Anybody stay at Beaches Jamaica or Turks & Caicos

[dylansdad]

Need help planning a tropical vacation for this xmas. Want to do all inclusive. Anybody have any reviews to share.

 

[Redmic]

Sorry I can't help you, but you might try posting this on the community board. I have had pretty good luck over there getting answers concerning non-Disney vacations.

If you haven't already tried it, you might do a search on www.epinions.com to see if there are any reviews of the resort there. Good luck!

 

[disneysue]

We stayed here in 1999. I can honestly say it was the WORST resort I have ever been to. It was filthy there, the people working at the resort acted like they were doing some sort of favor for you whenever you asked a question or had a request, and the food sucked! And to boot, it was expensive, even though it was an all-inclusive. There were ants crawling on the dessert buffet tables and we saw a mouse run across the back of a buffet table. In one restaurant there was a dead mouse floating in the toilet. We needed to switch rooms (we were on the ground floor when we first checked in). The room prices are based on what level you're on (1, 2, or 3). Obviously the ground floor was the least expensive because our room was disgusting. Sand was all over the floor -no throw rug or carpet. There were tiny ants crawling all over the bathtub. And HUGE daddy long leg spiders in the bathroom. Now I know it's hot down here but this was ridiculous!! Hell, I even went to school in FL and never saw anything like this! Honest-to-God, when we got home the first thing I said was, "We are DEFINITELY going back to DisneyWorld."

In all fairness, the good points of this place were: beautiful weather (although one time a generator blew, and 1/2 the island was without power and water for 12 hours - now that was fun, ha-ha), the beaches are absolutely gorgeous, and all the included top shelf liquor.

We did contact Beaches when we returned and they ended up giving our family a free 3 night stay at Turks/Caicos Resort whenever we liked. Thanks, but no thanks!!

 

[disnurse]

beaches resorts in general are very $$$$$, turks is beautiful but in my opinion not worth the money. There are several 4**** resorts that would be my first choice. Try iberostar or allergro for starters. There are several forums for all inclusives if you want them pm me

 

[frankiemom]

We went in Jan-Feb 2002 and had an awesome time . We have been to 3 Sandals before we had our son---Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Antigua. Now with our son we went to Beaches Turks. The resort was great---my son was almost 4 and they lots for him to do. He went to Kids Camp a few days while we would go out to dinner or spend some time by the pool. Our room was great-we had paid the base rate but were upgraded to a suite---we are signature club members (entitled to one free upgrade and they gave us 3) The food was wonderful---I am probably on of the pickiest eaters around!

The resort was clean and the people were helpful-the spa was wonderful!

I do have to say that I only paid $3000 for the 3 of us for 8 days and 7 nights and that included airfare and a suite. So maybe some people who may have paid more might not of found the resort to be what they expected I thought I got a wonderful vacation for a steal!

Good luck with your decision.

Just to add we wanted to go back this year but will be doing Disney in May but I would go back in a second!

 

[chrissyk]

Originally posted by disneysue
We stayed here in 1999. I can honestly say it was the WORST resort I have ever been to. It was filthy there, the people working at the resort acted like they were doing some sort of favor for you whenever you asked a question or had a request, and the food sucked! And to boot, it was expensive, even though it was an all-inclusive. There were ants crawling on the dessert buffet tables and we saw a mouse run across the back of a buffet table.

Disneysue, I'm sure that this is the worst resort you've ever been to, but only because you haven't been to Sandals St. Lucia, LOL!! I believe that Sandals and Beaches are owned by the same people. We had a VERY similar experience to your Beaches experience at Sandals St. Lucia. The resort was filthy, the food was disgusting, the employees had attitude, etc. There was GROSS stuff floating in the pool, because people would get drunk at the swim-up pool bar and then float their drinks/napkins/whatever in the pool We saw 2 huge rats run across the path right in front of us at the outdoor "restaurant". I could go on and on...it was the most disgusting trip we've ever taken, hands down. The other couples that we'd met at the resort also couldn't wait to go home My husband and I will NEVER do an all-inclusive again. We felt that we paid a bundle up-front and then got as little as possible for it

No wonder we keep going back to Disney...it's clean, the CM's are friendly, and the food is good

 

[Nysie]

I agree with Disneysue!! A friend of mine went to Beaches in Turks/Caicus and was verrrrry Dissapointed!! However, she did go to Beaches in Jamaica the year prior, and really liked it there!!

 

[jel0511]

Sandals and Beaches are owned by the same company. I've never stayed at a Beaches but have stayed at Sandals. Sandals and I'm guessing Beaches resorts are nice, but they aren't top notch resorts. I've been to several different places and paid a LOT less and have gotten MUCh nicer stays at regular resorts in the Caribbean than I've had at Sandals. If you're expecting something similiar to a WDW deluxe hotel, or any of the nicer resort chains located in the Caribbean (Westin, Wyndham, Hyatt,etc) you'll be disappointed. Now, I did like my stay at Sandals, and I might stay at another one, if I really felt I needed an all-inclusive stay. Since DH and I rarely drink, these all-inclusives really don't pay for us. We have considered trying out Beaches, but for some reason something keeps stopping us. Probably because we prefer the USVI's to any Caribbean Island we've been to, and we've been to a lot!! Also, a note on Jamaica, that island really isn't a very safe island outside of your resort, and even though the resort is secure, I'd be afraid bring children to a place where unrest can occur at any moment.

 

[Bird-Mom]

I have been to Beaches Turks and Caicos and LOVED it! The resort is lovely as was the staff. I have been to the Caribbean many many times and I found the watersports here to be the best.

I have also been to every Sandals except the Bahamas, and the only one I didn't care for was Sandals Ocho Rios.

I would not be worried about unrest happening in Jamaica-that was a long time ago. The island is very safe (just don't take a tour with someone you meet on the street; use the tour company at the resort), but honestly, aside from a few tourist attractions, there isn't a lot to do away from the resorts.

Remember that in the Caribbean, you will see poverty; that is just how it is. I highly recommend any of the Sandals/Beaches resorts based on my own experiences as well as those of my clients (former travel agent here and I was one of the top sellers for the company in my region, so we are talking LOTS of happy clients here). Feel free to email me for more info!

 

[dylansdad]

Thanks everyone. Ive been to Sandals montego bay 3xs and loved it. Like being close to the airport and flying 1st class on AJ. Been to Breezes in the bahamas 2x aand like that even more because the people do not have the tude that you were speakin of. One new years in the bahamas it was kinda cold. Problem is I want to take dylan who is 4 so i need a resort that caters to families. I like nonstop flights of 3hrs max. Anybody been to Dominican Republic? Jamaica is not scary, went to Negril solo, been to Costa rica, Barbados, Sandals Antigua. I like the allinclusive deal because you pay up front, not just the booze, although its nice to grab a pina coloda and not charge it to the room. SAM