The Crane Resort

The setting above the beach, right on the cliff, was breathtaking, and the ocean breeze helped with the heat. We had a wonderful two weeks at The Crane from late April into early May, and got married there too. Tamisha and her team planned a beautiful wedding, thinking through all the details and giving us lots of choices. The resort was clean, and our room was huge with great facilities. Everyone was welcoming and happy to help. They even let us keep the room for an extra hour at no charge on departure day since our flight was in the afternoon. Our son was nearly two, and the breakfast staff at Azure were so sweet with him, especially Lisa and Shanice. On our last day they brought him a birthday cake and sang to him, even though his birthday wasn't until two days later.

We came to unwind, and The Crane Resort suited us perfectly. Every evening there was live music in the main square, with a relaxed feel, and we ate dinner at the resort each night. The Carriage House was handy, while Zen was our favorite. Our suite had a private pool that was clear and just the right temperature, plus a kitchen and washer dryer. It was cleaned daily, and the resort staff were friendly and professional. The room itself was spacious, with classic furniture, a king four poster bed, chaise lounge and sofa, along with two full bathrooms. The resort has a little village area with a lounge, gym, restaurants, shops and a general store. There's also a partly secluded beach on site, reached by a glass elevator, with chaise lounges. We were hoping to surf, so took taxis to nearby beaches, including freights bay. Barbados was warm and breezy, and with the hotel's amenities and service it made for a luxurious week away from the cold. We loved it.

The room's air conditioning was hard to adjust. Ceiling units worked by remote, and we couldn't figure them out easily. Our interior two bedroom interval ownership unit, shared with another couple, felt dark and damp. A dehumidifier in the second bedroom didn't clear the musty, almost mildew smell, and its two twin beds were unusually small and low. The grounds also seemed short on maintenance. Strong winds and sea grass made the beach impractical to use. I was surprised by the lower quality housing outside the gate, too. These issues left me disappointed with The Crane. I'm not sure I'll return to Barbados, but if I do, I'd probably stay at the Hilton resort on the East Coast.

I celebrated my birthday at the crane resort this year, and it was the best experience I've had on any Caribbean island I've visited. The food, property and customer service were all 10/10. Special thanks to the crane workers, especially RASHAD M., Brandon (pool server), Jonathan and Ornest. They went above and beyond, showed us around the property, and made great suggestions for restaurants and island tours. Their energy and professionalism were just phenomenal. These guys deserve a raise!