Accommodation Review: The Crane Resort Review

A couple weekends ago Melanie and I decided to stay at The Crane Residential Resort to have a bit of a 'time out' and see what the resort was all about. We both have been there prior, however not since all of its additions and extensions. It is simply amazing that such a beautiful, luxurious and 'complete' resort has such charm and history attached to it. Not one of those cookie cutter models, evidence suggests that the Crane Residential Resort is in fact the oldest operating hotel in the Caribbean Region, and its beach, well is 'to die for' of course. Let us take you on a short journey back to 1790 (well not that short I suppose) when the mansion called Marine Villa was developed. During this time, the formation of coral reef just outside the Crane beach allowed small trading ships to sail in and out of the natural harbour safely and as a result, a small commercial port was developed. On the cliff, adjacent to where the resort now stands was a crane which raised and lowered cargo, hence where the district's name came about.

In 1886, civil engineer Donald Simpson bought Marine Villa and the idea of enlarging the house and opening it as a hotel was conceived. You see, Simpson's hotel venture was encouraged by the development of the railway in 1881 to Sunbury Plantation from Bridgetown. Four coral stone apartments were added to Marine Villa and these exist in almost its original state. This enlargement would be the first of many to come. 

The Crane Residential Resort has been featured from the beginning as a one of a kind hotel by "The Red Book of the West Indies" in 1922 and "fielding's Guide to the Caribbean" in 1971. More recently it was named one of the "top ten beaches of the world" by the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and one of the 50 must see places in the world" by BBC-TV's Holiday Program. 

Current Owner, Paul Doyle has completely restored The Crane Residential Resort while maintaining its old world feel and charm. Taking advantage of the natural landscape, 'out of the world' views, and talented human resources, the Crane has everything you could ever want in a vacation. From elegant rooms, to the breathtaking beach, to the Village which has various unique shops, to homemade ice cream, to multiple internationally diverse restaurants, to bars canopied by coconut trees - it is a simple dream which can become your reality; where you can escape and leave the rest of the world behind (I know that is certainly what we did).