Oh, we're going to Barbados ...

[BecauseImWorthIt]

... that's it really! Booked for a week at October half term, to Turtle Beach where we've been 4 or 5 times before.

Couldn't afford to go last year so really, really looking forward to it!

Lovely hotel and The Gap is nice, have a great time.
If you can eat in Josep's in the Gap it is beautiful in the evening, you may need to book. Near South Gap Hotel.

What is Turtle Beach Like?
We are looking for somewhere in Barbados, suitable for us, the kids and FIL.
Ideally we'd like somewhere not too big and 'resorty' IFKWIM. Somewhere friendly and relaxed with a mixture of age groups.
Does Turtle Beach fit this?
Or anyone know anywhere that does?

We've never been to Barbados, but I really want to book so I can sing that song.............

diddle leddle leehh?
fly away on coconut airways? love that song how long is flight? out of interest really..

About 8/9hrs I think, but haven't researched properly yet.
Worth it to sing that song though........although may get annoying after 8months!

You cant go wrong at Turtle Beach Barbados, fits the bill for everyone. Kids club 3-12yrs, watersports, gym and adult only italian resturant so good for all. Big All Inclusive hotel with over 160 rooms, so lots of facilities. Posh 4 star and is not as cheap as 2 weeks in Spain.

For cheap Barbados, go to somewhere like 2+ star South Gap Hotel in the St Lawrence Gap about 15 mins walk away for somewhere cheap and cheerful. This one is sea front, but 5 mins walk away to local beach access.

Does it feel impersonal?
A big part of the holiday for FIL, is meeting people. He loves to become best friends with the staff and chat to other guests (while we roll our eyes and bury our noses deeper in our books), so we thought somewhere not too big for him.
What's the kids club like, do they do lots of activities?

Most hotels will run at half occupancy in low season, so it depends when you go to the Caribbean. October is low season.
On the whole any hotel with more than 120 rooms will be abit impersonal as it will have a rota of staff for so many guests. I found the staff at this hotel very good, professional but still friendly, but im more like you than your FIL

We are thinking of booking hol in Jamaica with our 3 yr old (whose flown before a few times but only in Europe). Looks wonderful but I'm worried about the long flight. Can anyone share experiences/give advice pls?

It's a lovely hotel - this will be our 4th or 5th visit. Although it's got quite a few rooms, it manages to feel quite personal. It's also family oriented - very, very few couples or singles - so no late night disco to keep everyone awake!

The staff are, for the most part, very friendly - and some have been there since the very first time we went.

On our first ever visit to Barbados we went to Almond Beach which is much bigger and the service was much less friendly - too many people and too many singles so very noisy at times.

BecauseIWI - what month was it you stayed there last? is the sea ever calm at Turtle Beach, like it is further up near St James?
Can they operate most of the watersports, most of the time?
Do you take children and is the sea safe for swimming (wouldnt leave kids alone in water anyway).
I visited (business) and had a tour, sea was rough that day with red flags, but didnt check-in. Just further up the Gap it was much clamer. Just wondering.

We've always gone in October - the sea is never calm like it is on the west coast. Every day they fly they have been flying the yellow flag - it was a bit of a joke with us that they didn't have another one! Definitely seen a red flag.

It's ok for older kids but not for little ones. You'd definitely need to go to the west coast for that.

But it's still a lovely hotel!

Sorry - forgot your q about watersports. Answer is I don't really know - kids spend all day in the pool and aren't so much interested in the sea

Oh dear - wine definitely interfering with fingers this evening! Definitely never seen a red flag ...

Will come back tomorrow when sober

oh thanks so much, glad i caught u before bed time. good night.