Has anyone been to Meridian Club, Pine Cay recently?I'm a little bit concerned about a news release that I just read suggesting that new manager, Jeff Humes, of PRM resorts will soon be upgrading bathrooms, outdoor eating pavilion and pool area along with adding "other luxuries." Hoping that the tone of the place is not changing.
Anybody have any scoop on this?

Those changes are needed. Your concern should be will it ALL BE COMPLETED a month or two before you plan to go. The former managers were a great couple and have moved on to Salt Cay Resort.
The beach is lovely. The sorkeling is pretty good but much of it is done on day trips from Provo which is not that accessable unless the manager will promise to take you over and pick you up for 2 day trips.

Interesting... I thought they were at Nisbet Plantation? Perhaps there was interim management. It's been awhile for me. Snorkling is not a big deal for me at Pine Cay. We go elsewhere for that. Are you an owner? Is there major construction going on right now?

The couple at Nisbet you are referring to was at MC before the Shafers is referring to who went to Salt Cay. They own Windmills Plantation on Salt Cay. The bathrooms need updating so badly as well as the other things which are planned for the club. I don't really think it will change, it will just be updated and upgraded. I know none of the home owners there want things to change that much, they just want the club to be nice. I am sure you will have a fantastic time.

MIM04: I am not a homeowner but I was interested to hear of the planned updating.
I do not want glitz but the updating at the rates I paid on my 3 visits are worthy of more than a coat of paint.
I happen to enjoy it most when many of the home owners are NOT there.

StanKase" I happen to enjoy it most when many of the home owners are NOT there."

When is that? We would love to go during the summer months....is it pretty quiet then??

Thanks for the update. Sad to hear things were getting run down- have been there over the years, but not recently. Hopefully, some of the needed touch-ups are being/have been made. We love the long peaceful beach walks and time to read "for fun" with the incredible ocean in front of us.Anything else we should be aware of or advised to bring that is different from the past?
Hope the food is still good...

I agree that the rooms needed LOTS of work. The bathrooms were ancient and the shower hardly big enough to turn around in.

I hope they hang some curtains or do something to give the rooms some privacy. Each room has a big sliding glass door - hubby went for a beach walk one night and was horrified to see that anyone could look right into the rooms! There were no drapes to pull. I suggested a folding screen or something that could be added to give privacy when needed. Have no idea if anything was ever done.

Rooms are either in duplexes or four plexes, meaning your small concrete patio might be right next to your neighbors.

We felt like The Meridian Club had the least privacy of any place we'd ever been. The only private room is the separate cottage at the end.

The only real privacy was the honeymoon cottage and that is needed reservations 6 mo. in advance.
I would guess homeowners are not there from May-Nov.

Some homeowners are there during the off-season. Some even go when the club is closed beginning Aug. 1. But not as many come as in the high season. Most like to be there for holidays.

Thanks StanKase and MIM04.

Meridian Club is running a special -- buy 3 nights get one free etc.... thought of taking advantage of it for end of June/first of July for 5 nights.

My concern is they advertise that June and July is "Family Month" which has me worried. I don't mind a few kids but not a resort full of them either.

Would you recommend going at this time of year? I don't mind if the room needs updating. I want the beauty of the beaches and seclusion.

Make the reservation? or wait?

Thanks

Well after reading your posts we have put Meridian Club on hold. I wondered why they were offering free nights!

Thanks for your comments.

Beachgirl, try looking on vrbo.com, you can get some great specials during the summer months. Usually around $100 less per night. Keep searching there are many places in Provo, to get a great deal..

There are only 13 rooms including the Honeymoon cottage as I remember. I would ask the maximum number of guests per room including infants/toddlers. If they say 4 you could find 12 kids in any given week that time of year. When we were there in the 1990's and early 2000's 1 could, had a 5-6 year old and 2 owners had 3-4 children total, on any given visit. While the owners homes area a distance away they use the pool more than the beach by far and some might have lunch or dinner in the dining room.
Also, when will the upgrades be complete? I would imagine they will do it in their slowest season which is June-Aug.or when they are closed.

Thanks StanKase. I didn't think it could be too crowded on such a small island. The kids can have the pool -- I want the beach!!

We will wait for the renovations to be completed before our first visit. I don't want to be disappointed!

Bargainhunter: I've sent many e-mails to vrbo listings. Have come up with a couple of condos -- houses we wanted were unavailable. You're right about the discounts during this time. We're grateful for that!!

Thanks for everyone's imput.

Gerry and I were at the Meridian Club last year. We stayed in the Sand Dollar Cottage and loved it. This is not a luxurious resort but rather rustic. The beach is beautiful and you have it to yourself. There were children there in January, I believe they were staying in the cottages around the island. I would not go during the summer months as I know it is overrun with children. Lastly, the food has a bit to be desired. Breakfast and dinner were good, not great. Lunch was a buffet and the pickings were slim. Given the expense, I prefer Palm Island in the Grenadines for its remoteness, food and better service.

I agree with Lisager15 - for the rate, there are better small, private resorts. The only thing outstanding about Meridian Club is the long white sand beach. The rooms are very basic, we too weren't wild about the food, and really there is very little to do.

Other possiblities are Guana Island in the BVI, Petit St. Vincent in the Grenadines, and Palm Island as was suggested. Rooms are far more private and cuisine is much better.

Returned from recent trip to the Meridian Club. The long sandy beach and beautiful water remain the same.
Adequacy of bathrooms and privacy were not issues for us. The bedding could do with an update. The manager is new as of April 1 as the Peter Island recruit did not last long.
The "chef," also new since my last visit is more of a good cook than a gourmet.
Something is "up" with the homeowners. My bet is the resort is being subsidized by members rather than reducing Club membership costs and that further changes are in the works-perhaps even elimination of the resort in favor of more homes?(This is merely speculation.)
I would return and recommend the island to others, but I would certainly bring my own drinks (alcohol is ridiculous for guests and discounted for owners) and, cousel awaress that the moderately-high luxury price is primarily for the pristine winding beach and sea.
Members were more obvious than in the past and children of members attended meals and beaches. Yes, there have certainly been changes, but they are so far, very different from those the news release led me to believe would be taking place. I will be curious to read updates from others who may visit over the next year. I will also be looking into the alternatives suggested by Scubamom, and Lisager. I would love to find an alternative Caribbean spot with a quiet soft sandy beach for long walks and beautiful blue clear water. Even with a few new flaws, Meridian Club remains my favorite absolute get-away vacation spot.