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The Crane, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Barbados - looking into staying there one of these days

JohnnyO

JohnnyO

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Looking at trying to get into The Crane, HGVC in Barbados.

The reviews are mixed. TUG reviews are old. Who has been there and did you like it?

Their web site says they have "sargassum" issues during sargassum season. Does anyone know when it will really be clear of this stinky mess?

I notice that the we cannot book it on-line. Why not? Has it always been that way? It's a real pain trying to plan by having to call.

The point values are high and the open season rates are ridiculously high. HH points are better than the HGVC rates but they don't seem to offer the 5th night free. And I don't see the resort come up with availability in RCI although it has in the past according to a search on TUG and in the old TUG Reviews. Some bulk deposits.

Appreciate any insight.
 
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HGVC Resort Info:

  • Seasonal currents and wind conditions in the Caribbean can increase Sargassum seaweed on beaches. While beach grooming is a daily priority, wind direction may cause unmanageable seaweed volumes. During such times, the resort offers complimentary shuttle service to leeward beaches Sundays-Fridays. Food and beverage options are available for purchase at the alternative beach. Guests should visit the Concierge desk the day before to sign up.


Grok AI says: Barbados Sargassum mainly April through September, peaking around May to August. Varies with currents and weather. Looks like hurricane season may be the best time for the Eastern Caribbean? Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to November 30th. November/December is the sweet spot? Barbados peak season is December to April.

Sargassum Information:

www.sargassum-seaweed.com

Home - Sargassum Tracker®️ - #1 Sargassum Resource. Forecast. Map

Latest update on sargassum seaweed 2025 map, Sargassum Tracker, Sargassum Monitoring, sargassum season Cancun Mexico, Florida, Virgin Island
www.sargassum-seaweed.com www.sargassum-seaweed.com

Looks like it starts to hit Barbados (Eastern Caribbean) in December according to this map.
Image.jpeg



Florida 2025: The earliest we typically see any kind of major inundations in Florida would be March timeframe. But usually the more substantial impacts are in May and into the summer months. It's really early to make any predictions about what might be impacts to Florida other than that, if they occur, there'll be several months away.
 
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The good: The resort itself is pretty and views are good. Rooms are spacious. Close to a lot of solid restaurants offsite. Small grocery store on site is helpful if you make one larger trip to a normal store.

The bad: Half the rooms we were booked in had serious AC issues all week despite multiple attempts to fix (ie 78-80 degrees), the restaurants on site were expensive and not good, most of the activities in Barbados were on other side of island, water was extremely rough to swim in at all.

I wasn’t particularly impressed - we went 20 months ago with a group of 11 of us in 6 rooms. Yes phone call only for booking and you should do it 9 months out on the dot
 
JohnnyO said:
Their web site says they have "sargassum" issues during sargassum season. Does anyone know when it will really be clear of this stinky mess?
Click to expand...
Summer-ish (though warming temps are pushing the season earlier and later)...and when it gets cold enough. But in no way is Sargassum limited to Barbados.

JohnnyO said:
I notice that the we cannot book it on-line. Why not?
Click to expand...
I assume because the owners felt the IT investment was an unnecessary expense. The HGVC portion of the resort has 17 different unit types...most of which have only one or two units.

JohnnyO said:
Has it always been that way? It's a real pain trying to plan by having to call.
Click to expand...
Yes. And why? I had no problem calling HGVC to book.
 
I've stayed 3 different time. All prior to Hilton having inventory.

If there is any sargassum they are going to get hit bad because they are an east facing beach. If you are out of the summer sargassum season you will likely be fine.
 
ljmiii said:
I had no problem calling HGVC to book.
Click to expand...

I mean, being able to see availability yourself and book online at your own convenience (and secure flights etc at the same time) is way, way better than phoning. It's 2025 not 1992, the internet is not some newfangled thing.
 
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