Fernandez Bay Village - Bahamas

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I can't keep this a secret! Visited: May 2009 Posted by robertgi22 Over six years ago, we had the pleasure of finding the perfect getaway to excape the hectic pace of Wall Street. I promised myself I would never let out the secret, as I did not want the property "changed" from too many guests who do not respect this little piece of heaven. After our sixth year and with all the noted popularity it has recieved, we found again that it is as pristine and just as welcoming, if not more so, than our first time there. They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You'll have no doubt of the beauty this place holds, and the quality of the service they provide. It is consistent from the top all the way down. We have traveled a lot, but here we have found our home. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We are back home from another "perfect" time at Fernandez Bay Village. Visited: June 2007 Posted by naplescouple We just returned from our quarterly run to Cat Island and more importantly Pam and Tony Armbrister's Fernandez Bay Village. There is no place on earth that combines the friendship, relaxation, food and service, etc. that can be found here. We stayed in Sea Breeze for the first time, and our daughter and grandson were in "Crabby" which is highly recommended but not listed on the web site. Its air conditioning was outstanding, and the location next to the bar enabled us not to miss anything or just to chill out. We sound like a broken record to our friends, I am sure. But let us say that if you have not visited Fernandez Bay, you need to. If you are looking for a Ritz Carlton, or Las Vegas, you will be disappointed - pleasantly. Here, you will find that your plane placed you in "New Bight" and not Vegas or a Ritz. This is not a "you know/who knows" place, it is just the most perfect place with the most perfect food, accomodations, service, beaches, and relaxation anywhere in the "out islands". Come here, and you will be planning your next visit on the plane ride home! 8 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is the most perfect place in the islands. Visited: March 2007 Posted by naplescouple I have been visiting Cat Island for 30+ years, and my wife and I have vacationed at Fernandez Bay Village for the last 20 years. We leave in June for the third trip this year. Although we have traveled by air and bareboat charter to most island destinations, we have never had the warm and comfortable feeling that hits you when you arrive at Fernandez Bay Village. The people we have met, the staff, the management, the food, the beach, the rustic "chic" as someone else put it, the honor bar, and the total ambiance of FBV makes it the best place for a couple or a family. It is a great place to get back to the foundation of each other or the family unit the way it used to be. Tony and his family have worked very hard in their labor of love to bring an air of closeness to the entire Cat Island experience. Make sure you get to enjoy this fantastic place in the "sun", and one of the last family-owned resorts in the islands. This is the way the islands used to be before the Profit and Loss statement became the judge and jury of vacationing. Don't miss it! 8 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? They had the best beach. Visited: January 2006 Posted by syr43 Fernandeez Bay Village is the perfect getaway vacation to a pure, pristine part of the Bahamas that has not been commercialized. The natural integrity has been maintained beautifully, while the creature comforts have been interlaced artfully. Tony and Pam have provided an excellent dining area and beach bar overlooking the pristine bay. They undoubtedly have the best wine list in the out islands. There are plenty of activities available or plenty of "R and R" time on the beach or in a shady hammock. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? There's a lot they didn't tell us, and it wasn't all good. Visited: July 2004 Posted by munchlabonte When my husband and I were looking for a quiet vacation spot, this looked like the perfect place - beautiful beaches, no phone or tv, just a place to relax. We got that and a lot more we hadn't planned on. The bugs were unbelievable. Even bug spray didn't help. We rented the beach house. The screens on the doors were not even close to flush with the walls. The bugs just came right through, making the screens useless. also, the week we were here, the lights went out at least once daily, and with it the air conditioning (and one night five times). One evening, the lights went out during dinner and the the guests were left in the dark for 90 minutes, just waiting for dinner to be served. The owners were there and did nothing. They acted as if they were guests. The loss of electricity was frequent enough to warrant putting on the generator. But they never did. The food was good the first few days, but as the week went on, it got worse. The fruit was served overripe with fruit flies flying around it. The local staff was very nice, but the owners and manager were very inaccessible. To top it all off, there was no running water one of the days we were here. The day we left there was no car to take us to the airport. Donna, the manager, had taken the day off and taken the van with her. We ended up being taken by a relative of the owners in a car that the trunk didn't open, and there was a 1/2 bottle of whiskey on the floor and the car seemed to be held together only by rust. Also, there were no outside lights to our cabin, and no lit walkways. I was almost bitten by a huge crab that I didn't see while I was walking up the stairs to our cabin. We left a day early. We could only take so much of this fun. My husband I are have been traveling in the Caribbean for 25 years. This was our worst experience by far. This hotel was billed as the best place on the island. If that's true, stay away. 3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Ours was a very healthful trip. Visited: February 2004 Posted by phillip The get-away factor was just incredible. We almost had to teach ourselves to stop thinking about the everyday stresses of life. The air, the water, everything was so healthy and beautiful it was just amazing. There was a day or two when lunch took nearly an hour. But then I just had to tell myself, "hey, what else do you have to do, just sit back, relax and enjoy the view". The water was just 50 ft. from the villas. We enjoyed a campfire on the beach every night. If Fernandez Bay Village for some reason forgot to start one, then we would just take it upon ourselves to start one. The kayaking and snorkeling were awesome as well. Not everything was perfect, but hey, what is? Be prepared for the bugs, though. Ask Donna what to do. She'll take care of everything. We can't wait to get back and we are already planning a return trip as I type. You pay a little extra at this resort for probably less amenities than let's say a Grand Cayman trip. But the extra you pay is made up for in the priceless beaches and the seclusion factor. It's absolutely no problem to find a private beach for a few hours. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Fernandez Bay offers rustic chic on a breathtaking beach. Visited: November 2003 Posted by lattitudes2 As long-time Out Island travelers, we'd been finding that some of the islands were becoming more and more discovered. It was time to venture further out to find the solitude we were seeking. Fernandez Bay Village on Cat Island fit the bill. We are not the sort of travelers who seek typical five-star amenities -- no marble floors or gold faucets for me. All I really want is a beautiful beach, seclusion, and unique accommodations that fit their setting; I got them all here. Fernandez Bay's beach is spectacularly lovely, a perfect crescent of white sand bordering serene, crystal waters. It alone would have made me happy, but it is but one of many such strands on the island, most of which are uninhabited. Seclusion, too, is easy to find on Cat Island. It is sparsely populated (with very warm, friendly people) and lightly traveled, with most visitors quickly retreating to a few small hotels and inns. As for lodging, we loved FBV. We stayed in Shane's Shack, a stand-alone stone cottage with a thatched roof at water's edge, with the requisite garden bath. We instantly turned off the AC and flung open the three sliding glass doors facing the water, and our life moved with the rhythm of the breeze, sea and sun. It was Heaven. We were the first "official" visitors of the season, and only a few others arrived during our week, so we pretty much had the full attention of the staff during our visit -- not that we are especially high maintenance. Nevertheless, it felt like our every wish was satisfied. Meals were very good, especially given the challenges of obtaining food in these islands. At mealtimes, we enjoyed the company of fellow guests, owners Pam and Tony (and Pam's father Tom), and manager Donna, since we invariably chose to push the tables together. The only possible negative: those no-see-ums (against which FBV has a comprehensive spraying program, and which can be managed with use of bug repellents). Staying at Fernandez Bay Village is like being a welcomed houseguest at the home of gracious friends -- except that we should all be so lucky as to have friends with a home this lovely! 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Time seems to stand still! Visited: January 2002 Posted by ahbinpa We just arrived home in Philadelphia from one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I am already ready to head back! Fernandez Bay Village is definitely not for everyone - it is not luxurious or loaded with traditional resort ammenities - but for us it was fantastic. The island seems untouched by modern life - there are no televisions, telephones or other jangly intrusions. The beach was amazing... beautiful, totally clear blue water; soft, smooth sand; gentle breezes... perfect! We stayed in the Travelers Palm Villa which was simple, but comfortable, with a great view of the beach. The villas are built of old stones with tile floors, screen doors and large private porches. Coffee pots and small refrigerators are provided in all of the rooms and some of the larger villas have kitchens. A few have air conditioning. The bathroom was a garden bath which is the style in most of the villas. This means the toilet, sink and shower are basically outside. It is connected to the room and is covered by a roof, but the back wall is open. We did have a suprise guest one night - a 3-foot snake trying to get a drink from the toilet - so it is a good idea to turn on the light before stepping into the bathroom. It was gone by morning and never reappeared. For us, this wildlife encounter was just part of the fun of being on an undeveloped island. FBV does not have any of the traditional resort ammenities - No room service, pool, tennis courts, or golf courses. But there are kayaks, canoes, floats, and snorkling gear - all available free of charge. For those of us who are less active there is a library and some lovely hammocks. I sunburn easily and particularly enjoyed relaxing with a book on the covered porch where I could see and hear the water without being baked. For the most part, FBV is self-serve and on the honor system. Want a drink? Head for the tiki bar, mix it to your taste and write it down on a tab. Breakfast and dinner are buffet style and there is a sandwich and salad menu for lunch. The food was simple, basic fare that was well done and in keeping with the relaxed pace. Our visit was for a wedding and the staff at FBV was amazing. Donna seemed able to accomodate any request and I know that she was a tremendous help to the bride and groom as they planned and coordinated the event. We only spent a few days at Fernandez Bay, but every minute was wonderful. The relaxation factor was so high that time seemed to stand still and all the worries and stresses of real life faded away. We would go back in a heartbeat! 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Excellent Place to Relax and Enjoy the Sun Visited: August 2001 Posted by mbrauning Fernandez Bay was one of the best experiences we could have had. This was not a luxury amenity place, however, this was why we went. Traveling all through the Bahamas, this was one of the best beaches we've ever seen. The snorkeling was excellent and the entire vacation was great. Because the resort is located on a remote island, you don’t have everything you want, but that's the idea. Dinner was great and was served during a 2-hour span, as was breakfast and lunch. The hosts (especially Donna) were very friendly and catered to our every need. We are definitely going back. It was laid back, relaxed, and we had a great time. If you don’t like having harmless crabs running around or need shower caps, this is definitely not the place to go, but if you want to explore a perfect beach, great food, and friendly service, it is! 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Rustic, beautiful, but not for everybody Visited: July 2001 Posted by PMC1720 This property (located on one of the prettiest beaches we've been to), is kind of like camping with more amenities and a much higher price tag. It's casual, rustic, remote and fun with interesting guests, friendly pets and a great manager named Donna. She really tries to make you happy and content. But one person can only do so much, and the rest of the staff is not nearly as organized and efficient as she is, and at times seem indifferent and unconcerned to requests and inquiries. It wouldn't take much in the way of amenities and service, to turn this pretty little resort into a top notch getaway without losing the rustic, casual feel that was so appealing. We loved the barefoot ease and casual dress that is common among guests and wouldn't change that, but could do without the frog and crab visitors we seemed to have almost nightly in our rooms, and the apathetic manner of some of the staff. Air-conditioning was almost never needed, except on those few hot nights when the breeze wasn't blowing in the right direction! It might help with the critter problem, too. Check under your bed and in your toilet before use! It was funny at first, but then became a nuisance. Things we wished for were simple, and often taken for granted in a more established resort. A larger daily supply of fresh beach towels and bathroom supplies (body wash, shampoo) would have been nice. Towels don't dry easily and we were always using wet ones. Earlier mealtimes for those who like an early breakfast or dinner would be great. Breakfast was served from 8-10 am and dinner around 8 pm. If you miss the 12 – 2 pm lunchtime forget about getting a sandwich. We couldn't get service at 2:20pm, even though there were cooks still in the kitchen. Forget too about grabbing a quick bite, because a simple tuna sandwich took nearly an hour and fifteen minutes one day. Our kids frequently complained about the length of time for breakfast and lunch to be delivered. This is not to imply that we want a rushed, hurried pace for meal delivery. Just a little more efficiency and meals delivered to everyone in a more timely fashion. Our group was always eating in shifts even though we sat and ordered together. Also it would be nice to be able to get a snack or sandwich between the 2 pm end of lunch and the 7:30ish appetizer that was served at the bar right before dinner. Dinner was good, basic food. A little heavy on the sauces and fat (i.e. scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, cole slaw, stuffed potatoes). A beautiful place, but be aware of it's limitations. It’s ultra casual in more ways then one. 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? So good we're going back for more... Visited: March 1999 Posted by alkeach My wife and I have been visiting the Caribbean (mostly Bahamas) since 1982. Fernandez Bay Village was our last place to experience. For us, it was by far our most enjoyable vacation ever. It was quiet, secluded, beautiful scenery, with one of the best beaches we've ever been on(including Treasure Cay). The staff were more than friendly and there was great food. The native islanders were the most pleasant people we've met. They were poor in pocket but rich in personality and spirit! "Cat" is not an upscale island with modern resorts but rather a low-key, undeveloped place...the way the Caribbean used to be. If you wish to explore, there are miles of deserted beaches, blue holes (fresh and saltwater subteranean caves), old eroding historical edifices and an incredible built- by- hand coral rock monastery at the top of the highest point in the bahamas(200+ feet). If fishing and seafood is your thing, there are plenty of conch, lobster and fish that have never seen a lure. If you require luxury, gambling, special pampering, jet skis, golf etc., then this isn't the place! We rarely return to a site, but we are going back again this year(2000). We feel we've found our place. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? It was heaven! Visited: December 1969 Posted by ktwalding We just spent our honeymoon here, and it was perfect. If you don't want a busy resort, with swimming pools, clubs and bars, but prefer to be remote, relaxed and hidden away - this is the perfect place for you! Get Kirk to take you on a tour - he knows so much about the island. 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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