boy75

Hi,
we are a family with kids age 9 and 11 , and we will be in T&C in April for 6 days.
We have chosen to stay near Sapodilla Beach Bay & Chalk Sound.

Now we understand the beach by Sapodillay is fairly quiet and toddler friendly, but as our kids can swim and enjoy waves, we would like to spend time on Grace Bay Beach where . We will rent a car during our trip so this is not an issue

We understand Beaches offers a day pass but at $200 per adult without counting kids, this is not something we think its worth the expense, no matter how many activities are part of the 'package'.

Now, we would like to know if resorts on Grace Bay will let you access their beach or pool if you buy lunch at their pool/casual restaurants.

1) Would it be possible lets say at the Alexandra Resort if you are a customer of their "Asu on the Beach" restaurant ? would anyone familiar with Grace Bay hotels know ?
What about The Regent Palms, Somerset and Grace Bay Club ? any others

2) we are mostly interested in access to pool, would you know of any resort on Grace Bay besides Beaches ( way too expensive btw) offering a pass ? we are looking for options to be official day guests, we would never pretend to be overnight guests it goes without saying,

3) is there a breakfast place you recommend which is on or Grace Bay Beach ?

4) if we are to use the public beach access only, which are your top 2 recommendations on Grace Bay area ? the idea would be that we bring our own chairs/umbrella but we would have lunch at a nearby resort restaurant and spend the day at Grace Bay Beach ? Would there be waves there

5) best spot to snorkel without having to take a boat trip. beginners/kids friendly would be a plus .

I could find a detailed map here.
http://www.wherewhenhow.com/turks-ca...ands-magazine/
but I am obviously looking for TCI experts and locals advice to recommend me where to go based on what was indicated above. I would really appreciate all suggestions/comments you have.

Looking forward to go there in a couple of weeks.

thanks in advance

WWK

Hopefully Blamona, the T&C expert will see your post and advise you on most of it.

We've visited several times, and I can answer a few of your questions.

One of our favorite breakfast places is BAY BISTRO, which is at The Sibonne Hotel.

There's also a tiny French bakery in the same strip mall as CAICOS CAFE, but get there early!

One of the most popular places for walk-in snorkeling is CORAL GARDENS, which is just to the left ( as you face the water) of WINDSONG HOTEL.

And WINDSONG is next to SOMEWHERE CAFE, which is one of our favorite casual restaurants on the island for Mexican food and very good drinks!

I could be wrong, but I doubt very much that most resorts will let you use their facilities simply by ordering lunch IF you are not staying on site. I'd be especially shocked if the three resorts you mention - Regent Palms, Somerset, or Grace Bay Club- would allow this, since they are pretty exclusive
properties.

And if they do allow it, I bet they charge for it.








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blamona

Beaches passes are not given out during peak season (which April is) and now they've gotten so popular that they will be $560 per person, which is more than spending 1 night. So the only way worth it is to book 1 night (although April might be sold out already)

1, restaurants are separate from resorts. You can eat at any restaurant, but lounges and umbrellas and pools are for overnight guests only. Las Brisas Restaurant near Sapodilla Bay is the only place you can use the pool when you eat

2. No day passes anywhere (except Club Med, but must be 18)

3. Love Bay Bistro, Green Bean Cafe, Caicos Bakery, Shay Cafe

4. Might be waves, might not. Usually all beaches are calm (sometimes like glass) I've been on trips that have had no waves at all. Rarely I go (April might) have waves a couple of days. windguru.com if stars, then waves, 1 star not really. In general, beaches don't tend to be wavy

There are tons of accesses, beach is 12 miles. I like around Sibonne (Bay Bistro) and Hemingways (sands resort) but there are many more

5. Coral Gardens, easy entry, but big circle ropes stop short of going over the reef (so at edges) Take a boat excursion, so much nicer than a Beaches pass anyway! Caicos Dream Tours, Island Vibes, you're kids will love it!

When you snorkel at Coral Gardens, you can eat at Somewhere

Caribzack

Blamona is correct, no day passes at any of the resorts you ask about.

boy75

thanks very much for advice.

a) For Boat tour with kids, do you recommend Snorkel & Conch combo ? kids aged 9 and 11. great idea !

b) Also, to go snorkeling at Coral Gardens, do I park at the hotel ?
where would be the access to the snorkeling part ? is the public access easy to find and well indicated ?

We are planning 1 *early) dinner at Las Brisas, as the kids will enjoy access to the pool.

c) Can you please suggest best 4 restaurants with kids, knowing that we will go eat before 7:00pm, avoiding to wait too long to be seated and more family oriented feel ?

I was thinking Bugaloos on Tuesday with music which would be fun. Any other restaurant suggestions, if possible with kids-friendly atmosphere and nice views ?

Many Thanks !

boy75

for c) I meant Dinner restaurants, I received lots of great advice for lunch near places we will visit !

blamona

A. Island Vibes or Caicos Dream Tours (has slides from the roof too)

B. Arming outside next to hotel. Do not leave anything in the car and unlocked as per rental instructions

C. Wednesday night $14 ribs tiki hut. Thursday night fish fry. Bay Bistro, Somewhere at Coral Gardens. Really even nice places are fine with kids, it's a family destination

I like bugaloos on Sunday's. Da Conch Shack for lunch too. Fish tacos at hemingways are the best anywhere

WWK

We often snorkel at CORAL GARDENS. Best parking area is the parking lot immediately AFTER the parking lot for WINDSONG resort. It's a dirt road, and not marked well, but it is the next right after WINDSONG.

Just a FYI: Snorkeling tours run around $90 per person.

Best places to eat with kids? The ones mentioned in Blamona's post: SOMEWHERE cafe, BAY BISTRO, HEMINGWAYS, TIKi HUT, DA CONCH SHACK, and for Italian, BELLA LUNA.

There's also an amazing takeout barbecue place on the main highway. I think it's SHAYS?? Can call ahead and order. We loved the food!

WWK

Correction: The kid-friendly barbecue place we liked so much in Provo is CHINSON'S GRILL SHACK, not SHAY'S! Worth a visit, especially if you're interested in takeout. Excellent food.

boy75

big thanks to WWK and BLAMONA for super-fast and super-complete suggestions !
I read elswewhere that Tiki Hut and Mango Reef recently closed ? is this true ?

WWK

MANGO REEF moved to the marina at TURTLE COVE. I haven't visited since the move, but hope that their food is back up to par. Our last few visits at the old location were not good.

BTW, I don't think you're missing much w/ TIKI HUT. Also the Italian restaurant down at the marina was very disappointing. Tried twice in case it was an off-night. Don't think it was!

WWK

MANGO REEF moved to the marina at TURTLE COVE. I haven't visited since the move, but hope that their food is back up to par. Our last few visits at the old location were not good.

BTW, I don't think you're missing much w/ TIKI HUT. Also the Italian restaurant down at the marina was very disappointing. Tried twice in case it was an off-night. Don't think it was!

WWK

Sorry for double post. Something was wacky when I tried to submit.

Caribzack

Mango Reef new location is HUGE & the food is excellent. Love the new space, so open & right on the water.

blamona

I personally love tiki hut, especially $14 ribs on Wednesday nights!

I'm personally not a fan of Mango Reef (and don't like the politics that happened when they moved) but recognize that it has a following