V-Flyer

Anyone have experience of Barbados over the (school) half term period in mid Feb and Easter hols, very start of April?

I've been in early July twice, and it's very temporate, but is starting to get to the rainy period.

Any thoughts appreciated.

I've never been in February, but hear the weather is good being slap in the middle of their 'dry' season. Having said that, the main reason I've never been at that time of year is the price of accommodation. It can sometimes be twice as much as in the 'off season'.

April has long been our favourite time to visit. The weather's still great, hotel prices are better and the island is
generally quieter, so bars and restaurants are much more bearable (unless, of course, you prefer that 'packed' vibe...).

Bizarrely, you could probably return a favour here: I'm curious as to what early July is like in an attempt to fit in with Tizer's school hols. Have you experienced any significant rain going at that time of year?

We went in July a few years ago and the weather was fine - not guaranteed sunshine all 2 weeks as it was a bit cloudy and it rained most nights. Only rained during the day once.

A friend went in Juky last year and had a similar experience.

Was there for a week last August and it rained all day every day.

Thanks - looks like Easter might be a good bet - fitting into school hols.

My experience of July - and I'm talking early July here, as my daughter's school tends to finish 10/14 days ahead of mainstream schools was fine actually.

The weather was mostly warm - say 28-32 deg, and fairly humid.

It did rain - but it tended to be short, sharp downpours, that would come and go within 15 minutes.

We've had, maybe, 25% of the days totally dry, and maybe 1 day totally rained out.

On my limited experience of 2 visits at that time (plus one to come) I'd say it's a pretty good time, and the prices were reasonable.

Take your point re Feb - maybe best avoided.

Of course, we're all just generalising here, the weather worldwide is flaky these days, I guess I'm just looking for pointers to increase the odds of reasonable weather.

Tinkerbelle wrote:Was there for a week last August and it rained all day every day.

All day, every day for a week?? How miserable. Nowt to do but shelter in the hotel bar, I guess...

July sounds reasonable, but as Mr RIP points out, worldwide weather doesn't seem to follow the predictable patterns it once did.

I've been in the last week of February a few years back. On the whole it's a great time of year to visit, not as intense on the heat front and hardly any rain.

I think we had sun everyday, a few partly cloudy afternoons and just some rain one evening.

Can't speak for Barbados in April, although I did visit Antigua in April and it was beautiful!

I was there last Feb and the weather was perfect and not a drop of rain to be seen. The 'winter' breezes cool things down so it is really very pleasant.
Other months I've been in are March, April & May/June. The latter being very uncomfortable but not unbearable. 6 great days and one day of nothing but rain.

March I found to be just like Feb and April was starting to feel warmer but was still perfectly fine with the odd shower that cleared up quickly.

We are going in early March this year for no other reason than that is just what it fits in with our plans for the year. In future years I would look to go mid April because as mentioned above that is when room rates drop considerably.

daywalker wrote: In future years I would look to go mid April because as mentioned above that is when room rates drop considerably.

Actually the prices tend to depend on whenabouts Easter (and the school holidays) are in March/April. I haven't checked but this year, with Easter late, I doubt the prices will drop much before May. :0

mdvipond wrote:Bizarrely, you could probably return a favour here: I'm curious as to what early July is like in an attempt to fit in with Tizer's school hols. Have you experienced any significant rain going at that time of year?

Out of six times to the Caribbean, five have been July / August. Most have featured the occasional sharp shower, but only on one occasion have we had a full day's rain.

We arrived on May 1 one year and thought everyone at the hotel must have just started their hols too as they were so pale, then found out it had rained constantly for the previous 3 weeks! Luckily the sun decided to behave and we had 4 weeks of glorious weather.

HWVlover wrote:

daywalker wrote: In future years I would look to go mid April because as mentioned above that is when room rates drop considerably.

Actually the prices tend to depend on whenabouts Easter (and the school holidays) are in March/April. I haven't checked but this year, with Easter late, I doubt the prices will drop much before May. :0

Prices are down from 1st April in some places and 15 April just about everywhere else. That's a general trend I've noticed every year in Barbados regardless of when Easter is. What you say is true for flight prices but I wasn't talking about that

daywalker wrote:What you say is true for flight prices but I wasn't talking about that

Me neither.

But we are both right which is very good news!

Treasure Beach (chosen because I like the look of it), two peeps, 14 nights, Friday departures, price per peep, source VH website

Deps March 4th, 11th, 18th £3704
Dep March 25, £4089
Dep April 1st, £3758
No flights April 8th so no price
Dep April 15th, £2255
Dep April 22nd, £3114
Dep April 29th, £1760
Dep May 6th, £1544
etc etc

You picks your dates, you pays your price! But those going on April 15th will be feeling pretty smug.

And I have clearly got far too much time on my hands! ):

H'Dub - I'd appreciate it if you'd let Treasure Beach do their own marketing in future. We haven't booked yet, and if we find there's no availability due to an influx of V-Flyers, I'll be holding you personally responsible.

Joking apart, what fare class and room type are those prices for?

mdvipond wrote:an influx of V-Flyers

Sounds like fun!

mdvipond wrote:Joking apart, what fare class and room type are those prices for?

Those are on economy fares, breakfast only, Garden View suite

HWVlover wrote:

mdvipond wrote:an influx of V-Flyers

Sounds like fun!

There'd be standing room only a the bar, I would imagine.

HWVlover wrote:

daywalker wrote:What you say is true for flight prices but I wasn't talking about that

Me neither.

But we are both right which is very good news!

Treasure Beach (chosen because I like the look of it), two peeps, 14 nights, Friday departures, price per peep, source VH website

Deps March 4th, 11th, 18th £3704
Dep March 25, £4089
Dep April 1st, £3758
No flights April 8th so no price
Dep April 15th, £2255
Dep April 22nd, £3114
Dep April 29th, £1760
Dep May 6th, £1544
etc etc

You picks your dates, you pays your price! But those going on April 15th will be feeling pretty smug.

And I have clearly got far too much time on my hands! ):

If we aren't talking about flight prices (which we're not) then why bring up example pricing that includes flights (which are definitely affected by easter and schools etc) It makes your pricing irrelevant!

Here you go:
http://www.treasurebeachhotel.com/rate-card.html
Treasure beach do have special offers on from May 1st and select dates in Feb.

My dates/prices theory holds true for the Fairmont and Hilton as well as some condos too.

I do wish people would stop bandying the name of dear old Treasure Beach about. It's bad enough that it found its way into the VH brochure last year.

Stay at the Fairmont people or, better still, Sandy Lane! Much nicer than that pokey Treasure Beach place. Honest.

Been to Barbados in May, June and August before
Last we went was August 2008 and the weather was beautiful, only rained once whereas in the previous year in May it seemed to rain more.
Having said that, went to Antigua in July last year and it rained everyday, and was very windy. Guess it's just hit and miss!