Help needed with Barbados

r.mac_2

You've all been so helpful on here recently I wondered if you could help me with another query?:D

Friends are about to book (tomorrow am at lastest - eek) to get married at Almond Casuarina in Barbados between the 16th and 30th December 2008.

They have asked us to go with them and we really want to. If we book through them it will cost £2,397 each (there are two of us me and hubbie). This is all-inclusive. We really want to go, but would like to do it cheaper.

Ultimately we would like to be in the same hotel as them, but would consider somewhere very nearby if it was a better hotel or much cheaper. Also, I have never done All inclusive before and have no idea is its good value or fi we should avoid it. Any tips are gratefully recieved.

We hadn't planned on this trip as i was scouting out costs for the middle east - so forgive my lack of knowledge - this is all happening rather fast

So - any comments about AI and anyone with alternatives either same resort, better cost or better resort very close by. Thanks in advance.

Oh - and if this would be better somewhere else, let me know!:D

Nobjocki

Personally I think All-Inclusive is a waste of time - the pound is so strong against the dollar that food and drink can be quite cheap in Barbados at the moment particularly if you avoid the really expensive tourist restaurants.

suzyq

.I was in Barbados last Nov I stayed at St Lawrence Gap at the Yellow Bird Hotel excellent location. you can book flights and accom quite easily then get a taxi from the airport, it didnt cost much agree a price first though. see http://www.yellowbirdbarbados.com/rates.php you can email them they are very helpful flight assuming you are flying from gatwick http://www.airline-network.co.uk/flights/availability.asp or you could try www.travelrepublic.co.uk flight and accom b&b at Time out at the Gap £1,359.30 or a hotel which is close to where your friends are staying is http://www.doverbeach.com/rates.cfm excellent map http://barbados.org/map_print.htm?Map=StLawrenceGap the almond casaurina hotel is on the left of map, dover beach is on the beach yellow bird on the right side facing beach Breakfast is excellent at beans and bagel cafe see map eating out is quite reasonable if you choose where you eat. Also see www.tripadvisor.com. Hope this helps
Also dont forget to look for travel republic promo code and check if you can book through quidco.com

boatman

You can see other Virgin hotels on the map.
http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/brochures/caribbean/holidays/caribbean/barbados/almond_casuarina_beach_resort/maps.aspx

mum_to_izzy

OMG I have also stayed at the Yellow Bird hotel and also their sister hotel around the corner. Both are absolutely fab! Loved every second of both trips and going again in 2010. TBH I wouldn't go AI beacuase of the choices in restaurants there. Its also very cheap to eat out.

r.mac_2

Thanks for all your tips and help guys.

DH and I had a long talk about it last night. I'm really not keen on the AI aspect, but it's that or nothing at the hotel the wedding is at.

I was happy to stay close by, but DH really wants to be in the thick of it. We went abroad for another friends wedding last summer and we stayed somewhere nearby, but we did feel (DH particularly) that we had missed out on a lot of the party atmosphere by not being in the same place as everyone else and wished we had spent the few extra pounds. This time there are less people going as its so far to travel (and expensive) and so we have decided to go with what the bridal party are doing.

I know it's not very mse (although I did check we were getting the best deal at the hotel possible! I must have used every search engine and spoken to every travel agent i could think of yesterday!). We can afford it as not paying on credit, so not too worried. Thanks to you all - I just wanted to update you.

I'm excited - I can't wait till december

katieeloise

We are going to the Almond Casuarina on 17th May - It has been booked for months - however the hotel has not yet opened. It was supposed to open last year - date now 1st May for grand opening. They have been shifting all the guests that had booked into Almond Village. So hopefully it will definately be open for your visit !

windym_2

Just as an aside, if you have lots of Tesco clubcard vouchers, you can exchange them for DEALS and part pay your holiday if you go with Virgin.

r.mac_2

katieeloise wrote: »

We are going to the Almond Casuarina on 17th May - It has been booked for months - however the hotel has not yet opened. It was supposed to open last year - date now 1st May for grand opening. They have been shifting all the guests that had booked into Almond Village. So hopefully it will definately be open for your visit !

Have a fabulous trip - I would love to know how you get on and hear all your recommendations when you get back. Heindsight is a wonderful thing

Happy tanning