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The Crane Residential Resort: Traveler Reviews

4.0 of 5
Crane Beach | Bridgetown, BB18079, Barbados
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The Crane Residential Resort
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1,242 reviews from our community

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Rating summary
  • Sleep Quality
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Location
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Rooms
    4.5 of 5 stars
  • Service
    4 of 5 stars
  • Value
    4 of 5 stars
  • Cleanliness
    4.5 of 5 stars
Date Rating
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
83 reviews 83 reviews
12 hotel reviews
Reviews in 29 cities Reviews in 29 cities
46 helpful votes 46 helpful votes
“Crane Resort”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 13, 2013

We visits our friends here for a few days, the resort is fabulous, the apartments are top class, with many bars and restaurants serving delicious food, the staff are really friendly. Situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean with a lovely beach below, the Atlantic ocean can get a bit choppy so be careful when going in the sea if you are not a good swimmer, the resort has lots of pool areas with comfy sunbeds, spa, jacuzzii and areas to lie out of the very hot sun. There is a private access to the beach via a lift. Car park area is available. Perfect wedding location. On Sundays you can have breakfast or lunch listening the singers which was lovely. Not the cheapest drink prices but you do expect to pay more for drinks and food in a resort of this standard

Room Tip: My friends have a 2 bed suite which has a bedroom and terrace overlooking the ocean and one overlook...
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  • Stayed March 2013, traveled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 2
See 4 more reviews by Christine J for Saint Philip Parish
Ask Christine J about The Crane Residential Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CraneGM, General Manager at The Crane Residential Resort, responded to this review
March 20, 2013
Dear Christine J,

In just a few short words you have captured almost everything that is fantastic about The Crane. From the breathtaking ocean views and the well-appointed suites, to the warm friendly smiles that greet you everywhere, The Crane certainly is a very special place.

Crane Beach is actually the safest swimming venue on this side of the island with an encircling natural coral reef that breaks the wave and daily lifeguard presence.

Thank you for taking the time to post this wonderful review. We hope to welcome you back in the near future – next time, as resident guests!

Warm wishes,
Michael Phillips
General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“A perfect week of respite.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 12, 2013

I've just spent a week at the Crane Resort with my mother (80) and aunt (62). I was looking for a place where I could take these two wonderful women; a safe, stress-free, guaranteed good-weather place, a place to decompress after what had been an emotionally stressful year.

I was directed to the Crane by a trusted source, and I wasn't disappointed.

Our first night was in a simple one bedroom suite in the Park residences. The suite was beautiful, but our move on the second night to a one-bedroom, ocean-view with plunge pool was a very, very good move. (#515)

I cannot stress this highly enough. I wouldn't go back to the Crane if it was just to one of the Park residences. They were "fine", but ... it was utterly fantastic to be able to walk straight into our unit (without having to use an elevator) and enjoy the sound of the surf crashing below us, and dips throughout the day into our private pool, with an unimpeded view of the Atlantic ocean.

N.B. The next time I go - and I WILL go again - I wouldn't book a transfer through Expedia, I would just walk right out of the airport and hail a cab. Faster, and cheaper. You can trust the cabs.

The General Store in the "the village" was fine for wine, bread, peanut butter, orange juice, milk, etc. - i.e. "essentials" - that sustained us through the morning and lunch meals. We loved having our own kitchen, and our white wine conversations on the patio at cocktail hour. I know that other guests use a grocery store off-site (an easy $20 cab ride if you negotiate with a driver who will drive you there and wait while you shop and then bring you home), but I was happy to pay the "premium" at the village store, and not have to worry about ferrying around aging passengers. They have a good assortment of crackers and cheese, and will order meat if you want to do more engaged cooking.

I thought the food at the restaurants - especially D'Onofrio's - was fantastic, and the staff were wonderful. Very accommodating, very patient, and knowledgeable. I'm a foodie - and the meals there were wonderful, especially their thin-crust pizzas and the arugula salad.

The beach is spectacular. REALLY spectacular. Clean. Stress-free. The beach chairs are comfortable, and there is shade under every umbrella. Talk to the staff, secure a beach chair, and lie back and enjoy an unparallelled view.

Our suite was beautiful. SO much storage room. Marble counter tops. Beautiful showers. Comfortable beds. Great linens. And our view from the "oceanview suite" was unparallelled.

My previous "hot-weather" trips have been to Bonaire, Mexico, Belize, Nicaragua, Argentina, etc. Because my "aging coterie" was so happy in our suite at the Crane, we didn't explore any of the many options available (aside from my one day off, snorkeling), so I'm embarrassed to say that we didn't "learn" anything about this fascinating country. However, my experience with my mother and aunt was unabashedly wonderful.

Mission accomplished.

We will return. And I can hardly wait.

Room Tip: Go for the ocean view, plunge pool rooms. You will pay for it, but they're worth it. Room 515.
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  • Stayed March 2013, traveled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 4
Ask Patti L about The Crane Residential Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CraneGM, General Manager at The Crane Residential Resort, responded to this review
March 20, 2013
Dear Patti L,

Thank you for taking the time to post this terrific review. You certainly haven’t left much for us to add! It was an absolute pleasure to welcome your family to The Crane and we are thrilled that everyone was indeed comfortable.

We are ever cognisant of The Crane’s location off the beaten path and as such we continue to introduce world-class amenities and services to complement our beautiful surroundings. We are thrilled you enjoyed so many of these during your stay.

Don’t be embarrassed! We look forward to welcoming you back to The Crane and helping you to discover even more of what beautiful Barbados has to offer.

Warm wishes,
Michael Phillips
General Manager
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1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Perfect wedding and a wonderful stay”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 12, 2013 via mobile

We recently had our wedding at the crane and also spent 5nights there. We must say it was a fantastic day, the hotel was the perfect setting and the crane out on a brilliant service. Canapés, drinks and the food were just faultless, well some comments from guests were that the rum punches during our cocktail hour were too strong!! But that's certainly not a negative point in my view! Keisha Yearwood the wedding coordinator was just superb on the day, she worked her socks off to ensure everything went as we wanted and that it ran smoothly, which it did considering we had quite a big wedding of 70 people (well big considering we live in the UK).We also used the services of colorbox for our wedding video, which Kemar did superbly!! We absolutely loved the video. Our stay at the crane after the wedding was also just so special. The room was wonderful, with our own pool. Staff made us feel extra special being the newlyweds and we must say dinner at the Zen restaurant was the best Thai food we have eaten! We would most certainly return to the crane again and recommend it to anyone who wants that extra special trip or added luxury for their stay in Barbados

  • Stayed February 2013
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Ask SimoneJB about The Crane Residential Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CraneGM, General Manager at The Crane Residential Resort, responded to this review
March 20, 2013
Dear SimoneJB,

Congratulations on your recent nuptials! We are thrilled you enjoyed a “perfect wedding and a wonderful stay” with us at The Crane. I communicated your praise to Keisha and she was absolutely delighted by your special mention.

Colorbox Photo Studio certainly has been a welcome addition to The Crane allowing guests to capture their Crane memories for posterity.

Thank you for taking the time to post this wonderful review and we look forward to welcoming you back to celebrate many anniversaries to come!

Warm wishes,
Michael Phillips
General Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Montreal
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
“Breathtaking views in a wonderfully private setting”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 11, 2013

We just returned from a wonderful vacation at The Crane. There are so many things that I could tell you about this property. We stayed as a family in the Penthouse suite of building 9. It was absolutely amazing and the views were breathtaking. A gorgeous sunrise every morning. More than enough space and bathrooms for a family of 5.

The grounds were beautiful and very expansive. You could walk around the grounds for over an hour, discovering all the pools and pathways that The Crane has to offer and taking some pretty amazing pictures.

I love the history of the Crane as well. It was a port for the ships from Europe and because it is situated so high on a cliff, there was an actual Crane that would raise and lower the merchandise. There was a hotel built on the top of this cliff and it is still there today. You can rent the rooms in the original hotel. And the restaurant The Carriage House, was the original carriage house where the horses and carriage were kept. One more tidbit of history. Back in the day when the women weren't allowed to be seen by men while in the ocean, there was a stairway that was built for the women to reach Crane beach. Parts of it are still there today! Really neat.

Aside from the cool history, The Crane has everything going for it. Private pools where you have no problem finding a chair, restaurants that are really great, a village where you can buy almost everything you would need and 1 of the top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Crane beach does have some pretty powerful waves, so it's a little nerve wracking for parents of younger kids. But the older kids and adults really loved the body surfing and boogie boarding that can be enjoyed here.

The Crane really had everything you could possibly want on a holiday. And the staff at the Crane were very accommodating, helpful and friendly. Especially Cory at the beach hut. He was there every morning with a smile and a helping hand. And whenever you needed a drink or some food, he was there for you all day. The guy was amazing. He even gave my hubby fishing advice on the days when my husband would throw a line in off the rocks. He added a lot to the ease of being on the beach.

And a final shout out to Sandra and her cleaning crew for keeping our place clean and tidy and for helping us out on our last day.

All in all it was a great vacation for the family and we will definitely go back if the opportunity arises.

Room Tip: We stayed in the Penthouse of building 9. It was spectacular. We had ocean breezes all day so no n...
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  • Stayed March 2013, traveled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
Ask DKEVERYDAY about The Crane Residential Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CraneGM, General Manager at The Crane Residential Resort, responded to this review
March 20, 2013
DKEVERYDAY,

Thank you for taking the time to post this detailed review – you really haven’t much for me to add! We too are extremely humbled by the tremendous piece of Barbadian history we have inherited in The Crane. In fact, you’ll be pleased to learn that an Art Gallery dedicated to preserving the history of the resort over the past 125 years is scheduled to open soon in Crane Village!

Sandra and Corey were both delighted by your special mention. They each exemplify the typical Crane employee – warm, friendly and helpful. It was their pleasure to welcome you to share in our small piece of paradise.

We are thrilled you enjoyed a fantastic family vacation with us and we hope to see you all again soon!

Warm wishes,
Michael Phillips
General Manager
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New York City, New York
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“The most amazing place! No reason to leave the resort!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 10, 2013

My husband and I spent our honeymoon at the Crane and it was the most amazing resort I have ever visited. I have been to numerous Caribbean island resorts and this one surpasses every expectation. We plan on returning again and loved it so much that we are considering a time share here! The rooms are gorgeous and from he second you arrive the staff goes above and beyond to accommodate your every need.

The restaurants at this resort are the best! The seafood is amazing and the vegetables are locally grown, so you can tell you are eating fresh, delicious food every single meal.

Everything you need from activities to shopping to dining are at this resort so there is really no reason to leave. Oh yes, allow me to mention that the crane beach is one if the best in the world!!!!!

  • Stayed May 2012, traveled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Cara n about The Crane Residential Resort
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
CraneGM, General Manager at The Crane Residential Resort, responded to this review
March 11, 2013
Dear Cara n,

Thank you for taking the time to post this fantastic review! We are delighted you opted to create those first special memories of your lives together with us at The Crane. It was truly our pleasure to surpass your every expectation.

We are also thrilled you are considering joining our shared ownership programme. I’m sure you’ll find that we offer the world’s best value in luxury shared ownership.

It certainly sounds as though you have fallen in love with The Crane and we look forward to welcoming you back – for many years to come!

Warm wishes,
Michael Phillips
General Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
 
 
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Additional Information about The Crane Residential Resort

Also Known As:
The Crane Residential Hotel Saint Philip
The Crane Residential Hotel
Crane Hotel Saint Philip
Crane Saint Philip
Crane Barbados
The Crane Barbados
Crane Hotel
Crane Hotel Barbados
Crane Resort Barbados
The Crane Residential Resort Barbados/Saint Philip Parish
Address: Crane Beach | Bridgetown, BB18079, Barbados
Phone Number:
Region: Caribbean > Barbados > Saint Philip Parish
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Beach Business Center Fitness Center Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Kitchenette Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
Ranked #1 of 4 hotels in Saint Philip Parish
Price Range: $$$
Hotel Class:4 star (4*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Perched dramatically on the cliffs of Barbados' pristine south-east coast, The Crane Residential Resort, established since 1887, is the island's oldest operating hotel. Transformed into a world-class luxury resort, The Crane features ultra-spacious, fully appointed ocean-view one & two bedroom suites and three bedroom Penthouses, many with their own private plunge-pool. Facilities include the acclaimed Zen Restaurant serving classic Thai and Japanese cuisine and the consistently popular L'Azure Restaurant. The casual Carriage House Pool Side restaurant is another favourite along with D'Onofrio's Trattoria located in 'The Village' which offers duty free shopping, a General Store, Bar 1887 (with nightly live entertainment) and The Village Cafe. Last but not least is Crane Beach voted by Lifestyle's of The Rich and Famous as one of the Top Ten most beautiful beaches in the world, now with a fabulous Beach Grill! ... more   less 
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