Inspiration for Caribbean holiday 2013

Fleur_2

Morning all!
Having been saving like crazy, myself and load of friends are looking to take an all inclusive holiday in the Caribbean next year (late spring or early autumn).
We've done Jamaica (many years ago) and Cuba was our honeymoon 10 years ago (yes - we took a group of people with us on that :rotfl:)

So - what I guess I am asking is - has anyone got any experience of all-inc in Bahamas or Barbados. I reckon there might be 10 of us going in the end for 8 - 10 nights.
Any suggestions / recommendations would be welcome.
We DON'T want to go self catering. There are a few significant anniversaries and birthdays we will be celebrating so this is to be a proper 'feet-up' treat

getmore4less

Not AI but the food side is covered.

Cruise. great for groups to just hang out

Also allows for varrying budgets with different cabins.

If you are not too bothered about where you are a transatlantic can work out great value and only one long haul flight.

lady1964

Done AI in Barbados 3 times, twice at The Almond Casuarina Beach and really liked it there.

It's not 5 star, more 4 or 3.5 (possibly) but the staff were friendly, rooms very nice, if you don't have any under 16's, you can book the rooms in the newest block which overlook the beach. The resort is located in St. Lawrence Gap, bars, shops are very close by, very walkable, a short walk to the main road and you can pick up the reggae bus to go into Bridgetown.

Food is good, not the best I've ever had at an AI but nowhere near the worst, beach is lovely.

There is an Almond resort for adults only but we haven't been there.

TonyTowner

Hi there,
Last year our local cricket club went to Discovery Bay in Barbados on all inclusive. We were on a part holiday, part game trip to play a few matches against local teams. We chose it because of its location, fantastic beaches and the fact that it is close to Holetown cricket pitch.
The best time to go without a doubt is during April or May when the tourist numbers are lower and the rains and hurrican season a few months down the road. I would recommend this place to try as our overall experience was fantastic, made possible by the friendly and helpful nature of the locals.
We used a local travel firm Tropical Sky, who did a good job for us.

Fleur_2

Thanks everyone
TonyTowner especially - I love cricket! I'm going to go and check out both hotel suggestions from you & lady1964

LEJC

We've only ever done the caribbean on all inclusive and barbados is great....theres a really good mix of hotels to suit all types and budgets, the south of the island is the more lively so st lawrence gap or dover are good,the west coast is also really nice,perhaps a little quieter than the south,but as its a fairly managable island its not difficult to get around either by hiring a car or the local busses which are very cheap,friendly,packed at certain times of the day and very good fun!!

Its far easier to get around the island than somewhere like Jamaica ..and the hotels are probably a little smaller in size than jamaica...but it makes it a lot easier for actually seeing the island too.....jamaica was our first AI holiday many years ago and Barbados our second...we ended up loving it so much we then returned 8 or 9 times!!

Have a look at the Virgin caribbean brochure...there really is quite a good selection of hotels in there and they are very competative on price...over the last 20 years or so we've travelled to a great number of the islands,many we've gone back to and even stayed in the same hotel...but with the exception of one holiday we've always travelled with Virgin

delwynshd

Barbados is great ive been a few times now

i would take a look at Virgins new hotel the Savanah Beach its getting very good feedback now one of the girls from my store has just landed this morning and loved every minute of it

http://www.savannahbeachresort.com/

Del

PuppyLove_2

Ive been to Barbados and stayed on Paynes Bay which is supposedly one of the best beaches on the Island! It was lovely but i would say that the Barbados beaches dont compare to Antigua.

Ive actually booked to go back to Barbados this year in April staying AI at the Mango Bay resort in Holetown. My friend goes back to this hotel every year and loves it. My other friends stay at Crystal Cove also AI and supposed to be lovely! Virgin do both of these hotels but i looked for ages and the best prices were either Kenwood Travel or Best at Travel, a good few hundred cheaper than virgin