Perched on the south-east coast of Barbados, The Crane Hotel stands apart from the many other hotels on this island. Nearly all the five-star offerings here are found on the glitzy west coast, where you can't move for super-deluxe resorts. But the Crane is different.
Steeped in history, it's not only a favourite spot for locals — because of its position away from the tourist haunts and stunning architecture — but it was also the first ever hotel to be opened in Barbados and could be credited for kick-starting the island's tourist industry. Dating back to the late 1700s, the hotel was first opened to cater for visiting merchants and plantation owners attracted by the cool breezes, temperate climate and recuperative sea bathing found in this part of the island.
These days, not much has changed as to why people still visit Barbados. The hotel, meanwhile, is largely unrecognisable — although some historic features have been kept during its recent, swish refurbishment. Once a simple hotel which kept largely under the tourist radar, it has been reinvented into the Crane Resort. The massive expansion includes the original hotel building as well as a new suite development, a beach elevator, two new tennis courts and the Crane Village, made up of shops, restaurants and a jazz bar.
There may have been some local tut-tutting at this new look but the overall result is stylish - and it works, too. Guests can choose to stay in the 1887 Resort Apartments, which are housed in the original hotel building, or the new suites. If you are after a little bit of history then go for the ocean-front Resort Apartments. Decorated in keeping with traditional Bajan decor, they feature impressive mahogany four-poster beds, hardwood floors, antique furniture and some even have the original coral-stone walls, which are over 200 years old. And the best bit is undoubtedly the sound of the crashing waves as you drift off to sleep. The new suites, meanwhile, are contemporary in style - think marble bathrooms, oriental rugs, spa showers and timber-lined ceilings.
While the accommodation here is impressive, it is the choice of restaurants that really ramps up the appeal. If you stayed at the Crane a few years ago you would have struggled to find any places to eat. With a real lack of good restaurants in this part of the island, guests normally had to trek up to the west coast for a good night out. Now that has been solved with at least four restaurants: D'Onofrio's, which serves truly authentic southern-Italian dishes (no mean feat in the Caribbean — try the sublime seafood risotto), L'Azure, which caters for those looking for local dishes, such as pumpkin fritters and flying fish, the poolside Carriage House, and the real jewel in the crown, Zen. A Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar that overlooks the dramatic Crane Beach, Zen has got the west coast chefs in a fluster as, for the first time in a long while, tourists are travelling south for a culinary experience. Now how's that for putting a place back on the map?
The Crane Resort, St Philip, Barbados ((+1 246) 423 6220; thecrane.com). Prices start from £166 per night per room.
BA HIGH LIFE OFFER: Book by 27 February 2011 and a 30 per cent discount will be included for each paid night. $150 credit for food and beverage per room. Stay 7 nights at the 5* The Crane Resort and Residences in Barbados with British Airways from £1,020 per person departing May 2011. Includes return BA flights from Gatwick and accommodation with breakfast. Subject to availability, based on two sharing and includes all UK taxes. For reservations visit ba.com/barbados or call 0844 493 0758. Book by March 31, 2011.
