Finally my AUG trip report w/pictures of resorts T&C
Sep 23rd, 2010, 04:30 PM
#1
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Finally my AUG trip report w/pictures of resorts T&C
Finally a trip report. I can't believe I've been back for a month, now it feels like I never went and need to return ASAP!
Bought day passes for Beaches, because I'm so curious I can't leave a stone unturned in T&C. My daughter loved it. I think it's a terrific resort for what it is, decent restaurants, gorgeous pools, great drinks. (tip: go to Italian Village pool for drinks, you get real glass instead of plastic.) My biggest surprise? How incredibly nice the service is, always smiling, always serving, can't say the same for some of the guests! ;-) My only thing about Beaches is I'm not a usual AI type, I found myself not even going to the beach that day, and when you have Grace Bay, that's a travesty!
I took my daughter to Veranda's Kids Club, she loved it! High marks for that.
Restaurants: the usual. Wed night ribs (service has highly improved at Tiki Hut.) O'Soleil, food excellent, service painfully slow. Bagatelle, really nice, decent food, great service. Ate at the beach bar there 1 day too-excellent lunch. (outdoor grill is next to the beach.) Biggest disapointment, Hemingways. I always look forward to it, but food took 80 minutes and was overcooked. I'm not one to send it back, but I did, then it was raw. They took it off the bill, but I was sad, because I really love this place. Somewhere On The Beach At Coral Gardens: One of my favorite nights, great food, terrific company, music by Shaun Dean, did I say terrific company? Surrounded by great friends makes for a great meal. JustLaura, Provobum and Ajax1, that means you! One night we ate appts at Seven Stars while Nada played, don't know if it's the food or the ambience, but it was awesome. The best food night was hubby's birthday, dinner at Coco Bistro, always excellent, followed by desert at Coyabas. One of the best nights, and great friends again!
We tried for lobsterfest at O'Soleil twice, first time was canceled due to a wedding, second night it was moved to the patio, as it was rainy/windy. Lobster was terrific, live music by Nada was excellent. I love them! I did miss the part about wiggling toes in the sand as you eat though.
The most amazing day came with a surprise. 1/2 day Caicos Dream Tours to the usual terrific stops; snorkel, conch, Half Moon Bay. But there was the surprise. The water was exceptionally calm, and it was bright and sunny. So they took us way past the reef to the middle of the ocean. (Told us they were taking us to Cuba.) Told us to jump in and put masks on. 2 wise guys (not even Provobum!) said, "we're not doing it, it drops to 7000 feet, there's nothing to see." My daughter starts screaming "OMG,OMG." So the guys jump in. Because of the 7000 foot drop off, the sun beams shot like rays all the way down. It gave the impression that when you swam, the rays were shooting off of you. It made everybody GLOW. 1 snorkeler volunteered to dive down a little so I could take his picture. I promise I did not photoshop that picture. Real life it was amazing. Because it was 7000 feet of salt water, when you dive down and turn to come back up, you "shoot" through the water and pop back up. Shame the pictures don't do justice to the experience. I never knew something like this existed.
Weather: because everyone loves to talk about the weather. Overall terrific. We had 1 overcast day but didn't rain. (forecast said 20%) 1 day that was perfect, the calm CDT day (60% chance.) The rest of the 10 days were sunny, sometimes a passing 5 minute shower in late afternoon, and hot! Just the way I like it. (forecast 30-40%) We could see passing showers over the water at a distance, and sometimes some terrific lightning.
I need to go back!
Pictures: (2 of the pictures, of potcakes, were featured on Caribbean Travel & Life's magazine website!)
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow
8-)
Bought day passes for Beaches, because I'm so curious I can't leave a stone unturned in T&C. My daughter loved it. I think it's a terrific resort for what it is, decent restaurants, gorgeous pools, great drinks. (tip: go to Italian Village pool for drinks, you get real glass instead of plastic.) My biggest surprise? How incredibly nice the service is, always smiling, always serving, can't say the same for some of the guests! ;-) My only thing about Beaches is I'm not a usual AI type, I found myself not even going to the beach that day, and when you have Grace Bay, that's a travesty!
I took my daughter to Veranda's Kids Club, she loved it! High marks for that.
Restaurants: the usual. Wed night ribs (service has highly improved at Tiki Hut.) O'Soleil, food excellent, service painfully slow. Bagatelle, really nice, decent food, great service. Ate at the beach bar there 1 day too-excellent lunch. (outdoor grill is next to the beach.) Biggest disapointment, Hemingways. I always look forward to it, but food took 80 minutes and was overcooked. I'm not one to send it back, but I did, then it was raw. They took it off the bill, but I was sad, because I really love this place. Somewhere On The Beach At Coral Gardens: One of my favorite nights, great food, terrific company, music by Shaun Dean, did I say terrific company? Surrounded by great friends makes for a great meal. JustLaura, Provobum and Ajax1, that means you! One night we ate appts at Seven Stars while Nada played, don't know if it's the food or the ambience, but it was awesome. The best food night was hubby's birthday, dinner at Coco Bistro, always excellent, followed by desert at Coyabas. One of the best nights, and great friends again!
We tried for lobsterfest at O'Soleil twice, first time was canceled due to a wedding, second night it was moved to the patio, as it was rainy/windy. Lobster was terrific, live music by Nada was excellent. I love them! I did miss the part about wiggling toes in the sand as you eat though.
The most amazing day came with a surprise. 1/2 day Caicos Dream Tours to the usual terrific stops; snorkel, conch, Half Moon Bay. But there was the surprise. The water was exceptionally calm, and it was bright and sunny. So they took us way past the reef to the middle of the ocean. (Told us they were taking us to Cuba.) Told us to jump in and put masks on. 2 wise guys (not even Provobum!) said, "we're not doing it, it drops to 7000 feet, there's nothing to see." My daughter starts screaming "OMG,OMG." So the guys jump in. Because of the 7000 foot drop off, the sun beams shot like rays all the way down. It gave the impression that when you swam, the rays were shooting off of you. It made everybody GLOW. 1 snorkeler volunteered to dive down a little so I could take his picture. I promise I did not photoshop that picture. Real life it was amazing. Because it was 7000 feet of salt water, when you dive down and turn to come back up, you "shoot" through the water and pop back up. Shame the pictures don't do justice to the experience. I never knew something like this existed.
Weather: because everyone loves to talk about the weather. Overall terrific. We had 1 overcast day but didn't rain. (forecast said 20%) 1 day that was perfect, the calm CDT day (60% chance.) The rest of the 10 days were sunny, sometimes a passing 5 minute shower in late afternoon, and hot! Just the way I like it. (forecast 30-40%) We could see passing showers over the water at a distance, and sometimes some terrific lightning.
I need to go back!
Pictures: (2 of the pictures, of potcakes, were featured on Caribbean Travel & Life's magazine website!)
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...view=slideshow
8-)
Sep 26th, 2010, 05:09 PM
#6
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Always love reading your trip reports and seen your pictures. They are terrific. Might have to get back to T & C and see all the new things since our trip. Thanks for getting pics of the Verdanda, which we would be interested in.
Sep 27th, 2010, 12:32 PM
#7
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thanks for the compliments everyone!
KVR, You should know, Veranda is not a typical AI, it's basically an upscale hotel that happens to include meals and all of your drinks. So far it seems really quiet, and the meals are from "2" restaurants (1 kitchen really) and have certain hours to eat-similar to a Club Med if you've ever been. You can get some foods throughout the day, but it's not different foods all day long like a typical AI. No nightlife or things going on, really so far a quiet place.
KVR, You should know, Veranda is not a typical AI, it's basically an upscale hotel that happens to include meals and all of your drinks. So far it seems really quiet, and the meals are from "2" restaurants (1 kitchen really) and have certain hours to eat-similar to a Club Med if you've ever been. You can get some foods throughout the day, but it's not different foods all day long like a typical AI. No nightlife or things going on, really so far a quiet place.
Sep 27th, 2010, 12:58 PM
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We've been to so many typical AI resorts, that actually the Veranda is more of what we are looking for now. We don't need endless buffets and multiple resturants and loud, obnoxious guests. The only reason we have ever really liked AI was for breakfast and drinks. Or if the location of the hotel was inconvenient to get to the town.
We really loved the Sibonne. Small and quite, but we didn't like having to search for places to eat after a long day and walk that far or cab it to a resturant. Also didn't like paying $5 for a can of beer. 2-3 nights maybe on a 7 day vacation, but not every night.
We're returning to Mexico in December and not even going AI this time after 9 years. It really has gotten old. We decided on a modified AI plan. 2 meals, no drinks. But, in Mexico beer isn't $5. Easy reach to 5th Avenue.
We would like to see T & C again. To date, it's still the best beach and clearest water of any place we've been to.
We really loved the Sibonne. Small and quite, but we didn't like having to search for places to eat after a long day and walk that far or cab it to a resturant. Also didn't like paying $5 for a can of beer. 2-3 nights maybe on a 7 day vacation, but not every night.
We're returning to Mexico in December and not even going AI this time after 9 years. It really has gotten old. We decided on a modified AI plan. 2 meals, no drinks. But, in Mexico beer isn't $5. Easy reach to 5th Avenue.
We would like to see T & C again. To date, it's still the best beach and clearest water of any place we've been to.
I could just stare at it for hours! Fab pics as usual!! 
Feb 10th, 2011, 01:05 PM
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Wow! 2 years ago you and a few others helped me decide on Provo. We were looking around for something new this year, but now I am looking at Provo again! Last time we booked through VRBO and stayed at the Regent Grand. Beautiful. Really thinking about Beaches this year, just so the kids have some more activity. What are your thoughts on Beaches? We have NEVER stayed at an AI so I have nothing to compare it to. Also thought of Villa Renaissance. Do you know anything about this place, is it very close to Regent Grand? Anywhere else we should consider? Thanks!
Feb 10th, 2011, 03:07 PM
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Thanks, blamona! Son is now 16 and daughter 13. Still can entertain themselves some, but was wondering if Beaches would entertain them since they would have more kids around? Also, found a deal at Leeward? Looks great, but can't tell where it is? Thanks, (again
, for your help!
, for your help!
Feb 11th, 2011, 04:47 AM
#17
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january89, there will be kids at Beaches, and chances are you won't see yours all day there except for dinner. They'd love the independence and there's tons to do--giant water tricycles, xbox room, water slides. Do keep in mind though, Beaches is very popular with little kids especially, with the nightly geared towards them, with Sesame Street characters and small kids clubs.
BUT your kids can make friends anywhere at most resorts at Grace Bay, especially Regent Palms, Somerset is popular with teens. They will be fine at these resorts and meet other teens to hang out with.
Personally Leeward is a beautiful resort, but mostly residential and on a man made beach not on Grace Bay. Your teens will hate there, you're picking from 1 extremes to another--(Beaches vs Leeward) Leeward currently is a ghost town, and your teens will be much alone there. Better suited for a quiet romantic getaway.
kellybeaches, currently Somewhere has live music Thursday nights. but ask when your trip gets closer (maybe a month before?) as that changes constantly.
BUT your kids can make friends anywhere at most resorts at Grace Bay, especially Regent Palms, Somerset is popular with teens. They will be fine at these resorts and meet other teens to hang out with.
Personally Leeward is a beautiful resort, but mostly residential and on a man made beach not on Grace Bay. Your teens will hate there, you're picking from 1 extremes to another--(Beaches vs Leeward) Leeward currently is a ghost town, and your teens will be much alone there. Better suited for a quiet romantic getaway.
kellybeaches, currently Somewhere has live music Thursday nights. but ask when your trip gets closer (maybe a month before?) as that changes constantly.
Feb 11th, 2011, 02:33 PM
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THANKS. Leeward sounds great for just the two of us someday. VR is running a 35% off deal right now, which is great. If I recall Windsong is where the SNUBA is, they have some specials too, but not sure if they have a a 2 bdrm with King and Twin room. Which are hard to come by everywhere it seems. Does anyone know anything about The Alexandria, great deals there now as well, just not sure where it is or if there would be teens.
Feb 13th, 2011, 04:53 PM
#19
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somerset and Alexandra have some rooms that have 2 twin beds in them, most of the resorts have King size beds in the bedrooms.
Both would work space wise, and are walkable to SNUBA and snorkel.
Both would work space wise, and are walkable to SNUBA and snorkel.
