Bajan Beauty

Unrivalled panoramas, white sand beaches and azure seas are not just a daydream at The Crane – they’re a reality. Dominic Steel pays a visit

In the 19^th century, the Crane Beach’s protective coral reef enabled safe access to a natural harbour for small trading ships. Now, it is the location of one of the world’s finest beaches and most elegant resorts.

The ultimate Bajan lifestyle is on offer at The Crane, a luxury getaway surrounded by white sand beach and overlooking Skeete’s Bay, a small cove on the rocky eastern coastline. Ideal for a serene vacation, the resort combines old-world charm and natural beauty with a romantic sense of seclusion.

Life at the Crane goes beyond the typical Caribbean holiday packages, offering above and beyond service levels as well as spacious, stylish accommodation including private pools, gardens and rooftop terraces.

The original Historic Residences hotel, which has been completely restored, comprises 18 charming, oceanfront suites with high ceilings, hardwood floors, antique furniture and spectacular ocean views.

For those looking for an exceptional frontline vista, the spacious Residences by the Sea offer oceanfront panoramas from spacious terraces to private ocean-view pools. Those with a penchant for all things green can also feel right at home at the charming Residences in the Park, which offer secluded accommodation in lush landscaping where green monkeys indigenous to the island, can often be seen scurrying by.

All suites are furnished to the highest possible standard and include objets d’art true to The Crane’s Bajan heritage, rich upholstery textures and traditionally high four-poster king-size beds. However, it’s the setting that provides guests with a true feel of the Caribbean – coral stone walls, 11-foot-high timber tray ceilings, floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms and unrivalled views of crystal clear turquoise waters below.

At the Crane, you have the pick of some of Barbados’ top-rated restaurants, including L’Azure, famous for its seafood and ocean views. For an alternative to Caribbean fare, guests can enjoy gourmet Japanese and Thai delicacies at the fine-dining Zen establishment, which has been Zagat rated #1 for food in Barbados for two years running.

The resort also boasts a relaxing spa, tennis courts and five outdoor pools including a cascading waterfall and whirlpool. For thrill seekers, The Crane isn’t all about ‘liming’ - the Bajan term for relaxing. The rugged coastline is perfect for surfing, and the resort boasts a thriving rental market catering to those who enjoy the great outdoors and prefer a more active holiday not so readily available on the island’s west coast.

At the heart of the community, The Crane Village offers boutiques, duty free retail shopping, a gym, a Calypso Kids Club and impressive conference facilities.

For your chance to win a deluxe six-night stay at The Crane click here to subscribe to Abode2 and enter code CRANE18. 

WIN AN INDULGENT SIX NIGHT STAY AT THE CRANE

Abode2 is offering one lucky reader the opportunity to stay at The Crane Resort in Barbados. The prize includes:

• Six night-stay for two people at The Crane in a luxurious one-bedroom suite on a half board basis
• Dinner for two in the fine-dining L’Azure seafood restaurant

To enter, simply send your name, email address and contact number to competition@abode2.com with the subject THE CRANE COMPETITION.

Closing date for entries is January 30, 2019. The winner will be notified directly by Abode2.

Terms and conditions: Stays are subject to availability upon reservation. Dates between April 19, 2019 and April 28, 2019 and December 23, 2019 and January 6, 2020 are excluded. Flights are not included.