Need an affordable family vacation this year, and yet you want to go somewhere exotic like Barbados. You really don't have a huge budget so a self catering holiday might be the answer. At the same time you would like it to be beachfront, and you really would like to be where there is a restaurant on site, and in fact if the truth be known, what you are looking for is kind of a boutique style villa hotel.

In fact there is an answer, and one that you will like, and that is the Settlers Beach Villa Hotel, which is situated on the west coast of Barbados not far from either Holetown and Sunset Crest.

In Holetown there is even Supercentre which will either deliver or bring you back to the hotel after shopping.

Whilst your self catering holiday in Barbados may begin with food shopping for a few essentials, and there is a fully equipped kitchen in each of the twenty two villas, each with two bedrooms, there is no real need to cater for yourself because there is an on site restaurant and bar called Spago, which is an Italian restaurant, and opens for breakfast lunch and dinner. Should you wish to eat away from the hotel, then there are a number of restaurant options either a short walk away or a brief taxi ride. You will need to make reservations beforehand, and names you might care to note number amongst them, Cocomos, Tides, and The Beach House. The self cooked Steaks on a hot stone at Tides is something really special. Don't forget to visit Daphne's for happy hour, Ragamuffins, and try the buffet lunch at Mullins Bay

To return to your villa, there are nine two bedroom bungalow villas, and 13 townhouse villas, with two of them being beachfront. You will find the accommodation huge, and terrific value for money, and in terms of it being an affordable family vacation, very important.

It will be difficult to sit inside or outside your villa where you become aware of the wonderful landscaping of the grounds, and believe you paid so little to stay in such a nice Villa Hotel in a place as expensive as Barbados can be. In fact you almost feel like the owner of your own private villa, especially if your villa is close to the pool, because sometimes you will be the sole occupant.

Being beachfront at Settlers Beach Villa Hotel, is important. In fairness the beach isn't that wide, in fact it is quite small, but there is more than enough room for the sunbeds, and there is no hassle at all about finding one. The swimming area is roped off, so you are in no danger from the idiots flying around the turquoise sea in these angry machines, or for that matter idiotic water skiers.

To summarise, the only disappointing thing about Settlers Beach Villa Hotel is the fact that the beach is so tiny, possibly due to erosion, but you can use the beach next door at The Sandpiper Hotel. The Settlers Beach Villa Hotel represents very good value, top class accommodation in a nice area. This is a good self catering holiday in a villa hotel and makes for a very affordable family vacation.