We are due to arriive at Cambridge Beaches on 5th July, and are very concerned about the construction work and availability (or not) of the swimming pool. A previous post said that the pool would not be ready for many weeks. When we telephoned the hotel they said all work would definitely be finished by this coming weekend, the 1st July. From your post I take it this isn't the case?

I'm sitting at the resort and can hear the saws already this morning 7/1. They cut tile till 8:30 at night (through dinner) to try to get done but it sure looks a ways away - no water in pool yet! The 5th sounds aggresive - get something in writing from them on being done and don't stay on the side of the property that has the pool on it. Everything else down here is booked but if you're not a pool person the other side of the property will be nice and you won't have to hear the saws all day.

Many thanks for your reply - at least now we can phone them again and request a room on the other side - whether we get it or not will be another thing!!

Happy to help out. It's a beautiful property - why they did this in prime season is beyond comprehension. Make sure you eat at the Reefs one night (dine around).

i confirmed with the hotel that the pool is finished now so hopefully you will enjoy your stay. Pop back in and tell us because i go on the 25th of july and want to hear all about it!

For dining around, do i need to make a reservation now at the other places? And does it pay to go to other places since i think getting to the reefs or anywhere else will cost a lot in the taxi, won't it?

thanks for all advice!!

dana

Danaroo...

I just got back from the Reefs.....as far as the Dine Around.....I believe that you can make advance reservations after you arrive at Cambridge.....but not before. (at least that was how it was at The Reefs).

I would definitely do the Dine Around at The Reefs....either Coconuts or Grill 56. I personally thought Grill 56 had better food that Coconuts. However, Coconuts is right on the beach, and offers a better atmosprhere......you can hear the waves as you dine.....very nice. It is much more casual than Grill 56, as well. That might be a personal preference as to which you would prefer. We also did the dine around at Pompano.....but did not care for it as much. Of all the restaurants, we liked it the least.....food and ambiance. It seems to cater a lot more to families......and there were several large groups there while we were dining......it got to be quite loud.

Cambridge Beaches is really lovely.....you will be quite pleased with it. We ate there on our last night, and the food was excellent.

thanks deb we will try to get to the Reefs then. I wanted to do that anyway as i tried to stay there but they were full. So i'll give that a shot one night. I am doing a private dinner on the beach at Cambridge one night too so that should be fun! :) Glad you had a good trip. Any tips on what i need to do!?

Dana....

The one tip I would tell you is that if you plan on going to Horseshoe Bay Beach......try to go on a Friday. Our cab driver told us that is the day that there are no cruise ships in port, anywhere. Now....I was assuming that was anytime, not just the week we were there. We tried to go on a Wednesday, and it was slammed! Buses from Hamilton just keep pulling into the parking lot.

Also.....if you want to try and jet ski or rent a Boston Whaler (we tried to do this).....make reservations early in the week. We tried to do this the same day (our last full day there) and they were fully booked.

Are you planning on renting a scooter? I know that there have been threads regarding scooter safety, and the pros/cons on this issue....but we rented one for the entire week, and just loved the freedom it provided us, in being able to get around and see the sights. I think you just need to be fully aware of your own comfort level in doing this.

If you like to snorkel, Tobacco Bay (imho) offered the best snorkeling, and it was much calmer water than Church Bay.....which everyone says is the best on the island. We also snorkeled there, but preferred Tobacco Bay.

Make sure you get into Hamilton and Dockyard(which won't be far from Cambridge) for shopping/souvenirs.

If you want any opinions on restaurants we tried for lunch, let me know. We ate at several away from the Reefs.

Deb

Dana....

The one tip I would tell you is that if you plan on going to Horseshoe Bay Beach......try to go on a Friday. Our cab driver told us that is the day that there are no cruise ships in port, anywhere. Now....I was assuming that was anytime, not just the week we were there. We tried to go on a Wednesday, and it was slammed! Buses from Hamilton just keep pulling into the parking lot.

Also.....if you want to try and jet ski or rent a Boston Whaler (we tried to do this).....make reservations early in the week. We tried to do this the same day (our last full day there) and they were fully booked.

Are you planning on renting a scooter? I know that there have been threads regarding scooter safety, and the pros/cons on this issue....but we rented one for the entire week, and just loved the freedom it provided us, in being able to get around and see the sights. I think you just need to be fully aware of your own comfort level in doing this.

If you like to snorkel, Tobacco Bay (imho) offered the best snorkeling, and it was much calmer water than Church Bay.....which everyone says is the best on the island. We also snorkeled there, but preferred Tobacco Bay.

Make sure you get into Hamilton and Dockyard(which won't be far from Cambridge) for shopping/souvenirs.

If you want any opinions on restaurants we tried for lunch, let me know. We ate at several away from the Reefs.

Deb

Thanks Deb. I do think we will rent a scooter--not sure if we do it for the whole time or just one day....we love to snorkel so we will try tobacco bay. And we are there on a friday so maybe we will hit horsehoe too. I think cambridge beaches rents kayaks so i am hoping to maybe explore on sea also.....maybe pack a picnic and go off one day. And we are doing a 2-tank dive on thursday.

I'm not sure how much time we will want to be off the resort exploring vs enjoying the resort. I can't tell... I'd love your ideas for lunch! thanks!

dana