Beaches Resorts - Jamaica and Turks & Caicos

[Mrs.Toad]

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!

Your pictures are beautiful! Thanks!

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

We're going in June. Can't wait!! When are you going?

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We used air miles for our trip. We have a 15 hour overnight layover in Atlanta, but the flights were free.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

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?

We are paying about 500 each for airfare. The first place we looked, it was over $1,000, so 500 sounds cheap to me!

My husband flys a lot for work, so we almost always fly free on miles, but United doesn't go to T&C. Between paying for airfare and the cost of Beaches, this vacation is costing us double what most of our vacations cost. But it's something we've wanted to do for so long, and our kids are at good ages for it now so we're splurging this time.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

We are paying about 500 each for airfare. The first place we looked, it was over $1,000, so 500 sounds cheap to me!

My husband flys a lot for work, so we almost always fly free on miles, but United doesn't go to T&C. Between paying for airfare and the cost of Beaches, this vacation is costing us double what most of our vacations cost. But it's something we've wanted to do for so long, and our kids are at good ages for it now so we're splurging this time.

Not sure how these things work, but now that United and Continental have merged, maybe you could get a Continental flight and use United FF miles?


For anyone who's been there before, an acquiantance mentioned you can rent cell phones while there -- can anyone confirm that? It would be great to be able to keep in touch with the girls and yet give them some freedom.

Also, I know I have weird questions, but is there a laundry facility? Do you take the towels from your room to go to the beach/pool or do these have them there? Anyone have any problems with hot water/water pressure? We are going to have 4 women in one room, so this important. Anything else you'd like to share? I'm excited but feel like it's so far away. Unlike Disney were I can spend months planning, this is a little frustrating. No fix for in between.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Not sure how these things work, but now that United and Continental have merged, maybe you could get a Continental flight and use United FF miles?

Not yet. We tried that, but they won't fully merge the ff programs until later in the year.

For anyone who's been there before, an acquiantance mentioned you can rent cell phones while there -- can anyone confirm that? It would be great to be able to keep in touch with the girls and yet give them some freedom.

Also, I know I have weird questions, but is there a laundry facility? Do you take the towels from your room to go to the beach/pool or do these have them there? Anyone have any problems with hot water/water pressure? We are going to have 4 women in one room, so this important. Anything else you'd like to share? I'm excited but feel like it's so far away. Unlike Disney were I can spend months planning, this is a little frustrating. No fix for in between.

I'd also be interested in some of those answers, but I do know that they have pool towels at the pool areas.

It is kind of hard to obsess over this trip, isn't it?! I've been visiting the Providenciales forum on TripAdvisor, but it doesn't get much traffic. We'll have to keep this thread going here!!

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

One of the familes we are going with in April went last year as well. She mentioned the cell phone service si very spotty there. She didn't mention anything about renting them though.

I would think pool towels are not a problem - it sounds to me like they replenish your room mid day if you need it.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I'd also like to know what the electric is. Do I need to bring an adapter?

 

[E&BMom]

I can answer a couple questions. We were just there in December.
The outlets are just regular outlets. We did not take an adapter. They do provide a full size hairdryer if you don't want to pack one.

They provide towels at the pools and by the beach so you do not need to use the ones in your rooms. They were big towels too so that was nice.

I do not know about laundry. You can send it out for them to do but not sure about facilities.

I did not hear about anyone renting phones so am not sure about that. It is international so the charges are higher if you use your phone. We just took our laptop and paid for the wireless internet. I think it was $45 ish for the week. We could use it in the room and outside. It was a little slow but not horrible. We did skype too so we could see our family on Christmas day. It worked well.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions ask and I will answer if I know. I'm sure N&B's mom will know too.

 

[E&BMom]

Oh I forgot about water pressure. We had 4 people and we did not have problems. My daughter is almost 17 so she enjoys the shower. We had good pressure and it was always hot for us.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

I can answer a couple questions. We were just there in December.
The outlets are just regular outlets. We did not take an adapter. They do provide a full size hairdryer if you don't want to pack one.

They provide towels at the pools and by the beach so you do not need to use the ones in your rooms. They were big towels too so that was nice.

I do not know about laundry. You can send it out for them to do but not sure about facilities.

I did not hear about anyone renting phones so am not sure about that. It is international so the charges are higher if you use your phone. We just took our laptop and paid for the wireless internet. I think it was $45 ish for the week. We could use it in the room and outside. It was a little slow but not horrible. We did skype too so we could see our family on Christmas day. It worked well.

Hope this helps. If you have more questions ask and I will answer if I know. I'm sure N&B's mom will know too.

Thank you! I was just checking my Disney checklist and saw to bring my power strip, which thankfully made me question whether they have the same outlets we do. That would have been horrible to have a power strip and not be able to use it.

I've also found more pictures and posts on Trip Advisor, so I've been keeping an eye out on there as well. I feel like I know everything about Disney and know how to have a great vacation, but feel unprepared for Beaches. Guess I just assume every vacation needs to be overthought.

 

[E&BMom]

We did use our little power strip because some of the outlets were in a hard to get place.

I like to know about the places too. If you think of anything else let me know. It was nice. Our weather was a little funky so we didn't go to the beach. It was windy and the waves were going over the chairs. We hung out at the French pool. We loved it. We stayed in the French part so it was close. It also had a great swim up bar!!!!

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We returned from T & C on Sunday - it was awesome! The staff was wonderful - minus 1 server and the beach was spectacular! We loved the pools - French and Italian. We didn't use the Carribean one. The food was good - we were able to keep everyone happy most of the time. We traveled in a group of 13 and had no problems getting into anywhere.

 

[JessicaR]

We returned from T & C on Sunday - it was awesome! The staff was wonderful - minus 1 server and the beach was spectacular! We loved the pools - French and Italian. We didn't use the Carribean one. The food was good - we were able to keep everyone happy most of the time. We traveled in a group of 13 and had no problems getting into anywhere.

Glad you enjoyed your trip! We have a group of 11 going in August and I am SO excited. I have been there before but my children havent and I think they are gonna have a ball! We're all staying in a French Walkout - where did you stay? Welcome back.

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We stayed in a French Village walkout for most of our stay, then we were given an upgrade to a 2 Br italian village for our last two nights. The French village was quieter while the Itialian Village had a bit more nightlife.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Glad you had a great time.

Did you have an experience with any of the teen clubs or activities?

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

The kids didn't do any of the teen activites (only 12 & 13 yr olds). They mainly hung out at the pools and beach with us.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thanks. Any observations, good, bad or mediocre, you'd like to share for a first timer going in July? Any problems at the airport, with baggage at the resort, appropriate dress, etc.?

 

[tiffsix]

We are going for first time in May! May 5th! We are a family of 4 and my inlaws are coming too. We are staying in the Caribbean Village in the cheapest room...Caicos Double I believe. I have a few questions!

The resort seems big...wondering how families have kept in touch with each other while there?

We are looking into excursions to book while there. Anyone who has been do the Twilight Sunset Cruise? It is $75/adult & $40/child so just wondering if it is worth it. we booked the sesame street character breakfast. My daughter is 16 months and is really into Sesame Street. I also booked a spa appt for Mother's Day. How is the spa there? Are there any must do extras? candlelight dinner looks nice but not sure we want to pay extra for a meal when everything is included.

I am glad we booked ahead of time b/c a lot of the days had no time slots left. Assuming resort will be at full capacity even though May is considered off season.

And I also booked the free 30 minute portrait session. I'm afraid to ask...how much are the pictures to purchase?

Thanks for any tips! Can't wait to go!!

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

The resort looks big on the map - but it really easy to get around. One thing we learned is that towels became a commodity later in the afternoon. We always kept extra around. They do have pool towels that are big by the pools and beach, but they became hard to find later in the day.

The sunsets were amazing! We didn't do any of the boat tours, so I can't answer that question. We enjoyed the sunset from the beach. We did travel with 2 other families so we did a private boat tour - it was expensive but really worth it.

We did the photo session - it was sprinkling when we did it. The pictures turned out nice - they are expensive. We got 30 pics on a cd for $300 The photopass at Disney is a steal compared!

I had a spa credit and used it for a mani/pedi. I was not impressed. I had it done the day before we left due to our schedule. My mani only lasted 3 days, but the pedi is still holding strong. They didn't have a pedi chair - I sat in a normal chair - not real comfy or relaxing. My friend did a facial and massage and she enjoyed it.

One last thing - walkie talkies would be a great addition. Cell phones are not always reliable. Also a waterproof watch - they have very few clocks.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

We are going for first time in May! May 5th! We are a family of 4 and my inlaws are coming too. We are staying in the Caribbean Village in the cheapest room...Caicos Double I believe. I have a few questions!

The resort seems big...wondering how families have kept in touch with each other while there?

We are looking into excursions to book while there. Anyone who has been do the Twilight Sunset Cruise? It is $75/adult & $40/child so just wondering if it is worth it. we booked the sesame street character breakfast. My daughter is 16 months and is really into Sesame Street. I also booked a spa appt for Mother's Day. How is the spa there? Are there any must do extras? candlelight dinner looks nice but not sure we want to pay extra for a meal when everything is included.

I am glad we booked ahead of time b/c a lot of the days had no time slots left. Assuming resort will be at full capacity even though May is considered off season.

And I also booked the free 30 minute portrait session. I'm afraid to ask...how much are the pictures to purchase?

Thanks for any tips! Can't wait to go!!

We're staying in the same type of room. Please if you could, let me know how it is when you get back? And maybe a picture or two if it's not asking too much?

As for the pictures . Someone sent me a copy of the price sheet and I was floored at how expensive they are. Unless their photographers can photoshop my head onto Kim Karsdashian's body, I would NEVER pay that much for pictures. Maybe I'll purchase 1 or 2 of my daughter, but that's it.

MommaSnow: I was thinking about bringing walkie talkies, so I'm glad you mentioned that.