| Sandals in the Bahamas & Beaches Turks & Caicos - By Peter Heisch |
17-12-2009 |
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After meeting the group at Heathrow terminal 3 at 07.00 we used the computer check in facilities for our Virgin flight to Miami and dropped off our bags at the drop off area, this was quite straight forward and there was plenty of Virgin staff on hand to help if any passengers had any difficulties. The flight went very quickly and the flight crew were very helpful and attentive, free headsets were used for the in-flight Entertainment and games and collected at the end of the flight. There were over forty films to choose from giving plenty of choice for all age groups. Whilst on the flight we had the opportunity to get to now the group who all seemed friendly and easy going. The meals were also very good but as we were at the rear of the aircraft we had no choice, on the return we had three choices, as we sat nearer the front. We arrived on time and got through passport control fairly quickly having our finger prints and photographs taken, and being greeted in a friendly manner, which pleasantly surprised me. We then had to collect our luggage and check in for our American Airlines flight to Nassau Bahamas which would take just over the hour, we also had to clear security again which was a bit of a pain of course it would be much easier to fly direct and I would certainly advise this unless it was a lot cheaper to fly indirectly, but our flights connected well, the only problem was that three of our group lost their luggage this turned up on the next American Airlines flight and arrived at the hotel later. Transferring from the Airport to Sandals Royal Bahamian spa resort and offshore island took about twenty minutes and check in was easy and we were shown to our rooms by friendly staff our Luggage followed five minutes later. After a quick wash and freshen up we all meet in the cricketers British pub for something to eat. This was supposed to be a authentic British pub but did not have any draught or pressurised beers, (only cans or bottles) however the food was very good and the pub was very well decorated with dark wooden beams with a cricket theme. Unfortunately the service was the worst we experienced on the trip and everyone commented on this at the review meeting at the end of the trip, rest of the trip we had fantastic service were staff could not do enough for you. Then it was back to my room, which was a concierge (free use of the well stocked minibar) which had a four poster bed and had plenty of cupboard space a flat screen television and balcony with a view of the sea over a restaurant it was very well decorated and very clean.
Sandals are all inclusive resorts for couples were as Beaches’ resorts (who are still owned by Sandals) are for everyone but especially cater for families on an all-inclusive basis. Saturday 26/9/2009 We had arranged to meet for breakfast at Casanova’s restaurant, which was great having all the usual choices of cereals and fresh fruit and breads and chiefs ready to cook omelettes or eggs ofYour choice, you could eat inside or outside on the terrace. After this it was done to work for our tour of the property and its private island by the sales manager. We were shown 6 different room types of the 32 available (Sandals will be streaming this as they feel all these types are confusing) .I do have a list of all these and a map of were they are. I was very impressed with the Honeymoon ocean view concierge room 507 overlooking the ocean in the Manor house, and the Royal village, which has suites in a Country House in the Gardens these, are Butler service and have 24hour room service and have Rolls Royce/Mercedes transfers. The Royal Village is where Edward the 7th and Mrs Simpson stayed. Some of the rooms and public areas could do with a lick of paint and I noticed wallpaper peeling off in one of the halls and some nasty black marks on one of the carpets in one of the suites which youDon’t expect but on the whole it was very impressive. We also visited the Red spa were you can get all the usual treatments in a fantastic relaxing atmosphere (I have rates) there is also use the Red Spa on the offshore island Sandals Cay. You can get married at Sandals so we saw the wedding co-ordinators building and the three wedding gazebo’s one in the garden very good, one on Sandals Cay Island overlooking the sea superb and one on the beach which I would not recommend. The Sandals Cay Island is reached by a modern boat and takes five minutes, you could spend the whole day here and the boats run every hour. The island has two beautiful secluded beaches overlooking the crystal clear seas were there are plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas. It is a five-minute walk between the two beaches and on the land between there are shaded hammocks, quaint tiki huts there are also private cabanas. The beach club is there as well and this has a pool and whirlpool and the Bahamian restaurant. The ideal place to relax and recharge your batteries.We returned to the mainland our tour over so we went for a light lunch at the spices restaurant which was very tasty. In the afternoon three of has prebooked a snorkelling trip, this was one of the highlights of the trip for me as I had never snorkelled before. We were provided with all the equipment and the boat wentOut to the edge of the reef from were we could see the imposing Atlantis hotel in the distance. You must breathe through your mouth when snorkelling and once you get used to this and relax you can take in the natural beauty of the corals and many fish with their bright colours and strips we saw five or six different types. All too soon we were called to return to the boat and make our way home were we swam in the pool and relaxed for an hour before sampling tea and cakes in the Windsor Lounge, which was lovely, all calorie free of course!!! In the evening we had a hosted dinner with the manager Michael Jones at Kimono’s sushi and Asian Restaurant. The chiefs cook the food on a huge hot plate in front of you while entertaining you with songs, Jokes and stories, this was very enjoyable and the food was good (it is always a shame on these trips that you can’t sample all the restaurants). It was off to my room after the meal to pack and sleep as we had a Early flight tomorrow. Sunday 27/9/2009 Up early then a quick continental breakfast at the Cricketers before departing for Nassau airport for our 09.15 flight to Providenicales on the Turks and Caicos Islands. The flight takes one and a half hours but this is on a small aircraft which I thoroughly enjoyed as I had a window seat with a fantastic view. We arrived at Beaches just after midday the transfer from the airport just takes thirty minutes. As we had been previously warned some of the rooms were not ready and of course I was one of the unlucky ones, but this did give us the chance to have a welcome drink at the bar and then go to Bobby D’s restaurant which overlooks the waterslides of the pirates islands water park. Bobby D’s is a Childs delight a sort of small themed burger bar were you can enjoy burgers nuggets, ice cream and of course milk shakes, which were excellent, the cheeseburger was good to. On returning to reception we waited another half hour for our rooms to be ready, It was certainly worth the wait as my room was a Riviera waters edge walkout family suite with a separate children’s room. This meant that on entering the room you stepped into the children’s room which has Mahogany bunk beds with a third pull out bed underneath these were very big (I could have slept very well on them). This area also had a 27-inch flat screen television with an Xbox multi function games table, a nautical mahogany storage unit with its own sink and mirror over. Into hall then bathroom with a 2-basin mahogany vanity unit mirror over, separate whirlpool tub, separate shower, separate toilet and of course a hairdryer. The Bedroom opened out onto a patio (with table/chairs) then grass and overlooked the jetty and sea, amazing!!.In the bedroom was a 42-inch flat screen television and four-poster mahogany bed, microwave, tea and coffee making facilities and of course a fridge we were concierge, it was a fantastic room and exceptionally clean and welcoming in the Amalfi block. After a quick freshen up our tour began, on this it became apparent that we were staying at the best of the three villages the Italian, which is brand-new. The other villages being the Caribbean and French. There are 614 rooms/suites in 55 acres, and all the rooms were clean and well kept, but in the French village no rooms had balconies. Sixteen restaurants are available Italian to French, seafood to Sushi and of course the Cricketers pub to satisfy any desire. Many facilities are exactly the same as at the Royal Bahamian, a Red Lane spa is there and exclusive butler service is available but there are extra facilities for the children and teenagers i.e. organised activity programmes for different age groups, fun and games with Elmo and the sesame street gang, and of course there very own Pirates Island theme aqua-playground with its nine slides, lazy river, surf simulator, water cannons and sprays .The tour was extensive but we still did not see everything but would have two full days to sample the facilities and look round.In the evening we had a hosted dinner at Mario’s Italian restaurant, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Monday 28/09/2009 After a fantastic breakfast the group meet to sample the Beaches Kitty Kat Catamaran half day Cruise with snorkelling and a visit to an island, I would highly recommend this and it was one of the highlights of the whole trip. Snacks and drinks were available and there is a waterslide you can use when you arrive at the secluded beach, conc. shells can also be collected. The snorkelling again was brilliant in the crystal clear sea and lasted half an hour. Plenty of time was given on the island to walk along the long coral sandy Beach were the sand does not burn your feet or just relax and sunbathe in the sunshine. The cost of this trip was $95 for adults and $50 for children under the age of ten. On our return we were free until dinner at the barefoot restaurant on the beach so I took the opportunity toHave a swim and then take a walk around the resort.The evening meal again was very good after which we sampled the delights of the Liquid nightclub which was very modern, white with clean lines and a sunken dance floor I would describe it as boutique and was great fun as different types of music was played. Tuesday 29/09/2009 Today we went for a long walk along the beach and visited the Pirates Island aqua- playground sampling The lazy river with its water cannons sprays and the three adult rides, which were all very exciting. We also visited the patisserie for a lovely cake. In the evening we were taken for our farewell dinner to the best restaurant we visited Le Petit Chateau “ fantastic “ Wednesday 30/9/2009 We had an uneventful return journey home via Miami arriving early the next morning in London Heathrow. To finish I would like to say I enjoyed Beaches in the Turks and Caicos more than the Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas I think this was because at beaches there was a friendlier atmosphere. These resorts are definitely for beach lovers who enjoy all the non-motorised water sports (to protect the reef) as there only a couple of excursions you can do. I do have many leaflets and information from my trip and everyone is welcome to come in and look at these. A daily information sheet is delivered to your room with the day’s events. I look forward to passing on my first hand experience to prospective clients. Thanks for reading and I hope you found my report useful it certainly was a trip of a lifetime Peter
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