We love the Crane. Full disclosure, we own time there at a couple of different suites. But that just shows how much we love it that we have to go back on a regular basis. We travel a lot but we love our time at The Crane. This trip we brought friends with us and they loved it too. They could not believe the views from our 4th floor suite, building 9 which looks over the beach. Ok the beach is the best on the island. We used to stay on the other side of the island which is the lee side and as a result has calm water and no breezes. Most of the big hotels and fancy restaurants are on the other coast, but honestly, we do not miss any of it. The Crane is 10 minutes from the airport, vs. 45mi ute drive to the other side. And the breezes are heavenly. We never orry about the air conditioning as we just leave the windows open. At night the tree frogs signing put us to sleep. The staff is always pleasant and helpful. The rooms are beautiful. Our teenaged daughters love it there too! And if you have any of your own you know they are the worlds biggest critics. We eat out at LAzure and the Carriage House or Cutters just across the street. We have breakfast on our balcony. Heavenly, although Sunday buffet with the Gospel signers is very special. We will be back, again and again.

Usually I go regularyly for breakfast at the Crane but I was invited to lunch which I willing accepted. Had a fantastic buffet lunch. Wonderful food, and great tasting grilled Mahi Mahi. The beef stew was exceptionally soft and taste like it was marinated in red wine. Hope to return for Christmas lunch or dinner.

We stayed last week of November into the first few days of December. We were met with a beautiful smile courtesy of Janine and welcoming hands of Matthew to take care of our luggage. A refreshing welcome drink was well very welcome! after a tiring trip. Room was a junior garden suite but had pleasant views of the ocean at the side and the pools being on the 4th floor. Restaurants were outstanding, we took advantage of a meals plan. Hard to separate the ZEN or L'azzure but all restaurants were of outstanding quality. The staff were superb in looking after us, in no order, Ivan, Yvette, Ronald and Wesley took great care of us and colleagues whose names I cannot recall. Erica for the pleasant conversation and the 2 fabulous omelets chefs. Nothing was too much trouble, well it ought not to be and the friendliness was just excellent and without doubt natural and genuine. Only grumble please rotate the music at breakfast and retire the Commodores! Every day was too much. Guest services provided some great trips and outings. Cool Runnings the Catamaran trip was amazing and brilliant fun, the crew were superb, food excellent and great value for money. Harrison's Cave and the church at St. Johns was very memorable, we took a taxi and Jefferson our driver gave us the full run down on the scenic journey and was again excellent local knowledge and great value. The views at St. Johns were quite brilliant. Oistins fish fry is not to be missed, we used guest services and took the taxi down. Why drink and drive? We even rode the bus there and back to Bridgetown, wow what an experience although little nerve racking. Bridge town was great for shopping, haggle why not, the deals are there if politely and non cheeekily delivered. Barbados is a fantastic holiday destination but it was the Barbadian people who iced the cake and staying at the Crane iced the icing. And finally upon checkout Janine and her beautiful smile. Thank you all for a fantastic holiday, just what the Doctor ordered. The Crane is a friendly, welcoming and relaxing stay and truly deserves its reputation. Ok maybe our room was a little tired and the aircon struggled but its under going maintenance and upgrading so they are not resting on their laurels and a working on keeping everything top notch. Thank you and finally James a job well done, please convey our thanks to all those we named and those sadly I forgot. Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous 2013 to you all and the great people of Barbados. Oh nearly forgot some of the purest water on tap, why waste money on bottled.

We stayed for two weeks in unit 522 at the Crane Residences during November and December 2012. This is a one bed, two bath ocean view apartment with full kitchen and plenty of space. About 1050 sq ft including the balcony. The Crane is an excellent resort but there were a few issues which I will try to be objective about to give the right balance. Would we stay here again? Definitely!

The Crane property is well looked after and the gardens are lush and beautiful. Many of the pools are full of fish and waterfalls are lit up with coloured lights at night. Security is at the gate to the property and patrols the grounds day and night.

The unit was beautifully clean on first inspection but some deep clean items were noted. There are also some maintenance issues and the kitchen equipment can only be described as adequate. That said and rather puzzlingly we asked for extras and got them without delay. For example we had to ask for wine glasses, an item that should be standard in a Gold Crown resort and within an hour, 4 had been delivered.

For those wishing to cook, there was only a very small pan and an equally small steamer. I asked for and got a chopping board, a baking dish, a large cooking pot, a can opener a plug for the kitchen sink and a Pyrex serving dish. It’s just strange that we needed to ask for the above.

The furniture is delightful and there were two large flat screen TVs with a decent selection of programs. Sad that they didn’t work when we arrived and it took two engineers to get a picture so my husband could watch the Barclays Premier soccer. Again, once I asked it was done but there seems to be a lack of pro-active maintenance here.

The above comments serve to detract from a really top mark for this resort which is otherwise probably the best timeshare on the Island. The four poster bed is enormous and the bathroom is huge containing a Jacuzzi bath, walk in shower, and two sinks. The maid came daily but unless you ask, there are only two dishwasher tablets to last the week! Ask and they shall be delivered.

Best things about resort, the beach, the pools, Zen restaurant (Thai and Japanese) and the friendly nature of the staff. Free Wi-Fi in unit and free phone calls including international calls via VOIP. The tap water is also drinkable and pleasant.

There is a cooling breeze off the sea and we did not need to use the air-conditioning (there is a charge of $1 US per hour for the air-con so the breeze is REALLY good). I note that another guest staying at the same time as us complained about the air-conditioning. Firstly I would not recommend closing the shutters in this apartment as it simply cuts out the cooling breeze but the resort replaced the air-con condenser in block 5 the week after the other guest left.

The Crane is an excellent resort for couples, families and for singles who want to relax without night life. The staff is friendly and helpful, with daily housekeeping.