When are you thinking of going Fiona? I am tentatively looking too , but not sure about the weather in 'our summer'

July- early on. there will be rain at times but it shouldn't be too bad. Liquid sunshine

Unfortunately you will not recognise that part of Barbados anymore. A lot of the hotels and restaurants have now been closed and replaced with the latest trend - condoniums.

The West coast of Barbados is like a building site when we were there last. Mother nature is also not very nice to Barbados with a lot of beach erosion which is even more notable on the already narrow West coast beaches.

Mark

funnily enough the beach had disappeared just outside our hotel not long after we were last there but its now back.

Hi Fiona - long time no speaky! Just back once more from Sunswept and the beach is back Plenty of Restuarants open, what used to be Baku is now The Beach House (ex Coach House from Paynes Bay - which is now derelict - but Bomba's across the road is now the Blue Monkey and is good) - however I digress - Beach House.... although it is nice I was a bit disappointed with our meal. Angry Annies still good for a cheap and cheerful meal. Tides - excellant. Also just opened almost opp Cocomos (which is still as good as ever by the way) is a Just Grillin - excellant food and very cheap too although basic.

As Mark says though it is sad to see how Barbados has changed - condo's being built everywhere.

thanks Heather. We would be returning to Sunswept and have already had an email from them about prices. Is it still good? Are the deckchairs any better The sunsets will still be just as good We did love it when we went but in October the restaurants were taking turn about opening and so it was quite quiet. I fancy happy hour at Cocomos again!

Happy TWO hours Fiona We just had the week there as had our first week over at Bougainvillea on the South Coast. And NO the loungers are just the same! The staff are lovely though, some pici's here if you want to take a peek...........

can't grt link to work hold on...........

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/kefalosblues/Barbados2008?authkey=3iY6MWKdYf0

There you go!

lovely photos and they bring back memories. funnily enough the other hotel we are looking at is bougainvillea

It's lovely - we are lucky enough to have a weeks timeshare there so have just spent our 8th visit for a week.
But must admit I prefer the sea over at Holetown - easier to get in and out, though the beach at Bugainvillea (as you will see from picis) is stunning

we will definitely be hiring a car so Im not too bothered re beaches but we don't want to take the car out at night so as long as there will be plenty open in Holetown then it should be ok. We have been thinking about trying to find another good budget hotel in the Gap area so we can have a twin centre. Don't really want to spend a fortune on hotels as within a few weeks after that we will be off to Belize( part business/part holiday). I know Bougainvillea is not a budget choice so we might have to reconsider( always been meaning to try it but might have to wait for another time )

Fiona - have just heard via another forum ...

*Sorry, have had to delete the info as it's from another forum and subject to copyright law. Please feel free to post a link or send Fi a PM Pippy*

Hope they get it sorted out soon. how sad.
Heather