October 2017 - our 36th trip. Once again we used Fast Track to bypass the long lines in the arrival hall at Grantley Adams Airport -- this is the best way to arrive. Upon arrival we were met by FIVE STAR FAST TRACK’s representative. She was outside the arrivals hall holding a card with our name so we could easily find her. My husband and I bypassed a full arrivals hall going through a special special “VIP” area where we immediately went through customs without any wait. She then assisted with our luggage and took us out to our rental car (by Stoutes) that was waiting for us. View their services at: www.fivestarfasttrack.com You can e-mail them at: reservations@fivestarfasttrack.com For $60 US/adult each it is well worth the cost - especially when the arrivals hall is full. We have used them since 2012. If you use them, be sure to mention you heard about them on Barbados Tips.
This visit there were just the 2 of us, so we got a Corolla from Stoutes Car. As you exit the Customs Area of the airport they are to your left. If you want excellent vehicles, good pricing and service, definitely book with Stoutes. www.stoutescar.com If you mention my name, Lois Swanson, they will give you a discount.
This visit we stayed 3 nights at - Plum Tree Club at Rockley. We had a very nice, one-bedroom condo with a pool right outside our door. But this visit they had water problems - no hot water for 3 days so we decided to check out and go someplace that had hot water. This had been ongoing for awhile but we were not told about it. So we moved to The Radisson at Carlisle Bay and had hot water and a gorgeous room right on the beach. I can highly recommend this and probably will use the Radisson on future trips.
Some of the restaurants we visited were the same as last year, so the write ups remain pretty much the same.
We went back to some of our favorite restaurants. The night we arrived we enjoyed Primo. We saw the most spectacular sunset (the only pretty sunset for our whole trip) while we sipped on cocktails and then went upstairs and had rail seating overlooking the sea and had a fantastic meal from their summer menu (for 2 of us the cost was a total of $90 US - drinks cost additional). The food and service were excellent. In fact, we went back there our last night on the island for our farewell dinner. They open daily at 5 pm. https://www.primobarandbistro.com/
Our 2nd night we went back to The Cliff Beach Club and had the same prime table we did in 2016. This is right next door to their sister restaurant, The Cliff on the west coast. In fact we could see it from our table which was their prime spot. They are open for lunch and dinner. They have a spectacular bar area and the dining area is gorgeous too. We loved the food and service and this was much more affordable than The Cliff. The bill here came to $190 US which included several drinks, starters and mains. Philip served us and was excellent. We can definitely recommend this as a "must do". http://thecliffbeachclub.com/BC/Default.asp
The Tides is another must do for us and this year the entire restaurant has been totally redone. The restaurant decor is spectacular. As always, the food and service were fabulous as always. Dinner cost us $176 US. They are on the west coast. You can check it out at: http://www.tidesbarbados.com/
Champers on the south coast was wonderful too. This time we went for lunch as well as for dinner. At lunch there were 3 of us and that bill came to $156 US. At dinner just for the 2 of us our bill came to $125 US. They have a beautiful setting - we were outside by the rail where we could really enjoy the sea while we ate. This is definitely worth checking out. http://champersrestaurant.com/
This visit we went back to Cin Cin on the west coast and we had some of the best food and service there. The lobster salad and beet salads were delicious. My husband's main was market fish and I enjoyed pan baked chicken breast. Our bill here was $200 US including drinks. Here is a link for the restaurant: https://www.cincinbythesea.com/
Tapas on the south coast by the boardwalk was fantastic as always - visited this restaurant twice. They have a wonderful menu of small plates, so we sampled several while sitting right next to the sea. Alfredo, the owner, stopped by for a nice visit too. Cost for 2 with drinks was $96 US. This is one of our favorite restaurants on the island - you won't be disappointed. Here is a link: http://www.tapasbarbados.com/TB/Default.asp
Had some great sushi and small plates at Naru also on the south coast by the boardwalk. We always love spending an evening here. This year they will be doing some updating, so we can't wait to see the changes when we return. Cost here for both was $123 US. Their link is: http://www.narubarbados.com/
This time we went back to the culinary school on 2 Friday evenings and enjoyed their gourmet, 7 course feast. We also enjoyed breakfast here one morning. This is the culinary school at Barbados Community College (south coast). Each time we went it was different, and we got to try some great food for reasonable prices. The 7 course dinner for 2 which included a glass of wine each, and then we added an additional glass of wine each was $94 US. It was well worth it and you get a chance to talk with the students who prepared the meal and the chef as well. This is only available during their school year, so if you are there during the summer you are out of luck. You need to make reservations in advance for this. The restaurant is Muscovado. They do lunch buffet daily (no reservation necessary) for about $15 US. And they also do a Sunday buffet for about $30 US but we were too late in securing a reservation as they have limited seating. Here is a link: http://www.menuinternational.com/barbados/portfolio/muscovado-bar-and-restaurant/
We went back to Huntes Gardens - always a gorgeous setting to enjoy exploring. Anthony Hunte always is adding to his flowers and plants. It's peaceful and enjoyable - something we feel is a must for visitors. He added a whole new section since our previous visit. After touring the gardens we had a nice visit with Anthony and enjoyed his delicious rum punch.
The weather was not the best this visit and we only got to enjoy the sea on 3 days. But it was a wonderful trip and I look forward to returning.
Lois Swanson Travel Tips
October 2017 Trip Highlights