Just back from Harbour Island!
 

<BR> I just returned yesterday from a trip to Harbour Island and had the time of my life. My wife and I stayed at Romora Bay and absolutely loved it. I received a lot of help from this site preparing for the trip so I wanted to post and say I am open for any questions. <BR> I read Tweedy's note about N. Eleuthera airport under repair and that is definitely something to consider. We didn't find out until we were at the ticket counter in Nassau and ended up on an extremely small charter flight...these flights may not be for everyone. Personally, the charter flight was the most fun, beautiful time of the trip. The view of the water and islands is amazing and very close because the smaller plane doesn't fly as high. I would recommend it to anyone even as an entertaining activity. We took the Fast Ferry back and that was also very nice though it takes a bit longer. <BR> We stayed on Harbour Island for 4 nights but we only rented a golf cart for two days which was plenty. From Romora the beach is a fairly short, pleasant walk away but we found that the cart gave us flexibility and we really enjoyed exploring the town and island. It also allowed us convenient trips to Johnson's Grocery which offered much cheaper bottled water(gallon for $1.95 versus a liter for 4 dollars at Romora) and chocolate treats! <BR> I could go on and on but I will leave it at that. We also spent a couple days in Nassau so if anyone has any questions about there I would be happy to help. <BR> Lance<BR>PS if staying at Romora...ask for rooms 7,8,or 9...the views of the bay are much better.

Lance:<BR><BR>I am SO GLAD you had a good time. I am sure you met a few friends of mine on the island.<BR><BR>Are the birds still at Romora? Haven't been down in a couple of years but always thought it a nice treat to say hello to them.<BR><BR>Did you get a chance to eat dinner at Runaway? <BR><BR>Glad I could help with the trip and hope to see you there one of these days.<BR>If so the Kalik is on me.<BR><BR>tweedy

Hey Lance,<BR>I'm booked at Romora for 7 nights in early July for my honeymoon. We're staying in a junior suite, #1 I believe. Are the rooms nice? How's the air conditioning? How about the food? Is it as good as they say? Any other information would be appreciated. Glad you had a good time. Any night spots you recommend? <BR>Also, thanks for the airport info, we were flying from Ft. Lauderdale to No. Eleuthera, guess we'll be going to Governors Harbour now. <BR>

JB, <BR> Sorry it has taken me a bit to respond...I have been traveling and getting moved. You will love Romora. The rooms were very nice and though we only stayed in a regular waterfront room we found that it had a lot of space. The decor is nice and interesting enough to make you look carefully at it. The air conditioning was excellent and there was also a ceiling fan in the room. We just left the air and the fan on most of the day and it was chilly in there. The cleaning service is also extremely thorough.<BR> The food is excellent! We only had breakfast included in our room rate (you may have dinner as well) and so we never did eat there in the evenings. To eat it is 55 dollars a person which was a bit much for our budget. We ate at Ma Ruby's just down the road(you can ask for a colorful map of the island) and it was great food, service and better prices. A very good price range there, you can eat a huge grilled cheese sandwhich and fries for 6 bucks or get a Lobster entree with everything for 35 dollars. We basically stuck to the 'Twilight Menu' and ate well. <BR> Breakfast at Romora was outstanding and something we looked forward to. Fresh fruits, croissants and juices as well as a hot menu with pancakes, eggs and more. We would feast on this a little later in the morning(served til 10:00am) and wouldn't be hungry until evening. The atmosphere is wonderful and I am sure they put on a great meal for dinner. <BR> If you do rent a cart I would recommend taking a driving tour everywhere you can on the island. We had a great time driving to see the large, older homes. <BR> The mosquitoes may get bothersome if you are out at night and so I would recommend some bug lotion or something. They weren't overwhelming but we wished we would have had something along with us. Eating earlier in the evening also might help since most restaraunts are somewhat outside. <BR> As far as night spots, it is low season there and so the places aren't quite as hopping as normal. I understand Gusty's is a pretty popular place to be. I don't know how nice it is though. <BR> I guess that is all I can think of for now...if you need anything else let me know. <BR> TWEEDY,<BR> Yes, the birds are there and quite amiable. We didn't get a chance to visit Runaway Hill. I looked for it often as we drove around but never saw it. I found it on a map inside Romora the last day and so we never got there. It is rather hidden by the looks of it. <BR> Lance

Lance (&/or Tweedy), did you happen to see Coral Sands? We're thinking about staying there in July. Wondered if it looked like a nice property. Is there easy access to any good snorkeling off of Harbor Island without having to take a boat excursion to get there? We'll have a couple young kids with us who would be beginner snorkelers. Is there any place to rent snorkeling equipment?<BR><BR>And since you mentioned Nassau, I wondered where you stayed and if you liked it. We're considering a few days there too - maybe Marriott's Paradise Island Beach Club. We really don't like mega resorts, but would like to catch a glimpse of the infamous Atlantis. Do you know if this particular Marriott is just an extension of the bigger Marriott or is it completely seperate?<BR><BR>Thanks for any time you take to answer any questions. Everything costs so much (especially flying 5 people there!) that we want to be sure each choice we make is worth every penny!<BR><BR>Thanks! Stephanie

If you are going off season, you will certainly get better prices on staying on PI and Harbour Island. I think I heard Coral Sands is offering a good special right now. Another option there would also be Romora Bay, with kids.<BR><BR>I think my first suggestion would be Coral Sands though, there will be other families there so your kids will have some friends to hang around with.<BR><BR>Yes you can snorkle right off the beach, but I would suggest taking a snorkle trip with Valentine's or asking one of the water taxis to take you out to an off island for a day of picnic and fun, (but bring gallons of sun block), you can also arrange to be picked up at a certain time and the cost if minimal.<BR><BR>Bring your own snorkle gear. It is usually expensive to rent and may not fit as well. In the states it is much less expensive to buy as well.<BR><BR>I don't know the Marriott on PI, never stayed there. But you will see the Atlantis as you fly over it on your way to Harbour Island as well. Bahamas Air is $100rt, but you might try the Fast Ferry over. I also think they have discounts for kids on the ferry.<BR><BR>Hope this helps. We are planning to be on Harbour Island in July as well.<BR><BR>If you have any other questions, please let me know.<BR><BR>tweedy

We also stayed at Coral Sands last year and we loved the place. Make sure you get a room in the new building, 2nd floor. Huge room and you can hear the sound of the ocean lull you to sleep each night. <BR><BR>The staff at Coral Sands are very very nice, chef is great. All in all it was a really nice hotel. <BR><BR>The beach is the nicest part of Harbour Island. We preferred Bermuda, St. John and the Big Island, Hawaii as far as beaches, beauty, things to do and see. <BR><BR>Harbour Island though is nice if you want a quick 4 or 5 days and a lovely beach. Relaxing!!!!<BR><BR>DL

Stephanie, <BR> In your situation I would definately recommend Coral Sands. It looked very nice and was probably to most active place on the island while we were there. With kids I think the proximity to the beach and the other families make it well worth it. If you were looking for a more secluded, quiet place I would recommend Romora Bay. <BR>There were a number of people with snorkel gear right on the beach there so it is possible but it looked as though the coral was limited and so if you want a better trip I would book with Valentine's. We did a snorkel trip on a Wednesday afternoon and it was just us on the trip! The staff was very nice and helpful and the underwater sights were well worth it. It is 35 dollars per person including tax and takes about 2.5 hours (leave around 1:30pm, back around 4:00pm). <BR> As far as Paradise Island goes I can't say that I got an extremely good look at the Marriot. I did see the Comfort Suites which looked very nice and were the closest to the Atlantis. You may want to check into staying there and then you have access to all of the Atlantis. The room rates are reasonable and includes a free breakfast. <BR> We stayed at the Orange Hill Beach Inn and absolutely loved it, but again, it was what we were looking for. It is bargain price (100 dollars), quiet and out of the way. It also has a very decent beach across from it and then we caught the bus for 1 dollar all the way into Nassau. A ferry from Nassau is three dollars a person to Paradise Island which is how we explored the Atlantis. The Orange Hill may not be the best for you with a family but just wanted to let you know there are many options. <BR> Hope this helps...if you have any other questions feel free to ask. <BR> Have a great trip, <BR> Lance

Lance & Tweedy, thank you both for your informative responses. Unfortunately we're having trouble finding the room we want at Coral Sands on the dates we want. I'm desperate to stay there! Harbour Island looks so wonderful, and in fact, we're leaning toward just HI and not Nassau. We like the slower paced quieter islands best. I wouldn't mind just quickly walking through Atlantis someday, but don't care to spend much time there.<BR><BR>Still waiting to hear back from Coral Sands as to availability. Will keep our fingers crossed.<BR><BR>Thanks again!

Stephanie, if you have some problems, let me know and I can make a call for you. You might also check into Romora Bay which is also nice, small and the accomodations are villas overlooking the bay.<BR><BR>Also you might try The Landing or Bahama House, both are B&B's on the bay side of the island, and not very far from the beach, (actually nothing is very far from the beach, lol). Staying at either B&B you are also closer to some of the shops and restaurants and the 3 spots for ice cream (that would be important to the kids, lol)<BR><BR>Paul and I are going to be on island in July, if so the Kalik is on me...<BR><BR>Take care and let me know if you need any help.<BR><BR>tweedy

Tweedy,<BR><BR>Thanks so much for the other recommendations. Turns out, we did find some dates that will work at Coral Sands, just need my husband to take a look at the final plans/costs and give me the official ok to make all the reservations. We're looking at July 19-23. I'll let you know when we have definitive plans. I would love to meet you out there, but I think the Kalik would have to be on us given all the help and information you've provided. I've been reading your posts about HI for years with great interest.<BR><BR><BR><BR>I'll

Thanks for the nice post. I think you will enjoy your time on island. There is so much to see or you can just relax and enjoy the beach.<BR><BR>Coral Sands has a really nice beach bar and serves the best conch burgers. The kids will love them.<BR><BR>A little closer in to the trip, I will give you a few names to look up to make your stay just a little nicer.<BR><BR>Have a great time. Hope to see you there.<BR><BR>tweedy