My Barbados Blog

I'm always excited this time of the year when making reservations to Barbados, my favorite Caribbean vacation home.

After 13 years, it feels like home. We've made so many friends on the island, and have built lasting relationships with our Divi Timeshare members, especially Ann who lives in New York. In fact I need to call her and let her know where we've made reservations.

I love the Gap, and although we have stayed on the West and Southeast coast, the St Lawrence Gap just feels right.

I know just about every inch of the place, and can hardly wait until January, 2006. By then this Indiana weather has turned bitter cold, and starting in December the thought of sunny blue skies, warm water and our many friends barely contains me through the holidays. (View of the Yellow Bird hotel shown above)

I made a commitment to clients who have asked for affordable lodging on the island. Since Travel 2 the Caribbean specializes in Barbados vacations, I don't like to recommend places I have not seen or stayed - especially lodging in the budget category.

There's nothing worse than arriving far away from home and realizing your hotel or resort is not what you expected. So, we started renting out our two week timeshare unit, and staying at other properties to get a first hand view of the facilities and service. By the way, our timeshare is already rented!

As for the St Lawrence Gap area, my husband and I have stayed at Casuarina, Turtle Beach, Rainbow Reef, Southern Palms, Divi Southwinds (we own a timeshare there), The Marabelle, The Rostrevor, and the Bagshot House around the corner from the Gap. To complete our review of the Gap, this year it was a choice between South Gap or The Yellow Bird.

South Gap had a 1 bedroom oceanview available, but The Yellow Bird had the penthouse available, so the penthouse it was! I was so impressed with Geeta Chatrani, who responded so quickly to my e-mail request, and took the time to answer lots of questions. Many times it can take a day or two before I get a response about inquiries, so it was refreshing to get a quick response.

About The Yellow Bird:

The Yellow Bird is a small 20 room hotel, located at the end of St. Lawrence Gap, on the south coast of Barbados. It sits directly across the street from the St Lawrence Bay which leads to Sandy Beach.

I love Sandy Beach, which is like a big warm bath tub, and you can walk far out in the water - a great place to lay back and float. At low tide in the bay, you can walk to Sandy Beach rather than accessing the narrow street on the highway.

Around the corner at our timeshare Divi, you can access Dover Beach, which is my most favorite spot. I've spent more days than I can remember at Dover.

All the accommodations at Yellow Bird are oceanfront, and most of the units are affordable studio apartments. (shown left) Other amenities include A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool, FREE Internet access, kitchenette and private balcony. The kitchenette includes a microwave, toaster and coffee maker. Also local phone calls are free - my kind of place!

They also offer a spacious two bedroom Penthouse apartment that can accommodate up to 4 people, and an extra bed can be provided for a 5th person. There is an extra charge for the 5th person. Both of the bedrooms have A/C, and ceiling fans.

One of the Penthouse bedrooms has a King bed, (shown to the left) and the other bedroom has 2 single beds. This is the perfect place for families, or friends.

The rate is the same for 1-4 persons staying in the Penthouse, $10 extra per night for 5th guest.

The living room area is an open plan, shared with the dining and large kitchen.

The bathroom has a jacuzzi tub and shower (shown to the left).

The balcony is equipped with coffee table and chairs, and get this, and the Penthouse has private access to the roof via a spiral staircase. We are going to have such fun!!!

The well-equipped kitchen in the Penthouse includes a fridge/freezer, gas oven, microwave, toaster and a coffee maker (shown at left).

A kitchen or kitchenette is a must in Barbados, and most accommodations offer either one or the other. Food can be expensive on the tourist route, however local Bajan restaurants are quite reasonable.

Since the island offers world class dining, you owe it to yourself to dine out a few nights at one of the nicer restaurants. However for stays longer than a week, food does become an issue, and some nights you just want to stay in and cool out. We always go to the grocery store the next morning after arrival and stock up on a few staples.

The hotel's restaurant is the popular Bay Bistro which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wonderful view of the bay.

The restaurant serves both Bajan and International Cuisine, and is a favorite handout with locals and visitors. 

So, I think we made a good choice for our upcoming Barbados vacation, and will get a chance to view the studio apartments. We will give a full report upon return. 

Summer Rates per night 2005

Studio (Single) $75; Studio (Double) $85; Studio (Triple) $95;

2 Bedroom Penthouse $130 up to 4 people - $10 extra per night for 5th person

Winter Rates per night 2005 - 2006

Studio (Single) $110; Studio (Double) $130; Studio Triple $140 

2 Bedroom Penthouse $175 up to 4 people - $10 extra per night for 5th person

Summer Rates per night 2006

Studio (Single) $80; Studio (Double) $90; Studio (Triple) $100

2 Bedroom Penthouse $140 up to 4 people - $10 extra per night for 5th person

These rates are quite affordable to be right in the action of the St Lawrence Gap with an oceanview apartment.

About the St Lawrence Gap:

The "Gap" is the hot spot of the island. Located on the south coast, this area is  a mile long walkway of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shops. You can dine at first class restaurants, mid range or have budget meals at local Bajan establishments. 

Many of the restaurants do not open for lunch, however when the sun goes down the "Gap" comes alive. Hundreds of visitors and locals stroll the mile long street from one end to the other.

If you'd like a choice of two great beaches, at least 20 restaurants, nightlife and activity, the Gap is the place to be.

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