Barbados Update

Dec 01, 2010

Barbados is keeping things fresh with increased airlift, a new resort attraction and a pair of renovations. Beginning Dec. 16, American Airlines will offer three-times-per-week nonstop flights to Barbados from its Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) hub. The flights will operate from Dallas to Barbados with a southbound schedule of Thursday, Saturday and Monday and northbound departures on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday. The flight will be operated with Boeing 757 aircraft with 22 seats in Business Class and 166 in Economy.

Barbados, which has a traditional market from the northeast and south, now has feeder service from the Midwest, Southwest and West Coast markets including Dallas/Fourt Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, Omaha and Reno.

Hotel Updates
The Crane is a venerable Barbadian luxury resort on the island’s Southeast coast. The Crane comprises a historic hotel dating back to the 1700s and a resort complex with suites and residences with fully equipped kitchens, private plunge pools and Jacuzzis. The property’s newly opened Crane Village is modeled after a traditional 18th-century Barbadian village. Here, guests can dine al fresco at D’Onofrio’s and snack on Bajan tapas at Bar 1887.

Tamarind Cove Hotel (part of the Elegant Hotels Group), which had been closed for six months, reopened last month as Tamarind by Elegant Hotels, revealing modernized guestrooms, the addition of a spa and relaxation space, and two redesigned restaurants. The former Sasso was reborn as a stylish late-night poolside tapas lounge, and the Tangiers Restaurant now showcases a deck overlooking the ocean. Pool and communal areas at Tamarind now have contemporary sun-loungers, day beds and decks.

The Fairmont Royal Pavilion also reopened last month following a two-month renovation program. The colonial-style resort debuted a new room category, Beachfront Junior Suites with private terraces. Guests booking a junior suite will also benefit from an airport fast track service, which includes a personal escort through the diplomatic area in immigration and customs, personalized check-in and check-out, dedicated butler service, daily in-room amenities and complimentary evening canapes. Rates for beachfront Junior Suites start at $700, excluding taxes.