My husband and I are planning our first trip to Turks and Caicos in December. I didn't want someplace too secluded so I am not choosing the Coral Gardens or the Grace Bay Club. We wanted someplace with a bit more to do, and maybe a bit more nightlife. We need to choose between The Sands at Grace Bay or Ocean Club Resorts. Any insight..anyone? Both seem beautiful, Sands seems a bit nicer...

All the resorts you mentioned are pretty quiet, that's the great thing about Provo. OCW and Sands may have a few more people there because they are larger but all the resorts are similar in that the attraction is the wonderful beach and not much else. Basically the activity at night at the resorts is to have a nice dinner and maybe a few after dinner drinks and turn in relatively early. The Allegro has a small casino. I personally like The Sands better than OCW, I like the restaurant better and the location on the beach better. You can walk down the beach from The Sands and reach a number of restaurants. But if you had your heart set on GBC or CG and didn't choose them because they are too secluded, they are no more secluded than any of the others. In fact, I think GBC is actually nearer to the busy part of the beach than The Sands. GBC is more upscale than the other three and probably has better service. I think the other three are pretty comparable, with The Sands having the best location.

I agree with the above poster. Really doesn't matter which place you stay--night life on Provo is rather tame and you have to search it out. The Sands is very nice. Check and see if they have started construction on The Palms next door which would mean construction noise. Grace Bay Club has been sold within the past year and in June I heard they were going to shut down and renovate and build 30 new suites. Don't know when. If you are into snorkeling Coral Gardens is probably the place to stay. On Wed, Fri and Sat they have a combo at Anacona, Grace Bay Club that plays for dinner. On Mon live music at Bay Bistro at Sibonne, Live music at Hemmingways at the Sands for Caribbean buffet night Tuesday, Friday there is a great combo at Barefoot Cafe in the Ports of Call shopping plaza, Sharkbite has live music on Wed night, Banana Boat has live music on Fri and karaoke on Sat, rake and scrape music on tues at Hole in the Wall restaurant. Stardust and Ashes closed for the off season but is supposed to reopen in Nov. Lot of resort employees go there after work. Action starts at about 10 PM till the wee hours. In any event you will probably need a car to get around as not much is within walking distance of anything on Provo.

I would choose the Sands over Coral Gardens. Restaurant at the Sands is very good.Also hobies,snorkeling gear & complimentary use of bikes included. Price wise it is much more reasonable. A Sands studio is about 600 square feet compared to Coral Gardens 300 square feet "guest rooms". Also CG guest rooms dont have kitchen facilities like the Sands do & Sands studios are cheaper.

Howard, I just spoke to the folks at the Sands and they said that The Palms is under construction but it is a ways down the Beach so does not effect them...is this not true??

In April, my husband and I are spending ten days at the Meridian Club on Pine Cay, T&C. Very much looking forward to it.<BR><BR>www.meridianclub.com

My guess is that The Palms is about 100-200 yards from The Sands. If they say there is no noise I guess I would take a chance

Howard, I have been to Provo twice now & The Sands,Royal West Indies, Ocean Club West & Coral Gardens are all beautiful properties. Why is it that you continue to promote only Coral Gardens. Coral Gardens is the higher priced of this group & less services included. Also I believe CG is the oldest of these properties.

Howard didn't even push Coral Gardens in this post. This board is for opinions & generally in Howard's opinion he prefers CG. He backs that up with many good points especially the snorkeling, if that is someone's priority. We are going to Provo in 2 weeks & didn't select Coral Gardens. However, Howard's posts were helpful in the process & his restaurant reviews will come in handy. Give him a break!

Sarah-(suspect that might not be youe real name). Not sure this is a legitimate question but will answer anyway. If you reread my original post all I said was that if you are into snorkeling Coral Gardens is a good place to stay. I prefer to stay there because I like to snorkel and the convenience of leaving my suite sitting on a beach chair under an umbrella and snorkeling twice a day and not sclepping down the beach spending an hour R/T to snorkel. All resorts on Provo have different things to offer. Some have better restaurants, some more expensive, some have spas, sailboats. sea kayaks, watersports facilities, screened balconies etc. etc. It all depends on what you are looking for. I agree Ocean Culb, RWI, Sands etc are very nice properties. We have stayed at Ocean Club and Grace Bay Club I even stated that about Sands in my post. All I pointed out that Grace Bay Club might be closed and the possibility of construction next to Sands. In the end I suggested the poster stay at Sands. You will note she was looking for more activity and night life which I provided. If you go to the post Providenciales Recommendations you will note that I recommended Comfort Suites, Caribbean Paradise Inn, Sands and Sibonne and recently recommended Mirimar to someone. Last May I got a question re Alexandra so when we were in Provo in June I checked it out and that person stayed there in Sept and had a great time. You might also check out my posts on the caribbean-on-line forum. My main goal is not where people stay but that they have wonderful vacation on Provo. FYI. Coral Gardens was originally White House and privately owned. The only part of White House that still stands is the part containing Serenity Spa and the beach bar/restaurant Ripples. The first 12 condo units were completed prior to Sands and RWI the last 18 at the same time as Sands and RWI so it is not old. Yes I prefer Coral Gardens and that is my choice. Wouldn't the world be a boring place is everyone liked the same things and had the same likes and dislikes. Because I have the guts to post my E-mail adress you have no idea how I respond to e-mails I get off forum. In the future if you have a problem with my posts I would appreciate it if you would E-amil me and we'll discuss if off line. In the interim if you don't like my posts don't read them

Howard, I, for one, have enjoyed your posts and input since I was researching a trip to T & C last April. We stayed at Ocean Club West. It was great. Next April we will try The Sands. My husband and I took our three children and I was the organizer. Your posts help me decide where to stay and gave me great ideas for dinners. Do not stop your imformation on this board because of the few who have a problem. I do not feel that you push Coral Gardens, but rather give detailed information on all resorts. Thank you, Howard, for all your help.

Thanks all of you for your posts. Geez! What is with all the hostility with Howard however? Geez people chill! We are talking about vacations aren't we? In any case, Does anyone know how big the Studios are at the Sands..a considerable savings in comparison to the one bedrooms. I can save up close to $1,000 for the week, but if there too small then forget it. Can I fit a carton of milk and some lunch meet in the fridge for breakfasts and lunches? Anyone been there?

Carmela,<BR><BR>My husband and I went to The Sands for our honeymoon in June. We stayed in an OceanFront Studio. I thought that the studio was plenty big. There was a separate bedroom, a bathroom, and then a living/dining/kitchen area. There is a very small kitchenette. There is a small sink, a microwave, and an under the counter fridge. The fridge is definitely big enough for milk, cold meats and more. We saw a one bedroom unit that was attached to ours (via a locked door). The one bedroom unit was huge. The kitchen is a full sized one. I felt for the money, the studio was just right. If you have any other questions let me know.

Howard I believe you should go back & read your own post.You have negatives regarding the Sands. You stated it was very nice but construction noise next door.Did you read the next post that said she looked into it & the construction is not next doors but a ways down the beach.Then you proceeded to give negatives on Grace Bay Clubs renovations & not a good choice at this time & finished with a plug for Coral Gardens as always!

I have to agree with Sarah.There are too many posts from Howard on probably every caribbean message board that exists to not believe that he has a personal interest in Coral Gardens.Yah, I too think he's a wealth of information but you don't post 750 times in favor of a place & give negatives on every other place but always end with a plug for Coral Gardens. Why would you post over & over again? So chill out on Sarah folks!