We are going to beaches July 16-24- Would appreciate an update on the following questions-
1) scuba- what is the process for reserving spots for certified divers? Must you check in early the day before? Do the trips book up? How is the equipment and dive sites?

2) golf- easy to get to the course? any course comments? Does the course get crowded in the morning?

3) restaurants- which ones need reservations? which ones have a long wait? is the sushi high quality?

4) kids clubs- what are the hours in the evening?

5) bars- which are the best- any on the water?

6) excursions- which ones to hit, which ones to miss. I hear iguana island is overrated.

7) any other pointers appreciated- based on comments on this site we moved from the french village to a grand luxe room in the main building to be closer to the beach and more centrally located. thanks

Divers reserve the day before in person at the dive shop, then check in that morning. I have never had a problem getting on the dive I wanted, the shop opens at 8:00am.

The one tank dives leave at about 9:00 and are back by about 11:00 the two tank leave at 8:00 and back at 2:00pm. The diving is great, have seen tons of different marine life including turtles, rays, baracudas. Not a bad site yet, and usually great visibility

I use there equipment mostly ( have my own suit, snorkel, etc but use their bcd's, tank and reg and never had a problem

There is one course on the island, about $10.00 away by cab, my husband is an avid golfer and has played it numerous times, it is in good condition and runs about $150 a round. we usually reserve when we get down there through the tour des,

You need reservations for kimonos and sapodillas. Kiminos is hibachi, the kids love it, and the food is decent. Sapodillas is fair. The sushi is suprisingly good( no nobu if your are a new yorker) and is served at the sushi bar, no reservations required

Kids club is open from 6-9pm and mostly involves tv watching. Private babysitting is also available, and not very suggestion

There is a swim up bar at arizonas, the bar in the french village can actually make a cosmo, but they are pretty standard, alcohol is watered down.

My son loved iguana island when he was 3 & 4. Now we rent a fishing boat, go fishing, and have the captain filet the fish and then they cook it at the resort

I actually like the french village, it has the best pool(also a swim up come to think of it). We prefer the suites, as they are big, have microwaves and stocked minibars

Suggest you read the Rants and Raves section of this site about Beaches then cancel your reservations ASAP.

I would not rush and cancel your reservations ASAP as one poster has suggested. You will always see some postings that are negative, but that doesn't mean it won't be great when you are there! I know too many people who said they absolutely loved it, I'm not going to worry over the few who had a bad time. Yes, it is on the pricey side, but it really does fit the bill for a family place. I think AI is definitely the way to go with young children and no other AI resort offers what Beaches does for families. Enjoy your trip, I know we will!

Please let us know how your trip to Beaches Turks and Caicos goes. I know it is to late to cancel. The weather and beach are wonderful but the resort is not worth the money.

Ok- I was the original poster on this question so here is our trip report-

IT WAS PRETTY GOOD!

A lot of BS is posted by many people about this resort- I can tell from my visit who these people are. There was a contingent of very demanding, rude people who thought that an AI was just another 5 star resort.

The resort was clean. The rooms were nice. We stayed in the main building- close to everything. The scuba was very good- never had trouble signing up. The golf was convenient, close, pretty nice course, but expensive.
The weather was quite good. The alcohol was plentiful. The restaurants were quite acceptible, especially sapadillo's, kimono's, and the french restaurant. (skip the buffets for dinner guys)

Our trip was highlighted by the presence of free diver Tanya Streeter who was staying there and reporting to us on her new world records every day.

The reserving of chairs is a bit screwy but we dealt with it. If no one was there, we took it- if we needed to move-so what.

A lot of the complaints come from people who are from certain parts of the country that just demand everything-

This trip and resort is for people with kids- I had a 6 and 9 year old who loved the slides, game room, kids clubs, and since they were happy, we were happy.

This is like an HMO- or a toyota, and very good for these expectations-

If we paid for every meal, every drink, every lunch, every kids snack, baby sitters, kids club per diems like hawaii hotels, I cant imagine what the bill would be.

We would go back- So stop bitching.
Would be happy to answer any questions

Good for you!! I know many people who went to Beaches and loved it, but from reading this forum you could definitely get nervous! Good for you for following your own instincts! Am thinking of planning a trip there this year myself, would love to know what you thought of the kids club.

I think one of the biggest knocks against the AI's relates to the value factor. If you get what you pay for then there's no arguing about AI's as I see things.
Can you give us a ballpark idea what you paid, khepps?
That might be helpful for people researching future trips there.

Khepps thanks for the trip report and I am glad you enjoyed your trip. I was there in 2000 with just my husband and myself. We had a nice peaceful vacation. I can't complain about it although of course we were childless. I would have to say from what I observed at that time the kids seemed to have a wonderful time. Taking into consideration the costs you mention, it probably was a fair price you paid. I am glad you and your family enjoyed yourselves. After all that is the most important element.

khepps, really glad you had a wonderful time at BT&C.

Obviously you knew what you were getting into, before you left and were probably pleasantly surprised that it wasn't as bad maybe things you read before you left. And maybe you received a great price and surely it sounds like you knew this was not a 5 star resort and appreciated it as such.

Please believe me that some people are paying over a 5 star resort in price for there vacations at Beaches/Sandals and expecting such. They do deserve information about the resort good or bad, and not covered up in fluff. And no one that has been there needs to stop there bitching as you call it! Just as simple as your statement about the chair situation will be of help to some, they may not realize that you have to play musical chairs at times, etc., etc. So, it was no big deal to you and this is great.

I am still astounded by the reports and pictures that come out of the long time Sandals/Beaches guests themselves. Pictures of chairs 3,4 deep, and then side by side around pools and some beaches. You know, some people are really not expecting this? Towel tagging, lines for dinner, running around making reservations for a place you want to eat a week from now? These are just good things for people to realize before they book.
For me, I have only spent less then 24 hr. at a Sandals and that was all it took to realize I had made a great mistake. Would I tell someone else not to go? No, just really know what it is your getting into for the price YOU are paying!

They can be great resorts for the right people at the right price.

But my favorite is when the guest that returns from there Sandals/Beaches vacation saying it was great to pretty good and then for some reason there opinion is the right one.

I ask khepps? Why? Oh why? would you ever tell anyone to skip the buffets at BT&C? I have read many, many reports on how wonderful the buffets are at Beaches? Even our best friends said they were great!
Just making a point here. Do I believe you because you found other things there acceptable?


Donna