Beaches Resorts - Jamaica and Turks & Caicos

[IslandBreeze]

I am dying to go to Beaches T&C. We had a trip all booked a few years ago, but had to cancel it.

I'm looking at it again for the first or second week of June. How's the weather at that time of year? Are rooms and restaurants air conditioned? I can handle the heat and humidity at the beach or pool but can't stand it indoors, where there's no body of water to jump into to cool off.

Thanks!

All the rooms and restaraunts are air conditioned - no problems there.

 

[IslandBreeze]

We did Beaches T&C years ago before the expansion, staying in one of the beachfront villas suites. I concur the quality of accomodations and food service is high and the landscaping and maintenance are impeccable (most of T&C is dry and arrid, but you would never know that being at this resort).

But I must mention two downsides:

- First, a real attitude problem in the diving operation. All the staff in that area (at least when we visited) were relatively arrogant young men from a certain western European country, who acted like they were doing a favor by taking us diving. We were not the only ones who felt this way, numerous other guests we sopke with has the same feeling.

- Second, the transfer operation was shaky. We spent top dollar to go, but our first experience when arriving in T&C....was to be abruptly herded into beat up, un-air-conditioned van by a disorganized group of drivers. On the way out, the staff handling the return transfer wasn't much better.

**I think the dive operation must have improved since you were there. We have return clients going back because the diving was awesome and they stated they were treated great.

Michael Clark runs a great operation down there and just last year, Beaches Turks & Caicos got their Disabled Diving Instructors certification. I know many of our service members are taking advantage of that and being retired military myself, I really appreciate what Beaches is doing for my disabled brothers and sisters in arms.

I did a blog post on that program here. http://islandbreezetravel.blogspot.com/2010/03/disabled-diving-at-beaches-turks-and.html

The transfers are not too bad anymore. Once you head outside the airport, you will immediatly see Beaches staff with a clipboard. Head over to them and get checked in. At that point, you will be told your room assignment. Shortly after, you and your bags will be loaded on the van (unless you are a butler guest or other VIP and they get private transfer in white suburbans)

Then, you will take the 11 minute ride down Leeward Highway to Beaches!!

 

[shortbun]

The Negril club gets you away from most of the crime and onto an incredible beach. That said, Turks and Caicos has one of the prettiest beaches I've ever seen. Negril area tends to be singles and honeymooners so there is lots of partying going on. Turks is much more family oriented but that's where I'd head with two 15yo young ladies. Much less trouble to be avoided there. Turks has amazing diving and some good snorkeling.
Negril/Jamaica in general is not known for it's underwater sports although there is a little.
I've only been to each club, stayed at turks for 3 nights years ago and toured the Jamaica Clubs but did not stay. (travel agent perks) I agree that comparing Beaches with Breezes is apples and oranges. My husband likes the less deluxe because he likes to be a slug on vacation and I like the more deluxe because I can only get sluglike when I am comfortable. I like my rooms to be well appointed and the bathrooms to be well laid out. Breezes was closer to Club Med in accomodations which could be described as basic or bare bones accomodations. There is a time and place for all vacation types. You just have to decide who you are and what your priorities are. I LOVEd Club Meds years ago; they are active and fun with few comforts but there was always a good beach and an adult (read booze) summer camp atmosphere laced with international folks. Anywho-I'd be takin' those young women to Turks just from a conservative point of view.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We did Beaches T&C years ago before the expansion, staying in one of the beachfront villas suites. I concur the quality of accomodations and food service is high and the landscaping and maintenance are impeccable (most of T&C is dry and arrid, but you would never know that being at this resort).

But I must mention two downsides:

- First, a real attitude problem in the diving operation. All the staff in that area (at least when we visited) were relatively arrogant young men from a certain western European country, who acted like they were doing a favor by taking us diving. We were not the only ones who felt this way, numerous other guests we sopke with has the same feeling.

- Second, the transfer operation was shaky. We spent top dollar to go, but our first experience when arriving in T&C....was to be abruptly herded into beat up, un-air-conditioned van by a disorganized group of drivers. On the way out, the staff handling the return transfer wasn't much better.

Must have been an off time with the transfers because we never had a bad time. We visited Beaches years ago when people never even heard of Turks and Caicos and just a couple years ago, both times transfers were good. Never dived so can't comment on that.

OP: I am so jealous. You will love Beaches T&C. Can't wait to hear about your experience and see some pics. Have fun!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I am dying to go to Beaches T&C. We had a trip all booked a few years ago, but had to cancel it.

I'm looking at it again for the first or second week of June. How's the weather at that time of year? Are rooms and restaurants air conditioned? I can handle the heat and humidity at the beach or pool but can't stand it indoors, where there's no body of water to jump into to cool off.

Thanks!

If you're thinking of going, take a look at their website now. The sale was supposed to end on 1/3, but it has been extended. If you're going to go, why not go at a discounted price!

I really can't thank you all enough for sharing your experiences with me. I really feel confident that this was the right choice for us. And outside of a hurricane scared1: did I just say that aloud? ) I cannot imagine us having a bad time.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Must have been an off time with the transfers because we never had a bad time. We visited Beaches years ago when people never even heard of Turks and Caicos and just a couple years ago, both times transfers were good. Never dived so can't comment on that.

OP: I am so jealous. You will love Beaches T&C. Can't wait to hear about your experience and see some pics. Have fun!

I'll have plenty of pics. I average about 1,000 pics each Disney trip and I've been there 7-8 times.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

If you're thinking of going, take a look at their website now. The sale was supposed to end on 1/3, but it has been extended. If you're going to go, why not go at a discounted price!

I just did! Oh, I hope we can work it out!! Getting excited just thinking about it! Right now, I'm jealous that you get to go, but hopefully, I'll be joining you!!

More questions for the experts... If I remember correctly, most of the restaurants are fairly casual, is that right? Dh is a shorts kind of guy (long, docker-type shorts, not gym shorts) and can't imagine bringing long pants and closed toe shoes on an island vacation just to eat dinner. (he would wear Keens or similar, not flip flops with his shorts). He could get in most restaurants like that, right? We don't mind if there are a couple of "nice" restaurants we have to skip in the interest of comfort and suitcase space, but don't want to be relegated to just one or two cafeterias, either.

Also, what activities are included at Beaches T&C? I know about the pools and snorkeling. Do they offer small sailboats or kayaks to cruise around in? Do they have the banana boat there?

Thanks for all the info!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I just did! Oh, I hope we can work it out!! Getting excited just thinking about it! Right now, I'm jealous that you get to go, but hopefully, I'll be joining you!!

More questions for the experts... If I remember correctly, most of the restaurants are fairly casual, is that right? Dh is a shorts kind of guy (long, docker-type shorts, not gym shorts) and can't imagine bringing long pants and closed toe shoes on an island vacation just to eat dinner. (he would wear Keens or similar, not flip flops with his shorts). He could get in most restaurants like that, right? We don't mind if there are a couple of "nice" restaurants we have to skip in the interest of comfort and suitcase space, but don't want to be relegated to just one or two cafeterias, either.

Also, what activities are included at Beaches T&C? I know about the pools and snorkeling. Do they offer small sailboats or kayaks to cruise around in? Do they have the banana boat there?

Thanks for all the info!

Great questions! I'm curious about these things too. Also, I know this is probably a crazy question, but are there any laundry facilities? I'm sure the answer is no, but just want to know how much I need to pack.

 

[N&B'smom]

Well, we did it.

You will LOVE it!! So glad you did this! If you're not scuba divers but like to snorkel you may want to try SNUBA. You go to the reef right up the beach and you get to go down 20 ft while your tank floats above you on a raft. Check it out, http://www.snubaturksandcaicos.com/

My DS did it when he was 8 and not old enough to dive yet. He ended up getting certified to dive while we were there this past April, he was 10. (he took the course at home, did the dives there) Anyway, I did it and never had an interest in diving....but this was VERY cool!!! It's for ages 8 and up!

One quick question for anyone who's been: is it safe to drink the water?

Yep, not a problem!

More questions for the experts... If I remember correctly, most of the restaurants are fairly casual, is that right? Dh is a shorts kind of guy (long, docker-type shorts, not gym shorts) and can't imagine bringing long pants and closed toe shoes on an island vacation just to eat dinner. (he would wear Keens or similar, not flip flops with his shorts). He could get in most restaurants like that, right? We don't mind if there are a couple of "nice" restaurants we have to skip in the interest of comfort and suitcase space, but don't want to be relegated to just one or two cafeterias, either.

Also, what activities are included at Beaches T&C? I know about the pools and snorkeling. Do they offer small sailboats or kayaks to cruise around in? Do they have the banana boat there?

Thanks for all the info!

If you don't mind missing a couple restaurants then you'd be fine. There are a couple of adult only restaurants that would require long pants.

They have water trikes, kayaks and Hobie Cats.

There are some outside companies available that walk up and down the beach and you can sign up for banana boat rides and/or parasailing but that is an additional cost. (it's not right through Beaches)

Any other questions, let me know!! This is our home away from home. Every trip has been wonderful, we've had NO complaints whatsoever!

 

[JessicaR]

You will LOVE it!! So glad you did this! If you're not scuba divers but like to snorkel you may want to try SNUBA. You go to the reef right up the beach and you get to go down 20 ft while your tank floats above you on a raft. Check it out, http://www.snubaturksandcaicos.com/

My DS did it when he was 8 and not old enough to dive yet. He ended up getting certified to dive while we were there this past April, he was 10. (he took the course at home, did the dives there) Anyway, I did it and never had an interest in diving....but this was VERY cool!!! It's for ages 8 and up!




Yep, not a problem!



If you don't mind missing a couple restaurants then you'd be fine. There are a couple of adult only restaurants that would require long pants.

They have water trikes, kayaks and Hobie Cats.

There are some outside companies available that walk up and down the beach and you can sign up for banana boat rides and/or parasailing but that is an additional cost. (it's not right through Beaches)

Any other questions, let me know!! This is our home away from home. Every trip has been wonderful, we've had NO complaints whatsoever!

I went last year and stayed in the Caribbean Beach area - we are booked again this year for the French Village in a walk out room - ever stay in one? Would love to stay in the italian village but 10K aint happening this year!

What is your favorite room category/area? Thanks!

 

[N&B'smom]

I went last year and stayed in the Caribbean Beach area - we are booked again this year for the French Village in a walk out room - ever stay in one? Would love to stay in the italian village but 10K aint happening this year!

What is your favorite room category/area? Thanks!

I believe the Caribbean Beach is what they have named the main, older section which is where Reflections is and Sapodillas. It didn't used to be called that!

We have never stayed in the French Village, although one trip we were placed there but requested to be moved to the other section I mentioned above. To myself and my hubby who's a diver...the French Village is just too far from the beach for us. It sure is pretty though!!

I hear you about the prices of the Italian Village. The only reason we ended up there last April was because we have friends at the resort and they worked their magic for us. (we had booked the cheapest room!) It was GORGEOUS though!

Our favorite room category...I'd have to say the Governor's Honeymoon One Bedroom Luxury Suite. You can check it out on their site. It was two rooms with a balcony that extended the full length of the suite. It had a big Roman tub, walk in shower, separate room with a trundle bed/couch, etc...it was AMAZING. This is in the Salt Cay Villas. #6 on the resort map.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Our favorite room category...I'd have to say the Governor's Honeymoon One Bedroom Luxury Suite. You can check it out on their site. It was two rooms with a balcony that extended the full length of the suite. It had a big Roman tub, walk in shower, separate room with a trundle bed/couch, etc...it was AMAZING. This is in the Salt Cay Villas. #6 on the resort map.

oooh! We just booked this room category!! Great to hear how much you like it. We had a hard time deciding. Salt Cay Villas look wonderfully close to the beach, but pretty far from the water park. Eventually we decided it was worth the money to be closer to the beach and have the extra room space as well

I am so excited!! Thanks PrincessKsmom, for posting this thread. It gave me that little extra push to book the trip. I've been wanting to go to Turks and Caicos since about 1990, when I first saw pictures of Club Med Turkoise.

 

[N&B'smom]

oooh! We just booked this room category!! Great to hear how much you like it. We had a hard time deciding. Salt Cay Villas look wonderfully close to the beach, but pretty far from the water park. Eventually we decided it was worth the money to be closer to the beach and have the extra room space as well

You will LOVE it! I posted some links on the first page of this thread with pictures. The first link, this one... http://gallery.me.com/smascione#100486
has pictures of that room category. Enjoy!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

oooh! We just booked this room category!! Great to hear how much you like it. We had a hard time deciding. Salt Cay Villas look wonderfully close to the beach, but pretty far from the water park. Eventually we decided it was worth the money to be closer to the beach and have the extra room space as well

I am so excited!! Thanks PrincessKsmom, for posting this thread. It gave me that little extra push to book the trip. I've been wanting to go to Turks and Caicos since about 1990, when I first saw pictures of Club Med Turkoise.

You did it! You went ahead and booked!! With the sale they're having it's now or never. When are you going?

 

[N&B'smom]

Want to hear something crazy? When my husband and I went for the first time it cost us $2058 TOTAL with air included. Crazy, right???

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Want to hear something crazy? When my husband and I went for the first time it cost us $2058 TOTAL with air included. Crazy, right???

Wow, that's nuts! It's amazing how the prices have increased. I think when I went to Sandals Royal Caribbean for my honeymoon in 1992 it cost about $2,000, maybe $2,500. I'd hate to price it out now.

 

[JessicaR]

I believe the Caribbean Beach is what they have named the main, older section which is where Reflections is and Sapodillas. It didn't used to be called that!

We have never stayed in the French Village, although one trip we were placed there but requested to be moved to the other section I mentioned above. To myself and my hubby who's a diver...the French Village is just too far from the beach for us. It sure is pretty though!!

I hear you about the prices of the Italian Village. The only reason we ended up there last April was because we have friends at the resort and they worked their magic for us. (we had booked the cheapest room!) It was GORGEOUS though!

Our favorite room category...I'd have to say the Governor's Honeymoon One Bedroom Luxury Suite. You can check it out on their site. It was two rooms with a balcony that extended the full length of the suite. It had a big Roman tub, walk in shower, separate room with a trundle bed/couch, etc...it was AMAZING. This is in the Salt Cay Villas. #6 on the resort map.

Thanks for the great info! Going to check out that location.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We are going for spring break this year! I am so excited! We are going with 2 other families (they are staying in the Italian Village in suites) we are booked in a French Village Walkout.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

We are going for spring break this year! I am so excited! We are going with 2 other families (they are staying in the Italian Village in suites) we are booked in a French Village Walkout.

Would love to hear your review and see pics if you're so inclined once you get back.

 

[Desnik]

I have been wanting to go to Turks & Caicos so bad for so long! I would love to go with our kids, or even DH & I for a few days. The only thing that has been stopping me is the high airfare!! Even if just DH & I go it is $1000 roundtrip. I just have a hard time justifying the prices.

So for all of you who go, have you been able to find good airfare prices? Do you go a certain time of year where the prices are lower? Or, do you not really care about the airfare prices cause it is worth it to go there?