Please tell me where are the most clean, decent places to stay and eat? Looking for $150/night or less. Want to be on the beach..

Amie,<BR>I can't recommend a place for $150.00 right on the beach, but we got a great deal on a one bedroom condo at Coral Gardens through the website "vrbo" , much cheaper than what the resort was requiring. Coral Gardens is absolutely beautiful, our accomodations were superb, very classy, and the resort is right in front of "the coral reef" that everyone drives down or walks to to snorkel.You might try that website, it's vacation rentals by owners and much more economical.<BR>Restaurants we liked were Hemingways(twice), Coco Bistro, Caicos Cafe, Bay Bistro, Fairways Bar/Grill at Provo Golf Club. They were all really, really good. Best lobster ever had at Fairways and we were only one of three tables while we were there.<BR>Have a great time, it has most beautiful beaches and get out and explore the island, there are several beaches you can find to have just to yourself. People most friendly.

Places for $150/night on the beach are hard to find. We have stayed at Coral Gardens 7 times and really like it. If you are just looking for a room you could get the second bedroom of a two bedroom suite for about $150. You have a very small balcony with a garden view form those rooms. The one bedroom condo suites all have Beach/ocean views. Coral Gardens is currently running a special. Stay 7 nights pay for 6. You might look into Sibonne. Small and just renovated the past two years. On the beach but not much of a view. There is a Comfort Inn and Suites about 200 yards walk to the beach and Caribbeam Paradise Inn which is also about 200 yd walk to the beach. Might try them. Check out www.adamsnames.tc. Click on Turks and Caicos and links for lots of info. The advantage of a condo is that you have a kitchen so you cut down a little on Meal Expense. Feel free to E-mail me for more info and restaurant recomendations

For Denette;<BR><BR>A couple of questions if you don't mind?<BR><BR>Was your condo at CG on the ground or 2nd floor? If ground could you see the sea from your room? Did you have one of the 1000sq ft rooms? Did you pay to get any extra services(maid) if you rented directly from the owner? We're considering a visit next spring and this property sounds nice. Taking our 10yr old son as well. Thanks!!

Not Denette but--Not sure a condo owner can rent his condo by himself. Diong os might undercut the rates Coral Gardens has established. Besides paying a condo fee the owner also pays a management fee which I suspect includes maid services so the guests don't have to pay the maid. I usually tip them though. The best views are from the second and third floors. If you are standing on the first floor you can see the water and beach but not sitting. Have stayed in both the 1000 sq ft (luxury) and 1800 sqft ( luxury Grand) condos. Both have pull out sleep sofas. Rates go off season around 15 April next year. If you have any questions feel free to E-mail me

Peter,<BR>We did rent from the owner direct, and the Coral Gardens staff seemed to be very familiar with the situation.The owner even rented one of his personal vehicles to us and he met us at airport, took us to the jeep, lead us to Coral Gardens and went with us to the condo to sorta escort us in. He was a jewel of a man. We got there a little early before the housekeeping people were finished(they needed till 3:00), they allowed us to put our luggage in, change into swimsuits and we went down and had lunch/beers around on the beach, went and bought groceries and our unit was ready to go.<BR><BR>We could use the maid service and it was offered, and I can't remember what they quoted me, it was an additional charge, not much, but we had broom, ample cleaning products, ample towels for the week, and the little time it took me to pick up,load dishwasher, etc. no big deal. They have a laundry facility on site, first floor, right around corner from main desk that it available to guest, so if we did run out of clean linens, no problem.<BR><BR>We were on ground floor, unit 4105, in the corner and had so much privacy. You could sit on our patio and see the whole curve of the beach out to the left, watch the sunset, absolutely wonderful. The units directly above us on second and third floor were partially shaded in late afternoon from a large pine tree that allowed the blessed shade, but did not obscure the view at all. They would be great units to have. We did not have the traffic in front of our unit and I sat out every morning in my nightgown and had my coffee on the patio.<BR><BR>Please take plenty of sunscreen for your son, my husband and I both tan easily and we had to be deligent on applying sunscreen often. Also, when you go down to beach, if you will get an umbrella to the left of the steps, as the sun moves during the day,the beach is much more level toward the back of the umbrella where the shade moves to and you will have more/longer protection from the blaring sun, YOu will see what I mean after the first day. Also, you might want to go down early in moring and lay a towel under a particular umbrella, as by mid day all the umbrellas are taken, many times from guests from other resorts and some linger for hours there by the reef and you're out of luck for the precious shade. <BR>If you have more questions, email me direct, and I will try to help.<BR>Also, I have read many of Howard's postings and he is so knowledgeable about Provo, he is a great resource for almost anything you need to know.

Peter, forgot to answer question, yes we did have the 1000 sq. ft. condo, with plenty of space. Wish you safe travel and wonderful family time.

Denette;<BR><BR>One final question. Were the initials of the man you rented from...BT? If so I may look furhter into renting that unit based on your rec. Thank you ever-so-much!<BR><BR>Peter

Denette;<BR><BR>One final question. Were the initials of the man you rented from...BT? If so I may look furhter into renting that unit based on your rec. Thank you ever-so-much!<BR><BR>Peter

Peter, His initials are BT and he was a source of knowledge that can't be beat. His little jeep was nothing fancy, matter of fact we took a picture to show our boys, they are so used to the best. It had no A/C, straight shift, no radio, and rattled, but you know my husband and I got a kick out of riding around in something that was just fine for us and looked more like what the locals drive or worse. We were there on our 25th anniversary trip, but we are going to take our sons next year, it was a dream of a place to do all kinds of watersports. Email me if need more info.