The Crane Barbados
BY TIM HEDGLEY, GROUP TRAVEL EDITOR
Nestled in the sun-drenched blue waters of the Caribbean, Barbados is an island that captivates the heart like no other. Known for its exquisite beaches, vibrant culture, and warm-hearted people, Barbados offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich history that beckons travellers from around the globe.
Whether you’re seeking an escape into tranquillity, an adventure into the unknown, or a journey through a storied past, Barbados promises memories that last a lifetime.
Beyond its natural allure, Barbados is steeped in history, with its colonial architecture and historic sites painting a picture of its diverse past.
The capital, Bridgetown, and its Garrison, a UNESCO World Heritage site, tell the tales of yesteryear through well-preserved buildings and engaging museums. Meanwhile, the Island’s rum distilleries offer a taste of a time-honoured tradition, with the sweet scent of molasses filling the air.
It’s an 8-hour flight away from London, Manchester, or Dublin and it’s blessed with a beautiful climate, roughly 28.C every day and its mainly dry (except in the rainy season).
So why do thousands of people go there every year?
Well, it’s simply stunningly beautiful; the Island’s pristine beaches are in a league of their own, offering a canvas of white sands framed by the azure embrace of the Atlantic on one side and the tranquil Caribbean Sea on the other.
It is not a cheap place to visit, but it is worth saving for. I spent five years saving my airmiles and pennies to ensure I could afford my time there. Having a sister-in-law living on the Island, I was fortunate to have a base from which to explore this amazing Island. Not wanting to impose myself on a relative for all the time I was there, I decided to try out a couple of accommodation offerings.
Nestled on Barbados’ breathtaking southeast coast, The Crane Resort stands as a beacon of luxury and serenity in the Caribbean. Everybody knows “The Crane”; it’s an iconic place, so what’s the hype about?
The Crane is renowned for being the first resort hotel in the Caribbean since its grand opening in 1887 and offers guests an exquisite blend of old-world elegance and natural splendour. Situated across 40 lush acres, The Crane boasts a prime cliff-top location with panoramic views of the renowned Crane Beach below – a vision of powder-pink sands acclaimed as one of the world’s best beaches.
This sought-after destination is not only a stone’s throw from Grantley Adams International Airport, making it incredibly convenient but also offers an enchanting sense of seclusion that seems worlds away from the everyday.
The resort’s 252 residences and suites are the epitome of luxury and spaciousness, with plush accommodation that include private pools, serene gardens, and expansive rooftop terraces.
Every detail at The Crane has been meticulously crafted to ensure that guests experience a stay that is both luxurious and comfortable, wrapped up in the warm embrace of Barbadian hospitality.
What sets The Crane apart from its rivals is its commitment to an elevated Caribbean holiday characterized by unrivalled service. The resort prides itself on its full-service concierge, which ensures every stay is personalized and unforgettable. Whether indulging in the award-winning cuisine across the resort’s dining venues, rejuvenating at the tranquil spa, engaging in a friendly match on the tennis courts, or basking in the sun by one of the five outdoor pools – including a captivating cascading waterfall and whirlpool – there is no shortage of ways to relax in opulence.
I visited the Crane on the 4th of March 23 for two nights; as soon as you arrive at the Crane, you are enveloped with a sense of luxury and service. All members of staff greet and welcome you to the property and you are offered a small refreshing towel to refresh yourself after your journey.
The first place you visit is obviously reception where you receive a warm welcome and instruction on how to get to your room. Grantly took us in a buggy to our room and gave us a run through on how the cavernous suite functioned. He then opened the patio doors to reveal a large balcony with a pool! Yes, you heard it correctly, a private plunge pool on the 4th floor.
Our room or residence was truly spectacular. Bright and expansive, it featured a large kitchen complete with granite countertop; spacious, private patios perfect for dining, lounging and entertaining, as well as generously scaled natural stone bathrooms with large soaker tubs and glass showers.
All suites at The Crane Resort are furnished to the highest possible standard, including objets d’art true to The Crane’s Barbadian heritage, rich textures, and traditionally high four-poster king-size beds.
However, it is the setting that provides guests with a true feel of the resort – coral stone walls, 11-foot-high timber tray ceilings, floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms and unrivalled views of crystal-clear turquoise waters below. Our residence also featured:
▪ Spa shower
▪ Smart Television with Netflix and Amazon Prime TV options (must hold a subscription)
▪ Double door fridge with icemaker
▪ Dishwasher
▪ Washer and dryer
▪ Central air-conditioning through hidden ducts.
The Crane Village lies at the heart of the resort, a vibrant community offering an array of boutiques, duty-free shopping, a well-equipped gym, the Calypso Kids Club, and comprehensive conference facilities for those combining leisure with business.
Check-in is 4pm, and as we had arrived a little early, we were given a couple of vouchers for rum punches in the 1887 bar next to reception. Be warned these rum punches can be quite intoxicating!
Dining
Although most rooms in The Crane come equipped with a full kitchen, there may be times when you just want to relax and let someone else do the cooking for you. So, whether you are in the mood for fresh seafood, Thai, Japanese or classic Caribbean delicacies, The Crane offers a culinary experience like no other with a choice of four restaurants.
My first meal in the resort was in Zen. Zen is a very upmarket fine dining experience where you can enjoy an alternative to Caribbean fare, it has been Zagat rated #1 for food in Barbados for two years running. Designed by a Japanese architect and interior designer, it features dramatic spot lighting and classic Japanese artifacts as well as an elegant stone entrance with a bridge over a Koi Pond filled with evening lilies. The restaurant’s sophisticated, Asian-inspired architecture and interior décor combined with its dramatic setting, complete with an all-glass frontage offering spectacular views of the sea, offer guests a truly unique dining experience. My Wok fried Prawns in a black bean style sauce with jasmine infused rice was a beautiful dish, The prawns were beautifully cooked and presented, my meal was simply delicious.
If Japanese is not your thing, then you can of course try L’Azure. The hotel’s award-winning L’Azure Restaurant enjoys a cliff-top position overlooking a magnificent panorama of the ruggedly picturesque Atlantic shore below – the perfect spot to enjoy traditional. Caribbean cuisine. Guests can choose to dine in the elegant dining room which features original
200- year-old coral stone walls or on the wrap-around balcony for the ideal backdrop to a
romantic meal. Authentic Bajan dishes such as coucou and steamed flying fish, macaroni pie and fried plantains can be enjoyed at the Sunday Buffet lunch, and dinner options include locally caught pan seared mahi-mahi on spicy lentils and a West Indian style chicken curry.
And if these don’t float your boat, then there are D’Onofrios Trattoria, a typical Italian style Trattoria, or you may wish to consider the Carriage House, which was once the official stable of the historic Crane Beach Hotel over a century ago. In keeping with the continued expansion and development of The Crane, it has been transformed into a modern-day poolside bar and grill, serving a variety of lightly
grilled dishes and tropical cocktails – perfect for lunch or cocktail events. The Carriage House still possesses remnants of its architectural past and rich history, in keeping with the overall style of the resort where modern amenities are melded with old world charm.
The Grove Bar & Grill
Nestled in the heart of the charming Crane Village, D’Onofrios serves the finest authentic southern Italian fare. Classic dishes are inspired by the simple flavours and Old World traditions of Italy and prepared to an excellent standard. With its casual atmosphere and a wide choice of pizzas and pasta on offer, D’Onofrios is perfect for families.
Nestled within a coconut grove on the spectacular Crane Beach, this popular spot amongst guests offers an authentic casual Barbadian dining experience. Alongside signature cocktails, beachside favourites, including burgers, koftas and barbequed chicken, are available only a stone’s throw from the sun lounger.
Let’s put it this way: there are few places to stay in Barbados that can match the village life feel of The Crane, the service, and the opulent suites on offer to the customer. There is nothing the staff won’t do for you (so long as it’s legal). I have to make a special mention of Neshan, who was the reservations manager. I stood in awe at reception and watched him managing some guests who had just arrived; his professionalism was evident in abundance and it was clear that a great guest experience was his number one priority.
For those who fall in love with The Crane’s undeniable charm, the resort offers an exclusive opportunity for fractional ownership and has recently expanded its luxury offerings to include the Private Residences. This gated residential community merges the privacy of the home with the decadence of resort living. Additionally, the resort unveiled EAST, a spectacular new oceanfront development of villas, offering a more intimate slice of heaven on Barbados’ east coast. Read about East next week
