Turks & Caicos - Where to Stay?
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Turks & Caicos - Where to Stay?
Hi, all. Based on some research, I've decided to try Turks and Caicos for my next trip to the caribbean.
I'll be flying into PLS on Continental using miles. I would like to spend < $250 a night and prefer a standard, modern hotel with amenities that the hilton or marriott would have here in the states. I see that there are very few hotel chains (and no fast food chains!).... What are your recommendations?
Also, what about transportation? Is a car necessary to expierence more? How much is a cab from the airport to the hotels in providenciales? Do hotels provide shuttles (for a fee or for free)?
Thanks.
I'll be flying into PLS on Continental using miles. I would like to spend < $250 a night and prefer a standard, modern hotel with amenities that the hilton or marriott would have here in the states. I see that there are very few hotel chains (and no fast food chains!).... What are your recommendations?
Also, what about transportation? Is a car necessary to expierence more? How much is a cab from the airport to the hotels in providenciales? Do hotels provide shuttles (for a fee or for free)?
Thanks.
#4
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Look at:
The Sands on Grace Bay
Royal West Indies
Ocean Club West
Alexandria
all are on Grace Bay
Alexandria & Sands would be my 1st choice( many dining spots within both)
Cabs are about $10-12.00 PER PERSON each way from the airport
No airport shuttles-taxi drivers put an end to that!
Rental car good to see other parts of Island
The Sands on Grace Bay
Royal West Indies
Ocean Club West
Alexandria
all are on Grace Bay
Alexandria & Sands would be my 1st choice( many dining spots within both)
Cabs are about $10-12.00 PER PERSON each way from the airport
No airport shuttles-taxi drivers put an end to that!
Rental car good to see other parts of Island
#6
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Grace Bay is the place to be and all of the hotels that you mentioned are nice. We have stayed at the Sands twice.
It has been several years since we were there but we did not rent a car, we took the Geko bus everywhere and it worked pretty well. I am not sure that I would rent a car in T and C because they drive on the opposite side of the road.
It has been several years since we were there but we did not rent a car, we took the Geko bus everywhere and it worked pretty well. I am not sure that I would rent a car in T and C because they drive on the opposite side of the road.
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Are you taking kids? If not, than I would avoid The Sands. It looked like a miniature Beaches to us. We stayed at the Sibonne. Loved it. It's great for just couples. Otherwise, I agree with the Alexandria or the Somerset.
Do rent a car. We didn't and regretted it. The Geko was still around when we went, but so unreliable. A car would have been so much better.
Check out www.wherewhenhow.com for great info.
Do rent a car. We didn't and regretted it. The Geko was still around when we went, but so unreliable. A car would have been so much better.
Check out www.wherewhenhow.com for great info.
#9
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there are no children. ocean club west is looking good...somerset as well. will be booking the flights and accommodations soon, but i have reserved a car already since no deposit is required. < 200 for a 5 day rental including fees but not insurance...not bad (will use AMEX car insurance program). i'm looking forward to driving on the other side of the road! plan on going to the supermarket to stock up on some beer and bottled water and snacks on the way to the hotel.
how much is gas here? can't imagine i'll put on more than 150 miles..but just curious.
how much is gas here? can't imagine i'll put on more than 150 miles..but just curious.
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this is probably a silly question but to be safe, at some web sites they said a visa is not required but a round trip ticket. i plan on taking one airline the way there (one way), and a different airline the way back (one way). i guess i just need to have my return trip ticket printed to show upon landing there?
#12
Ok, I've posted this before (see trip reports by clicking on my name for "08, 09, 10)
Why do we like Ocean Club West? Fantastic beach with beach chairs for all, good prices, restaurant & bar right next to the beach, walking distance to many restaurants, lovely grounds, low rise buildings (3 stories) so no walking through a fancy lobby to the beach,and a 5 min. walk to a huge grocery store for all you need, including wine. What is isn't----Luxury accommodations. IMO, you need to upgrade to a junior suite. The studios are in less desireable locations, noisy, bad views, etc.
Cabs are very expensive. If you plan to tour arouind the island during the day, rent a car. For us, we walked to dinner at Coco Bistro, Coyaba, Calico Jacks(for casual), Vix, etc. We took a cab to dinner a few times to Turtle Bay. Next time we will rent a car just to be more flexible. As I said---cabs are expensive. That said, we've had good service from "Tina's Taxi Service"
What time of year? It makes a difference.
Why do we like Ocean Club West? Fantastic beach with beach chairs for all, good prices, restaurant & bar right next to the beach, walking distance to many restaurants, lovely grounds, low rise buildings (3 stories) so no walking through a fancy lobby to the beach,and a 5 min. walk to a huge grocery store for all you need, including wine. What is isn't----Luxury accommodations. IMO, you need to upgrade to a junior suite. The studios are in less desireable locations, noisy, bad views, etc.
Cabs are very expensive. If you plan to tour arouind the island during the day, rent a car. For us, we walked to dinner at Coco Bistro, Coyaba, Calico Jacks(for casual), Vix, etc. We took a cab to dinner a few times to Turtle Bay. Next time we will rent a car just to be more flexible. As I said---cabs are expensive. That said, we've had good service from "Tina's Taxi Service"
What time of year? It makes a difference.
#13
You can't get a Hilton or Marriott on an East coast beach in the States on the beach, (more like $300-$400) so really don't expect properties of the same caliber for less anywhere in the Caribbean. Having said that, all places in TCI are clean and decent and beautiful. Most on the list have okay beds, Alex has decent mattresses but most rooms have queen size beds. The bathrooms at Ocean Clubs really could use some updating. I say this so that you have realistic expectations. The Caribbean is not cheap and T&C is one of the more expensive islands to boot.
I personally would be happy at all the above properties (somerset is way above your price limit, and is proportionally a gorgeous property to go with the price). There some specials until Dec which may give you a higher class property for the money chech out Regent Palms, West bay Club and Seven Stars for specials.
As for gas, currently gas is close to the $6 mark, but in 5 days you won't use a tankful. All resorts have a greet at airport but put you in taxi at you cost, which can be almost as much as your rental car. Since you already have a car, have it at the airport, will save you $30+ $.
I personally would be happy at all the above properties (somerset is way above your price limit, and is proportionally a gorgeous property to go with the price). There some specials until Dec which may give you a higher class property for the money chech out Regent Palms, West bay Club and Seven Stars for specials.
As for gas, currently gas is close to the $6 mark, but in 5 days you won't use a tankful. All resorts have a greet at airport but put you in taxi at you cost, which can be almost as much as your rental car. Since you already have a car, have it at the airport, will save you $30+ $.
#14
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so it looks like it will have to be ocean club west or alexandra. i don't care as much for the size of the room as long as the furnishings are modern..... like a flat screen tv and modern furniture would be nice. and i would like to stay at the one with the better beach of the two. which would i choose? what is the difference between just ocean club and ocean club west?
#15
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Alexandria is the newest of the 3 you mention above and most modern furnishings. We like that area best ( great dining at many resorts nearby and nice flat beach) Ocean Club is on the east end of Grace Bay and older than Ocean Club West, which is newer and more central. If you stay at Ocean Clubs they have a shuttle between the resorts and you can "hang out" at either. Also, Alexandria has the excellent Mango Reef restaurant on site. I'd pick Alex. hands down !
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Maybe one of the experts here could weigh in on Le Vele. We have booked a studio there for our trip in October, but no one here ever mentions it. It is next to Point Grace. It is modern looking and fairly small, but the pics look nice online, and it appears to be on a nice, convenient part of the beach.
The main drawback to Le Vele that I see from my research is that there is no bar/restaurant onsite, but I believe it is close enough to some other places that it should not be a problem.
The bonus of Le Vele for us is that we are staying for 5 nights, and their current offer was stay 3 nights, get 2 free. In addition they bring a continental breakfast to your room each morning, provided one dinner for two at Grace's Cottage (restaurant at Point Grace), and provided free airport transfers. All of their suites are oceanfront with a large oceanfront balcony, which was a selling point for me. We were able to get our 5 night studio suite with all of these amenities for around $1200 including tax. We also plan to rent a car for a day or two while there.
Maybe someone here can chime in on any drawbacks to Le Vele (other than the obvious lack of onsite bar/restaurant).
The main drawback to Le Vele that I see from my research is that there is no bar/restaurant onsite, but I believe it is close enough to some other places that it should not be a problem.
The bonus of Le Vele for us is that we are staying for 5 nights, and their current offer was stay 3 nights, get 2 free. In addition they bring a continental breakfast to your room each morning, provided one dinner for two at Grace's Cottage (restaurant at Point Grace), and provided free airport transfers. All of their suites are oceanfront with a large oceanfront balcony, which was a selling point for me. We were able to get our 5 night studio suite with all of these amenities for around $1200 including tax. We also plan to rent a car for a day or two while there.
Maybe someone here can chime in on any drawbacks to Le Vele (other than the obvious lack of onsite bar/restaurant).
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LeVele is very nice and 2 free nights-wow. We have viewed suites there and the outside of the building is almsot stark but, once inside --they are great! Yes, the negative is no restaurant but, you have so many within walking distance...most people do not eat at only their resort anyway! Point Grace and Grace's Cottage is wonderful--great setting and excellent food. Have fun !
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thanks for all your advice. i returned from my trip to Providenciales. the Alexandra was adequate for us. it was nothing fancy but was clean, had the flat screen tv although the channel lineup wasn't too great. i visited the beach there twice, and once went to the northwest point and once down to taylor bay which i enjoyed the most.
i got a little suzuki alto which seemed to be in terrible condition. felt like the engine was going to cut off at any moment. and it was manual and the steering wheel was very stiff. i got a good workout from driving that car. after 5 days of driving only four gallons at 5.65 were required to fill up.
the IGA store on leeward was expensive! well, everything was expensive. $11 to $17 for a 6 pk of beer, with the $11 one being the local turks head brand which i wasn't impressed with. a loaf of bread was some $4, a box of cereal $6, and so on. but it still beats eating out for every single meal, at least on the wallet. another store there was the graceway gourmet which i liked. they even had a little section selling freshly brewed coffee. as for the restaurants, it was an average of $45 for a meal for two. that's with 0 to 1 beverage per person and no appetizer, just two entrees. we tried da conch shack, hemingways, hole in the wall, tiki hut - these are some of the more affordable restaurants there.
and the casino was small but fun. enjoyed a couple of blackjack sessions with the locals and some americans and a canadian. the security guards in the front frisk you but those guys are just doing their jobs and are quite funny and friendly. most of the locals i encountered were great and friendly. overall, a great trip but probably will not be returning here since there are so many more options
i got a little suzuki alto which seemed to be in terrible condition. felt like the engine was going to cut off at any moment. and it was manual and the steering wheel was very stiff. i got a good workout from driving that car. after 5 days of driving only four gallons at 5.65 were required to fill up.
the IGA store on leeward was expensive! well, everything was expensive. $11 to $17 for a 6 pk of beer, with the $11 one being the local turks head brand which i wasn't impressed with. a loaf of bread was some $4, a box of cereal $6, and so on. but it still beats eating out for every single meal, at least on the wallet. another store there was the graceway gourmet which i liked. they even had a little section selling freshly brewed coffee. as for the restaurants, it was an average of $45 for a meal for two. that's with 0 to 1 beverage per person and no appetizer, just two entrees. we tried da conch shack, hemingways, hole in the wall, tiki hut - these are some of the more affordable restaurants there.
and the casino was small but fun. enjoyed a couple of blackjack sessions with the locals and some americans and a canadian. the security guards in the front frisk you but those guys are just doing their jobs and are quite funny and friendly. most of the locals i encountered were great and friendly. overall, a great trip but probably will not be returning here since there are so many more options
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