I would love to hear any think about Beaches the good the bad the ugly. We are booked May 20 -27, 2006. Any info, Please.

Just wanted to say we are going to T & C the exact same dates, but are staying at the Sibonne. We don't have children.

Look at Tripadvisor.com for more info on Beaches.

It's the worst part of a very beautiful beach - think narrow and crowded compared to the rest of the beach. Lots of lounge chairs and public access, anyone can walk along the beach outside the resort and they do - although non residents can't use the chairs.

I walked along the beach to the Sands last year (early afternoon) and this was the only place I saw a condom!!!!

On the beach !!! You really would have thought someone would have moved it when they put the chairs out for the day.

That's the ugly! Sorry

I'm sure the resort is wonderful for children, I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Things we hated:
I agree that the beach was too narrow. Also the entertainment was pathetic. In all fairness though, I doubt anyone goes there for the shows at night.

Things we loved:
Gym was well equiped. The food was plentiful and okay. We liked the Petit Chateau the best. The pools were large and never crowded (usually one was closed every day)

What others said:
A lady on her honeymoon complained that there were kids there. Duh - go to a Sandals if you want more privacy.
People liked the French Village rooms better.

Other things to know:
Airport is handy to resort (15 minutes)
Everything is expensive in gift shops(everything is imported)
The locals come in once a week for a flea market (buy your souvenirs then)
Don't leave food in rooms (ants)
Not the friendliest staff -- be polite and they will respond in kind.

Do be sure to look at Tripadvisor.

When we were on Provo, we walked by Beaches several times, and there were a couple of things that we noticed:

The beach was not very nice - narrow and crowded.
The place did not just have kids - it was OVERRUN with kids.
It looked like the beach chairs were all taken.

The whole property just looked over-crowded in general, and this was during the off-season when you would think there would be fewer people.

There have been some really bad reviews on both here and tripadvisor. We don't stay at AI's, but based on what we saw when we were there and the reviews I've read, I'd never even recommend it to anyone. (And it ain't cheap...)

Diana
I take all Tripadvisor reviews with a grain of salt. Ten people can go to the same place and have different experiences. Walking by a resort is not the same as staying there. I've been to 2 "Beaches" and 6 "Sandals" and had a blast everytime. If you expect to be waited on hand and foot and Gourmet food then you will be disappointed. If you go with a chip on your shoulder and a bad attitude then you will have a lousy time. Beaches caters to "Families" and cannot satisfy everyone. The food is plentiful and there is a wide variety. The drinks are included -- if you don't like your drink get another or ask for more liquor. There is always something to do. Some kids will be bored and want to stay with their parents the whole time. Others will find new friends. The point is to relax and enjoy the beautiful climate and different cultures you encounter. Personally I enjoyed Jamaica more than Provo but I would go again. Some people dislike AI's and don't mind paying extra for beach chairs, towels, tipping, etc. I love AI's because I know upfront how much money I am going to spend and am not nickle and dimed along the way. To each their own.

bean2574,

Much of what you have said I agree with, everyone is different with different expectations, but, you say...

"Some people dislike AI's and don't mind paying extra for beach chairs, towels, tipping, etc. I love AI's because I know upfront how much money I am going to spend and am not nickle and dimed along the way. To each their own. "

I'd love to hear what you may have paid for your vacations at Beaches or Sandals with or without air fare.

Stating some "don't mind paying extra for beach chairs, towels, tipping, etc."
I don't understand what you mean, about paying "extra".

Do you believe that you did not pay "extra" for these amenities within the price per day you paid upfront at Beaches or Sandals?

I don't know about anyone else, but at a non-all-inclusive resort, I have never had to pay extra for beach towels, beach chairs, or even an extra tip (if I chose not to) These types of amenities are commonly included as "complimentary" at most resorts within a per night basic room rate price that you pay. As far as tipping, many,most or maybe even all resorts these days, have added a gratuity/service charge on to the room rate, and your food/drink bill, sooo any additional tipping/gratuities, are optional. Basically, Sandals tips being included, is NO different from other resorts, the tips are also included. They just don't use this as a selling point, and due to the fact that many people really do like to add something extra for staff that work really hard to provide you with great service. It is allowed. These employees, are not punishable by termination of employment for accepting a small token of appreciation.

I think this is where many may get confused, and or are persuaded that it is beneficial to go with an all-inclusive over a non-all-inclusive resort. The price, one, is paying "upfront" for "all" of everything is an important key, and then whether or not a guest or guests were able to take advantage of what the resort has to offer. I think people have to be of the type, that are satisfied with the fact that they have "paid" for everything up front, whether or not they will be able to take advantage of the extras. This, may vary widely due to occupancy levels, weather conditions, restaurant closures, cancellation of activities, etc. I really do believe that the price someone has paid, will determine their satisfaction.

I for one have nothing against an all-inclusive, if it comes very, very value priced. I don't like paying upfront for things I may or may not be able to use. If you want to leave the resort, on your own or on a tour for the day, you are not only are losing out $$ wise on the cost of your food drinks and activities you won't be partaking in for that day (you have already paid for all of this already for each day at the resort "upfront&quot, then you have to add to that the additional cost of the taxi's, tours, food, etc. you might want experience off the resort property. Ouch!

I really agree with Sailor. In comparing the price of Beaches with other of the "modest" resorts on Provo, it seems you are paying hundreds of dollars a day for meals and drinks. You can get both for much less at the restaurants and bars on the islands( again at the modest restaurants, which Beaches is). And for activities, for example, diving is included at Beaches (I think) and I have been on dive boats with guests from Beaches, who are paying extra even though the diving was included. It was too restriced and difficult. I have even seen Beaches guests at restaurants, when their meals were included. In some ways Beaches seems very nice, but don't think of it as a deal. You can be sure that every item, used or not is included in the price. And on Provo, you can be in an apartment at most of the resorts, and have much more room.

Sailor,

You are right -- I pay for a lot of things I don't use on our AI vacations. I guess I don't like surprises. I like to know up front how much it is going to cost. When we were in the Bahamas, we had to pay for beach umbrellas and towels. Meals were $15 a person and this was 1982. I think I paid $6200 for 2 adults and 1 teenager to T & C. This included airfare. I usually go for 3 nights to Sandals MoBay and that runs $2500 for the two of us. I feel it is well worth it. Again I repeat --I don't like surprises and I always know what to expect from the Beaches/Sandals family. I guess I don't appreciate someone who has never stayed at a resort comment negatively about the resort. Wherever I go I have a great time. Its off to Europe this summer and then Jamaica in 2007.

Turks and Caicos has wonderful restaurants and it's such a pretty island to 'tour'. I would recommend non-AI personally but to each their own. That said, I was not impressed walking by Beaches and would not stay there.
Trish

Beaches was my first TCI experience, a friend got married so the single ones in the group spent 5 days drinking and drinking and drinking! The all inclusive was good to us in that way. Narrow beach? I couldn't get over the beauty of the water to notice the wideness of the beach. We left the "compound" two nights to go into town for St. Patty's Day, Danny Bouys was a great bar for that!! The resort staff was amazing to us because we spent so much time at the resort...still have some friends that worked at Beaches I still talk to. I was unaware of how many children would be there, I'm not up on my resort info but we were always able to find a chair and a pina colada! We signed up for snorkeling while at the resort, that was a beautiful day out!! Make sure you leave the resort at some point even though it's hard to do. Again...the free cocktails and living in your bikini and sarong was a lovely way to relax!

hi b4, boy did you jump into the fire here. fodors always has a raging debate re: ai's.
to clear one point all beaches on provo are public so ppl can walk through 'your area' anywhere, including in front of private villas.
you are free to do the same.
do get a car for a day and take a look around provo. turtle cove marina sometimes has huge yachts to look at. the tour of the conch farm is interesting and only takes 30 mins. chalk sound/sopadilla bay beach is very nice. take south dock road to chalk sound road and go right. on your right is chalk sound which is a color of tourquoise i can not even describe. about 1/4mile down on left is small sandy road to sopadilla beach.you can see the beach from the real road. its not marked and its not the roads into the little rental housing area. there is room for a couple cars to park. the beach is shallow, calm and beautiful. smaller yachts are often moored out here. you might also drive out to malcolm road beach on the west end of the island. get good directions. its quite pretty and you can see clearly where the reef drops off - the 7000'wall. snorkel in front of coral gardens hotel.
take gallons of sunscreen. drink gal's of water. maybe tight fitting t-shirts the kids can where in the water if they start to burn. if you want to keep munchies in your room take a supply of zip-loc bags with you.
have a great trip. its a beautiful island.

We were in Provo last June and stayed at the Sibonne - LOVED IT! Beachfront Premium Room was exactly 26 steps from the sand and the restaurant was excellent. We walked by Beaches to go to Coral Gardens to snorkle and all I could think was, "I'm so glad I'm not staying there." A couple who went on a snorkle trip with us was staying there and said that they had paid $8,000 for the week, including airfare from LA. We paid less than $3,200, including airfare from DFW, all meals and a considerable amount of alcohol . They loved Beaches, though, so I would agree that it's all in what your expectations and priorities are.