My husband and I just returned from a wonderful stay at The Crane last week with our friends, and we can't wait to return. Can't say enough about the beautiful views, rooms, and friendly staff. This is our second stay at this resort and we are already making plans to return next year. We had only one problem which was air conditioning. It only worked intermittently so we were moved from building 4 to building 8. After that everything was fabulous! The construction is moving along and will be a nice touch when completed. The general store had everything we needed as well as the little boutique shops. The taxi service is great and dependable. Wayne and Willie were there for us each trip and couldn't have been nicer. We had no problems with door keys or towel service. Although we did not eat at the restaurants on site, the breakfast daily was good. If you are considering this resort, don't hesitate. Although some say it is too far away from everything, we liked it that way. Having stayed on the southwest coast several times, we prefer the quieter more picturesque area that is The Crane. Truly heaven on earth!

I was at the Crane Resort on the first week of July and let me tell you what an experience we had. I was Located in Building 5 on the 4th floor(Ocean View) and what a view(WoW) right off the water on top of a cliff……Now I won’t paint a picture of roses for you and be truthful there was construction next to our building (Private Construction). So every weekday between 8-4pm you hear hammering and banging at first I wanted to move to another building, but after looking at the other building and hearing my wife mouth we decided to stay. There was no comparing with the view of Building 5. Also there was AC problems that pissed me off the room only stayed cold on our last 2 nights. So with an ipod and Opening the windows and letting the breeze come in I was happy as ever. Anyway I have been 2 many resorts and as far as room and VIEW status this is #1.The Grounds were like you were in the garden of Eden just Beauty at its best. The service was great and if it wasn’t because of the construction this would have been my #1 vacation spot. Also rent a vehicle because the prices of the restaurants on the resort are PRICEY….and quality was SO-SO. Here’s a small review of the places and restaurant I visited on the Island.

Zen (Japanese) - Great food, decent price located on the grounds view is so-so

L'Azure – Great VIEW food was overrated and PRICEY Located on the Grounds

Pisces(Seafood) – Located in Lawrence Gap, Great View on the Water and food was Great a little pricey but well worth it…A Must We Seen Giant Turtles swimming also a Stingray

Bellini (Italian) – Located in Lawrence Gap, The Bomb  Great view, not pricey, service was A1

Ship Inn (Local food) - Located in Lawrence Gap, Best food I had on the trip and it was a Buffet…… Went back twice

Cutters (Deli) – Located right outside the resort walking distance. Great Lunch Spot… try the flying fish sandwich

****Also take a Cab Ride around the island you will see more than tour bus and cheaper…Ask for Raphael the cabby

AND YES I WILL BE BACK!

We stayed at The Crane in May, My wife and I and 3 children (6 -12 years old). I should say in starting that my family are from Barbados, and my mother grew up half a mile from Crane. I have visited the island many times, and was looking forward to spending 2 weeks at The Crane. I live in Europe and would not have the expectation of immediate service that many North American reviewers are used to. I am also used to staying with family in Barbados and ice cold aircon would not be high on my list, however, I can understand that they are very important for some people.
We actually had an excellent time, but there were issues which it would be wrong to leave out of a review. I will go through the good stuff towards the end to leave you smiling, as it really was a fantastic holiday.

From the top: Arrived on the island early and rang at 1pm to see whether an early check in would be possible. Was told "you can check in whenever is convenient but you will not be able to get into your room as it is being serviced". Fair enough-I waited till 4 and arrived to be told that my room wasn't ready-It became available at 5pm, a full hour after it should have been ready.
I was asked to sign a pre authorisation for US$150 per person per night (approx US$10,000), which I since heard is not uncommon in the Caribbean. On protest this was reduced to $1800, as 3 of our party were children and unlikely to run up excessive bar tabs. One to be aware of if you don't have a huge credit limit and plan on using your card during your stay.
Then the towels-1 per person but if lost a charge of US$40- $40!! - will be charged to your room for each well used beach towel - which didn't cost that much when new.
Requested a safety gate to close off the plunge pool to keep my 6 year old safe. Took 2 days to arrive. In fairness, the existing gates didn't fit any longer as a handrail had been added for Health & Safety reasons, so 2 very pleasant men came to measure up and made a perfect gate.
Only had 1 bathplug and 2 excellent jacuzzi bathtubs-took 2 days to arrive also.
Now the big one-my 6 year old dropped a glass and cut his foot. It was deep and needed stitches. I rand the dask to ask for a doctor to be sent-was told to go to a clinic in Maxwell (approx 10 miles) luckily we had hired a car. Rang back to ask for a bandage to dress the wound before travelling. 15 minutes later a very pleasant man arrived with a bandaid. Again, there was a language issue I didn't realise in that in the supermarket you will see bandaids boxed and labelled 'bandages'. I would however have expected a qualified first aider to appear well within 15 minutes. It transpired that the first aid box is kept at Security-at the main gate which is 5 minutes walk away. I raised this with the General Manager and the owner, and was told that they have qualified first aiders, and would address the issue of the first aid box. I feel there should be one in each room. I also raised the fact that there was no defibrillator , hopefully this will be addressed also. I have seen responses from The Crane, so hopefully they will post an update here.

Now the good stuff, and it is all very good.

The room was the most luxurious I have ever stayed in. At night, leave the doors open and whe wooden slatted doors closed and you will be safe and cool. We didn't use the aircon at all.
Pools are outstanding-the beach is one of the best in the world. Because the apartments are so big, the total number of people in the resort is small relative to the space so there is a lot of room around the pool and on the beach
The guys selling on the beach are really nice, and don't pressure you at all. One of them cooks food on ( I think) a Wednesday, and brings it to share with people on the beach because "I want people to go home having eaten real Bajan food" No charge, no ulterior motives, just a very pleasant man; and excellent food!
If you are up early ask for boogie boards at reception-you need to be there by 8 to get them as they go quickly. The beach is perfect for it. If you walk the length of the beach then across some rocks, there is a second beach which is always empty (you can see it on google earth if you are interested). Bottom Bay is the most picturesque beach-need a car or cab to get there.
We didn't notice building works-the buildings are up, it is just internal stuff now which doesn't make much noise.
The convenience store in the complex is fine-has anything you might reasonably want including feminine products for the lady who commented in an earlier review.
We didn't eat at the restaurants, so can't comment. Cutters is excellent-music on a Sunday. Also, there is a Gospel Brunch on a Sunday which is supposed to be excellentbut you can hear it from the original pool which is right next to the restaurant. Oistins fish fry is fun.
For fab ice cream, if you are on the west coast driving towards Bridgetown, there is an ice cream shop called Tuckmills which is a couple of minutes south of Sandy Lane on the other side of the road. Doesn't look great inside or out, but serves the best icecream I have ever eaten.(joint vote with my wife and children!)
There is very little in Bridgetown-Cave Shepherd for souveniers. The rum is very cheap in the shops-get a couple of bottles and some pina colada mix for long drinks on your balcony. Souvenir shopping at The Chattel Village near the cruise ship terminal is worth a look if you are in town anyway.
The Wildlife reserve is fun for an hour or 2, especially with small children. Go in the early afternoon-the wild monkeys come back to the reserve for feeding at 2. If they don't come back, you get free entry another day!
The Tiami Catamaran was excellent with young children-snorkeling, turtles, good foof and music etc on the lunch time cruise. Not as boozy as other cruises I have done. Apply for a Barbados VIP card (google it) a month before you go-gives totally free and gives you 2 for 1 on a lot of excursions
The plunge pool is freezing but incredibly refreshing on a hot day.
Try Chatters Tea Rooms at Bagatelle Great House in St James (car or cab needed). It is a real time warp experience-Afternoon tea on the verandah of an old plantation house-sandwiches with the crusts cut off, savouries, cakes and Scones with Clotted cream and preserves, and of course, bucketloads of tea. Very genteel, and quite inexpensive.
There are usually turtles swimming if you look over the low wall beyond the coach house at the hotel. Large round discus shaped brown things but clearly visible

That's all-sorry if it rambles in places, but as complete as I can make it. I will be going back without hesitation, and can highly recommend it with the reservations mentioned above-most of which can be easity rectified

We stayed at the Crane for 5 days last week. The suite was beautiful. We stayed on the 5th floor in building 5. The sound of the whistling frogs and the waves breaking on the cliff below were fantastic. The sevice was top notch - no complaints. Our every need and questions were handled quickly. We ate at Zen, L'Azure, and the Carraige House. The food at all three were good. My favorite was Zen. The prices were high, but if you consider what you would have to pay for the same food in the US, then you should not be shocked. You can view the menu and prices on their website. The shopping village was not completed yet, but when it is, it will be impressive. The grounds around the resort are very nice and well kept. The beach was really fun. I braved it out in the water even though it looked rough and found it to be quite fun. The only real complaint that I had was that the A/C could have been a little lower than you are allowed to set. However, it was not uncomfortable because we kept all the doors and windows open on our large double balcony while we were in the suite. I would have like to have been able to lower the temp to around 75. I think the lowest we could set it was 78. The pools are beautiful and well kept. We enjoyed the one with the jets in it during the afternoons. The weather was good. A little rain shower here or there, but nothing that lasted. There was not much happening at night, but that was okay with us since we really just wanted to relax and have a peaceful quiet time. We did go to the fish fry on Friday night. It was very fun and quite safe. Would I go to the Crane again - yep - you bet I would.