HowardC

To Clear--Boy I hate recommending resorts as everyone's tastes are different. Same with restaurants. I am not a big fan of Grand Cayman. Too touristy and too many cruise ships. Seven Mile beach isn't that great. For crystal clear water and fabulous beach it's Turks and Caicos. The beach at Four Seasons, Ocean Bight is lovely and great water. I'm really not a Four Seasons or Ritz type. There are two restaurants the main one is sort of Italian. Not sure how much seafood you'd get. Again you are quite a ways out of town and don't think you can do the Ritz or Four Seasons for your price range. The water at Sivory isn't as clear but there is a reef off the beach so it is fairly calm. Depends what you want to do. If your husband gets bored easily don't think he'd like Sivory. If you looking for a second honeymoon it's great. The whole trip including air fare ran about $3000 for a week. As I said great food at El Navegante in Punta Cana--Funky beach bar. Did you look at Coral Gardens?? Downside might be the construction next door and the fact that the dinner restaurant Coyaba, which in our opinion is the best on Provo is moving and probably won't open till Nov. There are a lot of excellent restaurants though. Not sure this helped. Probably confused the situation.

HowardC

Clear--Go to www.tciforum.com and send me a private message with your e-mail address and I will send you an aerial photo of Sivory. You might also check out the forum for T&C info as well as www.wherewhenhow.com the on line magazine of the Turks and Caicos

blamona

clear-first I must say I have not been to Sivory.
I love Exumas, BUT I love the feeling of Club Peace and Plenty. It is not luxury, but you get to know everyone, it's nice and laidback, good pigroasts at Stocking Island (water taxis from CPP) FS is pretty far away and isolated. If you go to FS, you get the feeling you never really leave the resort. I loved it, thought it was beautiful, but didn't get a "feel" for the place. The golf course is spectacular there. It costs about $70 to get into town! Plus, you would probably miss out on Stocking Island, (or not now that you know about it 8-)) which is spectacular!
I think for what you're looking for, Turks and Caicos may fit the bill. There are beautiful luxury resorts, yu can't beat that beautiful beach, and excellent restaurants.
Caribtraveler: if it makes you feel better, the water in TC is alot prettier than Anegada. Anegada is definately off the beatean path, and quiet. (and I mean quiet). It's nice, but I've got to tell you, the beach on TC is alot prettier than Anegada's!
HowardC, I'm always jumping in on your posts.
Nice report by the way.

mona2

Check out www.travelzoo.com this week for a great deal on Sivory Punta Cana thru August 31st- $125 per room.

caribtraveler

Thank you Blamona!

msommerfield

Howard,

Noticed on another thread that you were heading back to the Sivory in December of 2006. Was the service and facilites still up to the same high standard as your original review?

Also noticed a not so fond review from a Howard on www.debbiesdominicantravel.com. Was that yours?

Finally, you mention a limited menu. My wife is vegetarian and was wondering if the vegetarian options were just steamed vegetables or something more inspired?

Thanks for your input. Seriously considering this destination in May and need to book soon!

Matt

NatureGirl19317

Hi Matt!

I know you left this message for someone else but hopefully I can help you out in the meantime!

I normally dont eat eggs/dairy but I didnt have too many vegan choices at Sivory. Vegetarians should be no problem, however.

I was at Sivory last August and even with their limited menu there were vegetarian options. Im not saying there were a lot of options but there were some.

There were 3 restaurants at that time.

<b>For breakfast</b>

Rolls, fruit, and juice are served to your room each morning. Plus there are pancakes, eggs, etc for breakfast at the restaurant by the pool.

<b>For lunch</b>

The cabana by the pool serves burgers but you can get plain cheese sandwiches and salads if you ask them-cheese sandwich isnt on the menu.

<b>For dinner</b>

The asian fusion place (forget what its called) has a tofu dish that was verrrry good.

There are two places by the pool (forget what thayre called too). Downstairs they had pasta and upstairs they had pasta as well as some good salads (ask for them without meat).

Its true that not all of the waitstaff speaks english well but we didnt have any trouble conveying to them that I dont eat meat.

Just be sure to point out that <i>vegetarian</i> also means no seafood (I even have to point that out to people here in the US though)

They are extremely friendly-they asked for help with their english and we asked for help with our spanish!

If you dont speak spanish you can look up some phrases beforehand that convey that you dont eat meat. We do that whenever we travel to another country (learn to say &quot;vegetables only please&quot; in their lanugage).

With my basic level of spanish I said things like:

<i>sin carne por favor</i>
without meat please
(when ordering meat salads)

<i>no comida del mar por favor</i>
no seafood please

<i>solomente vegetales por favor</i>
vegetables only please

<i>solomente queso por favor</i>
cheese only please
(at the burger place)

Those phrases worked for me no problem and the staff was very helpful and eager to please.

I would strongly recommend vegetarians <u>not</u> get the meal plan just b/c youll eat far far less than whats offered but Im sure youve already realized that through your research!



Have a great time!