Coral Gardens or Alexandra Resort?
 

For similar price (within about $100 total) we can stay at either of these two resorts in an Oceanview room. both seem similar in that they are on the beach, have kitchens or kitchenettes, are time share places, etc and have similar star ratings and reviews.

Does anyone have experience at one or both of these and have any feedback on which is better? (FYI - we're 2 adults, no kids, and for now, are planing on renting a car) Also, if anyone has been recently - does anyone know more if the construction I have read about next to Coral gardens is annoying or an eye sore? Or maybe its done?

We have stayed at both places. We stayed at Alexandra right after it opened. So everything was brand new. We liked it very much. If a pool is important to you, Alexandra has the nicest pool area. We stayed at Coral Gardens twice, the first time in an oceanfront unit. Very large, 1 1/2 baths, you could walk right out to the beach from the first floor units. Older than Alexandra. Very small pool. The second time we stayed at Coral Gardens we stayed in the back. So eventhough the property is oceanfront, not all the units are ocean front. There are units in the back that are newer and nicer than the units in the front, but not right on the ocean. They were building a small pool in the back at that time. You can walk from one property to the other along the beach. Maybe a 10 or 15 minute walk.

Alexandra is newer, nicer-have viewed units at each, Coral Gardens is showing it's age and yes, the eyesore is a shell of concrete and when walking around Coral Gardens property it is right there--SO CLOSE !! Alex has more dining close by and Coral G. gets VERY busy in front with the snorkel crowd. Alex for SURE!

We stayed at Coral Gardens on our last trip. Although the 1 bedroom Grande Suite was wonderful...the strip of beach is narrow and very busy. Guests from every other resort come to snorkel, so the beach can get a little "crowded", so if you're looking for peace and quiet - I wouldn't recommend it. If you stay at the Alexandra - it's an easy walk down the beach to go snorkeling if you want. Also, the abandoned construction next door is definitely an eye sore!

Thank you. I think we go with the Alexandra Resort based on this and bit more research (plus, it has a pool bar - always a plus at then end of the day)

I have one more question - has anyone stayed in a studio at the Alexnadra? What is it like? Full kitchen (stove, etc)?

Also, we just found a good deal at the gansevoort. It would be $200 more total and slightly over our lodging bugdet, but wondering if its worth it - it does seem more "luxurious" - at least from the website. No kitchen, but breakfast is included.

Thanks.

We stayed in a one bedroom unit at Alexandra, but one day the maid was cleaning the studio that was next to us. So we walked in and looked. It was very small with a small kitchenette. Probably OK for a light breakfast and light lunch. Since we were there for two weeks, we preferred the larger unit. Travel is down right now, so if you reserved a studio and it wasn't large enough for you, you could probably upgrade. When are you going?

We are looking to go next month, so off-season (yes, we are kind of last minute travelers due to work travel). So, you are probably right we could upgrade. Speaking of upgrade, does anyone have experience where they reserve an oceanview and are upgraded upon arrival to beach front? Or is it worth paying the extra $$ up front to reserve beach front? I've stayed in both and I know beach front does make a difference, even though oceanview is ok. Does anyone know what "oceanview" is like at the Alexandra - ie. can you actually see the ocean without contorting yourself?

So it sounds like you are going in September. That is when we were there at the Alexandra. That was a few years ago so I don't know how things have changed, but in the oceanfront building (4 floors) there were only about 10 (at the most) units occupied. September is usually very quiet due to Hurricanes and this year will probably be no exception. What you could do is reserve oceanview and if not satisfied ask to be moved to oceanfront. Of course they might charge you or maybe you will be lucky and they will let it go just to please you. We have been upgraded at many resorts but mostly because we were "repeats" or celebrating our wedding anniversary.

I would stay at Gansevoort over the Alexandra.

Most resorts in T&C, including Alexandra, don't give out free upgrades. Most of the units are individually owned then placed in the rental pool and treated as a resort. They don't work like regular chain hotels, they have to rotate the units by what you pay for and be fair to the owners. Alexandra does have 1 building that's actually a timeshare, and is treated as such, the other units are "regular."

If there is something wrong with the unit, they usually change you to another same level unit.

If someone has been upgraded, it was either a coincidence or definately repeat visitors. (coincidence, meaning the owner decided to use their unit at the same time, and therefore the upgrade, for example.)

Overall, Gansevoort is nicer that Alexandra, but Alexandra is a nice mid-range property.

You can't really see the construction next to Coral Gardens from either Gansevoort or Alexandra. Currently it's at a stand still.

The ocean view units at Gansevoort mainly look at the pool, you see a small section of beach in between the buildings, but it's still an awesome view!