Planning to visit Barbados? Here's a review of Sandy Lane, one of the island's most exclusive resorts. It's extracted from the Third Edition of The Adventure Guide To Barbados by Harry S. Pariser. Copyright 1995, Hunter Publishing. All rights reserved.
Set on a 380-acre sugar estate, the exclusive Sandy Lane Hotel (tel. 432-1311, fax 432-2954) was first opened in 1961 and was renovated in 1991 and again during1994. A member of Forte Exclusive Hotels, Elegant Resorts of Barbados, and Leading Hotels of the World, the Sandy Lane was envisioned by its founder Ronald Tree as "an elegant country house party in English tradition."
During the nearly 30 years of its existence, Sandy Lane has welcomed many of the high-and-mighty. Among those who have sojurned here have included the likes of Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, Princess Margaret, Elton John, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Kevin Costner, Fidel Castro, Claudette Colbert and David Niven. Run since the mid-1960s by the Forte Hotels, the hotel was built by the late Ronald Tree who spared no expense in its construction. Portugese masons worked on the bathrooms, and Tree designed much of the furniture himself. Its golf course for many years was the only 18-hole course on the island. Tree brought his wealthy friends with him, and the neighboring 380-acre Sandy Lane Estates contains more than 100 luxurious dwellings valued at between US$350,000-$3 million each! Nearby Sunset Crest is a French-designed condo complex. The hotel has been extensively refurbished in recent years, and it has attractive furniture and a beautiful chandelier in the lobby which were designed by Heather Aguilar-Swan.
On the premises are a 3,000 sq. ft. free-form freshwater swimming pool. Complimentary watersports include snorkeling windsurfing, waterskiing, and hobie cat and sunfish sailing. Golf and tennis lessons are available; there are five tennis courts (two are illuminated at night), and the golf course (scheduled to expand from 18 to 36 holes) is one of the finest in the island. Use of both tennis courts and golf course is complimentary. A special Tree House Club will babysit your children while educating them; other special young adult activities are available.
The hotel has 30 suites and 91 double rooms. Suites and exclusive rooms have TV; in other rooms it is available for an additional charge. All rooms and suites have a/c, clock radios, telephones, room safes, mini bars, hair-dryers, and private patios or balconies. Newly renovated suites have huge bathrooms with climb-in marble baths, mirrors, glass-door showers, and a separate toilet chamber with toilet and bidet. There are a total of three phones, and the stationary comes with your name embossed. The hotel also has a number of shops; transfers to and from the airport are in Rolls or private cab. Honeymoon, "Classic Gold," diving, golf, diving, and other packages are available. Rates run from B$900 for a garden view room off season to B$4,400 for the penthouse during the high season. Airport transfers, welcome champagne bottle and fruit basket, breakfast and dinner, and numerous other amenities are included in your stay. A total of 15% is added for tax and service. For more information call 800-225-5843.
Overlooking the ocean, The Sandy Lane Restaurant (tel. 432-1311) is one of the nation's most elegant dining spots, one which compares favorably with the best European bistros. Its menus combine French, Bajan, and international cuisines, and its food . Dress here is generally "elegantly casual." Administered by Executive Chef Hans Schweitzer, the restaurant offers a daily afternoon tea, a Sunday traditional lunch, and a Friday evening buffet. Dinner offers unique starters such as "kingfish sashimi with lemon and yellow peppers," "avenelles of dorado simmered in a chardonnay wine sauce," or "lasagne of local vegetables with leek creme." Delicious soups are offered such as "chilled tomato soup with avocado guacamole" or "pink prawn bisque with fine champagne." Main courses are such delights as "cavalli fish marinated with fresh coconut and citrus baked in banana leaves" or "St. Vincent coral lobster served in an exotic manner with brunoise of mango, papaya, and spring onions." One entree is reserved for "nutritional cuisine." Even the rolls here are out of the ordinary: you have your choice of three varieties! After the main course, a waitperson will come by with a sterling silver brush to "crumb" your table. Dessert includes such delights as "praline and chocolate pyramid" and "plateau of cheeses served with crisp celery and grapes." Dinner comes to B$178 pp without drinks. Breakfasts are served buffet fashion and include such luxuries as smoked salmon and made-to-request omelettes. Sandy Lane's more casual Seashell Restaurant and Beach Restaurant (buffet lunches) are open only during high season.
For more information on the rest of Barbados, you may purchase The Adventure Guide to Barbados ($15.95; IBSN 1-55650-707-0) which is available at your local bookstore. (Request them to order it from Hunter or from Ingram if it is not in stock).
Copies of The Adventure Guide To Barbados may also be ordered directly from Harry S. Pariser (1327 9th Av., No. 1, San Francisco, CA 94122) at the above address for US$20 (check or money order); copies are shipped via priority mail. Please mark ╥BOOK ORDER╙ on the envelope.
Other books by Harry S. Pariser include the The Adventure Guide to the Dominican Republic, (Second Edition) $14.95; The Adventure Guide to Costa Rica, (Third Edition: Feb. 1996) $15.95 ("best-balanced, most comprehensive guide"--Lan Sluder, Tico Times); The Adventure Guide to the Virgin Islands (Third Edition) $14.95; The Adventure Guide to Puerto Rico, (Second Edition) $14.95; and Jamaica: A Visitor's Guide $14.95 (Third Edition).
All are available from Hunter Publishing, 300 Raritan Parkway, Edison, NJ 08818. Call (908-225-1900) or fax (908-417-0482). Also distributed nationwide by Ingram. For more information contact Harry S. Pariser at (415) 665-4829 or send e-mail to salsa@slip.net
Copies may also be ordered from Harry S. Pariser at the above address for US$20 (check or money order); copies are shipped via priority mail. Please mark ╥BOOK ORDER╙ on the envelope.
