11 September 2024

NCL escape - 10 day cruise Barcelona - Cannes/ Nice - Rome( citavecchia) - Livorno ( Florence/Pisa) - Naples/Pompeii - Messina/sicily - Valetta/Malta - Corfu - Split/croatia - day at sea - venice Embarkation day - Barcelona. We got to the port at 10:30, got checked in and went straight on board. Definitely worth getting there early if you can or getting an early embarkation time slot which you get by checking in as close to 21 days as you can. Make sure you got your luggage tags on all items you want to leave . There are hand luggage drop off stations on board that you can use but have to collect by 14:30 otherwise they will be at guest services . Arcade package add it ahead of time otherwise you have to wait until the afternoon until someone is at the casino to get it . Staterooms - try to think about when you go to bed specifically if you have little ones when you choose your room. Try and stay away from The noises and potential restaurant smells . Personally really like Deck 14 on the Escape . For first time cruisers there is a lot to take in on your embarkation day . Try to start by going to your stateroom - even if not available and try to orient yourself from there . It will take a few days to get used to where things are . Nice/cannes stop : For many bigger ships it will be a tender . Either book a tour with the cruise line or book a tender slot to get off the ship. You can just walk around Cannes and enjoy . Or you could take an excursion. Like I did ( Nice and little train) . Taking the scenic route to Nice takes about 1.5h . You then stop next to the famous Promenade des Anglais that you could walk along , enjoy beach time (pepple beach ) and a swim. Use one of the beach clubs . Have a walk around the old town which gives you a real flair of French and local atmosphere. The little train that departs by jardin Albert and the carrousel is amazing. It takes a nice scenic route through the city and up to the Cascade de Gairaut, which will give you an amazing view over the city . You can walk there as well but on a hot summer day it’s going to be a long hard walk. The Cannes beaches are sand but it is actually - man made . Citavecchia- port is not nice / no AC and no nice waiting area. Fine for getting off, but for boarding if you have to wait it’s too hot . There is a local bus to the station and then train to Rome that you could take to explore Rome on your own without booking a tour. Usually free shuttle bus to citavecchia city centre are avaialable . You can do 1 hour long hop on/hop off tour 10/15 euro pp in citavecchia or just walk around on your own, lots of pepple beach areas to relax or cafe’s to have a coffee and ice cream at . Naples : You can easily walk out of the ship and into Naples - 10 min walk , it’s also 10 min walk to take ferry to sorrento or capri . Pompeii is another great excursion about 25 min drive from Naples . you can book a tour Naples and Pompeii or jsut take a cap to pomeii and pay entry when you get there . Hill of st martino - you can reach by cable car and gives you an amazing view of Naples . You can see the monumental part of Naples by a hop on, hop off tour or there are walking tours as well. Messina /Mt Etna Messina - good to walk around to get to know . If you want to see Mt Etna i would suggest to book a tour to it. It is about 2 hour drive from the port but worth it Taormina /Isola Bella island and Naxos are also super pretty and worth a tour/ taxi to them to enjoy the day. Malta /Valetta No tour needed here. the city is a car free zone: Walk out - walk to the Barrakka lift all the way to the right hand side /end of the wharf . €1/ pp for return trip at stops at midnight . You end up in the gardens above . Cannons get shot twice a day at 12 noon and 4pm and it gets super busy if you want to see it be there early. Pick up a walking map , which has 2 routes , one scenic and one cultural or you could combine the too. See picture of map. Or there is a little train that runs every 30 min for 30 min - €7 per adult and €5 per child - showing you main sights or you can walk it depending on the heat of the day . The Ferry to Gozo and Camino to blue lagoon is worth a visit if you have the time but on a short half day stop thats not going to work. Valetta is beautiful at night as well. Corfu - Old town - you can walk out from the port to explore old town without any issues . Or take a taxi to a local beach such as glyfada beach and set a time to pick you up for your return with the same driver that way you wont miss your cruise, give yourself an extra 30 min though just in case of traffic. the island is not very big but still better safe then sorry. Split Super super easy to walk around - 10 min walk to old town- lots of cafes! Walk around the palace is well worth it! The market has lots of souvenirs stands . You can also do a hop on / hop off tour around split to see some of the further away places . Gorgeous town. Trieste- disembarking . Relatively easy - collecting your luggage is a bit mad after getting of the ship . If you have a transfer booked with cruise line they should be waiting for you. There is several buses for each colour if you booked to the airport . So you don’t have to rush once your colour is called as long as your flight isn’t too close to the allowed time slot . A flight booked after 2pm usually means disembarking about 9-9:30. All passengers have to be off the ship at 10 am , so dont book your flight too far out and that could mean a long wait at the airport and you cnat check in outside of 3 hours anyway. On board tips: Choir of man show ! AMAZING!!!! You need to pre- book it , it’s super popular . 2 of the water slides only open 12 pm and 3pm ( the drop one ) The family one opens at 10 am. The kids and adults pool get busy at peak times but on port days they tend to be quiet in the morning and get busier around 3pm. Rope course opens at 3pm and defo worth doing and was a challenge for me ! on the sea day it opens earlier in the day This all depends on weather too. Cabin - balcony - each Deck 850 cabins have a slightly bigger balcony as they are on an angle . The Food in the 3 complementary restaurants for dinner is same every day except the 4 specialties of the day that change . The Buffet is ok , nothing special except the crepe station maybe :-)

10 September 2024

I stayed at the gran hotel Barcelona - which is 40 min from the airport . Great location in the gothic quarter - only 5 min walk to the place sant Miguel, which has a great little playground area and a few little restaurants that are not overfilled with tourists . The avocado restaurant , the one I ate at - the mi burrito yyo - which was great service , lovely ambiance , amazing sangria and paella . They also cater for kids with plain pasta ( if that’s what you prefer ) , chicken and sausage options. The square is calm and shaded with umbrellas - really enjoyed dinner . You also are only 40 min walk to the famous sagrada familia , which is stunning and a taxi is only €15 if you don’t want to walk it. I did walk and seen some lovely typical Spanish streets . Walk passed the arch de triomph too . You are also only 5 min walk to la Rampla which has loads of food options along it . Walking towards the port area at the end of la rampla is another 10 min walk and great to watch people. I found an amazing little gelato place called "manna" super delicious. I could not believe that there was a christmas shop which seems to be open all year round. I loved the "duck shop". Barcelona I will be back for a longer stay :-)

19 April 2024

My stay at McDonald Hill Valley Hotel was a mixed experience, with notable highs and lows across various aspects of the establishment. Spa: The spa facilities offered a relaxing escape, though marred by some maintenance issues. While the showers provided a pleasant experience with warm water and good pressure, it was disappointing to encounter a blocked urinal and broken shower gel pump. Additionally, the worn lockers and missing tiles in the steam room detracted from the overall ambiance. However, the pool temperature was perfect, offering a refreshing swim. Maintenance attention is urgently needed to address these issues, particularly the broken amenities. Rooms and Hallways: Throughout the hotel, both rooms and hallways are in need of some tender loving care. Guests may find themselves lacking sufficient storage space, and the absence of a makeup mirror could inconvenience some guests, particularly those who prioritize such amenities. Bar/Restaurant: The bar and restaurant provided moments of both satisfaction and frustration. While the service from certain staff members, such as the friendly and attentive waitress Jenny, was commendable, there were notable shortcomings. The presence of a blocked sink in the bar area is indicative of maintenance oversights. Furthermore, the lack of training for bar staff, as evidenced by their inability to operate basic equipment like the coffee machine or serve cocktails, is a notable concern. Additional training is imperative to ensure a seamless and professional experience for guests. On a brighter note, staff members like the gentleman from breakfast, who offered helpful suggestions for activities, and Alexa, who admirably managed the dinner service despite being understaffed, deserve recognition for their dedication and enthusiasm. In conclusion, while McDonald Hill Valley Hotel offers some enjoyable amenities and dedicated staff members, there are significant areas for improvement, particularly in terms of maintenance and staff training. With attention to these areas, the hotel has the potential to provide a more consistent and satisfying experience for guests.

01 February 2024

A Pinnacle of Cultural Heritage and Innovation Nestled along the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is a charming city that seamlessly blends rich cultural history with modern innovation. My recent visit to Heidelberg left an indelible mark, and I am compelled to share my enchanting experience. One of the city's most iconic landmarks is the Heidelberg Castle, perched atop the Königstuhl hill. The castle's Gothic and Renaissance architecture is a testament to centuries of history, offering breath-taking panoramic views of the city below. Exploring the castle grounds is like stepping back in time, with its impressive courtyard, medieval walls, and the captivating Great Barrel, the world's largest wine barrel. The Old Town, or Altstadt, exudes a captivating charm with its cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and bustling market squares. The Hauptstrasse, one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets, winds through the heart of the Old Town, offering a delightful array of shops, cafes, and traditional German eateries. Strolling along this vibrant street, I couldn't help but be captivated by the lively atmosphere and architectural beauty that surrounded me. Heidelberg's renowned university, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, adds an intellectual vibrancy to the city. The university, founded in 1386, is the oldest in Germany and has been a beacon of academic excellence for centuries. The university library, with its Baroque style and vast collection of books, is a must-visit for those who appreciate the pursuit of knowledge. The Neckar River, meandering through the city, provides a serene backdrop to Heidelberg's landscape. Whether enjoyed from the Old Bridge or during a leisurely boat cruise, the river adds a touch of tranquillity to the bustling city life. In terms of hospitality, Heidelberg embraces visitors with warmth and friendliness. The locals, known for their hospitality, are eager to share the city's stories and traditions. The culinary scene is diverse, offering a delightful blend of traditional German cuisine and international flavours. In conclusion, Heidelberg is a city that seamlessly weaves together its historical tapestry and modern vitality. It offers a unique blend of cultural heritage, intellectual pursuits, and technological advancements. My visit to Heidelberg was nothing short of enchanting, leaving me with a deep appreciation for this picturesque city that effortlessly marries the old and the new. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an art lover, or a tech-savvy traveller, Heidelberg has something to offer for everyone, making it a must-visit destination. The Marriott, which is where I stayded, is in a fantastic location overlooking the river and in the summer you can pick up a river boat tour directly from the hotel, which is amazing. You can walk into old town from here as well but it will take about 50 min or so. Alternatively you can take the underground from the main train station which is about a 10 min walk. The rooms are spacious and have a great layout. If you are staying in one of the executive rooms you have access to the lounge on the 3rd floor which will provide snacks, alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks , tea , coffee and water during the day. It over looks the river and has a beautiful view. It is not very big with about 10 tables. The restaurant the Grill 16 has great food if you don’t wan to go out for dinner, the breakfast buffet is also good with a variation of warm and cold food to choose from. The little candy bar are next to the restaurant is a firm favourite for kids. The Marriott Heidelberg Hotel also boasts impressive leisure facilities. The fitness centre, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, allowed for a rejuvenating workout, while the spa provided a tranquil haven for relaxation. The indoor pool and sauna added an extra layer of luxury to my stay, offering a welcome respite after a day of exploring the city. Although I didnt personally use these facilities. Visiting the castle is a must, a beautiful old castle with a lot of history, you can take the cable car up to the castle and beyond, well worth doing, it is a great experience and a different way to explore. You can of course walk it as well. The grounds of the castle are great, you can walk around it without paying entry. I did not go inside the castle but there are tours available to explore it. The views from the castle are stunning as well over the Heidelberg city. The other way to explore the city is doing one of the caprio bus tours.

08 June 2023

I flew from Luton which is about an hour from me and staying the night before at the holiday inn express at Luton made the get up at 4 am a little better for a 6:30 am flight much easier ! The hotel had a car park at the hotel at £15 / night was very convenient. The morning drive to the car park 2 was about 5 min and then a 5 min walk to the terminal was much easier then parking further away. I had booked the fast track through security which I can only highly recommend in any airport at any time of the day especially if you are Travelling through school holidays . It is so worth the extra money ! Arriving at Lanzarote at lunch time was fantastic especially with a private transfer which takes 30 min to the hotel . Again a value you can’t miss . The security checks were straight forward and didn’t take too long . The line for families was longer as they can’t go through the electronic machines . The check in process was very smooth and straight forward . Very friendly staff with a minimum of 3 languages - English , Spanish , German and some even French . Our family room was not ready yet but we went to have lunch at the buffet , which starts at 1pm every day. There is plenty to choose from at all 3 meals for kids and adults a like . There are 2 meal time setting for each meal that you have to pick at check in but they can be changed during the stay if you want . 7:30 am or 8:30 for breakfast , 1:00 pm or 1:45 pm for lunch and 6:30pm or 7:15 pm for dinner. Each evening has a different theme . The hotel has 3 different circles - the star prestige section- which is adults only . The main circle above reception , which also has all the action happening during the day and the evening entertainment outside as well inside which unfortunately means it can be quite loud in the evening. Something to bear in mind if you are travelling with younger kids . The mini disco starts at 8pm for 45 min and then either live music outside or inside show until about 10:30pm every night . It gets quiet after that relatively quickly. The last circle is around the kids pool area all 3 areas have the same room types available. The ground floor rooms have walk out terraces in the kids pool area . The sea view rooms are usually on the 3rd floor with a balcony with chairs . Some sea-side view rooms are on the 1st floor with big balconies that have sun loungers on . Something to think about and request depending on your preference . The preferential location rooms are on the corner of each circle and have massive balconies . You can also get interconnected rooms . The hotel has 1 restaurant for all 3 meals and the star prestige guests have the same restaurant but with a separate sitting area ! Drinks are available all day around some cocktails are not on the list but just ask. Ice coffee with baileys was definitely my favourite during the day followed by sangria and mojitos as well as strawberries frozen margaritas. The kids cocktails such as a Sam Francisco was a hit in our family . Lots of pool and other activities if you fancy it around the main pool such as Water polo, water gym, water spinning , bingo , cocktail making classes , dart . There is a pool table by the main pool that can be used but costs €1 per game . Pool towels are available at the hotel but you only get 1 per person, so if you prefer more, you should consider bringing your own. You can opt for all Inclusive, half board or just breakfast . There is a lovely soft sand beach about 5 min walk along the promenade . That promenade has restaurants and supermarkets and shops along the way. It’s stretches in one direction about 4km, a lovely morning hilly run with a lighthouse at the end and about the same the other direction with a marina , shops , restaurants and another 2 beaches the other way, which is nice and flat . The marina has ferries that cross over to Fuerteventura and take about 35 min . A fantastic way to explore another island during your stay . The cost varies between £20 and £30 pp one way depending on the ferry times . They run about every hour. You can either just walk around Corralejo/Fuerteventura or hire a car for a day . There is a rental station right by the port . You can explore a few things on your own. Walking up the crater of Vulcano Calderon Hondo as a first stop, then onwards to the piscinas naturales and the lighthouse . After a stop here head towards el Cotillo for a coffee or lunch break with a little stroll through the village before heading to restaurant Don Pepe via la Olivia for some lunch or afternoon ice cream stop. And before heading back to Lanzarote spend some time at one of the beaches along the Dunas de Corralejo. There is a BP fuel station just before the port to fill up. Couple of other restaurants around La Olivia are restaurant casa Marcus or restaurant El Horno Another fantastic day out is the aqua lava water park - it has salt water - so be sure to rinse down when you stop for a break. Book your tickets ahead of time and get there for 10 am as that’s the quietest time . Minimum height for the big slights is 1.20 m. Food prices are ok . It’s a lot of fun and 15 min walk from Hotel . There are lots of day excursions you can do on Lanzarote . You can rent a car for a day and drive up north to the mirado del Rio viewing point and stop on route at the jardín de cactus , which is amazing and the restaurant is lovely for a light lunch . You can also visit the national park timanfaya with a lovely stop on a beach nearby . The alternative option is to do organised group tours that are either half day or full day tours . On our departure date, we had an early lunch time flight which meant a pick up at 10 am, once again a private transfer made all the difference. The hotel does have a departure lounge that you have access too with A/C and nice chairs and coffee/tea. They can also keep your luggage at the luggage storage area if you want to continue enjoying the pool area. It is always worth asking for a late check out which of course cannot be guranteed

11 June 2021

My reasons to book 2022 travel NOW Planning a special trip in 2022? If you’ve parked booking a honeymoon, a birthday celebration or a big holiday due to the uncertainty, then think again and unpark! Read my 7 reasons why booking now will guarantee availability and ensure you get the most for your money. Before we go any further, let's deal with the elephant in the room. 'Are you crazy Romy, why would I part with my hard earned cash on travel with such uncertainty?' Don’t without careful consideration is my answer! I suggest you book a package that can easily be changed through a reputable, licensed and bonded travel agent or tour operator. This will ensure your money is financially protected by ATOL in the UK. Drum roll for my sales pitch…. in addition to being licensed and bonded, Travel Counsellors and I have a ‘Flexible Promise’ on many holidays whereby you can pay a small deposit and easily change the arrangements where travel restrictions remain in place. So, with the risk covered, think of the reward! Is it that island in the Maldives that was previously out of budget? Why booking now will give you the reward you desire.... 1. Confidence in travel - confidence affects demand, demand affects pricing. High demand = high prices, low demand = low prices. The uncertain future combined with inconsistent government policies to border control and traffic lights has knocked the public's confidence in travel. This has led to low demand which has resulted in low prices. Once more countries will move into the “green list “ status, confidence will be restored, demand will return and prices will increase. This means now is a great opportunity to secure a good deal for 2022 or 2023. 2. Forward bookings for 2022 - Covid has presented a unique set of circumstances with over a year of travel written off. Of those that had travel booked, many took the option of moving their holiday to 2021 and now also to 2022 or accepting airline credits or vouchers (some of which expire next year). So with few people currently booking, when they do, flights and hotels will fill quicker than normal. Demand and shortness of supply will lead to higher prices. 3. Less flight options - the sad inevitability is that it will take years for airlines to recover from Covid-19, that's assuming they do recover. Airlines are making staff redundant, pulling less profitable routes and downsizing their fleet. These actions cannot be quickly reversed when demand returns. For the traveller, this will mean less flight options, less seat availability and less competition, all likely to result in higher prices. Once the demand returns, expect to pay more for your travel. 4. Pent up demand - there is absolutely no doubt that the desire to travel is still there. Of course, there may be more use of Zoom and Microsoft Teams for business meetings however I also know many businesses just waiting to get in the skies once it is safe to do so. In fact, many have already resumed travel to an extent. Business travel also affects the demand for holiday makers. I also have many clients planning honeymoons, special birthday celebrations, bucket list retirement trips or have plans to reunite with family. In the travel industry, we're just waiting for the tap to be turned on! 5. Increased budgets - as one client put it to me 'people are going to want one hell of a holiday when all this is over'. Through my wallowing pity about the travel sector, I've realised that there are many industries that have thrived during Covid-19 and there's money out there to spend. Having been locked down for months, many of my clients have expressed a 'life is too short' attitude and will spend big when they can travel again. This is likely to bring increased demand to the luxury sector of travel. 6. Recouping the losses of 2020/21 - hotels and airlines know they need a big year in 2022 and cash flow is a real driver. Nothing will be left to chance and as soon they hear 'on your marks', airlines and hotels will be fighting to be at full capacity. 7. Sales - ....and here's the main reason I think you should book NOW! Many big decisions in life are a calculated risk. If you agree with me on points 1-6, then you'll agree it is better to book sooner rather than later. Traditionally, the months of September and January are the biggest booking months for travel and most airlines and hotels release very good offers, however due in the current situation and hotels and airlines being desperate to welcome customers to their destinations again, offers are flying around all the time. If you want to have a chat about the possibility of a special trip in 2022, please do not hesitate to contact me at romy.frow@travelcounsellors.com.

26 June 2020

I would definitely recommend visiting at least 3 islands while you are there. Which ones is up to what kind of holiday you would like but personally I believe Maui is a must. If you have 2 weeks I think 3 island is enough. If you have 3 weeks then you can do 4 islands. I spent 3 nights in Waikiki staying at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki which is an amazing property right on Waikiki Beach with an amazing breakfast and a waterfall in the middle of the huge property. Visiting the famous Pearl Harbour Memorial is a must do, you can either do this by a guided tour from your hotel or you can rent a car to drive around the island, personally I don’t believe you need a car unless you are planning on exploring the other parts of Oahu island as well. There are plenty of restaurants in walking distance such as the Hula Grill – which gives you a fantastic sunset view. The International Market Place is very vibrant and a good place to have a stroll around during the day or in the evening. After that we flew with a small plane to Kona on the big island and stayed at the Sheraton Kona Resort. This island is perfect for a jeep rental to explore the volcano and other part of this amazing island such as the Thurston Lava tubes. You can swim with Rays at this resort if you wish. Exploring this island on our own gave us the flexibility of spending extra time on some spots. The resort has a great pool but I believe you don’t need a super exciting room on this island as you are out exploring most of the day. Most likely early start and late finish. Next stop Maui – this is one of the island where you can relax and still explore the island and its beauty and should probably stay the longest. A car rental is a must here as well to explore all of the island if you wish. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui, which is a mazing property and has penguins, which I could have watched all day. Their beach is amazing and so is their pool area. Here I feel it is absolutely worth it spending the extra money on an Oceanview room. The resort does its own Luau that you can take part of however I feel the best Luau is the Old Lahaina Luau and an absolute must do. There are plenty of amazing restaurants and bars on Maui such as the Kimo`s Maui in Lahaina – fantastic cocktails and incredible food. You can do many different excursions you can do from here. If you like snorkelling I would highly recommend to do a catamaran cruise to Molokini crater – amazing wildlife, sea lions and turtles to see. The other excursion I would do is a day trip to Lanai – know as the pineapple island – it is very small and has only a small number of inhabitants but a fantastic history and pineapple museum. The Road to Hana is another must do. You can do that with an excursion or if you more of the adventures kind you can drive it by yourself which gives you more flexibility but the roads are very very narrow on parts of this drive. My husband swore at me for parts of this but it was well worth it in my opinion. Amazing views, trails, gardens, lava Tube, black sand beach and waterfalls along the way . It will be a long day, early start and late finish or you can stay a night at the Travaasa resort. For the adventures ones a great activity is the sunrise bike ride down Hawaii's Haleakala volcano or day tours are an option too. I feel Hawaii is one of those once in a lifetime destinations yet, ideally you need to visit multiple times to see all the islands or have 2 months to visit.

28 February 2020

Beach Turks and Caicos is fantastic and very big. It has 5 villages, Caribbean, Italien, French, Key West and Seaside village. They are a bit differnt and great in their own way. We stayed at the Caribbean village but used the Italien Village pool most times as that appears to be the busiest in regards to activities during the day. If you prefer a quieter area, the French village might be best. It is further back at the property and a few minutes from the beach. The French village rooms only have French balconies or patios on the ground level. Each village has their own lobby and check in area. The Key West village and Seaside village have bigger accomodations for larger families. Each lobby has a little play corner with toys for kids to be entertained if you are waiting for check in or check out or just if it happens to rain - which if it does tends to only happen for like 10 mins a day in May. This of course would be different if you are travelling between August - October. There is a little train that goes around the whole property and is fun to have a ride on. There are many many restaurants which means you will never have to eat at the same one twice if you don't want to. The sesame street characters are all around the property and you can see Elmo walking around the pool a lot. Breakfast with the Sesame Street characters or reading a story with Elmo are only a couple of things you can do. The kids club is great, we only used some of the activities on a daily basis but you can leave your kids all day if you wanted to. Catamaran cruise with Elmo and his friends was an amazing experience for us and our little one. We spend most of our time at the waterpark between the French and the Italian village. The main restaurant at the caribbean village lobby, reflections, is good for all 3 meals. We really liked the breakfast at the Italian village restaurant. Most of the restaurants are really cold - so bring a cardigan or eat outside, which is what we did most days. The roof top restaurant - Sky at the key west village is a must do, but it is adults only. The jerk Shak along the beach is amzing for your lunch time snack along the beach - with your feet in the sand. The Soy restaurant has some amazing sushi. The kids show every night is amazing with all the characters and the weekly parade is a must go to.

26 February 2020

The location is great, hotel itself and the hotel grounds are nice. We had a seaside view room on the 4th floor which was great. The rooms are clean and nice. The spa is fantastic and the gym is small but adequate. The food is good. We booked half board (dine around) and would have to say next time we would just book B&B as the extra you pay for half board (€26 per person per night) not including drinks (and a glass of wine is €6) is very expensive. If you go out in one of the local restaurants (there are many, Greek, Italian, pubs, and bars - Rockafellas, the love boat, fools and horses bar) that serve good food and drinks including cocktails for less then €26 per person. So our recommendation is to go out for lunch/dinners. The hotel has 3 restaurants - Kois ( Asian) has very good sushi and food and is worth the extras. Mama's is local food and is also the lunch restaurant. The lunch portions are very big and the so called light foods on the lunch menu are not exactly light. Most dinner dishes with chips. The beach is nice and water is beautiful, the beach does not belong to the hotel - it is public - which means you have to pay for your sun loungers and umbrellas. It's easy access and only a minute walk. Late check outs are available at about €30. There are showers and changing rooms available at the pool area you could use if you didn't want to pay for it. We also would suggest if you are not on the premium package which includes drinks to go out and buy your water and drinks such as coke or juices in the local supermarket. A 1l bottle of water in the hotel is €1.90 instead of €0.69 in the local supermarket. Clientele is mixed - from people in their early 30's like us to families with kids (likely due to half term starting) and more mature clients (50's).

26 February 2020

We stayed 3 nights at the Crane and the resort is a very layed back and quiet property. We are a couple in our early 30's and it was too quiet for us, whcih could be due to the time we travelled in May. The grounds of the property are very nice and clean. Our room was in building 5 and our 1 bedroom suite was huge and had a great layout. This meant we had no issues with sun loungers. Anyone looking for a quiet get away- it's probably perfect. The restaurants are very nice but a bit pricey. There is nothing in walking distance as far as restaurants, therefore unless you have a rental car or like to take a cab ride - you are limited to the 3 restaurants on property. The small market on property has a few things available such as pasta, fruit, yogurt, soda, water, cereal bars, etc. that you can have for lunch. An ATM is also available. The staff is nice and friendly. The beach was full of seaweed which the staff tried to clean up every morning. The sea is very choppy.

26 February 2020

Sandals Barbados is truly an amazing resort. Well done Sandals for making this property amazing and for finding the most amazing people to work for you. The grounds are beautiful and stunning day and night. We ate in 5 restaurants during our stay, Kimonos, Soy, Butch's Steakhouse, Bombay - and the food has been amazing in all of them. I am very glad to see an Indian restaurant being part of a sandals property now. The Nutella, banana pancakes at the French cafe are to die for. Having stayed at 3 other Sandals resorts, this is definitely the one which was hardest to leave. Our experience has been made even better because of our 3 Butlers, Bryan, Sharleen and Nicholas, who have been absolutely amazing. The amazing attention to detail from Bryan and his little surprises in our room every night made our stay even more special. Sharleen's enthusiasm and eagerness to please makes you feel as though nothing is too much trouble. Nicholas attentiveness in anticipating of our needs before we even realised ourselves meant we got so much without even asking. All 3 of them always appeared at the exact time we were thinking of getting a drink or some food. Our stay was made better because of them, thanks a lot guys! We appreciate everything you have done for us. Every single staff member appeared to enjoy what they do, from the maids, maintenance, gardeners, to the piano bartenders - Shakir and Kelvin - thanks for my tequila sunrises every night. The resort has a main pool - that generally is busy and has the hassle and bustle and activities during the day going on. But if you don't like that it also has 2 more pools that a are a lot quieter and a little further back in the resort. The resort is relatively small and therefore it is no problem to walk everywhere. There are enough sun loungers around the resort, there always have been empty ones in the pool areas in the back of the resort. The main pool and the beach area always has been busy. The only shortage are the umbrellas and it could do with a few more, however there are quite a few palms around that will provide some shade. We used the gym every day and it has nice equipment. All the restaurants have provided us with an amazing service, except for Soy- the food there was amazing, but the service was disappointing compared to the service we have been receiving in every other restaurant. We felt like we were ignored after our food was served and our glass were not refilled. Overall an amazing experience and would come back.

26 February 2020

There are 3 Iberostar hotels right next to each other. The Iberostar Fuerteventura, the Ibetostar Gaviotas Park, which is located behind the Gaviotas hotel. This means you are unable to see the ocean from the many areas and rooms of the Gaviotas Park hotel as it is blocked by the Gaviotas hotel. We are in our early 30's and the crowd is mostly more mature. We believe that we have been one of the youngest couples in the whole resort. There are many families with younger children though. The main crowd is German speaking, which was not an issue for us as I do speak the language. The food is mainly oriented towards German guests, but both me and my husband have found the buffet to be a good variation. The food is decent. We booked a room in the prestige star area, which I would definitely recommend, it is worth the extra cost. No kids under 16 years, very quiet and relaxing, no hassle for any sun loungers and it has a separate food/ snack and drinks bar. You are not limited to any specific restaurant time. The non-prestige guests have to pick a dinner time of either 18:30 or 19:30. There are 2 restaurants, the Atlantico and Aventura. You need reservation for the Aventura and it is only open Tuesday and Friday with 2 different set menus - Spanish and Italian. The prestige gym is good and has all new Technogym equipment. There is a timer on it and it does not open until 8am. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The Spa is located between the Gaviotas Park hotel and Gaviotas hotel. We both experienced messages at the spa, which were great, though the couples room we had was at the front of the spa and you could here lots of outside noise, ask for a room further back if possible. The access to the gym of the Gaviotas park hotel is via the spa entrance. As in many European hotels/resorts you have to pay for your safe. The in-house entertainment in the evening has been really good, the external one was a bit disappointing. There is a nice walk way/jogging/running path above the beach and below the hotel that makes for a great walk after dinner or before breakfast walk. You can walk into the nearby town area from the hotel in like 10-20 min walk and Morre Jable is like 10 min drive away with lots of souvenir shops and restaurants. The area is very windy and even though the temperature forecast has said 22 degrees every day, it's been 25-27 degrees daily and the sun is actually really hot and only the wind makes it cool down a little. We rented a car to get from the airport, which takes about 1 hour 10 min and is a very easy drive. We kept the car all week and did a couple of excursions around the island on our own.