We’ve got Holidays Please super expert Nichola Luke turning the blog into a Barbados extravaganza – A great story featuring lots of cocktails, breath-taking hotels and amazing tips about this Caribbean holiday heavyweight. Over to you Nichola….
On my 5th year anniversary at Holidaysplease I thought I would share my most recent experience with you. Arriving at the airport we didn’t know where we were heading – Courtesy of Travel2 it was either the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean.
My destination was the breath-taking Barbados – Normally familiarisations (Fam trips) can be hard work with the majority of time spent jumping from hotel to hotel. This itinerary however brought a smile huge to my face. Five hotels in 7 nights meant I could feel like a real guest and enjoy the Barbados sunshine.
We had the pleasure off being fast tracked through the airport which I highly recommend, as you’re not queuing for immigration – this can be added on for a nominal fee and well worth it.
First up on the hotel list was Turtle Beach which is about 25 minutes from the airport – we were welcomed with a rum punch and a swift check in. The hotel has everything centrally and even with 161 rooms did not feel overly large. The all-inclusive option was very impressive and the group favourite was Strawberry Daiquiri’s – Cocktails become a theme of this trip!
Next up was adventure day, and it doesn’t get more adventurous than a day with ‘King of the Waves’ Brian Talma – The guy is called ‘Action Man’ and with a repertoire of surfing, kite-surfing and wind-surfing it’s easy to see why. The day was loads of fun and I tried my hand at Kite Surfing – We were also lucky enough to see Dolphins and Turtles up close – What an amazing experience!
Next up was a visit to the colonial and unobtrusive Sandy Lane. We had some lunch and a Bridgetown Cocktail before heading off to the Tamarind Hotel. Located on the West Coast the Tamarind has a different feel to Turtle Beach – The weather is hotter and more humid on this side of the island. The rooms however were very relaxing, and the staff couldn’t do enough for us. ‘Kim’ our host arranged water sports, massages and a lovely meal on the beach.
The evening was spent at the famous Oistin’s Fish Friday – this is an experience where the locals and tourist mix and have a good old party – lots of local food to try and some Wuuking Up dancing – I did get up and have a go but I couldn’t get the hips to swing. Late in the evening and still in the party mood our driver took us to Holetown, we partied till 3am and think the less said about that the better.
Despite waking up slightly hungover we got to really discover some Barbados heritage – Harrison’s Cave is a wonderful experience where you can learn about Barbados and its origins. The fascinating journey takes you to spectacular sights and an underground cave.
Monday was a packed day of excursions – One excursion was a catamaran for the day with Jammin Cats, and the moment we arrived the service and crew were brilliant. I would give this cruise 5 stars, because if you like fun, good food and a party atmosphere then this is for you.
Our next hotel was the Colony Club and the general manager Gail was in good spirits, as she knew we had been on the luxury ‘booze’ cruise. After our site visit we quickly got ready for our evening entertainment at Harbour Lights – an excellent evening of local bbq food and entertainment – Well worth a visit.
Our last full day in Barbados included a trip to The House Hotel and it’s one of my all-time favourites. The key to its beauty is in the authentic Barbados charm. It’s an adult only hotel and perfect for couples who want to be pampered.
We then moved on to Crystal Cove and its unique feel to the other Elegant Hotels – I would however say that if you have walking difficulties I wouldn’t recommend due to the various floor levels. The rooms are bright and airy, with a colourful Caribbean feel – take advantage of the excellent all-inclusive facilities, especially the cocktails.
Our last night in Barbados was back at the Colony Club for a BBQ – The superb Caribbean ambience and tasty food really did create the perfect ending to the trip. Again we ventured into the must visit Holetown and a final visit to our starting favourite Lime Grove. Sipping a cocktail surrounded by Louis Vuitton and Cartier really adds to the exclusive feel. Some of the group went to St Lawrence Gap and they must have had a good time as they didn’t end up back until 6am.
“Barbados is a fantastic experience for anyone who’s deciding on a Caribbean destination as a holiday. We had great hosts, stunning hotels and a boat load of wonderful memories to enjoy. If you need any information on Barbados or you’re considering a holiday then contact me on my email below – If you recommend friends or family we’ll even send you a bottle of champagne as a thank you”
Nichola Luke
Senior Travel Advisor
Direct Dial: 0845 365 1659
nichola@holidaysplease.com
