V-Flyer

Hi there

Have enough miles to get 3 EC tix to BGI in March, so now looking at accomodation. Our son will be 3 by then and we would like to stay somewhere that has a decent kids club where we could leave him for the odd few hours here and there during our stay. I have started looking at prices and all the hotels with kids clubs seem to be all inclusive and hence ££££. We are not keen on AI and tend to want to explore a bit for food, or maybe have something in our room sometimes as it can be a bit tricky with a toddler eating out all the time.
Does anyone know of any hotels that might meet our criteria ? Prefer west coast, but other areas with nice beach considered.
We would ideally want somewhere that has kitchenette but still has access to hotel type facilities as above.
It may be that I am looking for something that does not exist ?

Many Thanks
L2H

Just be careful to check at what age any kids club can start from, many don't drop as young as three..
Personally eating out is one of those, more you do better they get.. Especially if you go prepared with "stuff" for them to do. Very rare to find somewhere with an issue ( plus you generally eat earlier). Have you thought about a villa/ apartment option? Sounds better alternative?? ( sorry can't help with BGI specifically)
NH

I stand to be corrected, but I don't think you're going to find a reasonably priced, standard board hotel with a kids' club on the West Coast.

If you can live with the South Coast (and personally, I don't think I could anymore; the proliferation of football tops and tattoos in St Lawrence is a worrying trend) then this here spot is a very good hotel with a kids' club that takes little 'uns from 3.

If your heart is set on the West (and I wouldn't blame you if it is) then I guess you'll have to put up with providing the children's entertainment yourselves. Speaking from recent experience, it's surprisingly easy: Pool/sea/sand are great diversions for parent and 3 year old alike. Sitters are relatively easy to come by and, as NH points out, most restaurants are happy to accept families.

Accomodation is expensive in Barbados (for what it is ) regardless of where you stay. If you're looking for somwhere with a kids club I would suggest biting the bullet and booking an AI deal on a package.
By the time you've paid taxes and accomodation there won't in all honesty be a huge saving in the difference between DIY and booking a package (particularly as the little one will qualify for a child discount with a package).IMHO Barbados is hardly the culinary capital of the universe (despite having some nice West Coast eateries) and room service charges often horrific :0 .
I quite like the South Coast,having stayed with and without Dragonbaby (when she was younger, but not quite as young as your little one) at The Crane (before it's recent horrific overdevelopment). The beaches are far more fun (big waves ) so suited daredevil DB (on her boogie board) and her aged mother (who wasn't quite so good on a boogie board ): )I would however avoid The Gap at all costs for the same reasons that mdvipond mentions and the huge volume of hookers that now accost every man walking through (even when accompanied by his nearest and dearest).
DL

Thanks both. Funnily enough we stayed at the Bougainvillea when we went to BGI in 2004, quite liked it and they were great when they thought hurricaine Ivan might hit (thankfully it was a near miss). We were in a 1 bed appt which was great as we could self cater. We were not sold on the beach and the area though which is why I want west coast.
You have confirmed my original thoughts so will have a look at the AI options again, and some of the others without childcare.
Our little one is really well behaved, and hence easily entertained so its not a bit issue.
I discussed with hubby and he prefers the option of a week in Cornwall at Bedruthan Steps Hotel Great hotel and beach, but weather not so nice.... ?|

Thanks again for the responses
L2H