chris

we are staying at the marroitt crystal palace in october. just looking for opinions on the property and the facilities. <BR>thanks

traveler

I do not like the Crystal Palace. It has become very rundown the past couple years. Price the Radisson next door or All Inclusive Breezes down the beach.

Gail

The Marriott hardly has any beach. The Radisson next door has a great beach and beautiful grounds.

magic

I stayed at he marriott crystal palace in May 2000 and I did not like it very much at all. It has NO beach; you can, however, use the beach of the small hotel next door. The Marriott is old and looks it - it needs a renovation. Service was average at best and sometimes terrible (45 minute wait for our breakfast order, and then 30 minutes for the check). Look at the Radisson next door, or if you'd consider Paradise Island check out the Sheraton located next to Atlants

Lee

Chris, as you can see, all of the posters are in agreement. I have not stayed at the Marriott, but have stayed at the Nassau Beach Hotel ("little hotel next door"). We were able to tour the facilities as both hotels have an agreement. The Marriott beach is tiny, but the beach next door is used quite a bit by the Marriott guests as you can see them coming and going. It is much better. The Marriott's beach is actually a small lagoon. <BR> <BR>The Marriott has several towers of some strange pastels that don't do much for me. The interior is OK and they have a casino, but it just didn't seem appealing to me. The Nassau Beach has one less star, but more character. <BR> <BR>I will also agree that if I had a choice, I would pick the Radisson. It looks like a better bet, inside and out. <BR> <BR>Now, that may not help if you've already booked, does it? OK, if that is the case, stay at the Marriott, but use the Nassau Beach's facilities including eating at the Johnny Canoe on their property at least once. You can have free use of their pool and beach if you want although the pool at the Marriott has a water slide, but does seem to get crowded. Also check out Dickie Moe's bar and restaurant just about a mile down to the right from the Marriott. Good food, local Bahamian ambience. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

traveler

I am so glad to see for once we can agree on something at this sight.

chris

Thank you everyone for your advice. Unfortunatley we already booked it. The good news is we were able to use it for our time share and our total cost for the week including air fare came to $550. so i guess we can deal with it for a week at that price.

Julie

Okay, I had everything worked out and had chosen the Radisson over the Marriott after reading this board. Now I have a chance to get an island view at the Marriott for about $100. less per day than an oceanview at the Rad. Is the difference worth it?

gail

Julie, actually we like the Marriott and have stayed there several times. You are pretty much free to use the beach and the pool at the Marriott or walk next door to either the Rad or the Nassau Beach, so for $100 less a day, think of the great meals you could have. <BR> <BR>So pick the Marriott and make reservations at Greycliff for one night for an amazing dinner. (Order the lobster bisque and I dare you not to lick the bowl, lol) <BR> <BR>Really how much time do you spend in your room anyway, most of the time you are out and about so does it really matter especially with the BIG difference in price. <BR> <BR>We usually find the Marriott to be very well priced as well, so we stay there for a few days when we go down before heading over to Harbour Island. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip and if you need any more info, please let me know.

Lee

Julie, I'd have to agree with Gail. For the savings and amount of time that you spend in the room, it won't matter. Hope no one was scared off from the Marriott. It isn't the "Adam's Family" house. Those of you will enjoy your stay, I'm sure. So, don't worry Chris, it will be fine. Have fun, all!

Jennifer

It's was good to see all these responses re: the Marriott. I just got quoted $664 price but that not all -inclusive. How are the prices for food both inside and outside the hotel area for those of you who did stay there?.

tweedy

One of the best restaurants in the area is right next door at the NBH, Johnnie Canoe's, good Bahamian food, conch fritters and conch burgers are great. <BR>Well priced and fun, they do a Junkanoo a couple of times a week, check with the Marriott or the restaurant for more info. <BR> <BR>Also the Marriott does a nice reception by the Manager of the hotel, not sure what day, but there are drinks and food, a nice touch of welcome.

ap

You guys are killing me with these responses about the marriott! We are getting married at the Radisson in April and have about 65 guests coming in! I got the best group rate from the Marriott, so that is where everyone is staying. I was down there in January for a site visit...and it really is not as bad as everyone is saying (granted the patels colors are not the greatest). I thought the service was pretty good. The Radisson is definately nicer, but it IS more expensive. Both hotels are connected by a walkway, that is how close they are. Besides, like everyone says, how much time does anyone spend in their rooms when they are in the Bahamas?

kelly

I hate the Marriott Crystal Palace! It is a huge high rise with awful service. Not good for adults but you kids will like the pool are. Now we stay at Breezes next door which is more relaxing and vacation like. At the Crystal Palace I felt as if I could have been in Vegas.

Kara

Julie,<BR>Do not choose to stay at the Marriott Crystal Palace! I had a terrible experience there. Our room was dirty and there were ants crawling around on the nightstand. (I had to be moved in one of the restaurants because there were ants on the table) This resort is highly overrated, and we had a very unenjoyable experience there.

Kara

Julie,<BR>Do not choose to stay at the Marriott Crystal Palace! I had a terrible experience there. Our room was dirty and there were ants crawling around on the nightstand. (I had to be moved in one of the restaurants because there were ants on the table) This resort is highly overrated, and we had a very unenjoyable experience there.

Ami

The original post is a year old and so are most of the replies. What's the sense of giving advice to someone who has been there and back and probably gone to several other places since the original question was posted!

jack

Maybe other people are interested, like me, who happens to be going in 2 months and is now feelimg a little hesitant.

Bert

We were there in December 2001, the Nassau Marriott was a complete dump! What a waste of our hard-earned money and vacation time. I would not recommend this flea-trap dinosaur to anyone. I would highly recommend staying at a hotel on Paradise Island.

pat

we just returned from stay at the marriott. Although these messages seem to be from last year, we were quite a bit apprehensive about staying there with all the negative comments. I am happy to say, that our stay was quite nice. The facility was quite clean, the staff was very helpful and the service at the restaurants with the exception of the Sole Mare was prompt. As far as the beach was concerned, it was small but even thought we were there at the same time as Spring Break, we had no problem finding a spot. I would recommend the Marriott.