IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Most of this information is practical , much of it is obvious but it is important that you read it and are comfortable with all the details . It combines straightforward facts and figures with extra hints we think you should have .
Hotels
OUR DESCRIPTIONS
The details provided in this holiday guide are , to our knowledge , correct at the time of going to press . Changes can and do take place in the course of the year . This can be before or after you book your holiday . However , changes can take place at very short notice , sometimes as a result of natural causes . It is our intention to provide you with the most comprehensive information possible and as and when we are advised of changes we do our best to advise you in turn .
CATEGORIES OF HOTELS
The hotels we feature in the Caribbean are some of the best on each island . In many cases they are , by accepted international opinion , the very best . However , plumbing , electrical fittings and door locks do vary from place to place and may not be exactly what you ’ re used to . The room type descriptions , e . g . Deluxe Suite , etc . are provided by the hotels themselves and are how they choose to describe their accommodation .
MINIMUM STAYS
Most of the hotels in this brochure have minimum stays over the Christmas and New Year period ( usually 12 or 14 nights ). At other times some might have minimum stays of one week . Sometimes the exact number of nights of the minimum stay will only be communicated at the time of making the booking with the hotel .
HOTEL FACILITIES
All are correct at the time of going to press , according to information supplied by the hotels themselves . Seasonal closing times can change and certain facilities are subject to mechanical problems , changes in the weather or require cleaning and can therefore be withdrawn at short notice without notification to us . If we know in advance we do our best to advise you in turn .
HOTEL SWIMMING POOLS
Pools do vary in size in the Caribbean . Some can be quite small , often due to restrictions on the use of water . Also , they do not usually have lifeguards present and children are requested not to use them without an adult present . You should not dive into pools if you are unaware of their depth .
HOTEL BEDROOMS
Caribbean hotels have rooms with queen size , king size and twin beds . Twins can sometimes be two queen size beds or two halves of a king size bed , made up with separate sheets but joined together . We can request for you but cannot guarantee a particular type of bed . Bathrooms usually contain shower and WC rather than bath and WC . A few of the hotels in this brochure feature ‘ open ’ rooms , i . e . they do not have walls and windows on four sides but on one or two sides they are completely open to the elements . If you are squeamish about insects and lizards for example you should not choose such a room . If in doubt ask us before you book .
AIR CONDITIONING OR NOT
Even at some of the most exclusive hotels in the Caribbean , you may not find air-conditioned bedrooms . Not to have air conditioning is usually a conscious decision of the hotelier to preserve a more natural ambience . Where there is no air conditioning , rooms have ceiling fans and often screened windows which allow for pleasant breezes . At hotels where windows are not screened or where rooms are open , mosquito nets are provided on request .
MEALS
When breakfast is included in the Caribbean it is usually ( but not necessarily , particularly on the French islands ) a full breakfast with a wide choice of cooked or cold foods . In some places it is just a continental breakfast . Sometimes if you want breakfast in your room it would be just a continental breakfast . Where dinner is included it is usually a fixed menu with choice that changes daily . At some hotels dinner is a choice from the à la carte menu .
VEGETARIAN MEALS
If you are a vegetarian you should advise us at the time of booking and we will advise the hotels accordingly .
DRESS CODE
The watchword is ‘ elegantly casual ’ for the evenings . Shorts , jeans and T-shirts are not allowed in the bar and restaurant areas of hotels in the evenings , after 6pm usually . Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie at most hotels at Christmas and New Year , with black tie being the norm on Christmas Eve and New Year ’ s Eve .
HOTEL SHOPS
Many of the hotels featured in this brochure have their own boutique selling a range of goods from holiday clothes , swimming costumes and hats to toiletries and suntan lotion .
Tree Top Suite at the Sandpiper , Barbados Phone 01392 441210 to make a reservation or discuss your holiday plans , or visit www . caribbeanexpressions . co . uk
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