Barbados Tennis

rasajadad

Hall of Fame
I will be on Barbados May 3-10. Anyone know of any decent playing, lesson, or clinic opportunities there?
 

spam

Rookie
George,the pro at Turtle beach hotel in St James,is a decent coach and player..Im sure some of the more upmarket hotels have good pro's-try Sandy Lane or the Sandpiper.
 

origmarm

Hall of Fame
There was an excellent coach at Sandy Lane about 5yrs ago. I would imagine that even if they have replaced him they will have done so with someone of a similar standard. Was expensive though at about $80 an hour
 

rasajadad

Hall of Fame
I don't know if you get tennis magazine but the most recent issue has an article on tennis resorts in the Caribbean. Two were mentioned in Barbados, Sandy Lane and David and John Lloyd Tennis Village. Here you have the contact details for all the resorts including the two in Barbados:

http://www.tennis.com/travel/general/travel.aspx?id=109416


Thanks for the replies and referrals. As it turns out, I'll now be going to the Dominican Republic. (Long story!)
 

origmarm

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the replies and referrals. As it turns out, I'll now be going to the Dominican Republic. (Long story!)

Ah ok, there are two on the tennis mag link for that also. Its a bit difficult getting around in Dom compared to Barbados. In Barbados I used to take the bus half the time (like a US schoolbus only driven by the insane), in Dom I would only go places in cabs booked by hotels, the complex I was in had guards with machine guns all around the perimeter, scary
 

rasajadad

Hall of Fame
Ah ok, there are two on the tennis mag link for that also. Its a bit difficult getting around in Dom compared to Barbados. In Barbados I used to take the bus half the time (like a US schoolbus only driven by the insane), in Dom I would only go places in cabs booked by hotels, the complex I was in had guards with machine guns all around the perimeter, scary

How long ago were you there?
 

origmarm

Hall of Fame
How long ago were you there?

About 6yrs ago, I stayed at Puerto Plata here:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_...h_Resort-Puerto_Plata_Dominican_Republic.html. I would recommend the hotel, was good. Judging by the above others seem to think so also

It was ok but you are essentially trapped in the resort. They organise the odd guided bus out but that's about it. If you walk down the beach too far, there is a guard with a gun that tells you it's probably not a good idea. I get the feeling that essentially the local population is dirt poor and that this has led to the odd problem. Everyone I met was really nice and very open and friendly but even the maids told me not to wander about outside the puerto plata complex (its about 10 hotels from memory). There is lots to do there but you definitely get the "stick to what we organise" message.

It may well have changed a lot though as it was literally a big building site when I went last time. That said I definitely felt Barbados was very different, you could wander about, my hotel was essentially just another one on the beach. I wandered around Bridgetown no problem and went to various shops and restaurants and bars in Holetown with no issues.

Hope it helps. Rob
 

ryangoring

Professional
if want a good place to eat in bridgetown..ryanne restaurant ..it is in the heart of bridgetown on the main street thru the town..have fun while u r there
 
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