bit bougie - tips for Barbados for Feb half term ? Booked in 2019 !

[TrevorOptions]

Going this year thanks to the covid. Seems crazy now honestly. The kids are 12 and 15 and lazy as sin.

I have heard that some things have closed down since covid. We're staying half board in a nice hotel near Bridgetown on the beach. I get the impression that there's not much night life if not in a hotel complex. We can chill at our hotel as have a small apartment.

Anyone been recently and can suggest things I must do. So far ....

snorkelling - is it worth buy a decathlon mask each?
Hunter's Gardens
Ossin fish fry tho patchy reviews.
Cricket museum for dh.

We can all swim but haven't done proper swimming for years, though the kids think they can. No scuba.

Not sure how much engagement I will get out of the kids, but I want to make sure I have a great time at least.

There are very rich Bajans too!

And this kind of poverty is evident in many, many countries that us white foreigners visit. Sadly.

We stayed at Coconut Court too, lovely friendly hotel.

As much as I loved Barbados, I also felt uncomfortable. Especially getting on the bus at tea time, we were all dressed up ready for the night and sitting next to people who was coming home from work etc. I just felt out of place and a bit sad.

Is it for adults, or a family? That makes a difference too.

Adults and two older teenagers. Preferably overlooking a nice beach. The kids like water sports and snorkelling.

@dew141 Most of the hotels on the West coast will be on the beach. If you look at the All Inclusive ones, many (most?) offer free watersports as part of their package.

This hotel, Bougainvillea, looks like it has what you need - with the added flexibility of being self-catered if you wish.

Thank you, that's much appreciated. My problem is always Trip Advisor analysis paralysis where I can't seem to find a hotel with consistently good reviews (happy to spend money but not Rooney/Cowell budget at Sandy Lane).

It felt a bit like Bermuda where there were multiple reviews saying the hotels were dated, not brilliantly maintained and expensive for what they were (granted importing everything is not cheap). I had to cancel that trip twice during the pandemic and I couldn't face a third effort.

I haven't been to that hotel, so I can't vouch for it @dew141!

But ignore TA reviews. I've often read reviews of places we've been to, and enjoyed, and wondered if it was actually the same place!

What is important to you Dew141?

I loved coconut court for the beach, the snorkelling, happy hour rum punches, the sunsets, the infrastructure that was there if we wanted it, the location for the local buses….. but if you just want to lie on a sun lounger in a AI luxury maybe it’s not the right place for you.

for us it was perfect base, but we usually self. Cater and stay off the beaten track

Room that looks fairly modern and light rather than heavy/dark wood and green carpets. Sea view. Don't mind whether it's B&B or AI.

Possibly been a bit spoilt as we stayed at an Ikos resort last year and it was lush.

(Sea view from the hotel, nice to have in the room)

What's your budget? That will really dictate things! You can easily spend £££ on Barbados accommodation.

Not more than £1k-ish per night (excluding flights) if possible.

So what does that mean overall? If it's for 4 of you?

Yes, £1,000 (£1,500 at a push) per night for 3 over 18s and one under 18. We often get a family type suite if it's cheaper than two rooms.

So £10,000-£15,000 in total for all of us for 10 nights, but we'll sort flights separately. Equally happy to spend less.

Mango Bay might suit great location on the west coast, and looks like good water sports on offer. Rooms look light and airy, not dark wood and green carpets!

Sugar Bay is fab if you want a decent all inclusive.

Thanks so much for those.

BTW @dew141, if you're on Facebook there's a group called Barbados for Travellers that you might find useful

Tamarind on the west coast is lovely.

Second this ! V useful group. I learnt all about the sea lice and and jellyfish there which was v useful when I was stung

a friend stays in the crane resort and loves it. I think she stays mainly in the resort, the beaches on that side would be rough and might have seaweed, plus no sunset. But she likes it.

Sounds great, thanks.