The Crane

Location is everything. This is as true now as it was in 1887, when the Crane first opened, high on a cliffside above the sublime pink-white Crane Beach, on the secluded eastern end of Barbados. This is a spectacular stretch of sand, shielded by a coral reef and continually ranked among the world’s finest by those who concern themselves with ranking such things. It’s probably only by virtue of the two hundred stone steps between it and the Crane that it’s been protected from overcrowding and tasteless development.

The Crane is a prime example. The main hotel building has been painstakingly renovated, but it’s anything but tasteless — there’s a feeling of time travel about the place, and the original hotel rooms, the so-called 1887 Resort Apartments, are handsome and traditional, with hardwood floors, high ceilings and stately antiques. The remainder of the property is made up of the private residences, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites in a more modern style; more luxurious, if perhaps slightly more conventional.

Many of the private residences have their own plunge pools or larger infinity pools, but it’s the hotel’s main swimming pool, with a view over the cliff, for which the Crane is famous. The main restaurant serves upscale haute-Caribbean cuisine, and the newly opened Zen serves Thai and Japanese, not at all a common sight around here. Beyond that, it’s nothing but splendid seclusion; the nearest town is miles away, and the traffic noise is replaced by the distant sounds of the surf — perfect for getting into the spirit of ‘87.

How to get there:
The Crane is located 10 minutes from the Grantley Adams International Airport. Transfers can be arranged for approximately US$35 for up to 2 guests, per way.