Rita

We just booked a trip to St Kitts and Timothy Beach. I'm having second thoughts. Is the beach nice at TB, rooms, etc. Please tell me of your experiences, good or bad.

Doug

We stayed there last Feb.We've been to 16 islands in the region and it was our best vacation ever.I would give TBR a 9 out of 10. Large comfortable rooms, great, friendly staff, Restaurant is decent, as was the beach and snorkling. Try to get a Caribbean view, as the sunsets are awesome from the deck. If it's your first trip, I strongly recommend a rain forest hike with Royston Stevens and a catamarran sail to Nevis. Both unforgettable. For more info and reviews on SK-N and TBR, go to wheretostay.com & geographia.com/guestbook/kittsnevis. Enjoy!

ML

I agree the catermaran trip was great,<BR>I hear the rain forest with Royston is also very good, however I was unhappy with TBR as well as well as the beach. I also have been to many Islands and in 20 years of travel this was the only resort that was a real disappointment Where have you been and what do you expect ??? Also please check damage of the beach at TBR (from a reliable source) It was very damaged from a previous hurricane when I was there July 2002. <BR>

Rita

ML,we have been to Cozumel, Aruba, and various places in Mexicao. My husband likes to walk the beaches. I've told him not to expect a lovely beach. We usually stay in the finer resorts, but this time we thought a less touristy place might give us more feel for caribbeab islands. No matter what we will make to most of it.

Islander

There shouldn't be a problem at all with the weather in Antigua in Nov/Dec. It is one of the islands that gets very little rain.<BR><BR>We were married at Sandals Antigua and it was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better weddingmoon. I am not one of those &quot;Sandals Lovers&quot; but this resort really has a great laid back and romantic charm to it. It has incredible landscaping, an amazing beach...and it's so peaceful and relaxing you can hear yourself breathe!! We have never enjoyed ourselves (or each other) more than on this vacation. There is plenty to do as far as land/water sports and at night they have entertainment (usually a steel drum band). They also have a beach party once a week. But what is so great is you can join in or do nothing at all! And the resort is like having your own Caribbean village to hang out in. We loved it!<BR><BR>And as far as the wedding, it couldn't have been more perfect. We had no stress what-so-ever. They took care of everything and it was SO beautiful. I can't really put the experience or the place into words to describe it well enough! We truly enjoyed it!<BR><BR>Congrats and enjoy where ever you choose to go! And if you have any other questions, or would like me to e-mail you pics, just let me know!

ML

Rita,<BR>I had the same idea, after what I read on the internet and certain reviews <BR>( wheretostay.com ) I thought I had found one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets. Not so !!! <BR>We made the best of it, the people in St Kitts are wonderful !! Some of the beaches are nice, many good restaurants. I just need need better accomadations and I should have known what I was in for with the price. <BR><BR>Go to Marshals!

JMM

1. The Beach (to the right of the hotel) is quite nice for walking. <BR>2. Water entry is a little challenging because of rocks at the shoreline for about 5-10 feet. Bring water shoes! However when I say this bear in mind that I have some mobility problems due to arthritis but with the help of my husband I made it past the rocks - so anyone can. Once you are past the shoreline rocks the bottom is for the most part sandy.<BR>3. Decent snorkeling at the breakwall just in front of the hotel. I saw an octopus.<BR>4. Very nice beach at southern most point of the island - Turtle Beach.<BR>5. Take snorkeling tour to Nevis - not cheap but I loved it - Pinney's Beach on Nevis is lovely.<BR>5. The resort - it is the ONLY resort on the caribbean side. The other resorts are on the Atlantic side or not on the beach at all. The beach on the Atlantic side is nice for walking but VERY dangerous for swimming. All the safe swimming on St Kitt's is on the caribbean side. <BR>6. The resort - casual, not fancy,friendly. Probably the only place I have stayed at in the caribbean where the manager asked me how I was enjoying my stay. It is definetely NOT a luxury resort with tons of amenities. The rooms are large and clean. The restaurant is pleasant,open air and casual - not gourmet but we were happy with the food.<BR>7. The island - very scenic - Brimstone Hill is a must. As is Turtle Beach. <BR>Overall Impression - would I go back - Yes.

jcap2683

We just returned earlier in the month and had a great time! We too have traveled extensively in the Caribbean. I am a professional person, but not snooty by nature. We love a really good room with all the amenities, friendly hotel staff and scenic beauty, but when we go somewhere on vacation we are there to spend time with each other and enjoy our destination (i.e. explore the island) We aren't looking for a place where people fall all over us waiting on us hand and foot. We are there for the scenery, snorkeling and hiking and Timothy Beach was perfect for our needs. We found it to be all that we wanted and more. We chose a one bedroom suite and it was lovely with plenty of room to spread out and a great balcony. We ate breakfast in and sometimes lunch so we could get on with our fast paced days of checking out the island.<BR><BR>The beach is not in good condition right in front of the hotel, but you can walk a short distance down and it is fine. We also were delighted to find a new sundeck and some nice steps for easy entry into the water and the nearby reefs - right in front of the hotel. The entry area had been cleared of rocks so you could sit on the lower steps and literally hop into the water. On one of the days we went snorkeling, the water was cloudy for no apparent reason, but thank heavens we gave it another shot because it was crystal clear the second time around. <BR><BR>The pool was charming and we saw monkeys several times during our stay. The food at Sunset Cafe was good solid fare and they had excellent lobster a couple of nights during our stay. The appetizers and rum punch were the best around. Going to the other beaches including Turtle Beach, S.Friars, and Sand Bank was part of the fun as well as trying the other restaurants on island. Marshalls was great, OTI had good entertainment, Stonewalls was fun and Spratnet was a great find. The owners at Turtle Beach have a young pet monkey which was a riot to observe. Overall it was a wonderful vacation and we will definitely return! <BR><BR>

Rita

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm convinced that we have made the right choice. I'm getting excited!

JMM

jcap2683:<BR>Thx for update on water entry situation - now I want to go back more than ever - since that was the only problem I encountered.<BR>Rita:<BR>My feeling is that as long as your expectations are realistic, you will like this laid back place.

Liz

Rita,<BR><BR>Have you already booked your trip? If you are looking for a real feel for the caribbean, I vote Tortolla. I stayed at Long Bay twice, beautiful beaches ( not at long bay though ) good snorkeling, and many residents that are helpful. We sat with a group one evening and they invited us to a fish fry on the beach. <BR>You can also visit other islands from <BR>there. Also very little Crime, St Kitts they warn you about the crime before you leave the airport for you resort. So don't be walking those beaches late at night. However I did find the people in St Kitts to be fine and did not run into any problems. Stayed At the Timmothy Beach Resort, I need a little more attention on vacation but as the last post stated that is not why one would go there. Also my room was a little dreary. Stonewalls was a very good place to eat and the owners were great, from Canada I believe.<BR>It is different than some of the other Islands I have visited, not because of any Island flavor. It is more 3rd world. I was told this by one of the owners af TBR before I made my trip there. Just be prepared for something a little different. For example at Timmothy Beach ( this has nothing to do with the resort ) there is Shiggity Shack a bar &amp; burger type spot right on the beach that is in a vehicle similar to an Ice cream stand &amp; cart. Next to that is Mr. X 's he rents beach equipment, chairs snorkle masks etc. and further down is the Monkey bar ( MY FAVORITE ) it is only open <BR>certain times but it is the most fun and really does resemble a bar. On Sunday night they have a beach party and there must be 500 people on a small beach. <BR>My point being this is all in front of your resort, people trying to make a living, no different than any where else except for the style. My point is it is not that all layed back. Everyone is always selling something so do not be fooled as another post has said just have fun and rememeber you are on vacation. I still think Tortolla might be what you are looking for. Try it someday, it has everything.