Just got back last night from 10 days in Provo. I want to start by saying Grace Bay is absolutely beautiful! I was a little suprised by the waves (3-4 ft). I expected the water to be a little calmer, but people there said it's been like that for the past few weeks. By the end of our trip they had died down some.

We stayed in a 1 bedroom oceanview at RWI. When we arrived and went to our condo, #531, we weren't happy because it was on the 3rd floor and the view was hardly oceanview. We ask for another room and they put us in a 1 bedroom ground floor, #215. Closer to the beach, better view and right next to the front pool, bar and restaurant. Very happy with that one. RWI was an excellent choice! The staff was very kind and helpful, the grounds were beautiful and well maintained. I would definetely stay there again. The beach was very nice in front of RWI, but you had to play the get up early and grab chairs and umbrella game. I caught on the 2nd day, which I'm not use to doing on vacation. 7:00 am and people are putting towels on chairs to save them.

The condos were very nice inside. I felt they were a little plain, not decorated like some we have stayed in. Nice appliances and furniture, although lacking in the cooking area as far as dishes, pans etc. We ended up eating out more than usual, so that really wasn't a problem.

We rented a car right there at RWI, the day we arrived. We got a small economy car from Budget for $210 for a week, and it served it's purpose for going to IGA and out to dinner. We didn't explore the island on this trip because of the car we rented. We didn't think it would get us around. Next time it will be 4x4 for sure.

We stocked up on some breakfast, lunch and snack items at IGA on the first day. 10 days worth ran about $90.00. Beer was the killer!! We paid $47.00 a case for most of the beer we bought, except Turks Head which we got for $32 a case. Liqour was very reasonable, a litre of Sauza Tequilla was $30. Cigarettes suprised us also, $3.50 a pack at a little store down the road. That what we pay here at home.

The restaurants were some of the best we have experienced in the Caribbean. Our favorites, Coco Bistros, very nice atmosphere and excellent food. 2 dinners and 3 drinks was $70 plus tip. Also, Hemmingways was awesome! Beautiful setting and the best lobster over linguine I have ever had. 2 dinners and 4 drinks, $80 plus tip. We loved Geckos, best and biggest lobster dinner we have ever had. Great wine selection and the best service any one could ask for. 2 dinners, 4 drinks, $ 90 plus tip. For an inexpensive meal and a place that was a lot of fun was Danny Bouys Irish Pub. We went there Halloween night and just had a great time. Morgan the bartender was one of the best!!

Places we didn't care for was Mango Reef, right at RWI. We had dinner there the first night and it was terrible. Also, Hey Jose's and Bambooz wasn't all that great, but they can't all be perfect!! We ate lunch one day at Barefoot Cafe and it was ok.

We mainly spent our days on the beach and pools. The pools at RWI were very nice, and we hung out there quite a bit. I like to lay on a raft and float and since the water was so rough on Grace Bay, the pools worked out well. We did some shopping in Ports of Call, Mama's had the best deal for tee-shirts and souveniers. I bought some things from a lady who set up a stand on the beach in front of the Grandview, decent prices. We walked the beach one day from RWI down to Point Grace. We checked out other condos, and while they were very nice, you can't beat RWI for the price.

Would we go back, yes! Most people on this board who know me, know's that I'm a big GC fan with over 30+ trips there. Since we couldn't go to GC this fall, we decided to try T&C. We were not disappointed. GC will always be "our" island, but T&C was a wonderful alternative. Thanks so much to everyone for answering questions I had before we left. If any one has questions please feel free. One more thing, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Blue skies everyday, and a few days it rained for 10 minutes and was back to beautiful!! Got one of the best tans I've ever had.

Sandy

Sandy, since we are unsure if GC will be ready by next spring, we're looking at alternative islands. Right now we're leaning towards Aruba. However, can you tell me how the snorkeling/diving compares to GC? I'd also like to know your comparisons on the beach(es) and other non-water activities (shopping, gambling, natural sites/sight seeing). Glad to hear you had a good time!

Thanks so much for your terrific report. It'll certainly help in planning for my Dec trip.

Sandy--Enjoyed your report on one of our favorite islands. Next time you'll have to eat at Coyaba, Magnolia Wine Bar and Restaurant, Anacona and Bay Bistro. Excellent restaurants. We also like Coco Bistro and I agree with your Mango Reef comments.

To Pumpy--Have been to GC once and Provo 17 times. Provo isn't as touristy as GC--no cruise ships. Think Grace Bay has 7 Mile Beach beat hands down. No gambling on Provo. There was a small casino at Allegro but Allegro has ben closed down. Not a lot of night life on Provo Don't dive but do snorkel. Only one place to snorkel off the beach which is in front of Coral Gardens. Lots of dive trip operators on Provo and diving is supposed to be excellent over by Grand Turk. Would say that snorkeling is better on GC. No stingray City on Provo. From the restaurants we tried on GC would say the ones on Provo were better. A few small shopping plazas on Provo but not a lot of duty free shopping like GC.

Pumpy,
Howard summed it up very well! The snorkeling in GC is very good with many places off shore to snorkel. I didn't snorkel in Provo, but a couple we met staying at RWI went to Coral Gardens and snorkeled and they said it was great. They also went on a half day snorkel trip with J&B tours? and had a great time. I don't dive so I can't help you there. Both Grace Bay and 7MB are beautiful, but the way I would describe them is Grace Bay is more like what 7MB was 20 years ago. Not as developed, no cruise ships and the beaches weren't as crowded. If your looking for an alternative island to GC, Provo really is an excellent choice.

To Howard,
We wanted to try Coyoba, Bay Bistro and Magnolia, they were all on our list of places to go. We just ran out of time. There are so many good restaurants in Grace Bay it's hard to choose. We will definetely try them on our next trip. I also want to go to the Turtle Cove area and try Tiki Hut, someone said it was very good. Thanks for all your input about Grace Bay and Provo, you truly helped us have a wonderful vacation!
Sandy

As Pumpy is considering Aruba, I must say that we found the snorkeling MUCH better in Provo than Aruba.

Aruba of course wins for gambling and shopping. Sightseeing/natural sites a closer call; slight edge to Aruba. Water clarity much better in Provo.

Just a question on the weather. I'm thinking about a last minute trip to T&C at the end of the month and was intrigued by your weather comment.

I see LOTS of showers in the forecast for the coming week, and wondered if this was the typical "10 minutes" of rain type forecast. I'd be particularly interested in hearing from anyone who's been there at the end of nov./early dec. Thanks!

To AES,
Everyday we were there, we woke up each morning to beautiful blue skies. A few days by 1 or 2pm a few clouds would roll in, and also a few days of maybe 10 minutes of light sprinkles in the late afternoon, and then it would be back to beautiful again. The forecast called for rain the 10 days we were there, and that's what the weather was like. I learned a long time ago, ignore the weather forecasts for the caribbean!!
Sandy

Message for Sandy: Thanks for the great trip report. We will be staying at the RWI the end of Nov/beginning of Dec. What's the dress code for dinner (are cropped/capri slacks OK)? We are not sure if we will be renting a car, but even if we do we probably won't have it for the first night. We originally planned on eating at Mango Reef the first night but after reading your review and several others do you have a recommendation for a restaurant nearby RWI that's either a short walk or taxi drive away. Are there floats available at the hotel or should we bring our own? Thanks again!

To Kendall,
There really wasn't a dress code for anywhere we went, even high end restaurants. We worried about this before we left, and were pleasently suprised how casual every place was. I wore shorts and a nice top, and hubby wore dress shorts and a button shirt, and that's pretty much how everyone dressed. Never saw slacks, formal etc.

As far as a great restaurant close to RWI, please try Coco Bistro's. It's within walking distance, 5 min. and it's fabulous!!! Great atmosphere and very good food!! You'll love it.

And yes, they do have floats. I took one with me, but didn't need it. They have several. Just go to where they hand out the beach towels and you can get one. Great for lounging in their pools, which are very nice. You'll love RWI. Have a great trip, and post a trip report when you get back.
Sandy

Thanks Sandy!

Sandy: One more question. Did you have any problems with bugs while you were there? I've read that they can be a problem when dining outside. Thanks again!

To Kendall,
Mosquitoes weren't really a problem. WE noticed them a few times while sitting on the patio at RWI in the evenings, but never were bothered while dining outside.

Another message for Sandy: Did the car rental cost include insurance and taxes? Thanks again!

To Kendall,
The total cost was $253 and that was insurance, tax, everything. The base price was $210, we had our credit card cover the major insurance. You had to pay liability which was $4 a day and a stamp duty which was $15. Budget was the cheapest one we found, but it was also a dinky little car. If you don't plan on exploring the island, it will fit the bill!
Sandy

Sandy,
Great trip report. Yes beer is expensive but also expensive, if not more! on GC. I've been to both and prefer Provo.
On Provo we really liked the Tiki Hut restaurant at the Turtle Cove Marina.

To Traveler863,
Tiki Hut is definetely on our list of "must try" places on our next trip. We never got as far as the Turle Cove Marina, but there are a few other places in that area that we want to try. Beer was about $7 more a case on Provo than GC, but liqour was much cheaper on Provo. We also bought 2 btls. of wine that was very inexpensive compared to GC.
Sandy

Message for Sandy: I've just read a few posts that say that T&C is very windy. Just wondering what your experience was like. We are leaving Friday for 9 days. Your trip report was great and didn't mention anythng about wind. Thanks!

To carol3,
It was windy when we were there, but not to the extent that it bothered us. We actually enjoyed the breezes because it helped with the heat. As I mentioned in my report, after a few days the waves started to calm and so did the wind, and we missed having that breeze. I read in another post about stinging sand from the wind and we never experienced that. We had great beach weather the whole 10 days.
Sandy

I just got back from an 8 day stay at RWI and will try to post a trip report soon. One thing to add at the moment: the Mango Reef just changed ownership/management...so there may be some improvement in food quality in the coming months. We ate breakfast and lunch there every day and the food was good. I still don't see it being a "must go to" place for evening dining.