My husband and I are going to HI in Jan.<BR>and have decided to stay at Runaway Hill Club. Haven't booked it yet, but plan to this week. It appears to be the perfect quiet place for us to relax! I have a few questions for you! I couldn't tell from the photos on their web site, but do they have chairs or cabanas on the beach? I love sunning on the beach, but need to have access to shade if possible. Also, we're staying for 5 nights. We definitely plan to eat there a couple of times, but wondered if you could recommend another place for dinner that serves Fabulous food that we shouldn't miss. Also, what room should I request? We want the best room/ocean view and when I spoke to the owner, she suggested the room in the main building on the end??? Any recommendations or other info would be wonderful! Thanks! Diane

I think you will really enjoy Runaway Hill. As you probably already know I have been staying there for almost 15 years a week or so each time, but haven't gotten down in over a year and really MISS my time there.<BR><BR>Well if you want the best room for the view, there's the Honeymoon Suite, right off the dining room or my fav which is next door to the office, it also has a nice balcony and I have even slept out there just to enjoy the breeze and hear the waves.<BR><BR>January will be pretty booked already so you need to call asap, and ask what rooms are available and I can let you know what to expect.<BR><BR>There are several good restaurants on island now, so you will have lots of choices for dinner. There's The Landing, Harbour Lounge, Dunsmore, Romora Bay, Pink Sands and Coral Sands but the best food on island we think is at Runaway.<BR><BR>For lunch you can eat in during the high season, or go downtown to Angela's for great Bahamaian food, Miss Mae's, The Deli, Ma Ruby's (hamburger there is a MUST) and there are a couple of beach bar restaurants including Pink Sands and Coral Sands.<BR><BR>Please give my love to everyone at Runaway and tell them I promise to be down before the end of the year.<BR><BR>Take care and please let me know if you have any other questions.<BR><BR>You might also come to the Harbour Island website www.briland.com for more info and pictures.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful time.<BR><BR>tweedy

Hi Tweedy, Thanks so much for the great tips and info! I will call and book my room today! You missed one question though...Does Runaway have the straw type umbrellas or cabanas on the beach? Just wondering if I will have access to some shade while sunning. Also, we're looking to do some scuba diving. Do you dive? If so,do you recommend Valentines? Thanks! D

Sorry Diane, didn't see that question. Yes there are umbrellas on the beach, very large and comfy beach chairs. There are cabanas on the beach also I think at Runaway as well. Ask Carol about that one. She will laugh, as I have skin that burns when I step out the door and she is always reminding me to put on sun screen. lol.<BR><BR>There are 2 dive operations on the island Valentine's is the best known, and they have some fun options, snorkle and dive trips and I think I heard about a submarine but not sure if that is still up and running. The water is just so crystal clear you will really enjoy any of the trips.<BR><BR>Also Carol can arrange an off shore picnic for you for a day. YOu take a picnic lunch, an umbrella and head to the dock, where you get a water taxi to an outisland cay. The water taxi will pick you up at a specific time so you have the day and the island all to yourselves.<BR><BR>One thing I love about Runaway, well actually there are lots of things I love, but.....each room has it's own library of books, and as a regular I even bring books down from home and leave them there for others to enjoy. So you won't even have to bring a good book to read it is there waiting for you and it's a great library.<BR><BR>Let me know what room you get and I can tell you a little more about the house and the island.<BR><BR>tweedy

Hi Tweedy! I called Carol and booked my room this morning! Mentioned you and she said she hasn't seen you in a while and to tell you hello! I told her you were planning on returning soon. I reserved the room you like with the balcony (room#3) She was holding another room upstairs for us, but when I inquired about the room you recommended, she said she will give it to us #3 because you like it! (and we want a deck and view!) We chated for quite a while...it sounds like she gets A LOT of repeat business. I really can't wait to go. Just wish we were staying longer than 5 nights! The offshore picnic sounds unbelieveable! I just hope that the water taxi will not forget to come back for us!;-O Anyway, thanks so much for the great info and I'll let you know how it went when I return!

Diane:<BR><BR>Room 3 is very convenient, it is right off the dining room and close to the bar, so at night when everyone else heads to bed, you can sit out on the porch with a "smash" and watch the waves. If it is warm enough you might head down for a dip in the pool.<BR><BR>The room has a king size bed facing the window, a good size bathroom and lots of closet space. There is also a safe right in the room, just in case you want to leave some valuables, they will be safe too. But don't worry crime is really non-existent on island.<BR><BR>You are right about the "regulars", I have met fortune 500 CEO's, a best selling author, royalty, and other interesting people there. Everyone meets at the bar just before dinner for a drink and munchies to sit and talk so you get to know everyone else staying there.<BR><BR>It has happened when a water taxi forgets to pick you up, but that's what nice about a small island because you would be missed and since everyone there is on radio, resorts, restaurants, cabs and water taxis someone would come looking for you, lol, so don't worry.<BR><BR>You would be most welcome at the Day Nursery. (that's the Day Care Center), and I usually go and teach a song or play a game with the children.<BR><BR>I know you will have an amazing vacation, and maybe one of these days we will run into each other on island.<BR><BR>Take care and keep in touch.<BR><BR>tweedy