The Crane Resort sits high above one of the island's best-known beaches, on the wild southeast coast of Barbados in the parish of St Philip. This is a different Barbados from the calm west and the lively south: the Atlantic rolls in, the pink-tinged sand of Crane Beach is wide and wind-swept, and the surf is strong enough that bodyboarders love it and cautious swimmers need to pay attention. The resort is big, with 364 rooms, suites and penthouses, and it works like a self-contained village with restaurants, pools, a spa, a gym, tennis courts and shops on site. Guests praise the helpful staff. It suits couples who want drama and scenery, families who want space and several pools, and longer stays where apartment-style rooms with full kitchens and balconies make sense. The airport is a short drive away, which makes arrival easy.
The rooms
Every room has air conditioning, a furnished balcony, a flat-screen television, a hair dryer, bathrobes and a wardrobe, and the units include a full-size refrigerator and freezer and a microwave, which makes it easier to eat in on some nights. Categories range from standard rooms and suites to larger penthouses, including a three-bedroom penthouse with a balcony, ocean view, plunge pool and rooftop terrace.
Views run from garden and pool to the sea, and the top units look straight out to the Atlantic. Larger units suit families and groups, and an extra bed can be added for a small daily charge.
Food, pools and activities
There are five restaurants on site serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, seafood and kids' meals, a beach bar, a poolside bar and a coffee shop. A buffet breakfast carries a surcharge. Five outdoor pools plus a children's pool are open from the morning until late evening, and the on-site spa, 24-hour gym and tennis courts handle rainy days.
Bike rentals are available, and surfing is a short walk from the clifftop to the beach below. Free parking, a free grocery shopping service for self-catering stays, a free manager's reception and an electric vehicle charging station are practical extras. Airport transfers and cruise terminal transfers can be arranged for a fee, and cruise transfers need advance notice, so contact the resort ahead of arrival.
What to know before you book
The swimming at Crane Beach is rougher than on the west coast, so check the flags and lifeguard guidance and keep children close. The southeast is quieter at night than the south coast, and you will want a rental car or taxis for restaurants beyond the property, Oistins and the west coast catamaran cruises.
Check-in begins at 4 PM, check-out is at noon, and the minimum check-in age is 18. Pets and service animals are not accepted. The resort is large, so request a room close to the facilities you plan to use, and check the total price including any local taxes and service charges before you pay.
Why stay here
- ✓Clifftop setting above Crane Beach
- ✓Five restaurants
- ✓Five outdoor pools and a children’s pool
- ✓On-site spa
- ✓24-hour gym and tennis courts
- ✓Balconies and full-size refrigerators in rooms
- ✓Penthouse with plunge pool and rooftop terrace
- ✓Free self-parking
Good questions
Is the beach good for swimming?+
Crane Beach is beautiful but exposed to the Atlantic, so waves and currents can be strong. Bodyboarding is popular, and the resort pools are a calmer option. Check flags and lifeguard guidance first.
Do I need a car?+
It helps. The resort has its own restaurants and shops, but Oistins, the south coast and the west coast are a taxi or rental car away, and the area is quiet in the evening.
Is it good for families?+
Yes. There are five pools and a children's pool, several restaurants with kids' meals, and rooms with refrigerators, microwaves and balconies. Larger units suit groups.
