We stayed in the oldest remaining section of the Taino Beach Resort & Clubs which now includes three sections of Ritz Beach and the Flamingo Bay hotel across Jolly Roger Drive. We encourage visitors to read online reviews carefully, but with the proverbial "grain of salt." Knowing what to expect and being prepared to deal with it graciously really helped us enjoy our timeshare week in The Ocean at Ritz Beach.

First, understand Taino Beach Resort & Clubs (TBR&C) is primarily a timeshare development. The staff certainly will try to sell you a timeshare, but we did not find them to be overly pushy after we politely declined their offers to take a tour or sit through a presentation. Just accept that's what makes the place work and don't let it bother you.

As a timeshare, TBR&C is occupied by many people who are staying a whole week. Not being a hotel or regular resort, it doesn't provide the kind of daily housekeeping and other services you might expect at those kinds of properties. Fresh towels and linens, as well as trash removal, is self-service during your stay.

Be sure to study the information available on the resort's website, www.tainobeach.com. The information is generally accurate and the floorplans and photos helpful. While the photos certainly are flattering, we did not find them to misrepresent the decor or anything else. However, the oldest section (now known as The Ocean, being closest to, well, the ocean) is showing signs of deterioration. They currently are having some difficulty with the saltwater AC system springing leaks and flooding some units. A major repair well may be necessary.

Second, understand Grand Bahama Island (GBI) is, after all, an island with little or no productive industry or agriculture. Virtually everything visitors or residents, for that matter, need must be imported and consequently is quite expensive. However, we found the selection in the City Market supermarket on Seahorse Drive fairly comparable to a regular U.S. supermarket. We were more able to get fresh produce and meats for our stay than ever before. While prices are higher (perhaps 40-50%) than in the U.S., we did not find it was a case of gouging tourists; we also shopped in another market used almost exclusively by GBI residents and prices were even higher there. It's no wonder their economy remains somewhat depressed under the weight of their higher cost of everything.

Third, the nicest part of each of our stays on GBI over the years always has been our interaction with local people outside the tourist traps. Their reaction to a cheerful "Good Morning!" or simple "Hello" is so much more positive than the interaction between condescending tourists and those Bahamians the tourists treat badly. It's amazing how much more pleasant our vacation becomes when we ourselves are pleasant.

In that spirit, we found the pool complex at TBR&C absolutely fantastic. Beautifully landscaped, there's lots of nice shady spots around the pool area. The lazy river is very relaxing and the water slide plenty of fun. The swim-up pool bar in the grotto under the water slide is quite nice. There also are some caves with underwater benches along one edge of the pool, one with a waterfall at the entrance and whirlpool jets inside. We enjoyed many mornings and late afternoons poolside.

Paradise Cove at Deadman's Reef in West Grand Bahama was terrific. If you have your own transportation and snorkeling gear, it's only $3 to use their facilities and snorkel all day if you want, within 75-100 yards offshore. Their tour packages (including transport) also are very reasonably priced, compared with the snorkeling trips out of Port Lucaya. I found the shallow reef inside their coral outcrops absolutely beautiful, like swimming in an aquarium (a really big aquarium with bigger fish!) I could live there, I think!

The evening sailboat cruise with Reef Tours also was a highlight, even though we had no breezes strong enough to really sail very much. It seems to be the nature of people who choose that cruise over the more popular booze/dinner cruises that makes the sailboat preferable to us. Everyone was very laid back and friendly. We saw a big nurse shark laying on the bottom in about 15-20' of crystal clear water as we passed over it, as well as some dinner-plate size starfish. Very relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable.

One of the best things about the cruise, though, was the mate's recommendation of Simply Native Outback for authentic Bahamian soul food. No menu, just ask the server what they have when you get there. The crack' conch with peas-n-rice, cole slaw, and fried plantains was so good (and reasonably priced) we just had to go there again for lunch before leaving. Simply Native is behind Becky's just off East Sunrise Highway. It's a locals place and anything but fancy but was one of the real highlights of our visit this time.

We must admit our disappointment that Gold Rock Beach at Lucayan National Park has not been restored since the hurricanes in 2004-05. The shady areas with picnic tables atop the dunes are all gone and the shoreline is littered with the skeletons of trees blown or washed over. It's still a beautiful place but perhaps not worth the effort to get there just now, at least until the Gold Rock Creek bridge is replaced, that trail is re-opened, and some new picnic tables brought in.

We also were disappointed by the terrible condition of the International Bazaar and area surrounding the old Bahamas Princess/Royal Oasis property. We hope to see that area being redeveloped and revitalized when we return to GBI. The Perfume Factory and its lovely staff, however, remain a must-stop for us on every visit. Both my wife and I use fragrances only available from the Perfume Factory, so we always need to re-supply ourselves.

All in all, we had a wonderful vacation and wondered why it had been almost five years since we had visited GBI. It won't be so long again.

me and two other friends just got back, it was the best time ever
the water so clear and the staff so very friendly, the bar was awsome,i coul have not wished for a better place to stay. the people were wonderful and took care of every need we had, i would go back again and again

POSITIVES
We stayed at the Ritz (aka Taino Beach Resort) situated on Taino Beach. All the staff were wonderful and more than helpful. The hotel swimming pool is possibly the most amazing pool I've ever seen in my life. With white bridges linking individual pools, a pool bar inside a cave, a massive water slide, and private heated hot tubs and jacuzzis inside the swimming. The hotel rooms were also nice and we had our own balcony over looking the sea and pool area. Maid service daily fresh towels etc.. There is a casino beside the hotel but it does not cause noise problems.
The beach is gorgeous, white sand turquoise sea. The hotel has its own restaurant right on the beach so you can watch the sun go down and eat dinner . Breakfast in the morning is a massive buffet with lots to choose from. This hotel is also family friendly and the kids will have great fun playing in the pool.

NEGATIVES
We went during the week wed-sat when i was very quiet and lovely, on the day we decided to check out (Saturday morning) about 150 people checked in from a cruise ship, the line was out to the road! The hotel pool and beach were absolutely ram-packed solid with american tourists and screaming kids. They were all staying for two nights sat/sun. I think weekends at this resort must be very very busy indeed this will mean long queues for food at the beach restaurant and busy sunbeds!!

Would I go back during the weekdays: YES (not weekend)
Would i recommend it to all: YES
Was it value for money : yes

We were there Feb 9-16. This was my 5th time to stay at the Ritz since 2001.
This is the best I have ever seen this property look. They have improved the windows and doors. The cable TV is great now...probably 50 clear channels now. They now have a computer room with internet access in the welcome center. (I did not use the computers, but my brother said it was great.)
We did have a big storm move through that week. We were without power from about 2 am until 10. But unlike past years, they now have a back up generator, so we always had water and the lights outside the rooms stayed on. There was not any power in the rooms, but all you had to do was open the blinds and light came in.
There are still some negatives. The beds are still very hard…just a cheap mattress on a concrete platform. The pool is still not heated…it was too cold for me. (But the warmest day of the week was 81 degrees.)
We had a great time. If you are looking for a laid-back vacation on a beautiful beach this is a good choice.