Barbados

[john_morris_uk]

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for cheap accommodation in Barbados? Our son and daughter in law have said they’d like to come and visit for a week or so in late January /early Feb 2023. We are deciding that Barbados will be our first destination (all being well) following our transatlantic in January. (PS They will have their 1 year old daughter with them)

 

[capnsensible]

Try a pm to bajansailor!

 

[RupertW]

There is lots around the south coast (the west coast is mostly much more expensive) - AirBnB will give a good idea of prices even in high season. Go half a mile back from the coast and there are plenty under 50 a night in January 2023, and a few cheap places closer to the coast too - many of which will suit meeting you if you are anchored in Carlisle bay so dinghying into the Cruising Club or Yacht club.

I have a friend with some apartments nearby but they are aiming for ”good value quality” rather than cheapest.

 

[OtherBusiness]

Studio apartment at Rockley would probably do the job. Not far from Carlisle Bay and can be cost effective. Whether any are available is another matter though as peak Snowbird season in January/February!

One like this Pleasant Hall 412 – Island Gold Realty Ltd.

 

[Bajansailor]

I know that 'cheap' is a relative term - everybody has a different idea as to what is 'cheap'.
What sort of price bracket are they thinking of, or what is their budget per day for accommodation?

There is some basic info about Barbados in the free online version of Chris Doyle's guide in my signature below.
Have a look also at Visit Barbados - The Official Barbados Tourism Guide 2022 and Travel to Barbados – An Island With Endless Possibilities

And on Facebook - Visit Barbados

There are two Ports of Entry, at Port St Charles on the north west coast (just north of Speightstown), and in the Bridgetown Port.
I would suggest clearing in after your transatlantic crossing at Port St Charles, rather than the commercial harbour, as the Customs dock at PSC is more user friendly to yachts than the high wall in the commercial harbour (unless you are able to go alongside a pilot launch or a tug briefly to check in, but they are often on the go).
Port St Charles

You can anchor off PSC, and dinghy into to their 'Yacht Club' on the breakwater where it is safe to leave your dinghy. The Yacht Club has a nice open air bar / restaurant - more expensive than a typical 'rum shop (pub equivalent) but not outrageously so, and a nice place to celebrate your arrival.
You can also take your dinghy to the (recently refurbished) jetty in Speightstown about 1 km to the south, or even pull your dinghy up on the beach outside Jordan's supermarket if you need to do some provisioning.

Re your family visiting, I would be inclined to suggest that they stay somewhere within easy range of PSC, rather than Carlisle Bay, especially as they have a 1 year old daughter, hence I doubt that they will want to go and take part in lots of traditional tourist activities (like partying, catamaran cruises et al).

Here is a map showing various different places to stay, with a general indication of prices charged.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g147262-Barbados-Hotel-Deals.html#MAPVIEW

I have suggested the Sugar Cane Club in the past to a few sailing friends, including when we had compulsory Covid quarantine not so long ago, and they all liked it - it is about a 10 minute (at the most) walk from PSC.
Sugar Cane Club Hotel & Spa, Barbados
SUGAR CANE CLUB HOTEL & SPA $146 ($̶4̶0̶6̶) - Updated 2022 Prices & Reviews - Maynards, Barbados

Alternatively, after checking in you could anchor off Holetown, a few miles further south - there is a much bigger Massy supermarket here (just across the road from where you can land your dinghy) - they sell quite a lot of Tesco and Waitrose stuff, but the prices will be a fair bit more than what you would pay at home, as it all has duties and vat added.

The All Seasons hotel in Sunset Crest in Holetown looks like it is a bit cheaper than the Sugar Cane Club, and probably also about a 10 minute walk from where you would land your dinghy. But only beach landing in Holetown, no jetty / dock like PSC.
All Seasons Resort Barbados – West Coast Barbados Hotel
ALL SEASONS RESORT EUROPA $88 ($̶1̶2̶5̶) - Updated 2022 Prices & Hotel Reviews - Sunset Crest, Barbados

If you decide to base yourself in Carlisle bay while your family is here, you could anchor off the Radisson hotel, which is sort of sandwiched between the Yacht Club on the north side, and the Cruising Club on the south side. Their prices also seem to be a bit less than the Sugar Cane Club.
https://www.radissonhotelsamericas.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-resort-barbados-aquatica
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_R...Bridgetown_Saint_Michael_Parish_Barbados.html

There are also various guest houses that show up on the map, especially along the south coast, but they would usually be a minibus trip to get to.
The standard bus / minibus fare here is BDS$ 3.50 on any route, any distance - you can travel from Speightstown to Oistins (on the south coast) on the bus for this fare, and it takes about an hour (or more with traffic).
You would have to weigh up the convenience of your family staying on the beach near to you, vs a minibus trip to visit them.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thank you Bajansailor

 

[ean_p]

We stayed here once....cheap and cheerful and beach sand at the front door........good vibe too.......
CRYSTAL WATERS GUEST HOUSE & BAR - Updated 2022 Reviews (Worthing, Barbados)

 

[Bajansailor]

We stayed here once....cheap and cheerful and beach sand at the front door........good vibe too.......
CRYSTAL WATERS GUEST HOUSE & BAR - Updated 2022 Reviews (Worthing, Barbados)

This would be ideal for John, re visiting his family - if he had shallow draft (ie less than a metre) that is, as Crystal Waters is on a shallow fairly protected lagoon on the south coast at St Lawrence.
But it would be about 15 minutes by ZR van (minibus) from Carlisle bay, and public transport along the south coast road is very frequent.

 

[Beelzebub]

My wife has booked us into the Crane for a couple of weeks in December. Resorts really aren't my thing at all but since she is paying for the whole break out of her Canadian bank account, I deemed it politic to keep mum and just go along with it.

I'd far prefer to be among real people rather than parked in a gated community.

 

[RupertW]

My wife has booked us into the Crane for a couple of weeks in December. Resorts really aren't my thing at all but since she is paying for the whole break out of her Canadian bank account, I deemed it politic to keep mum and just go along with it.

I'd far prefer to be among real people rather than parked in a gated community.

I like the Crane for a visit each time we go over, and the beach is great for body surfing so I think you will enjoy it. But it’s fairly isolated so I’d suggest hiring a car and enjoying the whole island as well - you are already well situated for drives up the wild East Coast with a few great lunchtime stopping points.