Brief: A couple want to stay in a chic, modern hotel in Barbados for a week in August. They’ve heard the island has great food so want to stay on a B&B basis close to restaurants – can the agent recommend any?
Budget: £3,000.
Verdict: Bromley agents know Barbados, and the winner offered a comprehensive service.
Blue Door Travel
Blue Door Travel87 Beckenham Lane
Score: 41%
I did not feel I got the full service I required from this agent. I felt rushed and was asked only a couple of questions about my needs. I had to volunteer information, as initially the agent wasn’t looking for what I required, assuming I wanted all-inclusive.
I was given quotes for the Colony Club with Virgin for £2,500, the Tamarind with Kuoni for £2,971, and The Crane with Kuoni for £2,862. The agent didn’t try a range of dates to find different prices and when I asked for a cost breakdown and what was included I was told to look the holiday up myself.
I felt I could have got more information searching on the internet than from this agent.
Thomson
Thomson1 Widmore Road
Score: 89%
An agent who was happy to help acknowledged me as soon as I entered. I was made to feel welcome and was asked detailed questions about what type of holiday I wanted and whether I had been to Barbados before.
The agent struggled slightly to find packages that were on a B&B, rather than an all-inclusive basis, but was able to offer Coconut Court for £2,050 and Tamarind for £2,750, both with Thomson Tailormade. I was shown the holidays in the brochure, which I was given, along with quotes.
The agent told me about insurance but could have offered more information on other extras. She took my details, but didn’t offer to follow up my enquiry.
Flight Centre
Flight Centre19 High Street
Score: 91%
The agent here was very knowledgeable, having been to Barbados herself. She could recommend the best part of the island to visit, and after asking plenty of questions, spent time looking for the most suitable holiday for me.
She also asked how flexible my dates were so she could try and lower the price. We still ended up a little over budget on one, but she checked this was OK before quoting me £3,312 to stay at the Coral Reef Club, and £2,656 at Tamarind, both with Virgin Atlantic flights, which she rated highly.
I wasn’t offered add-ons or a follow-up call, but the agent was very friendly and positive, and I would recommend this shop to others.
Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook139-141 High Street
Score: 94%
This agent was extremely friendly, and keen to find the most suitable holiday for me. Although she hadn’t been to Barbados, she said her uncle had been many times and that it was a wonderful island.
I wasn’t rushed, and once she had determined my exact requirements she spent time finding the right option to suit me, calling one operator to explore different options to those she found on the web.
I was offered Southern Palms for £2,390 with Virgin Holidays, and the Accra Beach Hotel for £2,120 with Thomas Cook Signature, and was given print-outs and brochures to take home.
I was shown the location of the hotels on a map and encouraged to consider ocean view accommodation to get the full benefit of the beautiful island. The agent gave advice on insurance, offered car hire and told me about a prepaid currency card.
Winning agent: Sharon Aiton, travel consultant
“Customers have often saved up for a long time for their holiday, so you have to be conscious how important it is – you’re selling them a dream.”
Top tips
- Bajan cuisine is famous for its variety of influences, and clients can eat out in local joints well and cheaply. The seafood is great, and local specialities include flying fish with cou-cou (okra and cornmeal).
- The west coast is the hotspot for high-end dining – The Cliff serves seafood and overlooks a palm-fringed cove, and Daphne’s is an Italian with a beachside setting.
- For dining variety when going all-inclusive, The Elegant Hotels group is offering guests on meal plans a dine-around scheme at sister properties Colony Club Hotel, Tamarind, Crystal Cove Hotel and Turtle Beach Resort.
- Foodies might like to make their trip coincide with the Barbados Food, Wine and Rum Festival, running from November 18-21.
- For more on Barbados, see page 43 of Destinations and Gazetteers.com