Virgin Holidays View
This superb family resort, spread out over 32 acres, has attractive, landscaped gardens and a proper village atmosphere to it, courtesy of the excellent facilities. It's fantastically child-friendly with all kinds of daily activities for 4-15 years, from Calypso dancing classes to pool activities (there's also a free nursery for babies and toddlers from newborn-4 years), but the resort realises that parents or couples need a little time on their own too, and offers a child-free (no under 16s) section of the resort, including 3 interconnecting pools and an Italian gourmet adults-only restaurant. While the kids have fun in their club - you can have fun trying out the huge range of free activities in the excellent all-inclusive package. There's a 9-hole, par-3 pitch 'n' putt golf course and water sports generously include water-skiing. On land, there's floodlit tennis and a fitness centre for a calorie-burning workout. Dining choices include Italian, Bajan, seafood and Continental. 3 weekly floor shows, daily entertainment and a nightly disco keep everybody in high spirits the whole night through. A free shuttle allows guests to visit Almond Casuarina Beach and Almond Beach Club & Spa (adult only).
Where is it?
On a West Coast beach. 30 min to Bridgetown. Transfer time from airport: 1 hour.
Eats and drinks
4 à la carte restaurants: Horizon (breakfast, lunch and dinner) for International cuisine, Reef (buffet breakfast and lunch and seafood for dinner), La Smarrita (Italian, adults only, open for dinner) and Enid's (Caribbean cuisine, open for dinner), pool snack bar and Courtyard café (12 noon-8.00pm, serving pizza, burgers and ice cream). Buffet-style beach barbecue every lunch time at the North Bar. American-style buffet breakfast served in the Horizon and Reef restaurants. 5 bars. Room service (lunch and dinner).
Entertainment
Nightly entertainment, including theme evenings and fabulous floor shows. Manager’s weekly cocktail party. Rachel’s nightclub (adult-only, open 11.00pm-2.00am).
Fun and games
10 swimming pools in 4 areas, 4 floodlit tennis courts, par-3, 9-hole pitch 'n' putt golf course (club hire* and compulsory charge for special golf balls which must be used), pool tables, fitness centre. Supervised kids' club open daily, catering for newborn babies to teenagers, with fully equipped activity centres. Age groups: Nursery (0-23 months), Mini-Club (2-4 years and 23 months), Kids' Club (5-12 years) and Teens' Club (13-16 years). The nursery and mini-club are open 9.00am-5.00pm daily with an hour closure for lunch. The kids' and teens clubs are open 9.00am-10.00pm daily with both an hour closure for lunch and a 30-min closure before the evening session. Babysitting* available (reservations required). Water sports: Hobie Cats, snorkelling, windsurfing, reef fishing, aqua cycles and kayaks.
Handy stuff
Bajan souvenir shop, duty-free shop, mini-spa*. Free WiFi access in the lobby. Fridges available on request. Business centre*. Beach towels provided. Photography studio taking lifestyle and studio images (packages available)*.
Mobility
Good general access around the property.
Room info
395 rooms on up to 5 floors in 15 buildings – 1 with a lift. Rooms with balcony/terrace or French balcony, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, TV, WiFi*, telephone, coffee maker, safety deposit box, iron and board, and hairdryer. Standard Rooms have a king-size bed or twin beds, sleeping 2 adults and 1 child under 7 years.
Room Upgrade
Deluxe Pool/Garden View Rooms – similar to Standard Rooms but nestled amidst the tropical gardens or overlooking the pool, sleeping 2 adults and 1 child under 7 years.
Club Room Upgrades are available at an additional supplement, benefits include: Welcome gift rum and fruit plate, free Internet and/or WiFi, priority dining reservations, stocked mini-bar on arrival of soft drinks and water 3 times a week, turtle feeding trip, guaranteed late check out at 3.00pm.
Superior Deluxe Pool/Garden View Rooms – these are great for families, as they are larger, include a fridge in room and have a sleeper sofa, sleeping 2 adults and 2 children under 16 years.
Superior Deluxe Oceanview Rooms – as above but have king-size bed and double sleeper sofa, fridge in room and offer views of the Caribbean.
1-Bedroom Garden View Suites – with views of the pool or gardens, these rooms have a fridge and are the only rooms large enough to sleep 4 adults, or 2 adults and 3 children.
1-Bedroom Beachfront Suites – as above, but closer to the beach.
Family Suites – 2 spacious interconnecting bedrooms with 2 bathrooms, sleeps up to 2 adults and 3 children and an infant.
All room types come with balcony/terrace or French balcony.
Minimum stay
3 nights, except 01-05 Jan and 21 Dec-05 Jan '13 when it is 7.
Additional information
DRESS CODE: For dinner, dress is informally formal –long trousers and collared shirts for gentlemen, please and no shorts or hats (except on barbecue night). All guests are requested to cover up at meal times.
*Denotes local charge.
All Inclusive
All meals, snacks and afternoon tea, all drinks by the glass including some premium brands, all activities and entertainment above unless otherwise stated. Beach towels are included.