Easy Escapes: The Crane Resort is Barbados' most peaceful wellness retreat on the lesser-known east coast

The Crane Resort, considered Barbados’ oldest hotel, is a secluded hideaway for those seeking a Caribbean retreat that feels like true escapism. Barbados is known for its laid-back charm and postcard-perfect beaches, but as one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean, it’s also teeming with tourists during peak season from December to April.

For those who want to escape the crowds and reconnect with nature on a wellness retreat, Crane Resort offers spacious rooms, a relaxing spa, and extensive tropical gardens comprising over 40 acres, with an emphasis on tranquillity and privacy.

Crane Resort is tucked away on a cliff edge on Barbados’ lesser-travelled East Coast, overlooking the powder pink sands of Crane Beach and showcasing the island’s beauty at its most raw. Crane Beach is one of the most picturesque on the island, famous for its unique combination of surf-ready Atlantic waves and calmer, swimmable coves, the coral-tinged stretch of sand lined with beach bars serving up tropical punch.

While the location might feel more rustic, Crane Resort offers a luxurious base to retreat to, with all the bells and whistles you would expect from a five-star hotel, including the lavender-scented Serenity Spa, with its enviable cliff-top location.

The resort is steeped in history, originally a base for local tradesmen attracted by the cooler breezes and wilder landscapes on this side of the island. Its 19th-century grandeur has been well preserved, a blend of original architecture and modern luxury that’s synonymous with Barbados hotels.

ROOMS

The Crane Resort is a sprawling estate with 252 rooms spread across its 40 acres, with winding, tree-lined walkways looping in between turreted blocks.

The hotel’s 18 Oceanfront Suites are the most luxurious accommodation options in the hotel, boasting high ceilings, mahogany four-poster beds and antique furniture - not to mention panoramic ocean views with terraces built for relaxing during spectacular sunsets. Several of these suites feature original coral stone walls that are over 200 years old, giving an insight into the hotel’s history.

EAST AT CRANE RESORT

EAST, a resort within Crane Resort, offers further seclusion with contemporary one, two, and three-bedroom villas, each with its own private infinity pool.

EAST’s villas are designed for longer stays with a ‘home-from-home’ feel and can be booked through a timeshare system (called, in this case, Fractional Ownership).

EAST is a bucket-list destination for nature lovers, surrounded by a vast National Park. 99% of Barbados’ East Coast has been preserved as protected space so its nature can be enjoyed by future generations, with the remaining 1% respectfully developed into the East resort.

FOOD & DRINK

Barbados is widely considered the foodie capital of the Caribbean, with no shortage of delicious food, whether it’s fine dining or casual bites in the island’s rum shops. If you want to be in the thick of Barbados’ restaurant scene, you’ll need to take a taxi to places like St. Lawrence Gap, a lively strip of bars and restaurants, or to Holetown on the West Coast, which offers more upscale dining.

For something closer, there are plenty of dining options at Crane Resort. L'Azure serves authentic Bajan dishes with an impressive Sunday buffet lunch where diners can sample classic dishes such as coucou and steamed flying fish, macaroni pie and fried plantain.

Dinner options include locally caught pan-seared mahi-mahi with spicy lentils and a West Indian-style chicken curry. There’s also Zen, a Thai/Japanese hybrid restaurant perched on the cliff overlooking Crane Beach, boasting magnificent sunset views.

For something more casual, try the Carriage House - Crane Hotel’s original restaurant, a charming poolside grill serving up seafood and tropical cocktails or D'Onofrio's Trattoria, a more informal restaurant serving southern Italian classics in Crane Village, a shopping hub set within the grounds.

ACTIVITIES

The beach is a big draw for guests at The Crane Resort, which is accessible by a spiral staircase or glass elevator from the hotel. Visitors can rent loungers and umbrellas and bask in Crane Beach’s beauty, enjoy fresh fish and rum punch from local vendors or enjoy water sports like bodyboarding or surfing, splashing around in the beginner-friendly waves.

The Serenity Spa offers a complete escape from reality, rumoured to be a hangout for A-Listers on the island who want to relax in privacy. After enjoying an afternoon swimming in one of the hotel's lagoon-like pools or relaxing in the cliff-side jacuzzi, guests can fully unwind in one of the lavender-scented treatment rooms, with massages and facials themed around native Caribbean ingredients and the traditional music. Try the Calypso Cool Massage, which echoes the rhythms of calypso music.

The Crane Village is the resort's community hub, featuring fashion boutiques and galleries, as well as suppliers for those choosing to self-cater. Every Wednesday, the Village becomes an open-air market where guests can wander through the cobbled-stone streets, sample local delicacies, and shop for local arts and crafts.

If you’re looking for somewhere in the heart of the action in Barbados, this might not be the hotel for you. But if you’re a fan of self-contained resorts and prefer to avoid the crowds and embrace nature, Crane Resort is secluded enough to allow guests to fully unplug and experience a more tranquil side of Barbados.

NEED TO KNOWS

Stay at The Crane Resort from USD £350 per room, per night in a Junior Suite on a room-only basis. Rate includes VAT and service charge. To book, visit thecrane.com.

Stay at EAST from £254 per room, per night for a Junior Suite with Pool, on a room-only basis, exclusive of taxes and fees. For more information or to book, visit eastresort.com.

Address: The Crane Resort, St Philip, Barbados