Live in Barbados

An article in today’s Barbados Advocate:

Artificial islands a viable option?

It is no secret that the available land space in this country is quite limited, and with more and more tourism-related developments popping up every and anywhere, some Barbadians are starting to wonder if there will be enough land left for them to own a piece of the rock.

It is for this reason, as well as the fact that tourism is our mainstay and needs every opportunity to progress and expand, that I think the idea of creating artificial islands off of the West Coast of Barbados is not a bad idea. That proposal, put forward by real estate magnate Paul Altman, has been on the table for about a year now and as I understand it, would consist of a 250-acre island that would house new tourism-based developments and a second with a size of 50 acres, to serve as a national park. Certainly, not only would it provide alternative accommodation for the tourists who visit these shores and provide employment for more Barbadians, but it could make this country more attractive to the more affluent tourists, which could mean more foreign exchange.

Indeed, this concept of creating islands would be somewhat new to the Caribbean region. Yes, countries have reclaimed land before, Barbados included – the current site of the Bridgetown Deep Water Harbour is what was Pelican Island – but to go to the extent of actually developing an island off the coast has not been done. However, I do think that it would serve to raise our stakes where the tourism industry is concerned.

Read full article here.

Personally I find this very concerning from an environmental impact.  Reports on the grape vine of the artificial islands in Dubai suggest the islands need round the clock maintenance to stop them from washing away.  The real estate market in Dubai has crashed and with that the influx of income to maintain the islands will surely diminish.

BPL would like to know your opinion on this controversial topic!

As Haiti continues its recovery effort, The Crane is hosting a charitable Gala Soiree to support the relief efforts, on Saturday, February 6^th beginning at 7:00pm.

This formal evening will include a delectable gala dinner, premiere entertainment, and a silent auction to raise additional funds.  Silent auction items include Registry Collection hotel stays, airline tickets, rounds of golf, a spa day at Sandy Lane, and much more.

All proceeds will be donated to Haiti relief efforts through the Barbados national coordinated effort.

Tickets for the evening, including dinner, dancing entertainment, and all beverages, are $300 per person.

We invite you to support this worthy cause by purchasing a ticket for the evening.  To pre-book the event, kindly contact us at loveforhaiti@thecrane.com or contact the hotel at 246-423-6220.

We expect this to be a sold-out event so please contact us as soon as possible.

We thank you in advance for your support of this important fundraiser.

Early 2010 should see the Four Seasons kick back into action.

The largest property development and tourism project along Barbados west coast should be back on track early in 2010.

The widely debated property, Four Season Resort and Residences which broke ground in 2007, came to a screeching halt last June but now plans are afoot for its restart.

But now the plan to get the multi-million dollar property underway will largely involve the Government of Barbados, well-known government advisor and investment banker Avinash Persaud and partial financing from one of the island’s finance houses.

See full article here.

Check these deals out!

The Crane presents the inaugural Village Masquerade to ring in 2010!

This open air, spectacular street party is ideally located in the brand-new Crane Village on the Southeast Coast of Barbados. Patrons will have the privilege of being entertained by the dynamic band known as the “Soul of Barbados”, Virtuosity. The band will showcase their versatility throughout the night as they perform everything from well-known classics to today’s hits as patrons dance the night away under the stars.

Tickets at $150 BDS include the extensive Gala Dinner and Seafood Market Buffet in three locations on property – L’Azure Restaurant, Pavilion Room & Town Hall and an after party.  Premium bars and a selection of fine champagnes will be available throughout the party on a cash basis.

A Preview of the Gala Buffet Menu

• 7 Salads to choose from including Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable & Chicken Salad and Mozzarella di Bufalo with Vine Tomatoes & Basil
• 7 Choices from the Seafood Market including Oak Smoked Scottish Salmon and sumptuous Tiger Shrimps
• 8 Main Courses  including Canard a L’ Orange, Chicken Cordon Bleu and Tandoori  Red Snapper, Chermoula and Chick Pea Salsa
• A full carving Station featuring Classic Steam Ship Round of Beef with Horseradish and Yorkshire Pudding and Marmalade Glazed Ham, Home-Made Apple Chutney
• And for the sweet tooth, a wide selection of 11 tantalizing desserts to round out the evening’s culinary delights.

In addition to this, Barbados #1 Zagat-rated Zen Restaurant will feature its traditional a la carte menu on the night for those desiring Thai/Japanese cuisine.

Please note that prices are subject to a 10% service charge.

For bookings: contact newyears@thecrane.com or call 246-423-6220.  Book early to ensure your space!

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Despite a persistent economic downturn with no clear end in sight, luxury hotels are cropping up on islands big and small. The suites are lavish, the spas are pampering, and as for infinity pools, there seems to be no end to them.

With guarded optimism in the air, airlines are adding flights to destinations across the Caribbean, and entrepreneurs and tourism boards are rolling out new activities like kite-boarding festivals and historical zip-lining tours.

But will this new outlook stand up to the continuing effects of the downturn, which caused a loss of about a quarter-million American tourists for the region last year?

via Something New Under the Caribbean Sun.

Adding to its existing off-property sales centre in Cave Shepherd, Bridgetown, The Crane has opened a second outlet on the South Coast at which customers can learn about the property’s vacation ownership options; make booking inquiries for the property; or book an “Experience The Crane” day package.  The Crane’s sales director, Kim Goddard, who recently returned to The Crane after stints with Altman Real Estate and Royal Westmoreland, notes “the presence of The Crane on Broad Street has raised awareness of the fantastic product offering on property and we look forward to generating more interest in The Crane from our new location.”

Park Residences Update

With the first phase of outer apartments set to open this Christmas, the new Park Residences at The Crane are really starting to take shape.  All the swimming pools are in, on both the ground floor two bedrooms and the roof terraces of the third floor one bedroom residences.  All interior finishes are pretty well complete, and the landscaping team has been working diligently to install beautiful tropical plants in and around the boulder walls and in the private gardens, both on the ground floor and rooftop residences.  For more information on the Park Residences, contact property@thecrane.com.

BARBADOS’ oldest resort, the Crane Hotel and Residences, has taken the decision to implement its now seasonal local special rates programme year round.

This announcement came yesterday from Director of Marketing, Ann Marie Thompson, who stated that the decision was based on the success of this year’s programme, in conjunction with the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) run, “Stay-cation” initiative.

She stated that for the year, the Crane has booked over 700 room nights with Barbadians, and have received tremendous feedback from these guests, with persons saying that they felt very refreshed after having stayed there.

The historic Atlantis Hotel on the East Coast of Barbados is on schedule for a Christmas reopening.

This comes in the wake of a massive renovation of the property that started in 2008. The hotel features some of the most amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean and has been a mainstay of the Barbados tourism product since the 1970s.

Though ownership of the property has changed hands several times since it was first developed in the 19th Century, the property is part and parcel of the stunning East Coast views of Barbados. The newest owners of the hotel, Andrew & Patricia Warden added this property to their other tourism based properties in 2008.

The renovation will transform the property to a 10 suite hotel.

Full article here.