kiramoli

We've been to T&C several times, always staying at Regent/Royal Palms. Loved the hotel, the beach, the grounds, decor and style, service. Unfortunately, they are not availalbe for the dates we are traveling and not that many hotels have available rooms so I am browsing VRBO.
I am choosing between Coral Gardens, RWI and Ocean Club Resort.
Coral Gardens' beach has a reef, does it make the beach area smaller? How is the service and ambiance at those three hotels?

WWK

Blamona, The TCI expert, can probably give you a more current answer than me. But when we visited last January, Coral Gardens was under construction. The beach there is extremely narrow.

On the plus side, you'd have instant access to a prime TCI snorkeling site, and good Mexican food ( SOMEWHERE CAFE, just next to Coral Gardens.

Ocean Club West has one of the widest and least crowded beach fronts on Grace Bay.

I don't know anything about RWI. For the last several years, we've only stayed at The Venetian.

I hope you realize that any of the properties you mention are going to be much less luxurious than Regent/Royal Palms.

Good luck!

BritishCaicos

There is development work has started at the side of Coral Gardens and the beach here is tiny. At high tide its around 20 feet wide at best.

The reef here is OK but getting battered by the effect of tourism each year.

Ocean Club West is a good option as is The Gansevoort which is next door.

Caribzack

All that you mention are a step below Regent Palms in service & decor FYI ( Now just The Palms BTW) Look at Regent Grand Or LeVele or The Sands.
The area near Coral Gardens is very narrow.

Jean_Rose

Hi there, I am presently staying at Ocean Club West and it is very nice here. I'm traveling with my husband and kids (12 and 18) and the 2-bedroom 3-bathroom suites are enormous. It is perfect for a FAMILY, or a group of people. Lots of room in the suites, clean and simple design, close to the beach, pleasant and friendly staff. Also was a very affordable option. That said, I wouldn't want to be here as just a couple. There are fancier places to stay that would be more intimate and romantic for a couple. Let me know if you have any questions about OCW. Good luck!

kiramoli

Hi, thank you BritishCaicos for advising on the contruction work around CG. It's extermely important, we've been burned on that once, don't want to repeat it.
I realize that all of those choices are stepdown from Palms. But this year we are doing a big house renovation and can't afford Palms. They dont have studios available, other options are pricey.
We do like OCW, but their studio room which is within our budget doesn't have any balcony. We are trying to keep a smaller budget this time and that's why I am looking at other options.
We also are considering renting via VRBO - Alexandra, RWI, Ocean Club. Ironaically, Coral Gardens has the best renting options via VRBO, there are several 1-bedrooms with nice balconies.

kiramoli

Is Alexandra nicer resort than Coral Gardens or Ocean Club?

WWK

The balconies at Coral Gardens are mostly at palm tree level, so there's very little view.

I don't think Alexandra is a nicer resort, though haven't seen the rooms. The overall vibe is like a time share development.

kiramoli

Thank you WWK.
Is West Royal Indies are better option?

WWK

I would go with OCW over WRI. Or better yet, any availability at The Sands?

Also, try to reach out to Blamona. She is the TCI expert for Fodor's, and might be able to suggest places I'm not thinking of!

WWK

A last comment: Also try to reach VAL at Turks and Caicos Reservations. They may have inventory that's not listed online? He is extremely helpful! Good luck!

kiramoli

In the end we went with Rwi. We are there right now. Its very basic hotel, but decent basic. Not a 4 star as stated, 3star the most. But is expected considering their rates. Thanks to everyone who provided theit input.

BritishCaicos

That's interesting because their website looks really flashy.

Hope you enjoy, quite windy currently.