just back from point grace
 

i promised to post a trip report when i got back. so this is it...briefly. My husband and I and our two kids (12 & 15) spent a week at Point Grace. We had a GREAT stay. I have to start by saying I was nervous because of many previous posts I had read on this board. Frankly, I don't know what people could have been complaining so much about. The hotel is absolutely beautiful. I would definitely say it is the nicest accomodation on the island (though Grace Bay looks beautiful as well.) No comparison to the other resorts such as sands, ocean club etc.. The suites are lovely and large. Extremely comfortable. Beautifuly furnished. We were on the first floor in a 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath unit with kitchen, lr, dining room, terrace and a patio. We could walk out right to the beach. The views were amazing. The pool area is beautiful and the beach is magnificent. We found the staff to be helpful and friendly. Everything we needed was provided to us, with at most, a phone call to the front desk. We used the spa extensively- treatments take place in two little cottages just off the beach--with the sounds of the waves and the wind--so relaxing!--and booked two trips through Annie at the hotel--Sail Provo and a private fishing trip (both half days-both really enjoyable.) The resort is very quiet and private. I worried that our kids might be bored but they enjoyed the relaxation as much as we did I think. There is a small media room with a computer so they were able to email etc. which kept them happy when they wanted to get out of the sun. The resort is only a couple years old and there are a few things that could use improvement (which we shared with the management). For example, there is no on site gym. Information about facilities, services etc. should be compiled and provided in the rooms. There could be an early morning coffee service set out for guests. (though there are coffee makers in the rooms). Other than that...I'd say it was pretty perfect.<BR><BR>Restaurants on the island in general were not great in my opinion. All the restaurants are quite expensive and unfortunately not really worth it...but you have to eat! We tried several. Our favorites were Caicos Cafe for dinner, Barefoot Cafe for breakfast and Ripples for lunch. Grace's cottage, Anacoana, Coyoba were fairly good---though they are not quite there yet...Coco Bistro was terrible; Baci was ok.We were happy to have the kitchen facilities and ended up eating in most breakfasts and lunches. <BR><BR>Anyone who is considering staying at Point Grace definitely should feel perfectly at ease that they will have a wonderful time. I'd go back in a minute. You can write me if you have any questions.<BR><BR>

Did you take taxis to dinner or rent a car?

we rented a car. we used it to get to restaurants, go to the supermarket and, one day, to go out snorkeling and to visit the conch farm. it was nice to have. everything is very close and you could do it all by cab, but the car was a nice convenience.

thanks. What did you wear to dinner? Dress, capris?

very casual dress everywhere (capris are fine)--except at Anacoana, which requires a collared shirt for men and "casual elegance"(??) for women.

Thanks for the report. I have been one of Point Grace's cheerleaders because we loved it so much when we went in April 2001. I was disturbed by the recent negative reports and have advised people I stil think it is worth going to Point Grace so I am glad to hear your positive report! We just got back from Royal Hideaway in Mexico which is a very nice property but beautiful Grace Bay Beach has spoiled me, I found the beach at RH just way too crowded for my liking.

yours was one of the positive reports that convinced me that I should still go. so thank you!

Lori;<BR><BR>May I ask if there were any other children at the property? Consider a trip with our 9 yr old and just wondered if she'd be bored to death.<BR><BR>Thank you!<BR>

i guess it depends on your child. I have two kids and they kept each other company. My daughter, who is almost 12, liked hanging out with me on the beach. She also loved floating around in the pool and getting pina coladas (virgin) at the pool bar and ices every day at 2. We did a couple of family excursions (sailing and fishing). She had her hair braided. There are kayaks and snorkeling equipment and sailfish. No organized activities. There were several other children there (maybe because it was a vacation week) but people kind of stay to themselves for the most part. The rooms each have tvs with vcrs and dvd players and there is a computer room which the kids frequented when we let them! We brought along a football, scrabble and the hotel has a few other games and dvds that you can take out. So I guess it depends on how well she entertains herself and whether you'll be doing things with her. I think there are more kids at the Sands which is right next door, but the hotel is not as beautiful.

Lori,<BR><BR>My husband and I just returned from an 8-day stay at Point Grace and couldn't have been more pleased with the property! The resort is very private, understated elegance - the spa services were phenomenal, and the motto of the staff seemed to be "ask and yee shall receive". We too rented a car for a day or so, and thereafter had the front desk do our shopping - a great perk! Annie, the resident activities guide, has only been on property three weeks, and is a great source of what to see and do. This was our second trip to Provo - the island has much more development than several years ago, but still only a fraction of a great deal of the Caribbean. Our best meal was at Coyaba in Coral Gardents - the chef is brand new, just transferred over from Anguilla, and our dinner was superb (with a price tag to match.....). We can't wait to return!