Next February I am returning to Barbados from a cruise. We have to leave the ship at around 8am, but our flight back to the UK is not until the evening. Do you know of any hotels that offer reasonably priced day room accommodation so that we may fully enjoy the last day of our holiday, then shower and change before going to the airport? David Turner, Wirral

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: It happens often in the Caribbean, that the cruise ships dock early in the morning on the last day of a cruise, but that the flights back to Europe don't leave until late afternoon, or evening. So getting a day room is a good way to steal a little extra time in the sun and avoid that last day limbo. You should check with the cruise line on the feasibility of getting your bags off in good time though.

You are best off finding a nice hotel near to the airport. Many, like the Turtle Beach (0800 587 3427; day room £156), or the Bougainvillea Beach Resort (001 246 418 0990, day room £69) charge the same day rate as they do for an overnight stay.

However, there's a terrific little three star boutique property called Little Arches (001 246 420 4689), which could be perfect. It's a low-key family run place, with Mediterranean style architecture, and it's just 2.5 kilometres from the airport and your flight home. It has a good beach, 10 large comfy rooms, a nice rooftop pool, and pleasant restaurant. A day room, from about 9am till about 6p starts from £48, as against £166 for a night.

The Barbadian tourist website www.barbados.org has a useful tool for locating hotels in a particular part of the island.

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