Recommendations for Barbados.......

[SmileysPeople]

We've never been, we're planning to go with the kids (6 and 3) and FIL (72). We don't want anywhere too big and 'resorty' as a big part of a holiday for FIL is meeting people. He becomes best friends with the staff and loves to chat to other guests.
We're not bothered about having a kids club, but obviously want somewhere where children are welcome.
Any ideas?

Not sure if the place I stayed will suit your FIL and kids tbh. I went when I was child free and went with 'the girls'.

Sounds great, but probably not what we're after!

My friend booked and been back there loads so will ask her for details when she calls me back anyway.

Thanks TeeCee.
Anyone else bben there?

Bump

Can only reiterate my recommendation re Turtle Beach.

However, it's on the South coast, where the sea is not very calm. Hotels on the West coast have the calmest sea so might be better for swimming for the little ones.

Almond Beach is the only other place we've been there, but it was huge and not very personal.

Mango Bay is small and further on west coast. No kids club. Nice pool.

I stayed at Crystal Cove when DS1 was 4 months old. It's a friendly small all inclusive hotel on the west coast (only 88 rooms).

It has a kids club and babysitting service for a charge, evening entertainment and we found the guests all chatted to each other.

It is just down the road from Bridgetown and the hotel had a regular Shuttle bus there.

The only thing I would say it was on a cliff - so there were steps up and down from reception to beach. The rooms, restaurant, bars were on the middle level.

Sandy Lane is also down the road & we went there for dinner to have a nose. It cost £100 for pizza & wine!

Lovely toilets though - little proper fluffy towels to wipe your hands & if they saw some one coming out of the toilets they instantly went in to remove towels from the laundry basket. I tested them a few times & they did it every time!

Crystal cove

Oh Mango Bay and Crystal Cove both look like what we might be after.
Mango may suit FIL, as it says on tripadvisor bar staff are 'friendly and fun', he loves stuff like that

but crystal cove has a kids club and the pool does look nice.
What's the beach like at Mango Bay?
What are the pros and cons of differnet sides of the island? We like to swim in the sea and have read one side is better than another.
has anyone been for christmas?

now alll you have to do is decide. tough one. advice can be taken but in the end its your money and your choice.
FWIW i dont take any notice of trip advisor that much.

The sea on the south side (atlantic)is far more rough, if i went again I'd go for the caribbean side, especially with kids. Plus, we wanted to dive and getting across the island took hours - it was absolutely clogged with traffic.

Oh rihgt so it's the south side to avoid, for safe swimming with the kids.
What side are Mango bay and Crystal Cove on?

Yeah Trip advisor not much help when one person says 'best holiday of my life' and the next ' it was hell, do not waste your money.'
Still always look though

Both CC and MB are further up on west coast. Really CC and MB have a lot to offer. CC beach front area is bigger than MBays but i find kids like the pool most of the time and there are equally nice at both hotels. And at Mbays, you can walk further on the sand in both directions infront of other fancy and not so fancy resorts.
If you decide on MB it is best to upgrade to the Superior Rooms as the standard rooms are closer to 2 streets which can be noisy at night. A fantastic little row of 2 streets with bars and restaurants. People come from near and far to vist in the evening. Greta fun. MB does have a lovely cosy feel whih you FIL would love.