Nice Enough but Lock Your Doors!
- August 23, 2009
- Rated 3 of 5 by
tracy stewart from milton, Massachusetts
we just got back from what began as a very relaxing week at island seas. we were in a third floor unit on the marina side (across the street) which was fine. the room was clean and comfortable, staff lovely enough, beach was great, etc. no complaints what so ever about hidden charges (what $15.00 per night per person room tax?). we had a nice view of the canal out back and a distant water view from the front. most days were spent relaxing on the beach, swimming in the clear water. took the glass bottom boat without any drama, rented a scooter with a minimal of hassle.
but beware! being on the third floor and being on vacation, we grew complacent about security and did not lock our balcony doors. our final night, my husband was awoken by an intruder IN OUR ROOM stealing our money and valuables while we slept. he yelled out and startled the thief who dropped some of his bounty in haste. (fortunately for us, the bag he dropped contained all of our passports, $$ and credit cards!) he did make off with two other wallets, but not the major score he would have.
hotel security was prompt upon our call, the local police, not so much. think keystone cops, but pleasant none the less. it was entirely our fault, we travel enough and should have known to lock our doors, even being on the third floor. (perhaps a design flaw that it is too easy to climb to the third floor?). kind of surprised that the resort did not reach out to us upon check out and offer any apologies. things could have turned out much worse than they did for us - it would be nice to know management was aware of the situation and concerned.
use the in room safe and always lock all doors, no matter what floor you are on!
Perfect vacation spot
- April 12, 2009
- Rated 4 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
This hotel and destination were great. I went with my boyfriend in the month of March and we had a great time, good weather. It was great to have a kitchen so we could cook our meals. The service was not the best at any of the restaurants we went to, but I think that is the difference between the US and Bahamas. We stayed in the building across the street, so we were not on the beach. We had a nice quiet balcony that looked into the canal with some boats. I think if we were in the buildings across the street near the beach 1. It would have been too loud because everyone gathered in the courtyard all day/night 2. It would have been too windy.
The only bad thing I have to say was that there were some Spring Breakers in the room next to us, and one night they had a rockin party until 11 pm, and a couple nights when they came home from the bars at 2 in the morning they were yelling in the parking lot and woke me up. I don't blame the hotel though, I think the kids should have stayed in a different hotel or been more respectful of others.
I would totally recommend this place to my family/friends and would go back there if I had the chance.
Island Seas ? very nice condominium resort, not a hotel
- January 21, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I work for a company that sends us (a two man team) all over the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. The company typically rents us two bedroom condominiums or apartments, as we spend extended periods in different places, and we need space in which to lay out work.
I stayed at the Island Seas Resort for over two weeks recently, and it was beautiful. The two bedroom condo unit was very well equipped, with a nice kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms/two baths. The living room had a flat screen tv with dvd player, and there were granite counter tops throughout. The restaurant had good food, and there is a nice bar. The guest services people were very nice, and they arranged a golf outing and the Bonfire Beach Party for us. We turned our car rental in, then our flight was delayed; the resort picked us back up, and arranged another night of accommodations for us. No hassles, and very accommodating people.
I was very surprised at the attitude of some guests to the staff and property. People seemed to go in expecting a snooty hotel with room service, and not understanding how condominiums work. Condominiums are different than hotels, and I don?t think that most people (or travel agents) appreciate that. This is your home for while you are there, so maid service is typically every third day, rather than daily; your privacy is important. You have a kitchen, and you buy groceries ? for example, there won?t be a daily resupply of coffee.
The Island Seas had many advantages over condos in other places. For example, I was in Chicago for two weeks prior to the Bahamas; that apartment did not have parking (and we needed a car to move our equipment), and it cost $38 a day just for parking. There was no bar or restaurant. A cab in the city (to go out at night) was more expensive than in the Bahamas. And that condo in Chicago had a higher nightly rate (and taxes!) than the Island Seas. The Island Seas has a nice restaurant and bar on premises, and there is a shuttle to Port Lucaya.
The guests who don?t travel much (and who don?t really understand the advantages of a condominium) complain and demean the property in posts on forums like this. The Island Seas is upscale, intimate, has a BEAUTIFUL beach, and nice amenities. The conch man and the daiquiri guy (they share a booth on the beach) were a lot of fun, and the conch salad was terrific. We used the shuttle to Lucaya and the grocery run, and they were very good. At night we took a cab a few times, and cab rates are very good (and better than most US cities). There is also a very convenient sundries store on premises at the Island Seas, and we got things like coffee and snacks there. We had no need for bottled water, as the water on the island was very good. I heard people complain about food costs in the Bahamas- what? Prices were similar to most vacation areas, and better than some.
The Island Seas grounds are beautiful, and well landscaped. The pool is great, and there is a swim up bar. The restaurant is casual, but the food is very good. The property is WIFI enabled, but it did go out one day for a brief period. Phone calls from the Island to the US are very expensive, so we used internet communication where possible. One thing that did bother me was that there are no dvd rentals available. And the exercise room could use a chin up bar.
A few tips ? take dvd?s with you, as there are no rentals. There are car rentals available at the resort if you need one, but the shuttles were very convenient for short stays. I like to read, and I would recommend taking a book with you, as selection isn?t always good, although there is a selection of books that people have left for future guests to read. For northerners, go here for a golf trip in the winter, and get a leg up on the competition by getting in some playing time. The satellite tv system had US stations, and a good selection of channels. And say hi to the bartender for "the Georgia Bulldog" - and take him a Dominican cigar as a tip (good Cuban cigars are everywhere, but it is hard to get Domician gigars). And the Micahel Jackson lookalike will dliver Cuban cigars to the resort for you - just ask the activities people to give him a call.
Again, the Island Seas is a very nice condominium resort, not a hotel. It will be on my list for a return trip on vacation, and the next time I will make sure that I bring my golf clubs.
Absolutely wonderful
- April 9, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I must say I did not expect much when I booked my trip. This all changed the moment I opened the door to my one bedroom suite. It was beautiful. The resort was tranquil and the staff friendly. There is a free shuttle from the hotel to and from the market and they also do guided tours. Jet ski, snorkling, glass bottom boat, luxury yact, jacuzzi/hot tub, car and scooter rental, tennis are all available onsite. All roms are not beachfront but you are never further than across the street. Would recommend getting a car for a day or two to go to other restaurants (gourmet restaurant almost completed onsite) or partying (cabs can be pricy back and forth).