Airfare booked..Need help with the rest! Couple questions...
Apr 14th, 2012, 04:35 AM
#1
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Airfare booked..Need help with the rest! Couple questions...
HI,
Airfare is booked for last week in May :0), first time to the island.
Thinking of staying at either the Seven Stars, Regent Palms, can't really decide.
They both look like really big hotels. So many choices, can't decide....
Couple is early 50's and looking for some where with beach service and a little night life at the hotel. Leaning towards Seven Stars...
Should we rent a car? We'd like to try many of the restaurants mentioned and seems that it may be worth while to rent a car instead of taking a cab.
What else is there to see on the island?
Trip to another island seems fun, any suggestions?
Thanks
Airfare is booked for last week in May :0), first time to the island.
Thinking of staying at either the Seven Stars, Regent Palms, can't really decide.
They both look like really big hotels. So many choices, can't decide....
Couple is early 50's and looking for some where with beach service and a little night life at the hotel. Leaning towards Seven Stars...
Should we rent a car? We'd like to try many of the restaurants mentioned and seems that it may be worth while to rent a car instead of taking a cab.
What else is there to see on the island?
Trip to another island seems fun, any suggestions?
Thanks
Apr 14th, 2012, 05:03 AM
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We stayed at Regent Palms on our Honeymoon - love it -beautiful suites, worldclass spa, great staff, huge beach and MANY dining options to walk to. Also, look at The Somerset--running specials. www.thesomerset.com We have fallen in love with Somerset ( next door to The Palms) Again MANY restaurants that are walkable. Seven Stars is nice- a step below Regent Palms , closer to grocery store and different restaurants. Rent a car for a day or 2 to sightsee a bit, check out Da Conch Shack for a meal, Chalk sound, Taylor Bay areas . A ferry to North and Middle Caicos is fun, rent a car there-can do it in a day.
Apr 14th, 2012, 07:34 AM
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We only walked through the hotels you named, but I promise you it was hard to pull my wife away from The Palms. She liked the small shops there.
All look very nice. Seven Stars looks more like a hotel than the other two. The Somerset and Palms have more of a "resorty" look (is that a word?).
All look very nice. Seven Stars looks more like a hotel than the other two. The Somerset and Palms have more of a "resorty" look (is that a word?).
Apr 14th, 2012, 08:20 AM
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Seven Stars is a great choice, and yes a car is very helpful and economical due to high taxi fares. Seven might be the best restaurant, but you will need transportation to places like Opus, Hemingways and Coco Bistro. The car will also allow you the freedom to visit other beautiful parts of the island
Apr 14th, 2012, 08:39 AM
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Ok, will rent a car for our entire stay, I think I like knowing if we get too much sun we can get up and go.
Still torn between both of these hotels, are they near each other?
I'm sure they are both nice.... UGH
Still torn between both of these hotels, are they near each other?
I'm sure they are both nice.... UGH
Apr 14th, 2012, 09:06 AM
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They arent next to each other, SS is central and RP is a little out of the way. Maybe a little out of the way is what you want? To me, Seven Stars is a better choice because of location. You will be able to walk to the store, the bakery, other restaurants etc.. To me its a hassle to drive everywhere even if staying in a really nice place
Apr 14th, 2012, 09:56 AM
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We stayed in the central location at Villa del Mar, and had a car for one day. Now that I better understand the island, I'll probably rent a car for a couple more days for our next vacation.
There are lots of restaurants I've read about that we'd like to try, but we'll need to drive to them. Tiki Hut, Conch Shack, Las Brisas, Magnolia's, Baci, and others were not in walking distance. Even our favorite restaurant (Coco Bistro) was not in walking distance, so we had to pay for a Taxi.
Also, it cost our family $36 each way for the airport taxi, so that's something we'll consider avoiding.
Turks and Caicos Reservations gave us a free rental car for our recent trip, so that was a cost-saver. We'll probably use them again, and do the same next time.
There are lots of restaurants I've read about that we'd like to try, but we'll need to drive to them. Tiki Hut, Conch Shack, Las Brisas, Magnolia's, Baci, and others were not in walking distance. Even our favorite restaurant (Coco Bistro) was not in walking distance, so we had to pay for a Taxi.
Also, it cost our family $36 each way for the airport taxi, so that's something we'll consider avoiding.
Turks and Caicos Reservations gave us a free rental car for our recent trip, so that was a cost-saver. We'll probably use them again, and do the same next time.
Apr 14th, 2012, 03:43 PM
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You sound like us, but instead we were trying to decide between several of the lesser expensive hotels. My wife and I both got on the phone, and the lady at T&C Reservations spent a lot of time explaining all the differences. Villa del Mar wasn't initially at the top of our list, but it turned out to be exactly what we needed. Just tell them your budget, and the kinds of things you're looking for. They're great.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Apr 15th, 2012, 06:57 AM
#10
Regent Palms has no real nightlife (live mellow music at dinner Wed nights)
Seven Stars has live music 5 nights, and the Deck there is the best ambience on the island, with tiki torches fire pits and couches on the dune of the beach. They also host beach BBQ with music on Sundays.
From your post I would say Seven Stars sounds better suited to you.
You can't really go wrong, there's not a bad place to stay!
Seven Stars has live music 5 nights, and the Deck there is the best ambience on the island, with tiki torches fire pits and couches on the dune of the beach. They also host beach BBQ with music on Sundays.
From your post I would say Seven Stars sounds better suited to you.
You can't really go wrong, there's not a bad place to stay!
Apr 15th, 2012, 08:27 AM
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Go with Seven Stars, don't even give it a second thought. And to be honest there really is no need to rent a car. You will spend most of your time at the resort and strolling the amazing beaches. If you need a quick getaway you can grab a cab easily. Everything you need is right at the resort and right outside of it in walking distance. Have a great trip.
Apr 15th, 2012, 02:08 PM
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Leaning towards SS, but don't I need a car to go to chalk sound and to get to most of the good restaurants? also would like to take ferry over to Middle Caicos or do a half day sail, wouldn't I need a car? can you rent by the day
Apr 15th, 2012, 04:15 PM
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Sorry must NOT AGREE, I would stay at Regent Palms over SS. Better walkable restaurants, world class spa, and the beach in the am is so beautiful...at Seven Stars the height of the buildings causes the beach to be shady in the early am...plus we hate the onsite restaurant , Seven and we are foodies. P23 at the Regent Palms has a nicer setting and much better food.
Apr 16th, 2012, 04:17 AM
#16
Donna, I would get a car regardless where you stay, because not all the great restaurants are in the same area and sooner or later you'll need transportation. You might want a car to check out an amazing site there too, Chalk Sound, where water is neon turquoise, and Sapadilla and Taylor .bays, completely different from Grace Bay, and collect shells from Pelican Beach and go to Conch Shack.
From Regent Palms, there's Parallel23, O'Soleil, Mango Reef, and Bay Bistro(best on island) the restaurants (one roof top!) at Veranda.
from Seven Stars, there's Coco Bistro(best on island), Coyaba(one of the best, chef won Canadian Iron Chef), Anacoana, Seven, Caicos Cafe(another good one),
Opus, Vix, Grace's Cottage, a Thai restaurant, Indian, Japanese, and the casual Jimmys Dive Bar (late hang out) Upstairs, Flamingos and the good breakfast at Fresh Bakery. you also have IGA Gourmet supermarket across the street with deli, prepared food bar with daily specials.
Hemingways is in between the two.
Not walkable to either, Da Conch Shack(do not miss, it's an institution!), Magnolias, Tiki Hut, Sharkbite(nightlife) Somewhere On The Beach(nightlife), Las Brisas, and local places like Three Mary Queens and Sailing Paradise.
From Regent Palms, there's Parallel23, O'Soleil, Mango Reef, and Bay Bistro(best on island) the restaurants (one roof top!) at Veranda.
from Seven Stars, there's Coco Bistro(best on island), Coyaba(one of the best, chef won Canadian Iron Chef), Anacoana, Seven, Caicos Cafe(another good one),
Opus, Vix, Grace's Cottage, a Thai restaurant, Indian, Japanese, and the casual Jimmys Dive Bar (late hang out) Upstairs, Flamingos and the good breakfast at Fresh Bakery. you also have IGA Gourmet supermarket across the street with deli, prepared food bar with daily specials.
Hemingways is in between the two.
Not walkable to either, Da Conch Shack(do not miss, it's an institution!), Magnolias, Tiki Hut, Sharkbite(nightlife) Somewhere On The Beach(nightlife), Las Brisas, and local places like Three Mary Queens and Sailing Paradise.
Apr 20th, 2012, 05:59 PM
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We just stayed at the Alexandra Resort. It is next door to the Regent Palms. Depending on what is most important to you I would decide where to stay as follows:
If you want more than a beautiful beach and pool- Seven Stars
If you want groceries and cute shops to walk and browse- Seven Stars
If you want the best location on Grace Bay Beach- Palms
If you want pure luxury in your resort - Palms
If you want night life more than a pianist - Seven Stars
If you like to walk on the beach to dinner - Palms
If you like to have oceanfront dining- Palms area
If you like casinos- Seven stars
If you want to rent a car either way- Palms
We took the free Casino shuttle to Co Co Bistro from the Alexandra. We walked on the beach to Hemingway's, Bay Bistro, Mango Reef, Parrelle 23 and The Veranda roof top restaurant.
Personally I would stay at the Alexandra. You get much better views from your room and amazing balconies in almost all rooms and for their rates vs. The Palms you will be able to eat anywhere you want every night and still have money left over.
If you want more than a beautiful beach and pool- Seven Stars
If you want groceries and cute shops to walk and browse- Seven Stars
If you want the best location on Grace Bay Beach- Palms
If you want pure luxury in your resort - Palms
If you want night life more than a pianist - Seven Stars
If you like to walk on the beach to dinner - Palms
If you like to have oceanfront dining- Palms area
If you like casinos- Seven stars
If you want to rent a car either way- Palms
We took the free Casino shuttle to Co Co Bistro from the Alexandra. We walked on the beach to Hemingway's, Bay Bistro, Mango Reef, Parrelle 23 and The Veranda roof top restaurant.
Personally I would stay at the Alexandra. You get much better views from your room and amazing balconies in almost all rooms and for their rates vs. The Palms you will be able to eat anywhere you want every night and still have money left over.
