The Crane Resort

We are experienced travelers who always balance our expectations of a restaurant or hotel with the price charged and the marketing hype of the establishment. The location, infrastructure, rooms and amenities were all satisfactory or above. Unfortunately, the price and hype far exceeded the level of service we received. Charging a 5 star price should get you 5 star service, at best we got 2 star. The major complaints were the front desk and transport staff and the 1887 bar and grill. Front Desk - we told an agent we were considering returning in Nov for a week with another couple and asked if we could see a 2 bedroom unit. After much conversation on the phone with someone, we were told none were available then, but to come back late afternoon. When we returned, no one knew about our request and a young man said he would arrange it and to come back later, when we did, once again, no one knew anything. Also, we arranged transport to the cruise port though the hotel, we were told to wait in the lobby and someone would contact us when the driver arrived. Of course, no one contacted us. The Crane can certainly not expect us in the Fall. 1887 Bar and Grill - Horrible service from the staff combined with no communication by them with the kitchen. We were the first customers to order lunch, burger, fries and salad. After repeated requests for our food, a COLD burger, room temp fries and a salad were delivered after 35 minutes. We sent the burger and fries back and asked for fresh, hot ones, 25 minutes later we got the same burger, warm, burnt and totally dry and fresh fries. FYI - read the review dated March 18 by GirlLikesTravel - she provides a similar and more specific review which I totally agree with. Too bad, they have a huge investment which is ruined by poor people and process management.

I stayed at The Crane Resort on my first ever solo trip, to celebrate my birthday. From the time of arrival, the service was exceptional! Diangelo checked me in, and couldn’t be more kind and welcoming. It was just what I needed to settle the nerves if this new adventure. The property exceeded my expectations. I was there for rest and relaxation and it was the ideal setting for that. All of the hotel staff were exceptional from beginning to end. Upon check out Aryana was so wonderful. My flight got cancelled and they couldn’t be more supportive in ensuring I could extend my stay for one more night, and everything was taken care of. I couldn’t be more content with this experience and would certainly return! Special shout out to Cory, Anthony, and Sonja, you were all so amazing! Give thanks!

Close to airport. Very friendly staff. Clean and grounds imaculate. Several restaurants on sight. One accross from main entrance, La Shack is excellent. Property is not within walking distance of much so unless you rent a car or cab it(fairly expensive) plan on staying put onsight. The people of Barbados are friendly and very hard working. Many stores close at 6 . Driving is difficult with narrow poorly maintained roads that zig zag across the island in no rhime or reason. The beauty and people still far outweighs these shortcomings. Rooms well appointed and several pools to choose from besides beach. Fav restaurant on island was Champers in Chritchurch.

This is a tough review to write, because the property itself is so lovely, and the resort COULD BE a five star resort. For this to happen, the management needs to make some serious adjustments across many departments. THE GOOD. This resort is so pretty: parts are classic (think "Pirates of the Caribbean") and other parts are newer (contemporary). There is a good flow throughout the property, the landscaping is well done, and it truly has great bones. The rooms are nicely appointed and roomy, and would be easy to keep clean. There is a "village" with a cafe/ice cream shoppe, a commissary/store, and areas to sit, gather and relax. The nightly music in the village is fun and enjoyable: steel drums one night, a fiddler, and a singer on other nights. The beach is good if you like big waves. The beach staff does a nice job setting up chairs and umbrellas against a fierce wind. While we were there seaweed was an larger issue than usual, but the resort will offer you a shuttle to another beach if it bothers you (it didn't really bother us). Two of the restaurants are can't miss (Poesia and Zen); the second is Zagat rated and deservedly so. THE BAD. Almost everything needs to be better managed. The staff in general is aloof or annoyed rather than friendly. At one point, the one worker at the general store was ignoring the line and baking cookies for a long time, it did feel deliberate and guests were exchanging glances. Finally, a guest said very nicely, 'excuse me, there is a long line' and the worker started bickering and fighting with him in front of a lot of other guests. It was really uncomfortable. HOUSEKEEPING: When we arrived, our room was not clean (see photos). I spoke with housekeeping, and asked for daily cleaning before 2pm. They came the next day at 4pm as we were resting and showering and I reminded them I had asked for cleanings before 2pm. The next day, they came at 4:30 and said there is no record of my two previous requests for earlier cleaning. I gave up and we would just sit in one room while they cleaned for the rest of the stay. RESTAURANTS/EATERIES: Two restaurants are amazing (see above). The other two restaurants take much too long to fulfill orders (Azure and Carriage House), and the staff is not friendly. Room service takes a really REALLY long time; add an hour to the time you are told. The cafe has a lovely looking menu, but everything we asked for they said 'no. we don't have that today' for the entire week. The general store offers basic food, snacks, and drinks. It would be a good resource but has one employee who was surly and rude and I never went back after the argument she had with a guest. GYM: The gym does not have enough cardio machines for a resort of this size and there is always a wait for equipment at all times of the day. No wipes (Eww), instead one spray bottle and paper sheets, but most people don't use it (eww again). TRANSPORTATION/LOGISTICS: Due to seaweed, a shuttle to another beach was offered. 50 people signed up so two buses were needed.... which they did not arrange, despite having the list! A group of 25 waited for a second bus for over half an hour. On the way back, the return bus left without a bunch of guests and had to turn back to pick them up making the whole return trip almost two hours. STAFF: The staff has not been trained to be friendly or accommodating, so they are not. There are a few exceptions, some lovely people, but the vast majority of the staff comes off as annoyed or overwhelmed, and are unhelpful and unable to handle issues effectively. VALUE: Given the number of issues here, the price is not justifiable. I'm always honest in my reviews, and I've never been so sad to write one. This property is so great and I would love to say that, period. Issues arise almost anywhere you go; the mark of a well run property is how, when, and by whom those issues are addressed. The resort had many chances to make things better, and missed every time. If we had received an apology and a smile with one or two of the issues we encountered, I would be writing a different review. I do hope there is a major change by management because in the right hands, this place could be wonderful. I truly wish this resort the best of luck and hope to return under better management and staffing.

Sonia and I have visited for a week and our experience has been outstanding. The room is beautiful, the beach, lovely, the food at the various restaurants excellent and the service superb. Every single member of staff has been genuine, friendly, helpful and positive. A special mention to the amazing Charisse who was in charge of our room. Sonia has mobility issues, and every person went out of their way to make sure that she never missed out on an activity or experience. Nothing was too much trouble. We are both really grateful.