The Crane, Barbados
Encyclopedia
The Crane is a place in Saint Philip in Barbados
.
island of Barbados
. It is located approximately six minutes east (by car) of the Grantley Adams International Airport
, on the South Eastern coast of Barbados. This historic resort was first opened in 1898, making it the first resort hotel in Barbados.
The original Crane Hotel building was initially the Marine Villa Mansion. The style of this building’s windows and casements suggests that it was constructed in 1790. The well preserved building remains relatively untouched by modern alterations.
In 1886, the Marine Villa was enlarged by a civil engineer by the name of Donald Simpson. He initiated the construction of the south wing and the Marine Villa became a functioning hotel.
The Crane has always been a hideaway for some of the world’s “rich and famous.” In 1890 the famous American cowboy “Wild Bill” Hickock vacationed at The Crane and left his gold chain as payment for his room.
architect John Stoddart
, comprises three free-form lagoon pools that are set into the cliff side and are connected by three waterfalls. A fourth infinity edge pool lies between two restored ruins at the top of the complex.
an and Caribbean dishes, D'onofrios' serves Italian cuisine while Zen, is a Thai
and Japan
ese restaurant. L' Azure and Zen restaurants are located at the top of The Crane cliff overlooking the ocean and beach while D'onofrios' is located in Resort's village complex. The Carraige House boasts of more casual dining and overlooks the Hotel's extensive pool complex.
. It is situated between protective rock outcroppings, making it a very secluded spot. The waters of the south eastern coast of Barbados provide opportunities to bodysurf
and boogey board.
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
.
The crane beach and resort
The Crane is a resort hotel on the CaribbeanCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
island of Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
. It is located approximately six minutes east (by car) of the Grantley Adams International Airport
Grantley Adams International Airport
Grantley Adams International Airport , is found in Seawell, Christ Church on the island of Barbados. The former name of the airport was Seawell Airport before being dedicated in honour of the first Premier of Barbados, Sir Grantley Herbert Adams in 1976. The airport's timezone is GMT –4, and is...
, on the South Eastern coast of Barbados. This historic resort was first opened in 1898, making it the first resort hotel in Barbados.
History
Two centuries ago, the formation of the Crane Beach’s protective coral reef permitted small trading ships to sail in and out and a small commercial port to develop. On the cliff where the Crane presently stands, was a crane used for raising and lowering cargo. The district is named after this crane.The original Crane Hotel building was initially the Marine Villa Mansion. The style of this building’s windows and casements suggests that it was constructed in 1790. The well preserved building remains relatively untouched by modern alterations.
In 1886, the Marine Villa was enlarged by a civil engineer by the name of Donald Simpson. He initiated the construction of the south wing and the Marine Villa became a functioning hotel.
The Crane has always been a hideaway for some of the world’s “rich and famous.” In 1890 the famous American cowboy “Wild Bill” Hickock vacationed at The Crane and left his gold chain as payment for his room.
The "Horse"
On the far south side of The Crane, there lies a hidden entrance to a series of descending stone steps cut into the curving cliff. First constructed in the 18th century, as a discreet bathing place, this stairway allowed ladies to experience the pleasures of sea-bathing without being improperly exposed.The hotel today
Today, in addition to the original hotel, the property includes a series of new buildings and a 1.5 acres (6,070.3 m²) pool complex. Though recently constructed, the classic architecture of the modern buildings is not incongruous with the architectural style of the original building. The pool complex, designed by VenezuelanVenezuelan people
Venezuelan people are from a multiethnic nation in South America called Venezuela. Venezuelans are predominantly Roman Catholic and speak Spanish, and a majority of them are the result of a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
architect John Stoddart
John Stoddart
Sir John Stoddart was a writer and lawyer, and editor of The Times.-Biography:Stoddart, eldest son of John Stoddart, lieutenant in the Royal Navy, was born at Salisbury. His only sister, Sarah, married, on 1 May 1808, William Hazlitt. He was educated at Salisbury grammar school, and matriculated...
, comprises three free-form lagoon pools that are set into the cliff side and are connected by three waterfalls. A fourth infinity edge pool lies between two restored ruins at the top of the complex.
Restaurants
The Crane currently operates four restaurants, L’Azure, Carraige House, D'Onofrios' and Zen. L’Azure, serves EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and Caribbean dishes, D'onofrios' serves Italian cuisine while Zen, is a Thai
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese restaurant. L' Azure and Zen restaurants are located at the top of The Crane cliff overlooking the ocean and beach while D'onofrios' is located in Resort's village complex. The Carraige House boasts of more casual dining and overlooks the Hotel's extensive pool complex.
The beach
The crane beach was named “one of the Ten Best Beaches in the world” by Lifestyles of the Rich and FamousLifestyles of the Rich and Famous
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous is a television series that aired in syndication from 1984 to 1995. The show featured the extravagant lifestyles of wealthy entertainers, athletes and business moguls....
. It is situated between protective rock outcroppings, making it a very secluded spot. The waters of the south eastern coast of Barbados provide opportunities to bodysurf
Bodysurfing
Bodysurfing is the art and sport of riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device such as a surfboard or bodyboard. Bodysurfers typically equip themselves only with a pair of specialized swimfins that stay on during turbulent conditions and optimize propulsion.-Technique:To get on the...
and boogey board.