TCI in 2 weeks - Point Grace, West Bay Club or Somerset?
 

We are going to be in TCI from Oct 26th to the 30th and I would like opinions on where to stay. The trip is a graduation present for our 30 yo son fresh out of med school and 4 months into residency with his first vacation time off. His only requests were to go somewhere warm with a beach that is quiet, relaxing, and not a huge resort swarming with kids and activities. Mostly interested in relaxing on the beach or by the pool, reading books, eating some good food, a game of golf and bicycling around. Wireless internet in the room would be a must for Dad. TCI was recommended by a close friend of his and we have cashed in FF miles and booked the flights already. I was ready to book our stay at Point Grace because of it's location, quiet surroundings, and complimentary bike rental but can't seem to find any recent comments about the property. Also looking at West Bay Club and Somerset. West Bay Club seems a bit farther out but if we rent a car, that won't be an issue. Any thoughts from anyone on these 3 properties given his requests? I know Point Grace will probably be the one with the fewer number of kids but at this time of year, would West Bay Club and Somerset be just as quiet?

See Blamona's posts. She is an expert and loves the WBC above the rest. Close to the best snorkeling if that's important. You'll probably want a car anyway, she says. WBC is smallish and very quiet, but right next to the Gansvoort if you want to stoll over for some action. Don't know about the wreless, thoguh.

Thanks LAleslie. Blamona's posts are what made me look at West Bay Club in the first place. I guess I was needing confirmation that it would suit our needs especially at this time of year - ie size and very quiet. I just found it very puzzling that there haven't been any recent posts about Point Grace.

Point Grace is beautiful, very quiet (even has a sign by the pool asking you to shhh...) he resort is showing it's age a bit-but still is beautiful. Somerset is fantastic, 2 great onsite restaurants, beautiful suites ( newer thsn PG) We have stayed there many times, great staff, close to MANY other dining options, WBC is west and away from the hub. Somerset is great and the above poster is wrong--Blamona makes it clear Somerst is one of if not her favorite resort in the world and #1 for her on TCI. Somerset and PG will have less kids...if you were going to book PG--go for it , you will have a wonderful time!

I have stayed at all 3. Definitely no kids at Pt. Grace - and as much as we loved it there - it is dated... And - when we were there they did not have wireless in the rooms. Somerset is absolutely lovely - no doubt - but very pricey and definitely has kids - we have been there in high season and low to experience it. Our choice is West Bay Club. So quiet, upscale and relaxing. Not that they don't allow kids - but the beach is so wide that you feel as if the beach is yours alone, vs the Somerset which is narrower - and you will definitely be sitting much closer to your neighbors. We also had some internet difficulties there. My husband had to sit only a certain way on the terrace to get reception - it was bizarre . All are winners - but for your needs - I think the West Bay Club is the answer. And - they have no problem with wireless internet throughout the property. You will not be disappointed.

agree west bay club may be most suitable for your trip. you should know that none of these resorts is more than 5-10 min drive from the others.

I emailed Point Grace yesterday and they said they do have wireless internet in all the suites and around the pool area. PG also said they have complimentary bikes, but I can't tell about Somerset and WBC. Can anyone tell me that? Also, Somerset's 2 bedroom in the Stirling Building is oceanview. Just how much view do you get with those suites. The other properties were oceanfront. May come down to flipping a coin! :-)

We have never had a problem with wireless on The Somerset property (anywhere) . Yes, the beach is deeper at WBC but, you are in NO WAY too close to your neighbors at The Somerset beach...I say pick Somerset .

Actually, Blamona loves Somerset above the rest and I have spent time there as well. Point Grace is lovely but seems more gheared toward honeymooners etc. Somerset has a better location and beach than WBC, IMO.

Sorry Caribzack...just saw that I duplicated your sentiments :)

Thanks to all who consider me an expert!

First and foremost, there is no bad place to stay in Provo, just different levels of luxury and personality--all are well maintained and downright gorgeous.

Second, I'm usually the world's worst decision maker. When you can't go wrong, it's even harder. Like choosing a favorite child!

No secret, Somerset is one of my favorite resorts in the world. Actually West Bay Club has become one too! I wouldn't have a problem staying at Point Grace either! ;-)

So, to help narrow down for you: Point Grace should be out. I'm kinda turned off if they have to remind people to be quiet around the pool. It is a gorgeous resort, but does have a honeymoon, couples feel to it. It is gorgeous, but has been lost in the shuffle with newer, sleeker resorts. Be warned, this is just a guess, but the resorts that offer the complimentary bikes, they aren't usually in good shape! So I wouldn't base it on that.

Pros of West Bay Club: Nice wide beach easy walk to off-the-beach snorkeling. Thursday night "cookouts." Manager's happy hours (discrete ones) Gorgeous newer property, Pottery Barn type furniture. It's next to Gansevoort, so you get best of both worlds, quietness of WBC, walk next door for some nightlife, including a huge screen on the beach for sports games. A terrific "bang for the buck" as you get a lot of luxury for less price.

Pros of Somerset: in the middle of the "hub", so easy access to some great restaurants and small shopping strips. Next door to Palms-the best spa on the island. My sister honeymooned in a Sterling Unit-it was gorgeous! The view of the pool to the beach is gorgeous. Tuesday night lobster madness ON the beach with live music there, wiggling toes in the sand as you eat. It has the most beautiful architecture on the island.

Either place you probably want a car, as the great restaurants are scattered.

Tough choice! Sorry I haven't helped! ;-)

However, Nautique Sports just opened up a bike rental at Regent Village. This was my answer to asking about renting bikes:

"Blamona, yes we have brand new TREK bikes. They are $25/day and are discounted for a 3 day rental and further discounted on a weekly rentals. We deliver to resorts for $10. The shop is located across from Yoshis sushi bar in Grace Bay and the shop number is 649 941 7544. Contact there is Meg. She is very knowledgeable about all of our rental fleet as we offer different styles and types.
Thanks"

Blamona - thanks for responding. Funny, I feel so much better now that you have! :-)

I think you are right about Point Grace not really being what we're looking for on this trip. Since we will be getting a car, we really don't have to be within walking distance to anything. The quiet outweighs all that.

I was about to toss a coin between Somerset and West Bay Club when I ran across an Expedia special for WBC that actually gives me a 2 bedroom luxury unit for less $$ than just the 2 bedroom and a lot less than Somerset. Any known problems with reserving rooms at this property through Expedia?

Your info on the bike rental was the last piece of the puzzle.

Thanks again EVERYONE for your imput. Anxious to check out this little piece of paradise you all have been talking about!

For West Bay Club, try either www.AscentDestinations.com (email them) sometimes they can throw some extras in. (in the email say you say Blamona's post in Fodors-might help! ;-) )

If not, book directly with the resort-they are throwing in extra freebies that Expedia doesn't. Currently at least 40% off, plus either free car rental or spa treatment.

Another piece of advice. If you belong to Facebook, "Like" West Bay Club and Somerset and Ascent Destinations. They will post specials directly on your "wall."

Let us know what you decide!

Sorry for misquoting you blamona. It seemed to lodge in my brain that the WBC had supplanted the Somerset as your favorite for the reasons you gave above.

I did go thru Ascent to make my 7 Stars reservations and got a great deal. You wouldn't get a commission, would you?

LALeslie, you didn't misquote me, I truly love them both.

I wish I got a commission!

I do write the Fodor's Turks and Caicos chapters in Caribbean and Bahamas guidebooks, and wrote Fodor's In Focus: Turks and Caicos, so I make it a point to know everything I can about Turks and Caicos. I do not get free stays from Fodor's, so no commission there either! I basically "report" my findings and try to stay current. The reason I said mention "Blamona" to Ascent Destinations is that I know they are aware of Fodors.com. I personally love helping out one of my favorite destinations! 8-)

No free stays? That's a rarity among guidebook writers. Good for you! Makes your reviews that much more meaningful. Thanks for the transparency.

We booked West Bay Club through Expedia. Apparently all the deals for WBC offered directly from the resort and elsewhere are for 5+ days and we are only staying for 4. Never heard back from Ascent. But that's ok - Expedia had a deal for 20% off on the luxury suites so I actually got an upgrade for less than a regular suite. :-) Works for us! This was also way less than anything I could find for Somerset so it was a no-brainer.

Thanks to all for helping me make a decision. :-)

Have a great time! Ascent took a couple of days to get back to me but eventually did and got us a fantastic oceanfront upgrade at 7 Stars in late Nov. Way less than the Somerset. Be sure to tell us how the WBC was.

I'm looking for updated feedback on Point Grace and the West Bay Club. We're considering both for a stay after Thanksgiving and are looking for a quiet resort!

SOMERSET