Coral Gardens or the Sands for a family?
May 12th, 2003, 02:06 AM
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Coral Gardens or the Sands for a family?
The Sands was highly recommended by a neighbor of ours who has been to T&C several times.I've been to their website and it looks beautiful. My concern is that we won't get a nice view of the ocean even with an oceanview suite. Do most people find they don't spend much time in their room anyway and this is not important?
My husband has been looking on the internet at all the places to stay and has become convinced that Coral Gardens is our best bet because it is so close to good snorkelling and all the rooms have ocean views. We have 4 children(ages 12, 10, 7 and 4). He feels snorkelling will be the highlight of the trip especially for the older kids. How is the pool at Coral Gardens? The younger kids might prefer swimming in a nice pool.It looked a little nicer at the Sands. We will be staying for a week in February. Is the water temperature of the ocean nice? Any suggestions of things to do with kids. My children love the water.
Has anyone with children stayed in any of these places. If so, what would you recommend?
Thanks in advance,
Mary Beth
My husband has been looking on the internet at all the places to stay and has become convinced that Coral Gardens is our best bet because it is so close to good snorkelling and all the rooms have ocean views. We have 4 children(ages 12, 10, 7 and 4). He feels snorkelling will be the highlight of the trip especially for the older kids. How is the pool at Coral Gardens? The younger kids might prefer swimming in a nice pool.It looked a little nicer at the Sands. We will be staying for a week in February. Is the water temperature of the ocean nice? Any suggestions of things to do with kids. My children love the water.
Has anyone with children stayed in any of these places. If so, what would you recommend?
Thanks in advance,
Mary Beth
May 12th, 2003, 04:52 AM
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Mary Beth;
My wife, child and I just returned from a week at Coral Gardens. While it was a lovely spot for the snorkeling, it was it's only REAL strong point for a family at CG. (IMHO) The pools were not meant to be the highlite of the property and that is understandable. However both pools were not even kept up very well. Furthermore, while we were there, the weather turned pretty windy making it not really desireable to spend time on the beach. Thus a nice large pool would have been helpful.
The pool at the Sands is much nicer and much more "kid friendly" True the ocean views at Coral Gardens probably would be better, but not that much better. You might also consider Royal West Indies or Ocean Club West. Both these properties looked very nice as well. (I actually liked OCW the best of the lot overall)
The walk down to Coral Gardens to go snorkeling will be about 20 min or so from Sands and maybe 30 from OCW but really........you'll do it once or twice a day and even that can be part of the "family" experience.
As for what to do? We enjoyed the "beach cruise" with J & B tours.
Took us to see the iguana island, snorkeling and then to a beautiful secluded beach on an uninhabited island.
Set it us with "Denesh"
Also make a trek over to "Blue Hills" and try some fresh conch at Bugaloos.
It's quite an experience for the kids.
Water in Feb may be kinda cool as it was cool enough for us in April.
One thing.....be prepared for VERY high food cost if dining out. Having said that.....EVERY meal we had was terrific.
Have a blast....it's a great island. You're wise to go before it gets any more popular than it is already!
My wife, child and I just returned from a week at Coral Gardens. While it was a lovely spot for the snorkeling, it was it's only REAL strong point for a family at CG. (IMHO) The pools were not meant to be the highlite of the property and that is understandable. However both pools were not even kept up very well. Furthermore, while we were there, the weather turned pretty windy making it not really desireable to spend time on the beach. Thus a nice large pool would have been helpful.
The pool at the Sands is much nicer and much more "kid friendly" True the ocean views at Coral Gardens probably would be better, but not that much better. You might also consider Royal West Indies or Ocean Club West. Both these properties looked very nice as well. (I actually liked OCW the best of the lot overall)
The walk down to Coral Gardens to go snorkeling will be about 20 min or so from Sands and maybe 30 from OCW but really........you'll do it once or twice a day and even that can be part of the "family" experience.
As for what to do? We enjoyed the "beach cruise" with J & B tours.
Took us to see the iguana island, snorkeling and then to a beautiful secluded beach on an uninhabited island.
Set it us with "Denesh"
Also make a trek over to "Blue Hills" and try some fresh conch at Bugaloos.
It's quite an experience for the kids.
Water in Feb may be kinda cool as it was cool enough for us in April.
One thing.....be prepared for VERY high food cost if dining out. Having said that.....EVERY meal we had was terrific.
Have a blast....it's a great island. You're wise to go before it gets any more popular than it is already!
May 13th, 2003, 04:36 AM
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Just back from The Sands, and it is a beautiful property. Not sure either The Sands or Coral Gardens is better than the other for children. Went snorkeling 3x at CG, and was not impressed at all by their property or either one of their restaurants. Before booking CG was one of the ones we were looking into, and I could not be more happy that we choose The Sands. I do not have children, so I am not sure what they look for, but the pools at The Sands are cool, and to me look like kids would enjoy themselves more in those pools. The pools at CG were just rectangle olympic size pools that were not impressive looking at all. At The Sands there is a 'canal' that runs through the property and with a couple pools to choose from, to me that would be the better choice.
We did not have an OV suite, but a garden view, which was lovely. We did not spend a bunch of time in our room, but did like how at night we got to hear that waterfall in the pool, it was very relaxing...
As far as the walk from The Sands to CG...yes, it is about 20 minutes, and I am sure the older children will do just fine, but can not imagine a 4 year old enjoying the walk. But again, I do not have children, so I can not say much there.
Any hoot, I 100% enjoyed my stay at The Sands, I would have not changed my choice for anything! There are other lovely properties in TCI, such as, OCW and Grace Bay Club (which is a whole other price cat. that The Sands) but really was happy with the choice.
Actually the entire trip was wonderful, would return in a heartbeat. One of the best islands we have visted (which between the 2 of us is about 12).
Enjoy your trip!
We did not have an OV suite, but a garden view, which was lovely. We did not spend a bunch of time in our room, but did like how at night we got to hear that waterfall in the pool, it was very relaxing...
As far as the walk from The Sands to CG...yes, it is about 20 minutes, and I am sure the older children will do just fine, but can not imagine a 4 year old enjoying the walk. But again, I do not have children, so I can not say much there.
Any hoot, I 100% enjoyed my stay at The Sands, I would have not changed my choice for anything! There are other lovely properties in TCI, such as, OCW and Grace Bay Club (which is a whole other price cat. that The Sands) but really was happy with the choice.
Actually the entire trip was wonderful, would return in a heartbeat. One of the best islands we have visted (which between the 2 of us is about 12).
Enjoy your trip!
May 13th, 2003, 04:42 AM
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To each there own, but in their defense....... We felt both restaurants at Coral Gardens were very good. Especially Ripples which had the most innovative menu on the island. Granted it's just a beach bar, but at least the chef (Ian) was trying to do something other than burgers and grilled chicken.
May 13th, 2003, 05:21 AM
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It is funny how everyone's opinions differ. We met a couple that thought Coyaba was just the best thing ever...we were rather unimpressed (we blame it on the good food choices we have at home, here in Boston). However, we did just love Anacona - and again, met another couple that thought is was just ok. I ahve to say I have ate at restaurants that are far more better than Anacona, but the atmosphere and taking into consideration an island restaurant it was just superb!
Now Ripples, maybe we did not eat there. I thought we had lunch there twice, beach bar, sitting next to the large chess board? Well, one day it was a lousy hamburger. Then the other day a lousy chicken sandwhich...not sure what menu you got, or I got. But ours was just the normal choices: hamburger, hotdog, grilled chix sandwhich and such. Now when saying I did not enjoy, I mean heck it was only lunch...not any kind of gourment meal. But it just was not a very good lunch...we ate other places -- just the basics and were more satisfied.
I can say this, not sure what the chefs name was one of the days we were there, but he did take a lot of pride into making my hamburger. It was kind of fun to see just how perfect he was placing the tomato, lettuce and such around the plate, he was really trying to make an impression with such a simple dish. So in his favor, his efforts did not go unnoticed!
Now Ripples, maybe we did not eat there. I thought we had lunch there twice, beach bar, sitting next to the large chess board? Well, one day it was a lousy hamburger. Then the other day a lousy chicken sandwhich...not sure what menu you got, or I got. But ours was just the normal choices: hamburger, hotdog, grilled chix sandwhich and such. Now when saying I did not enjoy, I mean heck it was only lunch...not any kind of gourment meal. But it just was not a very good lunch...we ate other places -- just the basics and were more satisfied.
I can say this, not sure what the chefs name was one of the days we were there, but he did take a lot of pride into making my hamburger. It was kind of fun to see just how perfect he was placing the tomato, lettuce and such around the plate, he was really trying to make an impression with such a simple dish. So in his favor, his efforts did not go unnoticed!
May 13th, 2003, 06:11 PM
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We also had lunch at Coral Gardens (Ripples I guess on the beach ) It was really just OK. I agree with one post we had a lousy burger and a lousy chicken sandwich. Service was nice but a bit slow. I really mean slow !! Had a lot better at Sands & OCW. Never got a chance to try Cobaya but I heard it was great. We really enjoyed Coco Bistro, Cacios Cafe, Anacoana (sp) (especially the atmosphere)We also ate at the golf course, very good. We are also from a metropolitian approx 25 Minutes from Manhattan and are surrounded by good restaurants and I really think the food was very good in T&C But opinions do vary,one thing is for sure there are plenty of choices.
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