Have you been to Barbados? Where is the best place to stay?

[SuperCoop3r]

Looking to go at the end of December for a week. Have looked at The Crane hotel which looks amazing but it's quite pricey!

Anyone been? Any top places to stay?

The Crane is lovely, however be aware that the currents in the sea at that side of the island can be scarily strong and rough sea - I find the beach at the Crane not very "relaxing" as the other sides of the island. Really depends on what makes a good holiday for you.? What do you like?

It's hot humid and expensive. I got robbed in the hotel... and the police were in on it. Don't be fooled... it's not a nice place at all. Try Antigua.. jumby bay or turtle beach are far superior.

I've stayed there twice and had a brilliant time both times, would love to go back. Can't tell you what Crane is like but we stayed in the south west area both times and thought it was great: lovely beaches, snorkeling, tropical fish everywhere, great bars and seafood. Anywhere between the airport and Bridgetown

Treated myself to AI at Club Barbados on West side of the island for my 60th. Even in the rainy season it was beautiful.

West Coast. Sandy Lane is the best if you are up for rubbing shoulders with the likes of Simon Cowell!

South is cheaper and still wonderful. St Lawrence Gap? We've stayed at the Bougainvillea Beach and Ocean Two and can recommend both. Lovely beaches and you're closer to Oistins for the unmissable Friday night fish fry! think it's livelier in the South than the "posher" west.

We've been many times, though not for a while.
We love the sea and various water sports (though not surfing, calm-water sports only) so would never stay at the Crane or anywhere else on the east (Atlantic) coast - sea is rougher and in some areas (don't know about Crane beach) positively dangerous for swimming.
Some E coast areas are popular with surfers - IIRC esp. Bathsheba, but you do need to check where it's safe.
If you're keen on anything like water skiing you'd want the west coast.

We used to like the Colony Club, the Tamarind Cove and Discovery Bay on the west (Caribbean) coast. However the beaches were sadly rather eroded last time, which was some years ago now - dont know whether they've recovered.
The S/SW coast is cheaper though a lot more built up, sea is a bit less calm but still safe I think, and there are plenty of nice hotels to choose from.

My parents love Barbados and stay at the sandpiper most years very expensive but they love it.

Patents went, Hayes it do much they came home early. They prefer the Cayman Islands

Sorry that makes no sense due to spell check! Should say my parents went & hated it so much they came back early. They prefer the Cayman Islands

We stayed down the road from Sandy Lane. I would recommend the west coast too. The sea is as warm as bath water. It's also really clear. It was a while ago so I can't remember the name of the hotel. Make sure you get bug spray.

Spent Christmas there many years ago. We moved from one side of the island to the other as the first place was the windy side and the sea was scary. Can't remember which was the calmer side though.

Crane is lovely, BUT it is pretty much on it's own, so no where to walkout to for a change of scenery, and although the beach looks stunning the sea is challenging.

The South West, or West coast is where i would recommend. South West near St Lawrence Gap is better value than further West. Further west it gets much more expensive.

Regarding safety I have been a number of times and had no problems
at all - hired a car and driven all over the island. Like everywhere, you just need to be sensible.

The Hilton was lovely when we stayed there
www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g147263-d154114-Reviews-Hilton_Barbados_Resort-Bridgetown_Saint_Michael_Parish_Barbados.html#photos;aggregationId=&albumid=107&filter=7

We're going in June! Staying at Oceans Two in St Lawrence Gap. Super excited!!

We got an apartment on Airbnb near sandy lane and it was fab. Some amazing yet expensive restaurants nearby!

We spent Xmas at turtle beach a few years back, it depends what you're looking for, but we had a great time and service was second to none.

eleganthotels.com/turtle-beach?utm_source=local&utm_campaign=gmb&utm_medium=organic

Barbados is amazing. As close as you can go for hot weather at christmas.

Go between end of Nov and start of March.

Stay on the west coast.

i've not been for about 15 yrs but The Cliff restaurant was fab

@nancy75 what did your parents hate so much? Weather? Sea? Hotel? Food?

BlueSkiesLies from what I remember the didn't like any of it! They didn't have great weather so that didn't help, they moved hotels and they didn't like the restaurants. They have been to the Cayman islands a lot and I think they prefer the actual place outside of the hotels.

we stayed in St laurence gap and loved it not to big but easy to get to everywhere else on the island and big beach and friendly pubs

It's over 30 years since we went but the west coast was fantastic - we stayed at the Colony Club which was right on the beach and lovely.

We stayed at the Fairmont Royal Pavilion on the West coast, near to Holetown. It was fantastic, very expensive but fantastic. Beautiful beach, excellent rooms, facilities and service. Nearby restaurants were also extremely expensive.

We hired a car for a few days and went all over the island. The buses are also very good and easy to use.

I’d go again in a heartbeat!

Ooh thanks so much everyone. Appreciate all responses