Note: Everything I highlight below can be found within my website for a much more detailed description.
ARRIVAL: Use FIVE STAR FAST TRACK for your arrival at Grantley Adams International. This way you can breeze past the long lines in the Arrivals Hall.
View their services at www.fivestarfasttrack.com
CAR RENTAL: Use STOUTES CARS for high-quality vehicles of all types, the best service, and excellent rates. If you mention my name, Lois Swanson, they will try to give you a special discount. www.stoutescar.com
TOURS: GLORY TOURS, a large company, offers the most variety in tours, including their new specialty tours. All of their guides are extremely knowledgeable. Also, they will give my readers a 20% discount off the retail rate of their tours (not their discounted rate). You can find them at: http://www.glorytours.org
Smaller tour company: TERRVETTE TOURS & TAXI - they have a few tours and also private options to consider.
https://www.facebook.com/TerrvetteToursTaxiService
ACCOMMODATIONS: There are many wonderful options on the island. I've highlight those we've stayed at over the years along with photos to give you a better idea of what to expect. The last few visits we've stayed at the following places: Wavecrest Villa, Jacaranda Villa, and also Plum Tree Club (condo). We've also enjoyed stays at The Radisson as well as Cobblers Cove, the Sandpiper, Coral Reef Club, Treasure Beach, and of course, Sandy Lane. There is a wide spectrum of prices, so do your research to decide what will work best for you.
RESTAURANTS: Of the many we've tried in Barbados, you can't go wrong with any of the following:
CHAMPERS, THE TIDES, THE CLIFF, THE CLIFF BEACH CLUB, CIN CIN, NARU, and TAPAS. These are all on the pricey side but the food/service, ambiance, and views at these restaurants are excellent and worth the price.
BRUNCH: For a fabulous brunch experience go with any of these:
LANCASTER GREAT HOUSE - Excellent Bajan Buffet in a great house decorated with gorgeous flowers, beautiful gardens (take pictures!) and the best of food provided by Rain Chandler.
ATLANTIS HOTEL: Their famous, West Indian Buffet Lunch is offered every Wednesday and Sunday and is very popular with locals and visitors. The menu is varied and offers authentic Bajan and Caribbean cuisine using fresh, local ingredients prepared by their culinary team.
THE CRANE: They have a wonderful Sunday breakfast with live Caribbean gospel music in the morning and a traditional Barbadian Sunday buffet lunch - all overlooking one of the prettiest beaches anywhere.
LESS COSTLY/FUN OPTIONS FOR FOOD: Either location of Just Grillin', Blakeys, Martin's Bay Tavern, Oistins (Uncle George's), The Restaurant at the Animal Flower Cave (at North Point), the Round House, and the Sand Dunes Restaurant and Bar.
BEACHES: In 2015, Barbados beaches were plagued by Sargassum seaweed. This was true of many Caribbean islands. We found that the east coast and south coast beaches had a lot of this. They were learning how to get rid of it. Not sure if it will come back again in 2016, so you may want to ask your hotel about this situation prior to booking. Due to this seaweed I was recommending that people enjoy the west coast beaches. Also Carlisle Bay (the end closest to Bridgetown, and near the Copacabana Beach Bar and Grill) was ok.
If you would like to contact me directly with any questions, I will try to help. You can write me at: barbadostips@gmail.com