JULY, 2003- We carefully chose CocoBay using 5 "must-have's": beautiful white beaches w/ calm waters, our own hut, non-heavily touristed area, all-inclusive rate, and access to tennis and golf. With those key factors involved, it was perfect! CocoBay is absolutely beautiful! The location is ideal, situated on a hillside between 2 beaches within a huge cove -offering views that many other resorts are missing. We visited just about all of them, including the seasonal resort across the island that advertises $5,000(US) per night rates. Judging strictly by setting and natural breathtaking beauty, I'd still have to say CocoBay is within the top 5. Most of the other resorts just face outward to the never ending ocean. The overall feel of the place was perfect for those looking for a tropical/beachy/private getaway. Imagine the theme being: owning your own island, building a cute little house, and then saying... geez... it would be nice if we had someone cook for us... and a place to get drinks... we could live here forever! The room was perfectly adequate, ceiling fan, queen bed, mosquito net, deck, hammock, dresser, closet. The shower and bedroom open up to the ocean so you can get the feeling of showering outside. We read all the reviews... heard the complaints about bugs and mice, so we brought electronic bug/rodent repellent devices, traditional bug repellent, ant traps, roach traps... spent 5 mins setting them up and never worried about it the whole week. C'mon folks, use some modern technology and stop *****ing. We figured that if everything else sounded perfect, why let a few bugs ruin our honeymoon. We sprayed down everytime we left the house a couple times a day and after swimming just to be safe. I think I less bug bites the whole week than sitting at home in Boston on the porch for an hour.The food was OK, as everyone else said. The first 2 days you say it's "really good," then you realize the menu gets recycled... and steak, prawn, and lobster is $12-$15 extra... but if you think about it, its half the price of having it at a restaurant! AND you get all the wine you can drink with it :) The pay restaurant within CocoBay, Sheer, was FANTASTIC. I don't think I've been to a better restaurant. Folks that stayed for longer than a week usually spent the 2nd week having dinner only at Sheer.The dining staff at CocoBay was up and down. As any place goes, there are good workers and bad workers. My dietary constraints were ignored after explaining them to the front desk, the chef, and every waitstaff we had. Live music during dinner was nice... a few times a week. There was tea time in between lunch and dinner... good for sandwiches that went fast. The gift shop had chips and snacks... good for munching in between meals. Drinks were watered down... I could have 4 fruit punches and not feel a thing, so I went back for a shot of rum straightup, and noticed they reached for a different bottle. But don't get annoyed, just adapt - order 2 shots of rum and a separate Coke if you want a rum and Coke. Or urder a rum punch, then another shot of rum. Its all free, so just learn to order drinks.The spa hut is great. Its only one room, but its worth it. The exercise room... didn't go there... who really wants to exercise on their honeymoon? The beaches were great... no one comes and fetches you drinks, but I'd rather be left alone.This isn't an action island, and they don't advertise it that way, but there are so many other resorts that you'll be able to find activities elsewhere if you get bored. I don't see why everyone complains about it. How would you like to hear and smell the jet ski's and motorboats zooming around your tranquill beach?? Jolly Harbour is a megaresort next door, so a golf course and tennis courts were nearby. We were fortunate and got upgraded for free to an ocean view room. They were vacant when we first arrived, but were fully booked by the time we left.Recommendations: Go to CocoBay if your first choice is significantly more expensive. This place is wonderful for a honeymoon or romantic getaway from reality. If you're always someone who's hot in the summer and you need AC, and you like someone servicing you hand and foot -don't go here.


(9 votes) 
(8 votes) 





