Comments on: Remembering Sam Lord’s Castle: the tragic fairytale of Barbados’ best hotel http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/ Socially responsible news and commentary from the Caribbean region and the wider Americas Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:22:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: helen tomlin http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3611 helen tomlin Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:22:10 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3611 i have seen and been to sam lords castle many times and was shocked to see how this fairy tail land has ended up ,but now i feel it should be put to rest and known as it was in memory for glory days to be fullfilled,it a wonderful island for people to move on and enjoy ,ive been going every year since 1991 and things change for better and the worse but dont restore the past move on but just dont forget ....enjoy you had a piece of heaven cause thats where Barbados is .... i have seen and been to sam lords castle many times and was shocked to see how this fairy tail land has ended up ,but now i feel it should be put to rest and known as it was in memory for glory days to be fullfilled,it a wonderful island for people to move on and enjoy ,ive been going every year since 1991 and things change for better and the worse but dont restore the past move on but just dont forget ….enjoy you had a piece of heaven cause thats where Barbados is ….

]]> By: Kayleigh Allen http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3608 Kayleigh Allen Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:42:33 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3608 This news has broken my heart I can't believe this could be left to happen to such a beautiful national treasure! I stayed here as a child, our first caribbean holiday in 1998, 1999 and 2000. They're still the best holidays we ever had as a family. The Sea Grill Restaurant the best place I've eaten and the tales of Sam lord still fresh in my memory today. Bajan government ought to be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen! If I was a multi millionaire I'd buy and restore the place my self! This news has broken my heart I can’t believe this could be left to happen to such a beautiful national treasure! I stayed here as a child, our first caribbean holiday in 1998, 1999 and 2000. They’re still the best holidays we ever had as a family. The Sea Grill Restaurant the best place I’ve eaten and the tales of Sam lord still fresh in my memory today. Bajan government ought to be ashamed of themselves for letting this happen! If I was a multi millionaire I’d buy and restore the place my self!

]]> By: carol http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3594 carol Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:32:53 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3594 We lived on Barbados when we were children in the late 60's and our father was building places like Sunset Crest and the hilton Hotel - a treat would be to go to Sam Lord's Castle of a weekend for the Sunday buffet with lobster salad, it was magical , both the castle and the beach below - luckily no-one can take those memories from us all, but what a tragedy to see it gone. We lived on Barbados when we were children in the late 60′s and our father was building places like Sunset Crest and the hilton Hotel – a treat would be to go to Sam Lord’s Castle of a weekend for the Sunday buffet with lobster salad, it was magical , both the castle and the beach below – luckily no-one can take those memories from us all, but what a tragedy to see it gone.

]]> By: Jennifer Kay Hubbard, Oil & Watercolor Artist http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3574 Jennifer Kay Hubbard, Oil & Watercolor Artist Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:54:15 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3574 After visiting Sam Lord's Castle during its splendor in June 2000, I will forever hold the mystical memories of this property within me. So saddened by its demise, I would like to share an image that is synonimous in my mind with the island of Barbados. We walked out onto the colorful grounds, past the Castle. A wedding was taking place on the property, under the coconut trees. Flowers and lush tropical plants were everywhere.. As we stood on the high cliff, facing the Atlantic sea, the 7' waves were raging. The wind was strong, blowing fierce. I imagined Sam Lord, 1778-1884, standing where I was, looking out toward the sea. Only a memory now, never to be forgotten. Will I ever be able to re-live this memory? Will someone please rebuild and restore the historical Sam Lord's Castle? Please view my painting of Bathsheba Beach, Barbados on Facebook: Jennifer Kay Hubbard ART After visiting Sam Lord’s Castle during its splendor in June 2000, I will forever hold the mystical memories of this property within me. So saddened by its demise, I would like to share an image that is synonimous in my mind with the island of Barbados. We walked out onto the colorful grounds, past the Castle. A wedding was taking place on the property, under the coconut trees. Flowers and lush tropical plants were everywhere.. As we stood on the high cliff, facing the Atlantic sea, the 7′ waves were raging. The wind was strong, blowing fierce. I imagined Sam Lord, 1778-1884, standing where I was, looking out toward the sea. Only a memory now, never to be forgotten. Will I ever be able to re-live this memory? Will someone please rebuild and restore the historical Sam Lord’s Castle?
Please view my painting of Bathsheba Beach, Barbados on Facebook: Jennifer Kay Hubbard ART

]]> By: andrea http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3548 andrea Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:48:48 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3548 omg !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have just found out what happened and its really upsetting we got married at sam lords in1999 andthen went back the following year . It is one of the most beautiful islands we have visited and to find out we may never be able to stay there again is tragic . I hope sam lords rises from the ashes to become the great place that it was. omg !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i have just found out what happened and its really upsetting we got married at sam lords in1999 andthen went back the following year . It is one of the most beautiful islands we have visited and to find out we may never be able to stay there again is tragic . I hope sam lords rises from the ashes to become the great place that it was.

]]> By: Mark http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3544 Mark Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:08:55 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3544 My early teenage years were and are immersed in the tree frog nights of Barbados (1960's). I can still hear the steel drums playing down by the pool bar overlooking the moon lit beach. George Stewart the owner of the hotel would be playing poker using the serial numbers of the Bajan money and the rum would be flowing freely poured by the albino bar tender named Red. The regulars would flock to the island every winter and spring and on New Years George would provide a fortune in fireworks which we merrily ignited after changing from our cumberbun and Tuxedos into asbestos gloves and sweat shirts. In the Castle a formal dinner was held each New Year and we all sang God Save the Queen as well as God Bless America. George was English but his wife was American so we divided things evenly. These vacations I took with my family were like something from a dream as I look back today. I don't think it is possible to have had a better childhood. I stayed in Castle Close a few years ago with my own family and as I walked the old derelict grounds, past the now blackened pool,where my teenage years still echoed and my father and mother still delighted in their afternoon bloody Mary or Bull Shot I was saddened to my core. I couldn't believe this grand, historical place with all its wonderful memories had been left to rot. When I heard it was burnt down I almost preferred the idea of the castle being cleansed from the earth instead of sitting in a state of continuous dilapidation. I'm coming back to Barbados this January and though the Castle is no more the tree frogs at night and the waves crashing on the shore transport me back to those halcyon days so long ago. My early teenage years were and are immersed in the tree frog nights of Barbados (1960′s). I can still hear the steel drums playing down by the pool bar overlooking the moon lit beach. George Stewart the owner of the hotel would be playing poker using the serial numbers of the Bajan money and the rum would be flowing freely poured by the albino bar tender named Red. The regulars would flock to the island every winter and spring and on New Years George would provide a fortune in fireworks which we merrily ignited after changing from our cumberbun and Tuxedos into asbestos gloves and sweat shirts.

In the Castle a formal dinner was held each New Year and we all sang God Save the Queen as well as God Bless America. George was English but his wife was American so we divided things evenly. These vacations I took with my family were like something from a dream as I look back today. I don’t think it is possible to have had a better childhood.

I stayed in Castle Close a few years ago with my own family and as I walked the old derelict grounds, past the now blackened pool,where my teenage years still echoed and my father and mother still delighted in their afternoon bloody Mary or Bull Shot I was saddened to my core. I couldn’t believe this grand, historical place with all its wonderful memories had been left to rot. When I heard it was burnt down I almost preferred the idea of the castle being cleansed from the earth instead of sitting in a state of continuous dilapidation.

I’m coming back to Barbados this January and though the Castle is no more the tree frogs at night and the waves crashing on the shore transport me back to those halcyon days so long ago.

]]> By: wbeney http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3532 wbeney Sat, 29 Oct 2011 13:21:10 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3532 Wow, this is tragic! how can the Barbadian government allow part of their history be destroyed like this? I stayed here with my then girlfriend in 1998 and fell in love with the place and my girlfriend. The girlfriend is now my wife of 12 years and we now have 2 lovely daughters. Thankyou Sam Lords, for all the memories of the best holiday I've ever had.. Wow, this is tragic! how can the Barbadian government allow part of their history be destroyed like this?

I stayed here with my then girlfriend in 1998 and fell in love with the place and my girlfriend. The girlfriend is now my wife of 12 years and we now have 2 lovely daughters.

Thankyou Sam Lords, for all the memories of the best holiday I’ve ever had..

]]> By: gailnyc http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3523 gailnyc Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:51:49 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3523 I went to Sam Lord's Castle in 1978, a first time vacation with my then boyfriend and another couple. It was a lovely place, with several pools, all "womb" temperature. I recall sitting on the beach, facing Africa, being totally relaxed and blissful. The staff was polite and welcoming. I have often thought of those five days with fond memories and a glow of recollections. I am so sorry to learn of its downturn and destruction, A glimpse into another by-gone time gone forever. I went to Sam Lord’s Castle in 1978, a first time vacation with my then boyfriend and another couple. It was a lovely place, with several pools, all “womb” temperature. I recall sitting on the beach, facing Africa, being totally relaxed and blissful. The staff was polite and welcoming. I have often thought of those five days with fond memories and a glow of recollections. I am so sorry to learn of its downturn and destruction, A glimpse into another by-gone time gone forever.

]]> By: PATRICK ENGLISH http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3519 PATRICK ENGLISH Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:46:44 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3519 BARBADOS GOVERNMENT,GET YOUR FINGERS OUT,DONT LET IT GET LIKE BRITAN BARBADOS GOVERNMENT,GET YOUR FINGERS OUT,DONT LET IT GET LIKE BRITAN

]]> By: Terry Lambert http://www.antillean.org/2009/04/11/remembering-sam-lord%e2%80%99s-castle-the-tragic-fairytale-of-barbados%e2%80%99-best-hotel/comment-page-2/#comment-3516 Terry Lambert Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:56:57 +0000 http://blog.bajandream.org/?p=1721#comment-3516 My wife and I married in 1983, didn't have the opportunity to have a "real" honeymoon but in 1985 had the chance of a life time. The company my wife worked for sent us on a 7 day all expense paid trip to Barbados... to Sam Lords Castle, our real Honeymoon!! I just found out today what has happen to one of the MOST special places in our lives. I did shed a tear, Thank God I have a ton of pictures of that beautiful place. My wife and I married in 1983, didn’t have the opportunity to have a “real” honeymoon but in 1985 had the chance of a life time. The company my wife worked for sent us on a 7 day all expense paid trip to Barbados… to Sam Lords Castle, our real Honeymoon!! I just found out today what has happen to one of the MOST special places in our lives. I did shed a tear, Thank God I have a ton of pictures of that beautiful place.

]]>