Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/12999
SITE REVIEW# 3 BAJAN FANTASY BY CHERAY O’NEAL W ith it’s exceptionally rich culture, historic roots and remarkable landscapes to match, the island of Barbados offers the most exquisite of Atlantic escapes. Meeting planners will be pleased with Almond Beach Resort Villages all inclusive vacation destination business excursions, where accommoda- tions, opportunity, relaxation melt together in the most perfect way. On the grounds of this former sugar plantation – 32 acres of Barbados platinum coast, the paradise of St. Peters – lays Almond Beach Resort village. A total of 395 rooms, each including amazing amenities as air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bath/shower, in-room safe, and satellite color TV. The rooms range from standard, deluxe, superior, one-bedroom to presidential, each offering an array of views from garden to ocean. What’s ultimate for group planners is the affordability and resources accessible – on prem- ise. If you book 20 rooms or more, you will receive one extra room complimentary! All plan- ners arranging events or groups with Almond Beach Resort village will also receive complimen- tary use of the conference room, coffee breaks, and use of basic audiovisual equipment. Now that makes this a winner. The basic use includes TV/VCR, overhead projector and screen, podium and microphone, flipcharts and markers. Anything extra will be provided for an additional charge. Private functions can be arranged with the best Caribbean or American cuisine catered to your liking. The assets here are all inclusive and that makes for a wonderful experience that‘s afford- able. Dinning at the Almond Beach Resort Village is an experience in itself. There are five restaurants to choose from as well as three at the nearby Almond Beach Club via a complimentary shuttle. Throughout the day, snacks are available from the beach grill and room service is offered for lunch and dinner. Horizons is the resort’s main restaurant serv- ing buffet style breakfast and full lunch with a choice of buffet a la carte menu that changes daily. Enid’s offers classic Bajan cuisine in a colorful festive atmosphere – dinner only. The Reef is a buffet style breakfast/lunch seaside restaurant that trans- forms into a seafood restaurant for dinner. La Samarrita, is an authentic Northern Italian eatery, while Boardwalk Bar & Grill is perfect for casual lunch and beach front view. In addition the resort has five bars, including Tommy’s Bar, the truly Bajan rum shop. Be sure to taste Bajan rum punch and for you vir- gins Bajan lemonade – they are to die for. 74 For group team building, included are an array of activities. Almond Beach Village has ten freshwater swimming pools as well as two cool freshwater Jacuzzis for its Caribbean vacationers, including the North pool that is adults only. As part of the all- inclusive resort features, guests will be able to par- ticipate in numerous water and land sports, includ- ing hobie cat sailing, snorkeling, waterskiing, wind- surfing, reel fishing, aqua cycles, kayaks, fishing, squash, tennis and par 3 nine-hole “executive” golf course. So we’ve covered the basic beauty of this all- inclusive resort, and if you care to venture outside of this paradise there’s a lot to see. Barbados has a very rich cultural and leisure scene. Newton Slave Burial Ground is the only excavated communal slave burial in the western hemisphere; The Sunbury Great house, a 300-year-old plantation house; The Rock Hall Freedom Village, the first Black freehold village was developed after emanci- pation; the Barbados Museum; the Gun Hill signal station, erected after the 1816 Rebellion; the Arlington House, an 18th century coral stone house; Almond Beach Resort and finally the Cage, a temporary prison used to imprison runaway slaves. For an in dept historical view please contact Lloyd McConney at LloydMcConney@hotmail.com or (246) 829-0672. Restaurants that you must explore are Wave Rider restaurant, the waterfront (excellent food and atmosphere, you are right on the water, live music nightly), Oistins fish bay Friday nights are the hap- pening where locals and tourists gather for Bajan style music and food, and for elegant dining you must try Lonestar Restaurant, where the service is impeccable. Whether it’s for planning or leisure, Barbados is a must experience. For more information contact the Barbados tourism Authority at (212) 986-6516. Black Meetings & Tourism May/June 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com