Provo
Jun 16th, 2010, 04:14 AM
#1
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Provo
planning a trip 9/10 to Grace Bay, looking at Sands and Coral Gardens. Like the location of coral for the snorkeling but don't like the problems of 2 managements. Hear good things about Sands, seems more centrally located. First time there and want to get the most out of our 25th wedding anv. Can anyone give me some info ? Thanks so much
Jun 16th, 2010, 04:21 AM
#2
Tell me more: budget, tastes, willing to rent a car? (taxi is expensive) activities you like? What other places have you been-liked and why?
Right next to Coral Gardens is Windsong--excellent upscale resort that's running specials, with excellent management team and SNUBA.
About 2-5 minute walk to Coral Gardens are also the excellent Turks and Caicos Club and West Bay Club. Both are running incredible specials and are much nicer than either Sands or Coral Gardens. The specials make them hard to resist-tons of "bang for your buck."
Right next to Coral Gardens is Windsong--excellent upscale resort that's running specials, with excellent management team and SNUBA.
About 2-5 minute walk to Coral Gardens are also the excellent Turks and Caicos Club and West Bay Club. Both are running incredible specials and are much nicer than either Sands or Coral Gardens. The specials make them hard to resist-tons of "bang for your buck."
Jun 16th, 2010, 05:11 AM
#4
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Boy you guys are fast! I will take another look at the places you mentioned. We were hoping to spend around 2000 for air & hotel, I understand eating out is high, we usually do dinner out, make breakfast and snack till dinner. We do want to explore the island at least 2 of the 5 days there. We have been to Gr. Cayman had a condo on 7 mile and loved it, St Lucia,many years ago, was nice, Atlantis,was great but did it in Aug. to take the kids, way too humid. Burmuda enjoyed nice quiet beaches. This is a relax trip although I love to see everything, and have to drag my hubby along! We like to lay on the beach, snorkel, drive around to see things and go out to dinner. Not big on night life or crowds on the beach, plus hubby has problems with legs and feet, so not too much walking or climbing, so we need a place that we don't have to climb flights of stair to get to our room. Thanks!
Jun 17th, 2010, 04:40 AM
#5
Air is amazingly expensive to Provo.
Check out www.itasoftware.com for best air. They will tell you where to go to book it.
How many nights? With air that high, Sands will put you out for only 4 nights with that budget.
IF you don't mind behind 1 of the really nice resorts (Grace Bay Club) is Villa Del Mar, a super nice luxurious resort that is only $130 nightly on Expedia. Remember to add 21% to all prices of resorts for taxes, etc. It's kinda far to walk to snorkel at Coral Gardens from there though. To be closer, another nice but a block from the beach is Grace Bay Suites. You might want to consider a car for the best restaurants--Avis has a tiny car for $29 a day, the gas will only have to be filled once at the end. Taxi will cost you $30 for any given trip, so stay VDM, rent a tiny car (Mymoosie calls them "tuna can cars.") includes a light breakfast. VDM has a microwave and small fridge which helps with lunches. (GBS does too-but does not include the breakfast) GBS you can walk to more places, VDM is very luxurious for the money (Tommy Bahama furniture!) You'll need the car to explore anyway.
Save enough for at least 1 excursion ($90 per person) because it's all about the water! Excursions will be the highlight, you won't believe the gorgeous beaches, etc.
Check out www.itasoftware.com for best air. They will tell you where to go to book it.
How many nights? With air that high, Sands will put you out for only 4 nights with that budget.
IF you don't mind behind 1 of the really nice resorts (Grace Bay Club) is Villa Del Mar, a super nice luxurious resort that is only $130 nightly on Expedia. Remember to add 21% to all prices of resorts for taxes, etc. It's kinda far to walk to snorkel at Coral Gardens from there though. To be closer, another nice but a block from the beach is Grace Bay Suites. You might want to consider a car for the best restaurants--Avis has a tiny car for $29 a day, the gas will only have to be filled once at the end. Taxi will cost you $30 for any given trip, so stay VDM, rent a tiny car (Mymoosie calls them "tuna can cars.") includes a light breakfast. VDM has a microwave and small fridge which helps with lunches. (GBS does too-but does not include the breakfast) GBS you can walk to more places, VDM is very luxurious for the money (Tommy Bahama furniture!) You'll need the car to explore anyway.
Save enough for at least 1 excursion ($90 per person) because it's all about the water! Excursions will be the highlight, you won't believe the gorgeous beaches, etc.
Jun 17th, 2010, 07:51 AM
#6
Jun 17th, 2010, 11:45 AM
#7
I think you should look at Turks and Caicos Club. It is not too far from where you want to snorkel. We just went there last May, it was wonderful and peaceful. Had a beautiful room with a huge balcony and big kitchen. Just loved it.
Jun 21st, 2010, 03:56 PM
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Make sure you walk to Bay Bistro ( at Sibonne resort) for dinner ( very close by) also check out The Somerset resort ( also short walk) 2 excellent restaurants on site - O'Soleil ( hi end) or LunaSea (casual) poolside .
Jun 21st, 2010, 04:55 PM
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now you get to do the fun planning. i think you'll like the sands alot.
we've rented villas several times and take a cooler. (some airlines still allow 2 checked per person for international flts) we take meats to grill, juices to make cocktails & lots of premade appetizers - all frozen. buying some booze at duty free on the way down saves too.
a fun & not expensive place for dinner is tiki hut, at the turtle cove marina. anacoana at the grace bay club would be lovely (not cheap) for anniv dinner - or go have a cocktail at their infinity bar.
snorkel in front of coral gardens hotel or take the right off the bight road (coming from sands) just before road into turtle cove marina. pass church on right. go over short bridge & pass yacht club hotel buildings on left. dead end. turn left. dead end again in sandy parking lot. walk back on the beach til you come to rock carin on beach (pass 4-5 villas). there is a very narrow path into the water between the ironshore rock. swim out & to your left & you'll find a wonderful circular patch or coral that always has cool stuff to see including turtles & rays. more coral further out & a little left.
on one of your drive around days go see chalk sound. it's brac so not good to swim but the water color is amazing. lots of villas to look at/dream of owning in this area.
here's a map: http://www.aquamarinebeachhouses.com/map.htm
we've rented villas several times and take a cooler. (some airlines still allow 2 checked per person for international flts) we take meats to grill, juices to make cocktails & lots of premade appetizers - all frozen. buying some booze at duty free on the way down saves too.
a fun & not expensive place for dinner is tiki hut, at the turtle cove marina. anacoana at the grace bay club would be lovely (not cheap) for anniv dinner - or go have a cocktail at their infinity bar.
snorkel in front of coral gardens hotel or take the right off the bight road (coming from sands) just before road into turtle cove marina. pass church on right. go over short bridge & pass yacht club hotel buildings on left. dead end. turn left. dead end again in sandy parking lot. walk back on the beach til you come to rock carin on beach (pass 4-5 villas). there is a very narrow path into the water between the ironshore rock. swim out & to your left & you'll find a wonderful circular patch or coral that always has cool stuff to see including turtles & rays. more coral further out & a little left.
on one of your drive around days go see chalk sound. it's brac so not good to swim but the water color is amazing. lots of villas to look at/dream of owning in this area.
here's a map: http://www.aquamarinebeachhouses.com/map.htm
Jun 22nd, 2010, 08:52 AM
#11
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Thanks so much for the great info and map, I've had a hard time getting a good one. Have heard that it is a little hard to figure the roads out,guess the car rental place will have a good map for that. I am really excited about this trip, I've heard so much about how beautiful it is, and we really need to relax!
Jun 22nd, 2010, 04:22 PM
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they'll give you an excellent map at the airport or car rental. you'll also find 2 free magazines (i think they're called Discover & Where,When,How) at the airport - packed with island info.
another romantic option would be a private dinner on the beach. or take a private excursion by boat to one of the tiny cays. they'll leave you with an umbrella and lunch/cooler and come back at the appointed hour.
re driving. really not to hard - the 2 main roads are leeward highway which goes basically end to end down the center of the island, and the bight road which runs parallel to leeward hwy but right next to grace bay beach - where most of resorts & restaurants are located. there are 1/2 dozen short roads that run between the two. right turns occasionally confuse me and the at roundabouts just watch others as you approach for how to go through. i think top speed limit is 45.
another romantic option would be a private dinner on the beach. or take a private excursion by boat to one of the tiny cays. they'll leave you with an umbrella and lunch/cooler and come back at the appointed hour.
re driving. really not to hard - the 2 main roads are leeward highway which goes basically end to end down the center of the island, and the bight road which runs parallel to leeward hwy but right next to grace bay beach - where most of resorts & restaurants are located. there are 1/2 dozen short roads that run between the two. right turns occasionally confuse me and the at roundabouts just watch others as you approach for how to go through. i think top speed limit is 45.
Jun 25th, 2010, 05:41 AM
#13
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Ok I was hoping there were coastal roads I was thinking of a 1/2 day sail, any ideas or advice on who to book with and how much,with other people is fine? And does anyone know the cost of snuba at the Windsong?
Jun 26th, 2010, 07:57 AM
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scenic drives: the bight road does runs along the beach. also drive the blue hills hwy out to northwest point resort. or you go out to chalk sound and take chalk sound road. you can see the sound some/most of the time but not the ocean. another great drive (need 4 wheel drive) is to malcolm road beach. the road is rough in spots, through the scrub - but stunnning when you get out to the beach. take water & munchies - no services. don't worry that you won't get enough ocean views - you'll see plenty from your hotel 
don't know about snuba but here's the site: http://www.snubaturksandcaicos.com/ they don't seem to list a price but do have contact info.
re boat excursions all the companies come pretty well recommended. caicos dream tours is a good one, but no actual sailing boats. for that: http://www.sailprovo.com/
here's a list of most of the water excursions available: http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com...g-boating.html
don't know about snuba but here's the site: http://www.snubaturksandcaicos.com/ they don't seem to list a price but do have contact info.
re boat excursions all the companies come pretty well recommended. caicos dream tours is a good one, but no actual sailing boats. for that: http://www.sailprovo.com/
here's a list of most of the water excursions available: http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com...g-boating.html
Jun 27th, 2010, 04:00 AM
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Thank you Virginia for the info, how do you know the island so well? Do you recommend waiting till we get there to rent a car or 4 wh. drive or getting a deal through aaa or someone at home ahead of time? Also, I have started reading and think I read something about being able to take a ferry to another island, or drive a car to another one? Can you tell me if this is worth checking out if we are only going to be there 5 days?
Jun 27th, 2010, 05:05 AM
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re why i know provo well: it is my favorite island, i've been 3 times for 2 weeks or more, it is a small island & we always stay in a villa so have a car and like to check out everything we can. others are much better informed about the resorts. one poster owns a home there. she knows everything and wrote the fodors mini guide to t&c, which you can buy for under $10 on amazon.
i'd arrange car now. most companies will allow you to switch out for a jeep for one day & that's what i advise for you. most of the roads are paved so you'd only need jeep if you go to malcolm road beach. you can wait & decide about that when you're there. we use scooter bob's, partly because we rent near their ofc & they will drop the car at our place before we get there (they used to leave it at the airport but i think they are no longer allowed to do that). i've not heard complaints on any of the companies, so i'd just find a good price on line and call or e them.
you can not drive to another island. you can do an excursion to any of several of the other islands - it will take most of a day to go. you can fly to other t&c but it's pricey & i think too much time away from provo with just 5 days.
these sites have info of all sorts:
http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/
http://www.provo.net/
http://www.wherewhenhow.com/
and wrote the fodors mini guide to t&c, which you can buy for under $10 on amazon.i'd arrange car now. most companies will allow you to switch out for a jeep for one day & that's what i advise for you. most of the roads are paved so you'd only need jeep if you go to malcolm road beach. you can wait & decide about that when you're there. we use scooter bob's, partly because we rent near their ofc & they will drop the car at our place before we get there (they used to leave it at the airport but i think they are no longer allowed to do that). i've not heard complaints on any of the companies, so i'd just find a good price on line and call or e them.
you can not drive to another island. you can do an excursion to any of several of the other islands - it will take most of a day to go. you can fly to other t&c but it's pricey & i think too much time away from provo with just 5 days.
these sites have info of all sorts:
http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/
http://www.provo.net/
http://www.wherewhenhow.com/
Jul 23rd, 2010, 09:22 AM
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Jopea, where did you get your good rate for the Sands? I've been looking at expedia, cheapcarribean, and delta vacations and that's better than what I've found.
Any feedback on who to book through T&C resident advisors?
Any feedback on who to book through T&C resident advisors?
Jul 24th, 2010, 04:34 AM
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my husband and I just got back (you can check out our report and pics on TCI...WE LOVED IT, or something like that)
SNUBA is $75/person. you are underwater for 45 min! parasailing was going to be $115/15 min! we passed on that one. we couldn't SNUBA b/c of the winds stirring up the sand. 
Jodi was very nice and when we go back, we will book ASAP! enjoy your stay!
SNUBA is $75/person. you are underwater for 45 min!
parasailing was going to be $115/15 min! we passed on that one. we couldn't SNUBA b/c of the winds stirring up the sand. Jodi was very nice and when we go back, we will book ASAP! enjoy your stay!
Jul 24th, 2010, 12:57 PM
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sorry I haven't checked this in awhile, I went through sam's club's travel,they book through Expedia but are cheaper.
Thanks for the snuba info, I can't wait. I have been reading some not so good things lately about the Sands and hoping I didn't make a mistake booking there, things like dirty rooms and parking lots views said to be ocean views, any comments?
Thanks for the snuba info, I can't wait. I have been reading some not so good things lately about the Sands and hoping I didn't make a mistake booking there, things like dirty rooms and parking lots views said to be ocean views, any comments?
