The Crane Resort is perched on a cliff-top in southeast Barbados, overlooking the lovely Crane Beach, with panoramic views of the ocean. The area benefits enormously from fresh tradewinds blowing from the Atlantic, giving welcome respite from the sometimes-sweltering temperatures. The resort is a blend of the original building - opened in 1887 - and the newly-built resort, which offers spacious residences, a shopping village, a range of dining options, five pools a spa, tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

The facilities

Facilities are plentiful and extensive. The main pool area boasts a 1.5 acres multi-cascading pool and Jacuzzi complex, whilst the beach is renowned as being the only pink-sand stretch on the island, and is perfect for boogie-boarding.

There are plentiful dining options, from continental cuisine at L'Azure Restaurant - the setting for the famous Sunday Gospel Breakfast Brunch and Sunday steel-pan lunch buffet, to authentic Japanese and Thai cuisine at Zen (Zagat's top-rated restaurant in Barbados 09). D'Onofro's, located within the Crane Village, offers Southern Italian cuisine and The Carriage House poolside restaurant serves light lunches and cocktails.

The rooms

Each of the Crane Resort's 203 guestrooms and suites are elegant and refined, in keeping with the communal areas. Each boasts complimentary internet access, air-conditioning, flat screen televisions and private safes. The grand residences have balconies, fully-equipped kitchens, private plunge pools and spa showers.