St.Kitts - TBR and more questions

Old Jun 16th, 2006, 06:32 PM
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St.Kitts - TBR and more questions

Hello!

Everyone was so helpful here on my last vacation planning escapade to St. Martin - which we thoroughly enjoyed - that I am back to ask questions of our next location...

St. Kitts...First accomodations...we are hoping to make this a two week vacation so $ is a key issue - we have discovered that TBR can be very affordable especially for 2 weeks - but to get the good deal and get a kitchen we would be in a Studio - but not a studio with a real bed one with a "queen sofa couch" does anyone know what this is? Is it comfortable? What would our 2.5 year old son sleep on? Are these studios with a balcony? Is the kitchen worth it? That is it for TBR as otherwise we are in!!

The island itself- what would you suggest we do? My husband LOVED SXM...and I fear that part of his passion was all the hustle and bustle - I am now taking him to a less outrageous island and for twice the time - I have to be armed with activities...some golf and lots of beach time with our son - but what else - are there low cost options? And should we splurge the money on the rail tour?

Finally - restaurants?? Any big recommendations? What about the entertainment at Mr. X's - does it really exist and if so is it as fun as it seems it could be? I cant' wait and I am really excited to be sharing this with our son as the older he gets the better his understanding is and the more fun he has in life overall - I thought that the animals would be a ball for him...Any kid suggestions?

Have I lost you already? If you are still reading my endless list of questions then - THANKS!! I am so looking forward to responses!!

p.c - my son will be 2.5 years old and on his 3rd island - now that is a Caribbean Canadian baby!!
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Old Jun 16th, 2006, 07:40 PM
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iw
 
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Wow!! Your kid is sooo lucky!! All I ever had was Myrtle Beach! LOL....I can't be of much help. We are returning for our 2nd stay on St. Kitts/Nevis in, ummmm....6days...grin...we love it and have and will stay at the Marriott. Another forum that can answer your questions is www.myislands.myeyez.net and Krista and Liz can answer any question that you may have. Good luck!!

p.s.We are headed to St. Kitts/Nevis and St.Martin in a few days (staying on the french side...how about you_
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Old Jun 18th, 2006, 12:39 PM
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You and your family will love St. Kitts!

Highly recommend Timothy Beach Resort. www.timothybeachresort.com

The staff are very friendly and helpful, excellent location and clean, comfortable rooms.

I stayed in a one bedroom unit (had a sofa bed in the livingroom and full kitche) and enjoyed it. You might find this more comfortable.

The studio has 1 queen sofa bed, coffee/tea maker and kitchenette.

You can request a cot for your son. The kitchen is nice to have so you don't have to eat out all the time. There is a Ram's convenient store down the street or visit IGA Grocery Store.

There are lots to do in St. Kitts. Tour the island and see Brimstone Hill Fortress, www.brimstonehillfortress.org, Romney Manor, go on the catamaran/snorkel adventure www.bluewatersafaris.com, visit Turtle Beach and see Wilbur the pig and Tarzana the resident monkey www.turtlebeach1.com, day trip to Nevis and visit the Botanical Gardens or just relax on one of the many beautiful, uncrowded beaches.

I would recommend hiring a taxi driver instead of taking the Scenic Railway.

St. Kitts isn't known for great shopping like St. Maarten, but there are some nice shops in Basseterre and in the Marriott.

There are many restaurants you can enjoy while you are in St. Kitts. Sunset Cafe at TBR, PJ's, Rock Lobster, Mr. X's, Turtle Beach, Ballahoo's, Circus Grill, and Sprat Net.

Yes, there is entertainment at Mr. X's. www.mrxshiggidyshack.com

Thursday night is the bonfire, live music and Gary the fire eater and Thursday is karaoke night.

You might also enjoy the famous West Indian Buffet and steel band show on Friday nights at Ocean Terrace Inn.

Another website you might find helpful is www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com





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Old Jun 18th, 2006, 12:46 PM
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Check out this video of St. Kitts.

http://photoshow.comcast.net/watch/Ie5ee2MB

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Old Jun 19th, 2006, 03:35 PM
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Thanks very much!! First of all - what makes you say no to the Train instead chosing a cab tour please?

The queen sofa couch is it comfortable though - I of course am imagining the old pull out couches with the bar in the back - ever see Seinfeld??? eeks?! We would love a one bedroom but can't seem to find a quote for that and worry about the increase in price...but if it is available I wonder if we could ask for it there...

I love the idea of Mr.X's and really looking forward to having a kitchen so we can do exactly as you say and buy some groceries and make some meals...sigh - I can almost imagine being there now...bagel and coffee on the balcony - wait there is another question....what would you recommend - first floor or second or third? Do these uncertain studios have balcony's....eee - I am full of questions. Thanks for your time and patience.

Regarding our trips and our sons great fortune you are absolutely right!! My dearest friend lives in Barbados so we didn't have the resort experience there but heck who cares we had a ball!

We loved St. Martin we also stayed on the french side at L'Hoste...we considered returning there this year but the prices are a bit ridiculous and my husband needs to see a new island. Also my favorite island is Grenada which is so different than St. Martin we hoped St.Kitts would provide some of the relaxed serious West Indian experience we are looking for without the cost. We have always wondered about Timothy Beach too. I have been to St.K's three times and stayed at what is NOW the Sugar Beach Resort and made the trek to the Caribbean beach...it will be nice to stay on the actual beach.

I am ok without the shopping as the truth is we live like we are very rich with these vacations but this is our priority (travel) and we really don't have much extra money left by departure date so it might make us less blue to not be able to buy up a storm.

We are really looking for somewhere to relax, feel safe, allow our son to play in the water (couldn't do that at Orient Beach), see the animals and have fun food in fun atmosphere - and if my husband can get some golf and history stuff in too that makes it even more heavenly.

Hopefully we are making the right choice - we are kind of uneasy booking so soon and yet at the same time we are uneasy to miss this great price on TWO WEEKS!!

Oop - do you have any strong recommendations on who to rent a car from? And if we were trying to keep the cost down and rent for less than 14 days...what would you suggest based on walking to eating places?

THANKS again SO much!! We will give the most accurate trip report when we return...and if there are any questions I can answer about SXM I will happily!
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Old Jun 20th, 2006, 05:42 AM
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Regarding the one bedroom unit at TBR, you should contact Virgil regarding rates and availability. His e-mail address is [email protected]

The one bedroom would be more comfortable. I stayed on the first floor and enjoyed relaxing on the patio in the morning. The second floor provides great views.

I've heard the train is overpriced and you see more if you hire a taxi driver. They can take you to the beach and places the train doesn't go.

For a car rental you should contact Thrifty Car Rental at TDC.

There are many great restaurants within walking distance of TBR. (PJ's, Rock Lobster, Mr. X)




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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 05:41 AM
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FYI, my unit at TBR was on the ground floor, #32, overlooking the pond. Kitchen was a bit dated, but still very comfortable unit.
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 07:36 AM
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You might find this link helpful.

http://www.skyviews.com/stkittsmap.html
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 07:37 AM
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Should be http://www.skyviews.com/stkitts/stkittsmap.html
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Old Jun 21st, 2006, 03:16 PM
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Look for the monkeys at Timothy beach - they live in the trees behind the resort and occasionally (if no-one is around) come down to the pool to grab a drink
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Old Jun 24th, 2006, 02:51 PM
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Ahhh - I have just read the most unpleasant new review of TBS on Tripadvisor....gah!!

Now you all still recommend this hotel right??? One person may just have sharply contrasting ideas of suitable..right?? I have sent an email to Virgil at TBR and I hope I hear back from him - I have already sent two emails to their general on site address...just inquiring about the now infamous "pull out couch" and whether rooms can be close - it seems here (Toronto Canada) we don't have packages offering one bedroom suites only studio mtn and ocean view...gah!!

We are really looking forward to St.Kitts and have decided it is the place for us - I just wish we could get comfortable with our decision about where to stay!!

Thanks all!!
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Old Jun 24th, 2006, 05:50 PM
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Hi,

I left you a message on the other forum but I had another suggestion. Would you be interested in renting a two bedroom apartment for your vacation? I know there are rentals on the island and it might be more economical for you and your parents to rent a two-bedroom condo.

I can't speak directly to TBR because I've never stayed there. My impression is that the units are individually owned so they vary somewhat in furnishings. It's location on the beach, though, would seem ideal for you and your family.

I read the review you saw on tripadvisor and I was a little dubious about it. The person complained that there wasn't even a gym on site. Well . . . if he had even done any minimal research he would have known that in advance. Seemed to me as though he was complaining about spending money for a 3-star property and not getting a 5-star, and having to spend more to move to the Marriott.

That's comparing apples to oranges.

Good luck in your search. I think if you post a question about condo rentals on the other site, you may have some good luck.

CW
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Old Jun 25th, 2006, 06:04 PM
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I agree with what Liz had to say. We stayed at TBR in a 'regular' ocean view room and were quite happy. It is
definitely NOT the Marriot but it is friendly, comfortable and in a great location.
If you are only happy in a large chain resort type hotel - you won't like it.
But if smaller, more intimate, more "local" type hotels appeal to you, you will like it.
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Old Jun 26th, 2006, 10:31 PM
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WE were happy with our standard ocean view room, which we got with an Apples package. I booked the Apples package through my AAA travel agent, who is a great friend whom I sometimes use when I don't have time to plan the trip myself.

Timothy's is a moderate hotel. Front desk staff was very friendly. Love their casual little restaurant which can't get much closer to the beach without being IN the water! You can snorkel right in their water and see lots of different fish...stand on the beach facing the water. See the rocky arm to your left...swim on the other side of the arm and there is lots to see.

The Marriott is a different world, very glitzy, more like Vegas than St. Kitts. We walked around at the Marriott one night for fun and didn't care for it. Some people like it.

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Old Jun 29th, 2006, 07:19 AM
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Sheila,

Glad you decided to stay at Timothy Beach Resort and chose a one bedroom unit. I'm sure you and your family will find it very comfortable.

Look forward to reading your Trip Report when you return.

Glad I was able to help you with travel plans.

Liz Pereira
St. Kitts Specialist
www.discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches.com
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