We are going to the Turks for the first time. We are staying at the Royal West Indies Resort and are wondering if we should rent a car to get around.

Also any feed back on the resort would be most appreciated.

We just returned from a fabulous week on Prov. WE stayed at the Sands at Grace Bay...WONDERFUL!!! I highly recommend renting a car. We were there for 7 days and rented one for 3. The taxis are outrageously expensive. You can rent a car or jeep and spend so much less and have it at your convenience to go to the IGA (supermarket), go to dinners, see the island etc. IT cost about $170 for 3 days. WELL WORTH IT...

To belle-
What building and type of room did you stay at The Sands. Planning a trip next Nov. and can't decide between an ocean front studio or an oceanview one bedroom. Thanks for any info.
Cindy

We stayed there for 10 days and rented a car for 4 days, and I'm not really sure we needed it. We walked on the beach to several other hotels (we stayed at Ocean Club) to eat at their restaurants, and OC has the "Diner's and Shoppers Express" to go to other restaurants and the grocery. Check if your hotel has a similar service. I think you could get by without a car and spend the money on an extra night there : )

cindyanderson,

I think a Oceanfront Studio is big enough for 2 people. IT all depends what you are used to. THe studi is very spacious. GO for the Oceanfront Studio. WE absolutley love T & C and LOVED The Sands. Wish I was there right now.

Just got back from 8 days at Ocean Club West. Rented a 4WD vehicle for 5 days; probably 2-3 would have been enough. There's not a lot to see on the island compared to others we've visited.

If you want to go to Malcolm's Beach, in a remote location on the NW coast, you'll need a 4WD. Most of the road is fine but there's a 200-yard stretch that's awful.

We thought the Blue Hills area, just north of town, was the prettiest part of the island - stop at one of the "conch shacks," or at a local restaurant such as Three Queens or Smokey's.

For less than a day's rental cost, you can take a taxi to the IGA and back - or most condo resorts have shuttles.

A car also comes in handy if you want to visit the Conch Farm or Sapodilla Bay.

The roads are HORRIBLE, pot holes and dusty from the limestone. We rented through Avis, they were very friendly and easy to work with. There are very few road markings, so pay attention, study a map before venturing out. We liked having a car to explore the island, run to IGA, pick up pizza and traveling to restaurants, no waiting for a cab.