids wanted to experience the Atlantis submarine to see the truly amazing underwater sealife around the coast. It is incredible and not to be missed. Having said that they were a little disappointed not to have ridden on the 'Thriller', a powerboat that seats 40 and reaches 50 mph, but they made up their disappointment jet-skiing and learning to water ski at the hotel. So much to do, so little time to do it.
All first time visitors should visit the capital, Bridgetown - bustling, bright, cheerful and with lots of tax-free bargains to argue about with Customs when you get back home. Equally enjoyable are an island safari by Land-Rover and a trip to Harrison's Cave, a crystallized limestone cavern that really could be considered one of the wonders of the world.
All in all a holiday in Barbados does have something for everyone. From world class hotels catering for the uber-rich to excellent family hotels and many in between, it's the perfect holiday destination. Some things, however, come for free. The sun, the smiles and the hospitality are beyond price, and they are all in abundance in Barbados.
Way to go: Virgin and BA are the number one choices for Brits although there are other carriers including charters. Flying time: around 8 hours.
Where to stay: Money no object - Sandy Lane. Expensive: Sandpiper, Royal Pavillion, Coral Reef Club: Upper Mid Price: Cobblers Cove, Colony Club. Mid Price: Almond Beach Club & Spa (adults only). Best for families: Almond Beach Village.
Best business hotel: Hilton
Where to eat: Expensive: The Cliff, Lone Star, Sandy Lane. Mid price: Olive's, The Mews. Good value and most fun: Ragamuffins, Angry Annie's, Mango's.
Whatever the reason, while the USA travel industry has lost out in recent years, those countries that tie their currency to the US dollar have benefited big time. And perhaps no more so than Barbados, the celebs favourite holiday spot.
The tiny Caribbean island - with just 270,000 habitants - has one of the most developed and sophisticated tourist products, geared up for ensuring that visitors (they don't like the word tourists) go home feeling that they really have had their expectations exceeded. From arrival at the recently refurbished airport to the welcoming smile you receive from just about everyone you meet, holidaying in Barbados has something for everyone.
So it took little effort on the Finn's part when she talked me into a summer break (plus Master Finn and the Finnette) in Barbados. Now, notwithstanding the never-ending nightmare of bumping into Mr Winner, Barbados has been my winter destination of choice for many years, but it's only recently that the island has become as popular in summer as it is in winter. And given that prices are considerably lower in summer than they are over the winter season means good news for everyone who wants a change from the Greek islands or the Spanish Costas. But don't run away with the idea that Barbados is cheap. It's just less expensive than it used to be thanks to a weak dollar.
We stayed at the Almond Beach Village on the west coast. It's a large property, formally a sugar mill, with four restaurants and nine swimming pools plus the crystal clear, turquoise, warm-as-a-bath Caribbean sea right on your door step. All Almond resorts are all-inclusive and while it's a huge relief to know that just about everything is included in the price (all meals and drinks plus loads of watersports and other activities) it would be a shame if you didn't venture off the property to sample much that Barbados has to offer. So we came to an agreement with the kids. We would sample the attractions and restaurants on a one-day-in-the-hotel basis followed by one day out.
Barbados has without doubt the finest restaurants in the Caribbean, so eating out is an absolute pleasure and not to be missed. During our stay we dined at Lone Star for the Finnette's fifteenth birthday, one of the coolest restaurants in the world according to her (and who am I to disagree?) and at Sandy Lane (or as the Finnette described it: ohmigod Sandy Lane!)
Both are expensive, but with such wonderful food in such fabulous surroundings, worth every penny. Less expensive but equally enjoyable were Ragamuffins and Angry Annie's in Holetown (pronounced Ho'town) and Mango's in Speightstown (pronounced Spicetown).
Choosing what to see and where to go is almost as difficult as choosing where to eat, but the kids wanted to experience the Atlantis submarine to see the truly amazing underwater sealife around the coast. It is incredible and not to be missed. Having said that they were a little disappointed not to have ridden on the 'Thriller', a powerboat that seats 40 and reaches 50 mph, but they made up their disappointment jet-skiing and learning to water ski at the hotel. So much to do, so little time to do it.
All first time visitors should visit the capital, Bridgetown - bustling, bright, cheerful and with lots of tax-free bargains to argue about with Customs when you get back home. Equally enjoyable are an island safari by Land-Rover and a trip to Harrison's Cave, a crystallized limestone cavern that really could be considered one of the wonders of the world.
All in all a holiday in Barbados does have something for everyone. From world class hotels catering for the uber-rich to excellent family hotels and many in between, it's the perfect holiday destination. Some things, however, come for free. The sun, the smiles and the hospitality are beyond price, and they are all in abundance in Barbados.
Way to go: Virgin and BA are the number one choices for Brits although there are other carriers including charters. Flying time: around 8 hours.
Where to stay: Money no object - Sandy Lane. Expensive: Sandpiper, Royal Pavillion, Coral Reef Club: Upper Mid Price: Cobblers Cove, Colony Club. Mid Price: Almond Beach Club & Spa (adults only). Best for families: Almond Beach Village.
Best business hotel: Hilton
Where to eat: Expensive: The Cliff, Lone Star, Sandy Lane. Mid price: Olive's, The Mews. Good value and most fun: Ragamuffins, Angry Annie's, Mango's.
Here Is The Writer : Richard Tobias
Richard Tobias brings a much needed dose of good behavior to HITC Life. His extensive career in tourism brought him an OBE in 1998. Richard is an experienced writer, lecturer and broadcaster, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, the Tourism Society and the Institute of Travel & Tourism as well as non-executive chairman of World Media Publishing. His Who's Who entry lists golf, good food and Chelsea Football Club amongst his passions. His favourite dining companion is The Finn, and sometimes her daughter, The Finnette.
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