Resort Review - Beaches Turks and Caicos

[coloradocruisers]

I realize that this is a cruising website, but I'm going out on a limb to assume that most cruisers also enjoy visiting different islands and beaches. So I will add to the website library this "review" of my family's visit to Beaches Resort, Turks and Caicos.

Although we've been on several cruises, Disney World, and one SCUBA oriented resort, this was our first all-inclusive island resort. We chose Beaches T&C because 1) it was open to families (as opposed to traditional Sandals adults-only resorts); and 2) we had never been to the Turks and Caicos.

Let me start with a few positives:

1. The water and beach were excellent. The water was mostly a nice turquoise color similar to what you might find throughout the Bahamas.

2. Drinks were included.

3. The resort had several pools and a water park that included a lazy river with inner tubes, water slides, fountains, and surfing simulator.

4. The beach had small sailboats, kayaks, water trikes that were included. We went sailing one morning on a Hobie Cat, with my son at the ropes and rudder.

5. Up to two SCUBA daytime dives a day were included. (see negative comments)

6. The food was excellent. The restaurants had outdoor seating, and three of them were right next to the beach allowing diners to watch the amazing sunsets. Also, the French Village had a very nice cafe with pastries, espresso, cappuccino, etc.

7. The staff were very friendly. Everyone I passed greeted me.

8. The grounds were well landscaped and maintained.

And now for a few less than positive observations:

1. Getting through customs was a nightmare. This is more a critique of the island of Provodenciales than the resort, but it is worth warning anyone reading this to try to time your arrival on a day other than Friday or Saturday. The airport is old and small, but is now seeing several 757s a day showing up in close proximity from the US and Canada. Customs took a LONG time to clear, and there was not a restroom in sight. Provo is supposedly planning a new terminal building, which should alleviate some of the hassle of getting there.

2. Although the drinks were included, they were typically served by the bars in small plastic Dixie cups which emptied quickly and created lots of trash. One of the bartenders even served my wife Chardonnay in a plastic Dixie cup, which I consider a big no-no for wine.

3. Many of the bartenders were very inexperienced. They did not know the drinks. They would read the patron's menu to see what they were supposed to mix in, but did not know the proportions. I ordered one drink that was supposed to be bright blue, but it turned out puke green.

4. The free SCUBA is a bit of a scam. Although I went diving last year, Sharon had not been in two years. This meant that she had to complete a mandatory "tune-up" which cost an extra $80. Also, since we're each on prescription meds, we were required to see the resort doctor at $20 each. This has never been asked of me before due to what I'm taking being no risk. The hell of it is that Sharon brought a signed doctor's clearance on PADI's form, but the dive shop did not accept it because the doctor didn't "stamp" it. Now ask me if the resort doctor "stamped" our fit-to-dive clearances. He did not. He signed it. I can accept all these requirements as risk management, but the tune-up should not have cost extra and the doctor should have met the resort's own requirements. If you're going to stand on principle, then don't cut yourself slack. Also, night dives, additional certifications, and any more than two daily dives cost extra. Must have been in the fine print.

5. The resort was not as relaxing as it should have been. This may be because it is geared toward all ages. One example of this is the day we went to the French Village pool. the pool itself is beautiful, but I could not relax because some yahoo with a microphone showed up and wouldn't shut up for the next couple hours. His favorite word was "unbeleeeeebable" which began to grate after the 50th time. "Come on everybody, let's get up and do the chicken dance!!!!" I went back later that night, and a different idiot was yelling for the chicken dance. So just imagine for a moment that you're trying to relax in this idyllic setting.....

and then some moron shows up and starts shouting at you through a microphone hooked to a couple amplifiers. Not relaxing.

6. Reserving lounge chairs. We all hate this on a cruise ship, but at Beaches it's official. My daughter and I visited the fabulous pool in the Italian Village one morning between 10:30 and 11AM. There were very few people, but NO lounge chairs available. 90% of them had towels, towel animals, and signs like "these chairs reserved for the Jones Family," except the Joneses were nowhere to be found. Very annoying. So when the brochure hints that no matter where you stay, you can visit all the other pools, expect to find this one has no chairs for you.....

7. Whereas my teenage son has been able to hook up with other kids the same age on ships, he did not enjoy the teen program at the resort. Just not any kids his age were there. Lots of little ones were there.

There were a couple other minor annoyances, which I won't bother to mention here. One of the bigger downers was when my wife slipped near an outdoor shower/foot rinse and wrenched her ankle. The nurse examined it at no extra charge and loaned her a crutch, but it did impact her ability to get around and have fun. It is still swollen, so she will have to see her doctor since she takes blood thinners. One of the customer service managers sent a cheese, cracker, and grape plate to our room to make her feel better, which was a nice gesture.

Overall, I enjoyed the trip, probably more than my wife or son. My daughter also had a great time, but says that she prefers cruising. As compared to a cruise, for the money we spent, cruising is still a much better value.

[cruisetarp]

Kevin - thanks for your great review. I'm sorry your trip did not live up to your expectations and hope that Sharon is OK after her fall.

[KeithnRita]

Nice honest review, Kevin. We've been invited by friends to join them at an all inclusive, however we just enjoy sea cruises to much to even try one.

We hope Sharon's ankle heals quickly.

[scalise12]

KEVIN, THANKS FOR A GOOD REVIEW AND OPENING THE DOOR ON RESORTS, GOOD IDEA!

[sailingrose]

Thanks for the review Kevin. I hope Sharon's ankle is better soon.

[coloradocruisers]

Sharon saw her doctor today. Elevation of the foot and ice are the prescription, but the doctor doesn't fear a blood clot at this time.

[deb1220]

Great review Kevin! I've always wondered about these all-inclusive resorts. Sorry about Sharon's fall. I hope she feels better soon.

[Shari2]

Thanks for the great review, Kevin! So sorry about Sharon's fall. Hope she is better, soon.

[GottaCruz]

Kevin, I've always wondered about these resorts because the commercials on tv look so great. Wayne only wants to cruise so I won't have the experience of trying them so I was glad to read your review.

The photos you posted are magnificent. It looks gorgeous but I'd be really aggravated also about the chair reserving at the pool and the guy with the mic. So sorry to read about Sharon's foot and I hope , by now, she's a lot better.

I guess , as far as value, there is nothing like cruising.

Thanks so much for the review.

[DebbieandJerry]

Thanks for the information, Kevin. I have always wondered about "all inclusives". I look at the every so often and think .... hmmmm. I like cruising because of the daily variety. I'm afraid that I would get bored being in one resort for 5-7 days.