Royal West Indies - Turks and Caicos

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This is our sixth stay here. Visited: February 2008 Posted by kbdixon Royal West is a delightful place to stay right on Grace Bay Beach. It is relatively new - opened in 2000. It's also attractive for couples or small families as there is enough private space and a great beach to roam. The rooms are not over the top, but are not sub-par by any means. The restaurant is adequate for lunch and dinner, and is neither expensive or inexpensive. There are at least three great dinner spots within walking distance (Coco Bistro, Anacaona, and Coyaba) that vary in price. But the food quality is generally good on Turks. This was our sixth stay at RWI, and it is always worth it. After this amount of time, we know how to approach cabbies, and are familiar with the restaurants. Take advantage of the IGA - especially for spirits/wine and snacks. Pay attention to wine list pricing, so you don't feel abused. Also, enjoy the weather, beach and scenery. This is a great island and a great place. We rate this location as three stars because it lacks first class linens and other in room accoutrements. But overall, it is a quiet secure location that is not overpriced and is on the beach. We have never been dissatisfied here, and always meet nice people from many places, it is highly recomended by us even at three stars. 22 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is where we'll always stay. Visited: February 2007 Posted by kljintexas We were here in February 2007. It was our third visit to this resort, and we loved it. It's a wonderful spot - a small resort with a fabulous restaurant. The lobster club sandwiches for lunch are excellent. They have a prime beach on the best part of the island for swimming. Be sure and book a unit toward the back of the resort. There is lots of shade in the afternoons in the 600 building. The second floor is best, though. It is hard to see out of first floor units. This is where I'll always stay. 19 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? I say "ditto". Visited: August 2006 Posted by nialriver I would agree with all that godawgs82 had to say about RWI. The only things I would add are: we reserved a car through the Avis web site that did not exist once we got there (get a four-wheel-drive if you plan to explore). Also, stop at the IGA on the way to the resort (I think it's the only grocery store on the island). 10 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a great family beach vacation Visited: July 2006 Posted by godawgs82 We just returned from a five-night stay here. Our children are 10, 15, and 17 and we all had such a great time, that we know we will return one day. We stayed in an oceanfront unit. These units were the closest to the beach in the complex. This was billed as a two-bedroom suit, as it actually is two units connecting (one-bedroom suite and a one-bedroom studio). There was a sofa bed in each unit, so we had enough beds for all. The units were nicely furnished, and everything was still in fairly “new” condition. The air conditioners worked fine, keeping the units cool. Grace Bay Beach was the most beautiful beach we have seen, with soft white sand, and clear turquoise blue water. This was not a big resort….so, the beach was not crowded (unlike some of the other big resorts we saw further down). There were times when we were the only ones in the water. We did find some nice conch shells on the beach, but you have to walk away from the resort to find them. We went on a snorkeling/catamaran sailboat excursion (Sail Provo) which took us to a nearby reef where lots of colorful fish were. My son and I went on a fishing trip (a half day bottom fishing with Silver Deep) which was successful. He caught a nice size grouper and snapper. The restaurant on site, Mango Reef, was excellent. There were plenty of selections, and the prices were not too high. We ate there most evenings, and the bill for our family of five averaged $185 including tip. One option on the menu was the $30 special, which included appetizer (the goat cheese salad was excellent), the entree (several choices), and dessert (several choices). The grouper and snapper dishes were quite good, as were the shrimp and scallops. The T-bone steak was also excellent. We also ate at Calico Jacks, located at Ports of Call (15-minute walk). It was fairly good food at a reasonable price ($95 including the tip). Ports of Call had other shops, including an ice cream shop and a souvenir store. On the way to POC, you will pass Gourmet Goods, a sandwhich shop and convenience store. We picked up some milk there. The computer in the lobby was nice to check e-mails. There was a small selection of DVDs to choose from (free), and a nice collection of paperback books. Free amenities also included bicycles, hobie cat sailboats, ocean kayaks, snorkeling equipment. We found most of the employees to be friendly and helpful, with a smile. Very few were not. The grounds were immaculate. Someone was always pruning or sweeping, keeping things spotless. Overall, we found it to be a great place for a family beach vacation. It was not crowded, and they had a beautiful beach. 39 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is a great resort on a lovely island. Visited: February 2006 Posted by wlee100187 The resort was lovely, and I would definitely stay here again. So, why just four stars? There was no real night life on the island or at the resort. You definitely have to bring your own entertainment. The staff was great, and the rooms were always clean with turn down service in the late afternoon. Reserve a rental before you get there, else you'll be stuck with catching the gecko bus to the places you want to visit. There was a lot of development going on, but not to the extent that it would ruin your time here or views of the beach. The water was pretty good. There was some light surf, but nothing that would give you a workout. There was free WiFi in the lobby, but I wish they would extend it to the rooms. Calling home was expensive, so I recommend you set up your Skype account before you go and call home through your laptop. I only spent $12 US and talked for eight hours. The food was good, but the best island food I found as Club Sodax (sp?) - just don't go without a way back! I got stranded for about an hour because my taxi didn't return. Again, reserve a rental before you go, they drive on the left, but the roads are wide enough to easily drive. When it comes to luggage, make sure you have doubles in your carry on. One of my bags was delayed for three days. Most of the resorts are managed condos owned by individuals. It was a great place to relax, and even though it was about 20-30% more for items there versus the states, I'd go back for a vacation. 15 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The Royal West Indies was very nice. Visited: January 2006 Posted by nickyz24 This was a great place to stay. I stayed for here for five nights. The staff was very friendly, and the bar staff was exceptional. From the moment we got here until we left, it was great overall! 4 users found this review helpful. 5 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Royal West Indies was terrific. Visited: April 2005 Posted by tennis4 We just came back from Turks and Caicos and stayed at the Royal West Indies. We were traveling with nine people (four adults and five children). It was a great place for families or honeymooners. It was quiet, yet it had all of the things you would look for on vacations - pools, beach, a nice restaurant, the Mango Reef, and great food for all meals. We shopped at IGA for miscellaneous food for snacks and breakfast. It was nice to have the washer and dryer in the room. There was no dirty laundry to bring home. We also met several other families with children, it was a fun place to stay. The staff was so friendly. We enjoyed John, the pool and beach person. He helped us with many things and coordinated boat and parasailing trips. He was great. The restaurant staff was great. We even had Joan, one of the waitresses, braid our hair. It was a great experience and I would recommend RWI to everyone. Have fun on your trip to Turks and Caicos! 7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We found this to be a moderate hotel with some issues. Visited: April 2005 Posted by heidiand We just returned from the Royal West Indies resort and had an okay time. We spent $210 a night for what was called a "full ocean view studio". I think the ocean we could see from our windows was about two inches wide. It definitely was not full ocean view. You couldn't even call it partial ocean view. For $200 a night we weren't expecting the Ritz, but we weren't expecting the Econo Lodge either. The on site restaurant wasn't on or very close to the beach - and the food was mediocre at best. Head off to eat at Hemingway's (at the Sands). They had great food, and it was cheaper. The hotel was situated on a nice stretch of beach, but beware! we had to get to the beach by 7:00 am to score an umbrella and towels. Yes, and by 9:00 am the pool workers said that they were out of towels. It seems like a small investment to buy some towels, but apparently this has been going on forever. When I complained to the pool man he said "Go tell the front desk...I have been telling them this for months.". Even for $200 a night, I think one deserves quite a bit more. 9 users found this review helpful. 3 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is one of the best! Visited: February 2005 Posted by eezzdreamer I enjoyed a wonderful vacation at Royal West Indies in a beach front studio. The property was very well appointed, spacious, with two lovely pools, and very lush mature landscaping. The beach was wonderful, wide and long.. you can walk until you drop, and the water was some of the best we have seen. It was a lovely shade of turquoise with nice waves, not too strong, but just enough to be fun. A breeze kept us cool, but without the wind we have experienced in other islands that lashes you with sand particles. There were enough chaises and unbrellas to accommodate everyone, and the beach staff was very helpful and friendly. We loved the resort. It was a quiet place with quiet, polite guests. There were others more pricy, but I don't think they offer any more for the cost, except perhaps larger and fancier rooms. A nice little bar was next to the beach, as well as a small restaurant. Other restaurants we visited were lovely with outdoor seating, but we were disappointed in the food on the island in general. It seemed the fish was always overcooked, and the menus lacked any imagination...fish with rice and sauteed vegetabless, with two exceptions being Grace's Cottage and Anacoana...those meals were truly memorable. Shopping was scarce, roads were very good, and there was not too much to do. Snorkeling was available off the beach at Coral Gardens. In all, it was a wonderful resort, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed here! 9 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a pleasant week relaxing in the sun. Visited: January 2005 Posted by airelab This was a nice, quiet resort with beautiful landscaping and lots of privacy (versus the other resorts on this strip). Most people were reading and lounging around the pool or on the very close and beautiful beach. The pool was apparently only decorative, and only for the bravest, as it was not heated. The restaurant was marginal with average food but terrible service. And, there was no wine list. It was as if management abandoned the restaurant years ago. We read lots of similar comments about the place before we went, but who would have believed they would have let the place go to seed this way? - Try Iguana just down the road when you want a meal with good value (mid-range, and excellent casually formal service, good wine list and food). Despite the latter, the experience was a very pleasant one, which I guess says a lot for the intrinsic beauty of the place, the good value of the resort overall, and the great sun. 5 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Location, service, beauty, and economy are all here at Royal West Indies. Visited: November 2004 Posted by slifkabr We stayed here for one week at the end of October and beginning of November 2004. We had booked the room based solely on an internet search, so we were not quite sure what to expect. We were extremely happy with our stay. The resort's beach was deep and protected, and the resort was close to Leeward Marina (for boat tours) and close to several other restaurants. We rented a car (from Rent-a-Buggy - they were awful) But a car was a good idea. We enjoyed the convenience of getting to the marina and restaurants. All of the staff were friendly and helpful. The rooms were so clean! The hotel had two Hobie Cats (free for guest use!) We enjoyed those. The beach setting was great with nice umbrellas and chairs and a helpful staff for towels and water toys. The resort had a gorgeous sweep of beach with relaxing walks in both directions. At some other resorts, the beach was pretty, but at high tide, it got so narrow that it was only as deep as a lounge chair. They also had truly exceptional landscaping compared to some other resorts that we visited. And they also had nicely-set pools. This island was expensive. We felt that the room cost was economical and that allowed us to indulge in nice restaurants and boat tours (the boat tours were very worthwhile! We especially liked trips with Sail Provo and J & B Tours). We were not so impressed with the Mango Reef restaurant at RWI, so we almost always went to other places (we liked Coco Bistro and Hemingways). Overall, we had a great vacation at a great resort. 8 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is the best place we have stayed yet! Visited: May 2004 Posted by sam1 We visited May 2004. We have been to Turks and Caicos four times. This place was awesome. The service was great, the grounds were magnificent and it truly was the best stretch of beach. It was such a value. This resort was recommended to me by Virgil of Virgils taxi and tour. Thank you Virgil! I will definitely be coming back - the sooner the better. I cannot say enough good things. We stayed in a one-bedroom deluxe suite. The rooms were huge, very clean, and had thermostats so we could gauge the chill. It was also nice to turn off the ac and let the breeze come in off the wrap around balcony. We also looked at a studio room and that, too, was nice. If you are a couple, a studio would be sufficient. But for a little more, you get a huge living room and full kicthen instead of a kitchenette. Either way, you will be satisfied. We took the supermarket shuttle and stocked up on snacks and lunch items since we had to pay for meals, but the restaurant was pretty good. The sandwiches were great and reasonable. You will spend money on food, but its ok because the you save on the hotel cost and this place was gorgeous. Everyone was very polite. I even wrote to the reservation desk upon my return and told them what a great time I had. They responded and thanked me within three hours. The beaches of Turks and Caicos were breathtaking. You will fall in love with these islands. I have been here four times in the past 15 months. And I am returning in October. These restaurants were great - Anacona (five-minute walk), Aqua Bar in turtle cove, Magnolia and Coyaba. Albeit a bit pricey, but vacation is vacation...if you're in the mood for a frosty beer and some music, check out Danny Buoys. It was a great little spot. If you are unsure about the Royal West, please take it from me, it is a great value, you will enjoy your stay. Go for it. You will not be disappointed. And check out the hot tub after dinner. It is the best way to end your night. That, and looking at the stars from the beach. 8 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Royal West Indies is an excellent place and a great value as well. Visited: May 2004 Posted by tallen91 I loved the Royal West Indies. It was luxurious, with many amenities, incredible landscaping, and free e-mail access in the lobby. The rooms were immaculate and new, with ceramic tile floors, granite counters, washer and dryer, etc. It was an incredible value. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is the best value on Grace Bay! Visited: March 2004 Posted by plaa2win Having traveled the Caribbean and visited more than 20 islands, we have found the perfect location (for most travelers) in the Royal West Indies Resort. We have been exploring Provo for the past six years and find this is the best value on Grace Bay. 2 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Royal West Indies is a "thumbs up". Visited: April 2003 Posted by j_drezek My boyfriend and I just returned from a lovely one-week vacation here. It was absolutely the best! I had a very detailed (long) trip report, but it was too many characters for this board. Turks and Caicos Islands is absolutely beautiful and I am hoping to go back real soon! 1 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Beautiful everything...landscaping, rooms and beach. Visited: February 2003 Posted by sbjones1 The Royal West Indies was a wonderful place to stay. We have been to many places in the Caribbean, and this has been my favorite. The grounds were immaculate, well kept and full of tropical foliage. The pools and beach were clean, quiet and serene. The room was great, even our small pool view room. I enjoyed eating lunch at the onsite restaurant...great conch fritters! Also, the location was great, because there were many wonderful restaurants within walking distance. We ate at Coco Bistro twice...a wonderful restaurant just down the street. The hotel provided bikes free of charge. We used them on a Sunday to ride to the nearby golf/country club for brunch. Anacoana was another great restaurant, but make reservations a day or two in advance. The resort staffers were friendly, and check in and check out were speedy. There were many people that lived full time at the resort, so it was great getting to meet them, and hear about their adventures on the island. Turks and Caicos was really an undiscovered gem in many ways. Get there before the word gets out, and make sure to stay at the Royal West Indies! 3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is the place to stay. Visited: November 2002 Posted by 58520 The Royal West Indies Resort was super. The manager was great, and everything was fantastic! 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Very nice accommodations at a good value. Visited: October 2002 Posted by raggswr I was very impressed with the manager, Ellen, and her front desk staff. I stayed in a very nice studio, which was clean and well appointed. The restaurant food was good, with a good variety of menu items. They also provided free bikes (which you will need, if you do not have a car). The resort was also well situated to get to other resorts and restaurants by way of beach or road. I travel alone, and I felt very safe and comfortable. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? A very nice place. Visited: September 2002 Posted by drbench We stayed at this property in September for a week and had a lovely time. The room was very nice and we got good use out of the refrigerator and the microwave after stocking up on food at the IGA. I would highly recommend renting a car. We had not rented one, but after arriving at The Royal West Indies and seeing the distances between places, we immediately arranged a car rental. The Mango Reef was a very good restaurant, and for a quiet relaxing place, I have no hesitation recommending this property. Having the car, we were able to visit many other properties and we dined at about 10 different restaurants during our stay. Royal West Indies was a great base, but a car was really a necessity. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? It is a beautiful resort surrounded by tropical gardens! Visited: May 2002 Posted by rfethke This was my first trip to Turks and Caicos, and I spent 12 days at the Royal West Indies Resort. They had a fantastic offer of two free nights free on a seven-night stay. I had a studio suite that was very comfortable. The room was large with a spacious balcony and bathroom. The suite was furnished smartly and had a sink, refrigerator, dishes, kitchen wares and a microwave oven. It was great having a washer and dryer in the unit to keep up with laundry. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The Mango Reef, a restaurant located on the property, was quite excellent. A few other restaurants were located at other resorts a short walk down the beach. The resort was surrounded by beautiful gardens that were well maintained. I would recommend renting a car during your vacation for siteseeing and to visit the various restaurants. Taxi fares can add up fast. The Royal West Indies Resort was next door to Club Med. I am single and it was great to have a place to go to meet other singles. Club Med charged $30 for dinner, dancing and a show; a day pass which included lunch for $30; and a disco-only pass for $15. Construction of the first phase is complete, which included five buildings with 15 units in each building, and construction of phase two is underway. I highly recommend the resort and would stay again on a future visit. 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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