Barbados ( updated May 2018 ) Pride of Barbados ( Caesalpinia pulcherrima ) We have visited Barbados many times and have stayed in 3 different hotels along the west coast. The first was in 2008 when we stayed at the Virgin Escape Hotel at Prospect Bay (now redeveloped and called The Waves Hotel & Spa). The second was the Almond Beach Club and Spa at Holetown and the third Almond Beach Resort at Speightstown. Historically, the Almond Group consisted of three sister hotels- Almond
Village, Almond Beach Club & Spa (now run by Elite) and Almond Casuarina
(now run by Sandals). The spaciousness of the resort and beaches at Almond Beach Resort far exceeds The Club and Waves hotels. For this reason and the fact that Almond Beach Resort offers excellent value for money it was our hotel of choice in Barbados. Speightstown is just a short walk away from Almond Beach Resort where
there are an assortment of shops including Jordans supermarket and street
vendors selling fruit and vegetables etc. |
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a large colourful urn now outside reception |
Almond Beach Resort ,St Peter, Speightstown
--The Almond Beach Resort from the front -- http://www.almondbarbados.com/ All information and opinions are supplied by me in good faith and no responsiblity is accepted for any errors Please leave any feedback or comments about the site by e mailing me at :- info@jj99.co.uk |
Sand ,sea & sky |
The Almond Village first opened in February 1995 and closed in 2012 when the hotels in the Almond Hotel Group were sold. Sandals bought Almond Village and immediately closed it down as they were not ready to start redevelopment of the site. Part of the site was reopened, with Government support, by The Sun Group in January 2014, following the renovation, updating and refreshing of rooms, dining area & pools and was renamed Almond Beach Resort. Since its reopening, further areas of the original site have been refurbished and brought back in to use. It had 190 bedrooms when it closed. There were still some parts of the original site which had not been brought back into use and these are fenced off. The site is all owned by Sandals but leased by the Government. Almond Beach Resort - Update May 2018 The Almond Beach Resort finally closed down on the 1st May 2018 and the bulldozers move in to convert the site into a Sandalls Beach Resort well done Craig Smith, the management team and staff for maintaining the high standards right up to the final closure date !! We returned to the resort in April 2018 and stayed for its last 10 days, Happy Memories !!
Just before its closure I saw the following touching poem on the noticeboard outside the Reef Restaurant:- " It was fun while it lasted, glad we made it this far Delivering culinary delights , serving drinks at the bar New friendships made, old acquantances rekindled Cherishing each moment as our time together dwindled Sunsets are proof endings can be beautiful too We've shared over 3000 between us and you Now this chapter is ending, a new one to begin But this is not goodbye, it's till we meet again " Your Almond Beach Family
Well done to Craig Smith, General Manager, and his excellent backing
team. Shortly after its reopening in 2014 we stayed in room 7103 a poolside
ground floor room(Block 7A St Bermard's). In 2015 we stayed in room 5306
which was in the block above Tommy's Bar and Enids Restaurant which had
a balcony and an ocean view. From the open passage outside there was a
good view of the main courtyard. In 2016 we stayed in room 7223(Block
7B St Bernard's) and i 2017 room 3218 in Block 3 Sugar Mill Village. We
were pleased with all the rooms. We generally opted for Superior Ocean
View rooms. |
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Our room 3218 on the first floor in Block 3 Sugar
Mill Village with views of the Horizon Swimming Pool to the left and the
Ocean and beach straight ahead and to the right to the right we could
also see the gardens fronting the ground floor rooms where our family
stayed
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I love Almond Beach - a message in the sand !! |
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Sugar Mill Village
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Block 3 at Sugar Mill Village it is fronted by a small grassed area and has direct access onto the beach |
The Sugar Mill |
Ocean view from the ground floorof Block 3 at the Sugar Mill The Manchineel Trees are poisonous and are marked with a red painted band round their trunks. They provide excellent natural windbreaks and their roots stabilize the sand thus helping to prevent sand erosion.
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Almond Beach Resort can also host weddings - the ceremony can take place in the Sugar Mill or in the Wedding Gazebo on the beach. There is a honeymoon suite in Block 3 and plenty of room for guests.This shot was taken after the ceremony when the couple were heading for a photo shoot on the beach. There is also a Conference Centre |
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Night flowering Lily in pond by Sugar Mill |
Tropical flower in garden by Sugar Mill |
Night flowering Lily in pond by Sugar Mill |
Geekos can often be spotted in the garden by the
Sugar Mill Pond
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Jean with Phil & Sue in the Reef Bar before their departure ( February 2016) |
A la carte meal in The Reef Restaurant (2016) |
Jean with Alan & Ann at breakfast in the Horizon Restaurant ( February 2016) |
The 2016 a la carte Valentine menu at the Reef Restaurant
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Lobster Thermidor - This was on the menu as a special last year (2016) |
Lobster Thermidor- Unfortunately it wasn't on the menu as a special this year (2017)but keep a watch to see if it is ever offered again. |
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Colourful birds around the resort include the Antillean Crested Humming Bird and the Bananaquit Orthorhyncus cristatus Antillean Crested Humming Bird photographed at the Almond Beach Resort
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Bananaquit nest close up |
Bananaquit nest building |
Bananaquit nest was in this potted shrub |
Bannanaquit - Combat or Love ?
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Pretty but not so colourful |
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Green backed monkeys
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by Sandy Lane Golf Course |
above and right by Sugar Mill Adult swimming pool |
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The inclusive boat trips:-dates and times of these
trips are shown on the Daily Activities Schedule on the board outside
the main reception and have to be booked up in advance at the desk in
the main entrance foyer.
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The Sunseeker Boat - A luxurious trip to swim with the turtles. |
The Thriller 05 Powerboat - an exciting trip to swim with the turtles BUT you have to wade chest high to board it. This is the fastest adventure boat ride in Barbados to date It is no longer available as a free trip from the resort
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Passengers boarding the Glass bottomed boat, skippered by 'The General' . Photographed in shallow water by the beach near the old watersport centre. |
The dreaded red flag - when this is flying swimming is not allowed and boat trips and watersports are cancelled |
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An underwater selfie - mask and snorkel provided by the watersport centre |
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All underwater photographs taken with a Fujifilm Finepix XP80 camera |
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Images taken from the boat on a 'Swimming with
Turtles' trip with my Canon 5D Mk2 camera
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U Tube Video to be added
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Here are just a few of the clourful fish that can be
seen when snorkelling near the coral reef by the beach close to Port St
Charles
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Inclusive watersports include kayaks and paddle boards
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Catamarans and Jet Skis are available for hire from
Edmo and others at a negotiable price. they are not part of the Almond
Beach Resort facilities
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Tiling on walls behind Horizon Restaurant Buffet servery
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Colourful Bajan paintings in courtyard outside the Horizon
Bar
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Looking across the pool to the Horizon Restaurant |
One of the colourful Bajan Paintings decorating the walls in the Horizon Restaurant |
Looking south with the Reef Restaurant to the left and the beach to the right. Block 7B ( St Bernard's) is in the background |
Almond Beach Resort beach looking north |
Looking south from the Reef Beach Bar - Block 7B (St Bernard's) is in the background |
The courtyard between the Reef Restaurant and Beach Bar |
Bajan Bacchanal Lunch in the Reef Courtyard with dancing and music by Mother Sally and Virtuosity Lunchtime entertainment takes place in the Reef Courtyard pavillion several times a week and some evenings |
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General Manager, Craig Smith, working at one of his weekly Friday BBQ Lunches in the Reef Restaurant |
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Some of Almond Beach Resort's Management Team |
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Craig Smith, General Manager |
Peter Charles, Operations Manager |
Paul Bridgeman, Front Office Manager |
Executive Chef David Yarde |
Wren Miller, Food & Beverages Manager with long term repeat guest Pat |
Julius Mangra, Maintainance Manager, with official photographer David |
Photographs taken at the Manager's Cocktail Party for repeat guests In February each year,at one of these cocktail parties, there is an annual staff prizegiving |
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Jean with Sabrina Martindale |
Natasha, Kajae & Food & Beverage Ambassadors |
Judy & Marguerita |
David & Pat are regular repeat guests staying for 3 months, from January to March, each year |
Torrace, Bar Ambassador |
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Lyndon one of the friendly gardeners |
Jean with Rashid one of the watersport staff, his uncle has a Bajan Restaurant in Margate, Kent, UK |
'The General' skippers the glass bottomed boat |
Phil & Cheryl enjoyed a 3 week stay In February 2017. They stayed in a Superior Ocean View Room in Block 7B St Bernards |
Jean with Val at breakfast in the Horizon Restaurant. Val stayed at the resort with her husband Anthony |
Bernie & John from Vancouver stayed for 4 weeks in February 2017 and Bernie is returning with her family in March - a long flight fromVancouver to Toronto and Toronto to Barbados but worth it !! |
An Almond Beach Resort guest spotted driving a sporty hire car in Holetown |
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Heywods Beach North, near Port St Charles - the appartments
that back onto this beach are part of the Port St Charles marina
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Our favourite beach a short walk from The Beach Resort towards Port St Charles |
The beach a short walk towards Port St Charles |
Colourful Bourgainvillea were in full bloom all over the island |
Speightstown
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The Pier at Speightstown |
Esplanade, Speightstown |
Speightstown - View south past Fisherman's Pub |
Seaview on walk to Speightstown from Almond Beach Resort |
'Chattel House' shops at the bus station Speightstown |
Seaview on walk to Speightstown from The Beach Resort |
White Sands |
Properties looking out to sea along the road to Speightstown from Almond Beach Resort |
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Beach Restaurant Speightstown |
The Beach at Speightstown |
Beach Restaurant Speightstown |
Speightstown pier - closed for repair |
Mural on school wall in Major Road on way to bus station |
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Central Speightstown
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Saint Peter's Church, Speightstown
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Saint Peter's Church Speightstown |
Picture in Arlington House Museum, Speightstown |
Bantam chickens ( Cockerels, hens and chicks) can often
be seen wandering 'free range' by the band stand and generally around
the island
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Colourful Toilets decorated Bajan style |
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On the wall of a derelect building |
Jumas Restaurant, Speightstown |
Speightstown Fish Market and Pier |
Shopping Arcade Speightstown |
Speightstown Pavillion / Bandstand |
View of a passing yacht from the Reef Restaurant |
If money is no object you may like to stay at Sandy Lane Hotel -true luxury but at an expensive price.(Probably more than four figures a night )Their beach ,like all Bajan beaches, is public .This is one of their sun loungers without its parasol and champagne ice bucket |
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The complimentary Island Tour with Richard of Suntours - these photographs were taken in 2015- The route can change but usually goes to Cherry Hill, Bathsheba , St John's Church and Bridgetown |
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At The Main Guard Clocktower in the Garrison Historic Area, Bridgetown |
The statue of the lion was carved out of a single piece of rock in 1868 by an officer at the Gun Hill Signal Station in the parish of St George |
Back at the Resort Richard helps passengers off the coach |
Island Tour with Richard of Suntours Richard of SunTours took a full coach load on a guided tour of the Island. His commentary was very amusing and informative. We headed south from the Beach Resort to Bridgetown where we stopped at the Garrison for a comfort stop and then drove past the signal station and visited the statue of the Lion below. We were then taken to St John's Church and then on to Bathsheba. We returned back to the Resort in time for a late lunch. It was a picturesque and well chosen route. |
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Old Mill converted into house |
At Bathsheba on the Atlantic Coast |
The Atlantic Coast |
Island Safari Trip - in 3 x 10 seater Jeeps
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Black bellied sheep |
One of the other Island Safari Jeeps following closely behind us.
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Cattle Egret on cow |
Chattel House Bathsheba |
Chattel House on road to Bathsheba |
Chattel house dismantled and ready to move |
Shots of the rocky Atlantic coastline at Little Bay
north of Bathsheba
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The bridge across to Port St Charles Yacht Club- It is possible to visit the club for a coffee |
Port St Charles a short walk north from the Beach Resort ( along the shore or road) |
A view from our favourite beach across the entrance to Port St Charles towards the Yacht Club
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Port St Charles a resort-type complex consisting of villas, apartments and private berths |
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Luxury Motor Yacht 'SLIPSTREAM' moored at Port St Charles ( http://slipstream.rentabo.com/) |
The waterside swimming pool and restaurant at Port St Charles Marina |
The view south from Port St Charles |
Luxury apartments/ villas facing on to Port St Charles and backing on to the sea - We like to swim from the beach here |
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Just north of Port St Charles |
Just north of Port St Charles next to a small beach
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Water taxi entering Port St Charles looking south to our favourite beach |
Plumeria (common name Frangipani) |
Single Bourgainvillea flower |
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We booked our 2015 holiday to Barbados in February and Tobago in January with Tropical Sky www.tropicalsky.co.uk e mail :- info@tropicalsky.co.uk Tel 08436364236 who offered an efficient and competively price package. |
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Booking Direct Holidays can also be booked direct with the hotel but flights and airport transfers have to be booked separately Repeat guests are offered preferential rates reservations@almondbarbados.com 1. First choose type of room, length of stay and preferred dates, check availablity with resort and make provisional booking. 2. Book Flight 3. Confirm booking and pay 25% deposit. Balance is paid on arrival. 4. Airport transfers can be arranged through the resort or independantly. 5. Payments can be made by Credit or Debit Card and are taken in Barbados $. I recommend payment by Halifax Credit Card. |
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The view from the terrace of our ground floor room across the pool and beach bar to the sea.(taken in 2014) |
Looking back to our room at the Almond Beach Resort (7103 taken in 2014) |
The view from the beach bar back to one of the main accommodation blocks (Block7B)-The rooms at here had good sea views (taken in2014) |
Our friends Jean & John leaving for their complimentary trip in the glass bottomed boat to swim with the turtles. |
Jean,Ted Blades & Phil ( Ted is another popular and recommended tour guide. We were taken on a complimentary island tour by SunTours in 2014 in a comfortable air conditioned people carrier driven by our guide Phil. He was very knowledgable and informative. En route at Bathsheba we met Ted Blades who is another very popular island tour guide his website is www.tedsoursbarbados.com . Office telephone (246)427-1655. We did the tour with him several years ago when we were staying at The Almond Club ( taken in 2014) |
A stop at Bathsheba on our complementary 'off road' Island Safari (taken in 2014) |
Filming in 2016 for the new 'Amazon Prime' show that replaces Top Gear |
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Jeremy Clarkson on deck in front of the crane |
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Paparazzi at work
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Manager, Craig Smith, photographing the action |
Spot the overhead drone - a black dot in the sky |
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Sandpipers are frequently seen running to and fro along the shoreline |
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Sand crabs can often be spotted on the beach and rush back to their holes if approached |
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Female Antillean Crested Hummingbird more photos are available on Google |
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Photos of Male Antillean Crested Hummingbird taken in 2010 at Discovery Bay by Rex, situated north of The Club, unfortunately this shrub is no longer there |
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February 2016 Hotel guest Mark Sugden-Best flying his drone to run the battery down prior to his flight home. Mark runs Treetops Recording Studio for more details see www.treetopsstudio.co.uk under recent projects there is amazing video footage shot at Almond Beach Resort |
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The Holetown Festival culminates with a parade on the
Saturday - starting with a parade of vintage cars and is then followed
with a parade of marching bands andcolourful dancing groups and beauty
queens
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Stalls selling food and work by local artists lined the route |
On T shirt on sale on one of the stalls |
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Tha Chattel Village, Holetown a colourful collection of shops selling art and craft, local fashion, jewellery, gourmet foods, gifts, beachwear, cigars .. |
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Cannonball Tree, Courohaela Guionensi |
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Flower of Cannonball Tree, Courohaela Guionensi
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Sandy Lane Golf Course |
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Sandy Lane Golf Club 'Monkey Walk' - Take the bus from Speightstown to the Club in Holetown. Walk a short distance along the road towards Bridgetown take the first road on the left - walk up to the Golf Course. From here there are various routes. Green monkeys are often seen roaming in this area either just a few or large family groups. |
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In the roads surrounding the Golf Course there are plenty
of impressive houses on the Sandy Lane Estate
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A more modest building was an Embassy
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The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela a modest building compared with those surrounding it |
Orchid being grown in garden next to the Embassy |
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Small pieces of dead Brain Coral can be seen washed
up in various places along the beach
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green gecko displaying |
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WEST COAST WALKS Take a bus from Speightstown to The Club at Holetown
and walk along the shore southwards past Paynes Bay to Waves at Prospect
Bay returning by bus
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Memorial to those who lost their lives in the bombing of the Cuban DC8 Aircraft flight CUT 1201 which crashed in the sea off Barbados on October 6th 1976 May their souls rest in peace |
Looking back towards the memorial and Paynes Bay |
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mm At The Cliff restaurant you have to take a detour along the road to get back on to the beach |
access to the beach from the road is clearly signed |
Crystal Cove Hotel |
If the tide is high return to the road |
Opposite this chattel house there is another access to the beach across a piece of waste land ( unfortunately now being developed ) |
Access back on to the beach |
A shot I often use on Greeting Cards |
Outside Alverton N Beach Appartments |
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Sand artist at work with help from his daughter |
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Walking north from The Club in the directionof Holetown and beyond you pass many well known hotels and can catch the bus back to Speightstown when wanted |
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The 'boardwalk' runs for a few hundred yards between The Club and Holetown |
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The beach walk from The Club at Holetown north towards
Speightstown
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hotels en route are often willing to offer a refreshing glass of water |
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Anthony Bamford's (JCB) holiday home |
Anthony Bamford's (JCB) holiday home |
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When the beach 'runs out' it's time to head find a path to the road and get a bus back to Speightstown |
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Hunte's Gardens located in the lush hills of St Joseph an interesting garden lovingly created in a sink hole like gully by a legendary horticulturist - very picturesque with a background sound of soothing classical music we took a taxi here - something to share with friends or fellow guests perhaps |
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Humming bird nest - unfortunately the birds departed the day before our visit |
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Anthoney Hunte entertains his guests with rum punch or water in the pavilion overlooking the gardens |
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A place to rest - the mirror at the back of this room reflected the splendour of the plants |
unfortunately the tea set was only for decoration |
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The Club at Holetown |
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The Club was formerly known as the Almond Club and was renamed when it was taken over by the Elite Group some . It is an adults only resort and has retained many of the staff employed under the previous ownership. Many visitors return year after year. A conveniently located compact resort located next to Sandy Lane. It is adult only. | ||
A view looking towards our room from the other side of the pool |
The view from the terrace of suite 161 |
The bedroom in our poolside suite |
The Club viewed from a boat |
the orange chairs are on the terrace of our suite 161 |
Loungers in the garden |
The rear entrance to room 127 on the ground floor |
Room 127 overlooking the pool at The Club |
The pool from just outside room 127 |
As sunset approaches
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The terrace at The Club between the Horizon Restaurant
and the sea is a good spot to get a drink and watch the spectacular sunsets
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The Beach Bar at The Club |
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Waves Hotel , Prospect Bay, Barbados http://www.wavesbarbados.com/ We stayed at The Waves when it was called the Almond Escape Hotel - it is now under new ownership and has been completely refurbished to a very modern design.It is in two parts, either side of the main road, and the rooms on the opposite side to the beach are grouped round the pool and there is another small restaurant on site.In April 2016 it was refurbished again and taken over as part of the Elegant Hotel Group. It is located a few miles South of Holetown. |
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The pool and restaurant at Waves on the opposite side of the resort to the main sea view side |
From the terrace at Waves looking North (2016) |
The beach at Waves looking north ( taken in 2014 |
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The Waves Hotel February 2017 after another major refurbishment
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The beach fronting the waves is very small particularly at high tide |
but it has a modern interior |
The pool at Waves on the opposite side of the resort to the main sea view side |
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Looking back from Waves |
Walking past Waves 2016 at low tide |
Building a 'home' close to Waves |
Underwater photos taken by Ian Drysdale his on PanasonicDMC-FT25
Lumix DC Vario Compact Camera
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Barbados National Trust - Building of Architectural
Interest
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and other colourful Chattel Houses
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? a canon for home security ? |
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At the end of the day there are often magical sunsets
to enjoy whilst sitting back with a pre dinner aperitif
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