Recommend February 2011 - (Page 40)

HIgH-ENd, low-key continued from page 38 are given so many treats for the money that they consider it luxury.” Elements that extremely picky travelers are accustomed to—amenities like marble or porcelain bathrooms, for example—are notably missing here. So why is Little Arches making its mark on so many luxury hot lists? King says it’s because the hotel doesn’t skimp on key elements of luxury travel like gourmet food and personalized service. Little Arches’ onsite restaurant Cafe Luna, for example, was listed among the top three dining experiences in Barbados by Zagat—an impressive feat anywhere, but especially in this foodie paradise. “It’s a little hideaway place,” King describes. “They brought in a Canadian chef who used to cook for the movie industry. His cuisine has always been top level. By year two of our operations, everyone”—from locals to travel-savvy diners in New York and London—“had noticed his food.” With Mediterranean dishes personalized with local ingredients and flavors, Cafe Luna has attracted a following all across the island. But Little Arches’ guests reap the biggest benefits. “The chef is a personality, too—he’ll come out and play guitar with the guests, drink with them, even take them golfing,” King explains. “He’s especially welcoming to returning guests. There’s a very ‘this is the dish I prepared just for you’ kind of feeling. It’s some of the freshest food you can find, with a very personalized approach.” Personalized touches like that are possible because of another huge difference between Little Arches and the west coast’s luxury resorts. Far from the enormity of properties modeled after plantations, Little Arches is comprised of only 10 rooms. That, plus its location in a quiet, unexpected corner of the south coast, guarantees guests here will never want for privacy. “It’s an unorthodox place. That’s why we’ve acquired an ‘off the beaten path, hidden gem’ kind of stamp,” King explains. And while privacy is the primary benefit of Little Arches, an important runner-up is the difference in pricing from more well-known properties. “It’s a nice, refined setting for a lower price than the west coast,” King says. “The pull is affordable luxury.” The specialist tour operator selling Little Arches is GOGO Worldwide Vacations. Rates at Little Arches start at $350 dbl or sgl. luxe packages Of course, clients with a more traditional definition of Bajan luxury will find there’s plenty to go around, especially on the west coast. The renowned Sandy Lane resort that King referenced above is still doing what it does best, providing high-end vacation experiences in an idyllic country club setting. The property’s 2011 packages run the gamut such as Body and Soul Retreat, a 5-night package including a room upgrade, a personalized fitness assessment and wellness plan set by a private instructor, Pilates and yoga clinics and one $100 spa credit, with rates from $4,800 pp. Revel in Paradise was designed more with couples in mind, including both a candlelight dinner and catamaran cruise for two, plus either a $100 spa credit or one round of golf pp, with rates starting at $6,000 for five nights. And Renew, Revive, Relax appeals to anyone 40 february 2011 looking for a break from the grind, with a spa credit, a round of golf or a private golf lesson, and one lunch for two, starting at $4,000. Clients staying at The Crane can enjoy its recent expansion, adding modern restaurants, shops and a new spa to a property that dates back to 1887. Work on the resort is ongoing, with some 1- and 2-bedroom condos still under construction. But when it comes to amenities for resort guests, everything is completed, including The Crane Village, a collection of shops offering jewelry, Bajan handcrafted items, fine art and more; and Bar 1887, a new gathering place for nightlife seekers with live entertainment nightly. The expansion also added a handful of residences with sea and park views; a cascading pool complex measuring 1.5 acres; and Zen restaurant, with Thai and Japanese cuisine recognized by Zagat as one of the best in Barbados. The Crane Bliss package adds a touch of romance to the new amenities, with dinner for two in Zen or L’Azure restaurants, an in-room 60minute couple’s massage, and one prepared candlelit bath with rose petals. Fresh flowers upon arrival, a chilled bottle of wine and a guaranteed upgrade to a room with a private plunge pool are also included. Rates start at $490 dbl. At The Sandpiper, a 47-room member of the Small Leading Hotels of the World, clients won’t have to worry about claiming their personal space. Its two 1-bedroom Tree Top Suites combine a bedroom with king size bed with a covered terrace, open sundeck and private pool, plus a living room big enough to sprawl out in, and enormous bathroom facilities including walk-in showers and large, modern bathtub—and they’re meant for a maximum of two guests. Clients traveling in a group can book The Beach House, The Sandpiper’s 3-bedroom villa on the beach with a wrap-around terrace giving all guests a unique view of the ocean. And though it’s set slightly apart from the rest of The Sandpiper’s rooms, guests won’t have to give up any of the benefits of staying at the resort, including complimentary watersports and tennis lessons, transfers into Bridgetown and flowers and drinks on arrival. Rates for the Tree Top Suites start at $2,495 dbl per night through April 24, and drop to $1,265 from April 25 to Oct. 11; rates for renting out the entire 3-bedroom Beach House start at $2,300 per night through April 24, and drop to $1,200 from April 25 to Oct. 11. Regular room reservations start at $765 per night dbl. n Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Barbados: Back to Work (November 2010) contact information The Crane: (866) 978-5942; thecrane.com Little Arches: littlearches.com The Sandpiper: (800) 223-1108; sandpiperbarbados.com Sandy Lane: (866) 444-4080; sandylane.com recommend.com http://www.recommend.com http://www.thecrane.com http://www.littlearches.com http://www.sandpiperbarbados.com http://www.sandylane.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Crystal Cruises' Serenity
Flights of Fancy With One&Only Cape Town
South African Airways
South Africa Set to Score Big in 2011
Fantastical Fiji
Luxury Lands in Puerto Rico
Grenada
Barbados: High-End, Low-Key
Bermuda Scales Back
Peru is Gaga Over Luxury
Starry Arizona
Acqualina Resort & Spa, Florida
Baden-Baden, Germany
New Choices in Luxury Tweak Mexico's Landscape
Invigorating Girl Escapes

Recommend February 2011