….   xx Jane

A great time on a catamaran cruise in Barbados

If there’s one activity I recommend to all who visit Barbados it’s a catamaran cruise.  How much do I love it?  Let me count the ways:

1.  You get to swim with our magnificent giant sea turtles.  Nothing beats communing up close & personal with these beautiful, gentle, ancient creatures.

2.  It’s a fabulous way to see the west coast of the island.  The cats take you to prime snorkeling areas to see coral, shipwrecks, the turtles, and stunning beaches.

3.  It’s a full day but not a long day.  You leave around 10 a.m. and return around 2:30 or 3.  Libations flow and a fabulous lunch are included.

4.  It’s fun and yet not a “booze cruise” or party boat (unless you book it privately – then it can be pretty much anything you want).  It’s a great time for grandparents, families, and couples.

5.  The boat has plenty of shade – or you can lie out in the sun, your choice.

6.  The crews working on the boats are first-rate: friendly, helpful, engaging, and highly professional.

Don’t you notice that it’s people who make or break an experience?  Even the beautiful turtles can’t make up for a crew member who’s unpleasant.

I’ve been on Tiami (also here) cat cruises numerous times and each time the crew has been remarkable.  My aunt Shirley, who’s 80, has a bad foot; a crew member told Shirley she was his girlfriend for the day and took special notice of her throughout the cruise.  Even though she couldn’t get into the water, my aunt had a fabulous time.

Working with the public can be draining; I wondered how the Tiami crews maintain their energy and enthusiasm.  I had the chance to ask Denis Roach, CEO of Tall Ships, which runs the Tiami (and other) cruises.

The sea beneath our cat

“Boredom is the destruction of good service, ” Denis told me.

When he interviews prospective employees, Denis said, he asks what their dream job is.  If they answer it’s to work on one of his boats, he probes until he gets an honest answer about long-term goals.  He wants a mutual understanding that this is a transient position.  As such, burn-out and boredom don’t happen.

Denis even helps long-term goals be realized by helping out with tuition at community college; currently one is studying food & beverage service and the other engineering.  He also pays 50% of their medical coverage: “You’ve got to be happy when you go to work,” he says.

Ahoy, mates! Uh oh, watch out: that's me behind the wheel!

Happy employees are also ones who know they can do the job.  To that end, all Tiami captains have annual training in St Vincent’s sailing school and all staff are continually being trained in safety by an employee who used to work for the coast guard.

Happy sailing!  I’ve never heard a bad thing about any of the cat companies in Barbados.  Click to see details (some with reviews) to choose which suits you best.  If I’ve forgotten anyone, please let me know!

Stiletto

Cool Runnings

Heatwave

Dreams

Shasa (here, too)

El Tigre

Silver Moon

Rubaiyat

Tiami

]]> http://planetbarbadosblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=1160 8 http://planetbarbadosblog.com/?p=1149 http://planetbarbadosblog.com/?p=1149#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:14:52 +0000 Jane Shattuck Hoyos http://onelovebarbados.com/?p=1149

Yes, please, I'd love a discount.

The whole world’s on sale these days.  Of course, some offers are worth more than others.  A “meal deal” at a burger barn?  Even if it’s free, no thanks.  But this offer is one I can pull my chair up to.  And it is free!

It’s the Barbados Gourmet Card.  The card entitles diners in Barbados a big 25% discount off meals at fabulous restaurants all over the island through December 15.  Greg and I just received ours in the mail today and already it’s burning a hole in my tummy … I mean pocket ….

The card is backed by Michael Winner, who describes himself as “food critic, film director, and general nuisance.”  Mr. Winner calls Barbados a “culinary paradise.”  He should know; he’s been visiting and eating on the island for 27 years.

Hmmm, where might we dine tonight …  with the card I can choose Caribbean, Indian, Thai, Polynesian, and Italian cuisines along with famous Bajan specialties.  My mouth waters thinking of the possibilities ….  Calabaza, Elbow Room, Josef’s, Waterfront Cafe, Josef’s, The Grille, Whispers on the Bay, Brown Sugar, Scarlet, and many others.

I’ve seen restaurant discount cards that I’d be embarrassed to use.  This one is discreet; when you call to make reservations, just mention you’ll be using the card and then, at the end of the meal, give it to the waiter along with your payment.  Also, the web site for the card is excellent, with reviews of the restaurants (I wrote a little review of Josef’s, which is next door to us) along with recipes of favorite island dishes.

To learn more, visit the Barbados gourmet card site.  Or e-mail information@barbadosgourmetcard.com, or call 44 20 7636 9448 (in the UK) or 246-427-2623 (in Barbados).

Eat up!

Ummm, which image to use to illustrate this blog post? Hey, things are bleak enough to warrant either ... or both.

Aqua, one of my favorite restaurants (and site of Greg’s and my wedding in January) closed last Friday.  On that day, employees were called in for a 5 p.m. meeting and told the beautiful seaside gourmet Hastings restaurant along the new boardwalk would no longer be serving, effective immediately.

I spoke with one of the owners on Saturday (a brother-in-law of mine). He said that he saw signs of a slowdown last April, a year ago.  A few months ago he stopped serving lunch to shore up his dinner business.  Sadly, it wasn’t enough.

I’ve been lucky in my holiday rental business.  Here at St Lawrence Beach Condominiums, I let a holiday rental that I own and another six owned by others.  Throughout 2008 and this year through April, the places have been occupied by happy travelers over 90% of the time.

This month is different.  Bookings dropped faster in May than George Bush’s popularity. Some apartments have no more than a week’s booking this month.  Yes, it’s “low season,” but last year we were fat with guests who came to take advantage of the attractive low-season rates.

This year, low-season rates aren’t attractive enough.  I receive around two queries a day offering to pay around $875US for a week’s rental.  This is $125 a day, nearly a 40% discount off the usual $200 rental price.

You might argue that a night in which we have no booking is lost forever and even $5 would have been more than zero. I can see this logic, of course, but still I don’t entertain these offers.  I’m not talking here about offering a night free when someone books a week or giving a 10% discount if at least five nights are booked; those are rewards and I offer both of these frequently. I’m talking here about prices that are so out of sync with what’s offered as to be laughable. I’m talking about Hyatt accommodations at Motel 6 prices.

Here’s why I don’t slash prices in Barbados’ current economy:  First, perception of a product or service is critical to marketing. I used to market a large regional symphony orchestra in the US;  in my market research of concert-goers I learned that audience members who paid full- or very nearly full-price for their tickets perceived the orchestra as being higher quality than audience members who bought tickets at a steep discount.

Translate this to holiday rental accommodations: The person who pays the stated price has a perception that the accommodation is a higher quality (and more valuable) than the person who pays a budget price.  Also, it’s human nature to treat things we value more better than things we don’t.  I very much value what I sell – and want our guests to as well. When you were a kid and saved your lawn-mowing or baby-sitting money to buy a bike, didn’t you prize your new bike more highly than if you were given one?

Suite #8, "One Love," at St Lawrence Beach Condos

Second, I hold my price because once we’ve gone “budget” we no longer have the “value” proposition to sell.  The value we offer is stunning and it’s a niche I am committed to developing:  for $200US nightly, our guests receive a beachside spacious/clean/nicely decorated apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, brand new kitchens, and, of course, and a view that would knock the socks off even the most jaded traveler.  I’ve seen people wound tighter than a $2 watch melt when they first take in the beauty and fresh smell of the sea; five days here and our guests look a decade younger.

Look at this photo: it’s of heaven on earth and is at our guests’ fingertips.  I’d be interested in your opinions on pricing during an economic slump.  My gut and past marketing experience tell me to hold onto the integrity of our current pricing.  Even if it means a very long and lonely summer.

Our guests awaken to this. I mean, really. It's magic. I took this from Suite #11, "Deja Blue."

I just wanted to share with you a photo of the inaugural guests, mother and daughter Jane & Francesca.  They arrived at 11 a.m. this morning and seem delighted to be in Barbados and in this spankin’ new apartment.

As you know, three weeks ago, #8 was nothing but, um, what you see here: no appliances, no hot water, no drapes, only one working electrical plug, no furniture, and no air-conditioning (the AC electrical wires hanging out of the wall, which I managed to poke my eye with more than once, are awfully attractive, though, don’t you think?):

Sampling color options ... (Btw, have you ever noticed that "before" pics are almost always fuzzy?)

What impressed me was that, even in such a state, this lovely Canadian was willing to rent the place 1) sight-unseen, 2) unfinished, 3) from a complete stranger whom she couldn’t necessarily trust to have it in good enough condition for habitation on such short notice, and 4) never having been to Barbados before.  I warned Jane that the appliances might not arrive before she did … she went ahead and rented it anyway.  She told me this morning she just had a good sense about it.

Fortunately, the place WAS finished on time, showing that Type A personalities are good for something … Hmm, but I do miss those eye-pokers hanging out of the wall ….

Welcome to Barbados, Jane & Francesca!

My little “before and after” show follows … (if you’re into this sort of thing, you can see some of my work here on my StagingBarbados site). I love before/afters. I blame long Jet Blue flights watching “Design on a Dime”-type shows five hours straight for this addiction.

(Hey, what are we doing inside so much these days??  Really, you and I both should get out more. In fact, this minute we should be dancing in the sunshine at Reggae on the Hill. Ahem, right after this …)

Living room, "before"

Same view, "after"

Living room "bar" wall, "before" (the wooden thing there is the day bed that would eventually go into the second bedroom)

Same area, "after"

Second bedroom, "before"

Second bedroom, "after"

Kitchen, "before"

Kitchen, "after" (no particular thanks to me on this one ... just shows the teeth filling in the gaps in the smile

Master bedroom, "before" (doesn't show mirrors to the right)

Master bedroom, same area, "after"

Master bedroom looking into living room, "before." (Gosh, these blurry photos really do enhance the before-ness, don't they? I thought I had auto-focus on on my camera, but I apparently didn't.)

Same view, "after"

At its core, this sweet little place is a concrete shoebox-shaped apartment with a drop-dead gorgeous view.  Now that it’s dressed-up I hope guests will experience as a cozy getaway.  Of course, the main attraction is still the sea right outside.  ($200US a night during low season ($300US nightly during high) … taxes and view included!)

Tomorrow I’ll post a few before-and-after shots.

How difficult do you think it is to find lamp shades in Barbados? I went to four places and finally found these at - get this - Woolworth's. The good news is they were only $5US each.

This bar is from Dwellings; it stores wine glasses and much else down below. The mirror and photos are from Walkers World. I love seeing the reflection of the sea in the mirror. That mirror, btw, covers up an ill-placed fuse box.

The patio is dreamy, with a gentle breeze off the sea. It never receives direct sun (it faces southeast), so guests can lounge here any time of day or night. I bought these pretty dishes and silverware from Walkers World.

I love hearing children playing in the surf. You can swim out really far and still only be waist-deep. The jetty is the perfect place to watch the sun set. Last night, I counted 8 of us admiring the golden-orange-red sunset as it appeared to sink into the sea.

Bedroom detail. I'm a traveler who judges a place, in part, by the quality of its linens (can't believe I just admitted that), so how could I use anything but the best in my own rental properties?

Okay, now we get to what it's all about. I hope our guests feel the peace of the sea, the warmth, the breeze, and the beauty. Living here brings me serenity; I hope it does our guests, too.

]]> http://planetbarbadosblog.com/?feed=rss2&p=793 6 http://planetbarbadosblog.com/?p=666 http://planetbarbadosblog.com/?p=666#comments Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:51:10 +0000 Jane Shattuck Hoyos http://onelovebarbados.com/?p=666

Last evening's view from the master bedroom of Apt #8 at St Lawrence Beach Condos, Barbados

This morning's view from Apt #8 at St Lawrence Beach Condos, Barbados, in the heart of the lively St Lawrence Gap. I took this from the outdoor patio.

#8 Living room - obviously "before"

#8 Master bedroom, before

#8 Where the bar will go in living room

Paint is a start ... Apt #8 at St Lawrence Beach Condos, Barbados

Good morning!  I’m hugely interested in living spaces – what they look like, what might be done with them to make them pretty and livable – and I adore transforming them from “drab” to “fab” … without spending ridiculous amounts of money.  Here’s a peek at my current project.

I’m in the process of getting Apt #8 at St Lawrence Beach Condos in shape for rental; it’s a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo on the 2nd floor (3rd floor from the back of the building).  Appliances and AC should be in this week (patience, Jane, patience…. this is the Caribbean, remember).  It was painted a couple of days ago (do you like the color? It works for me but maybe it’s too bold for other people, I don’t know …).  Furniture is being delivered Tuesday.

Funny.  I ponder the colors, the placement of things, what I’ll add to dress the place up, etc etc.  Then I look outside and have to laugh at myself for obsessing … Nature has this process down pat!

I’ll keep you posted; I sure can’t compete with nature.  I can only hope to complement and pay my respects to the perfection of Barbados’ natural beauty.

Have a great day

The story is about a man who complains to his rabbi that his home is too small for the family.  Too crowded.  Chaotic.

Lord, could I relate.  Before my husband Greg and I gave up our apartment for a week so that a family from St Louis could have its Barbados holiday (see the story of my foul-up here), I regularly complained that our 1100-square-foot apartment was too small for us.

Yes, the view is beautiful, but the living space, I argued, was meant for people on holiday, not for two people to live day in and day out. Particularly with one of us working at home … Yep, I decided, the place was just too darned small.  Too crowded.  Chaotic.

I didn’t consult a rabbi; instead I proposed we buy Condo #1 here at St Lawrence Beach Condominiums.  It’s got three bedrooms and quite a bit more living space.

Crunching numbers, we realized we cannot afford Condo #1.

The man’s rabbi did not recommend he buy a larger condo.  Instead, he recommended the man bring some chickens and roosters into his home.

Puzzled, the man went home and brought the animals into his already-crowded house.  Things got worse.

Could I relate … The family from St Louis took our place and we moved into Condo #8 in the same building.

Things were way worse in #8 than they had ever been in our own place.  We may as well have had chickens for the chaos of our lives the week we spent in #8.  #8 actually hasn’t earned the title of “condo” yet as it’s hardly more than a construction site:  it has running water only in the two very small bathrooms, no draperies, no furniture, no AC, no appliances, no TV, no DVD.

Lots of dust and one bare bulb in the living room for reading at night.

We set up a king bed in the living room, bought a Styrofoam ice chest and made the best of things.  Trying to stay positive, Greg and I would periodically look at the other then outside, nod, and say, “great view.”

The man in the Yiddish parable went back to his rabbi and complained that now, with the chickens and roosters, everything was utter pandemonium in his household.

The rabbi told the man to bring in some goats.

“Oy vey,” the puzzled man said … he did as he was told and brought in goats.

The place was an utter madhouse.

As with us in #8, clothes piled on the dusty floors, dirty plastic bowls stacking up in what will someday be a kitchen, Greg and me arguing over who misplaced our two spoons, ice melting in our Styrofoam ice chest faster than we could dump the melted ice and get new.

Finally, in utter despair, the man said to the rabbi, “Rabbi, it’s horrible. I cannot stand my home.  It’s wretched and horrible and I’m going mad with the chaos.”

The rabbi said, “Go home and get rid of the chickens and the roosters and the goats.”

The man did so.

On Saturday evening, the folks from St Louis left and Greg and I moved back into our little two-bedroom condo.

Getting rid of the animals in his home, the man felt perfect peace … his place seemed quiet, peaceful, lovely in all ways.  He’d never known such happiness in his home. He thanked the rabbi for solving all his problems.

Likewise, Greg and I waltzed into our place and spun through it with complete joy.  “It’s so beautiful,” we exclaimed, as though we’d never seen our apartment before.  “Wow … space!” we exclaimed as we danced around.  “A place for everything!”

Did I used to complain about the paradise in which we live?  I can’t remember now … I just know I love our beautiful home.

Did I tell you how spacious it is?

It’s not about the number of stars.  It’s about the ambiance of the place.  Look at this place … Nope, I wouldn’t and if I’m ever there, I won’t:

No-Name, No-Sex Hotel

I don’t care how much in love I am or how hot for my guy I might be … this environment is not gonna get him any.  Greg and I have a couple of times chosen, um, unwisely.  In Antigua recently, I chose the place we stayed. Looked pretty great online.  The place even looked okay from the outside once we got there.  But the moment we entered the room, I looked at him, and shook my head.  He knew.

He found us new accommodations the next morning.

I mention this because I rent out condos at the St Lawrence Beach Condominiums in Barbados.  And really and truly, no matter how great the view (and the sea views of these condos would knock the socks off even the most jaded traveler), the sex appeal of the actual accommodation itself still matters.  Greg and I live in one condo at St Lawrence Beach Condos and own a second one that we let as a holiday rental.

Now, before I get into the getting-cozy part, I need to give the uninitiated some background info on Barbados’ south coast buildings.

Here in Barbados buildings aren’t so much constructed as assembled. New places are going up down the Gap; I watch the workers erect large pre-manufactured concrete slabs to make walls, floors, and ceilings as though they’re giant kids’ toys.  One concrete slab, then another at a perpendicular angle, window and openings pre-cut. God help the workers who might mistake a wall for a floor and end up with windows in odd places …

The net effect of this building method is that structures here on the south coast of Barbados lack architectural charm.  Nary a detail suggests that a building might have been lovingly crafted or might have come from the imagination of a developer who wants to offer something to this beautiful island that is as special as the island itself.

I realize that building is expensive, but this method of so-called construction is a crying shame.

Yet I own two of them.  One concrete box is my home.  Another is my rental property.  The challenge for Miss-it’s-gotta-be-sexy is that the concrete box Greg and I live in needs to be cozy enough to be our home. The other concrete box needs to be cozy and attractive enough to charge money for.  A to-die-for view is fabulous to have, but it’s just not enough; anyway, you can’t see the dreamy aqua sea at night …

When I decorated both these places, the guiding force in my mind was: Would I want to get cozy here?

All my getting-cozy talk is hardly as salacious as it sounds (sorry) … it’s just a way to describe an atmosphere I wish to create for my new husband and me as well as for renters coming from halfway across the globe to visit Barbados.

I’m happy to report that, um, Greg and I have a cozy life together.  And from the glows of the people renting from us one floor below, I think I’ve done pretty well with the rental apartment, too.

There’s a Part II to this blog post; stay tuned.  In the meantime …

Let me slip into something more comfortable at #11, St Lawrence Beach Condominiums in Barbados

I lived in Albuquerque for 13 years.  The best thing I can say about Albuquerque is that it’s easy to find a parking spot there.

As a city, I didn’t love Albuquerque. But I learned something really important there:  You can’t tell how rich someone is by looking at them.  Not like you can on the East Coast where wealth is broadcast as plainly as a funny fez hat broadcasts membership in a men’s lodgers’ club. Let’s see, what’s the I-am-rich checklist in New York, New York, and Boston?  Louis Vuitton briefcase? Check.  Rolex watch? Check.  Manolo shoes?  Check.  Mercedes Benz?  Check.

In Albuquerque, the guy in jeans and a muddy cowboy boots might be as wealthy as the bling-y guy from Boston with the LV briefcase – you just wouldn’t see his wealth.

Actually, the same is true to a lesser extent in my home state of Colorado, where my ancestors homesteaded land that is still a working farm today.  When my uncle wrote me that he’d love to give me away at my wedding he asked if he could wear his overalls.  He was kidding, but I wasn’t kidding when I wrote back that I’d be proud if he did.

So. I didn’t know how to respond to the gentleman who inquired about a holiday rental at St Lawrence Beach Condominiums yesterday.  He asked me, “How would you classify the neighbourhood that the Condo is located in: high end, middle/average or Blue Collar?”

Meet Tony, owner of Silverback Gorilla Catamaran Rental, based on Dover Beach in St Lawrence Gap, Barbados

I actually had never thought about how one might characterize the south coast of Barbados or St Lawrence Gap with regard to wealth of the neighborhood.  I was flummoxed.  I’m so caught up in how blessedly authentic the south coast is as a holiday destination … Real people live and work and play here and that’s what I see.

We eat like kings seaside at Josef’s next door, walk hand-in-hand on Dover Beach, take an afternoon swim in the sea, kick back at Southern Palms with a rum punch, trade small talk with the street vendors … it’s not that money is completely unimportant – it’s just not the focus of life.  And whatever Four Seasons-type resort St Lawrence Gap lacks, it makes up for in character with its roosters and occasional green monkey, scruffy Reggae Lounge, and, er, actual characters.  God bless ‘em.

Still can’t answer the gentleman’s question.  What would you have said??  (Nothing snarky now…!)

I worried about the Canadian folks who breezed into my Barbados holiday rental with Louis Vuitton luggage and no apparent concern of my rental rules, bringing six when I allow only four … arriving with too little US currency to pay the bill up front.  I worried, Would they trash the place? Spill something? Steal something? Bring in yet more friends and family?

I kicked myself for not sending them away the moment I laid eyes on the six of these arrogant rule-breakers.  Kicked myself for being patient with their lack of payment and then, for good measure, kicked myself for accepting non-US currency.

I considered keeping their deposit. Yes, that’s what I’d do: I keep their deposit.  Not because I wanted their money or even to “teach them a lesson” but rather to help myself feel less like the pushover I clearly am.

The day of their departure came. They asked for a late check-out.

Of course. Why wouldn’t they?

Grumble. “Yeah, sure,” I said.

My self-disgust grew.

I decided I would definitely keep their deposit.

Finally it was time for them to leave. I met them at the apartment at the time they said they’d depart.

I expected them not to be ready.

But they were. They were completely packed, the place was spotless. Their faces had changed since I first met them three days before. The six of them were … more attractive …. nicer … dare I say friendly?  They laughed easily, they were warm, and talked animatedly about the fantastic time they’d had on the island.

They were completely adorable.

I returned their deposit in full.  We hugged.  They left.