A friend and I just spent three nights at SCYC, a trip which we planned at the last minute a week before. Given that we hadn't really put a lot of research into the trip, we would have been happy with anything, but it turned out to be a fabulous trip. SCYC is such a laid-back environment, and in such a fantastically beautiful setting, that you just don't care about the lackluster decor of the room or the weird shower door that won't close. Seriously, if you're upset about that kind of stuff in the room, you're clearly missing the point of the vacation - it's not about the room, or even the club, as much as the scattering of amazing beaches everywhere and the days spent trolling around on your Boston Whaler ($60/day) looking for the perfect spot to have your box lunch (sandwich, fruit cup, pringles).

A couple of warnings - first, check your bill carefully, and make sure to read the details of whatever package you get (we had MAP, but thought we had All Inclusive - yikes). We got over/undercharged like crazy, and only after privately calculating the bill with my friend (and realizing that they had left off as many charges as they'd tacked on) did we settle the bill. And I'm not sure if the website says this, but there's a 5% charge for credit card use, and no ATM on the island, although they do accept personal checks (we were told too late to do anything about it).

Also - for single female travelers, the SCYC bar can be kind of overwhelming. At all hours, it's full of mostly male yachters and boat crew, as well as locals, and my friend said it reminded her of Jimmy Buffet's song "Fins" ("Fins to the left, fins to the right, and you're the only bait in town"). One night we felt so uncomfortable that we snuck around the back of the bar to get out so we wouldn't have to run the gauntlet of ogling seamen blocking the entrance. SCYC still felt very safe, though - the island and the club itself are too small and intimate for anyone to try anything. Not dangerous, just annoying.

Overall, totally beautiful and laid-back, and a very good Bahamas deal for the money (assuming you don't get wildly overcharged for the bar/food tab, etc. - watch out). I'd like to go back with a bigger group for a longer stay.

Third time I've been to this resort. The 2nd time for Christmas.

If you can find a cost effective way of getting here - ideally by your own private plane or yacht - then this is the best base from which to explore the Bahamian out islands.

If you decide to stay here you must stay in either the bungalows or towers that overlook the sea. The manageress, Suzannah, is an excellent host. The food at the bar is good although we found the snack menu (which you can order in evenings too) is better value than the meal package or main meal evening menu. The food and beverages are as fine a quality and as good a value as you'll find anywhere in the Bahamas (other than Paradise Island of course).

Anyway, if you have a bucket load of cash then make sure you get a golf cart for the duration of your stay so you can explore the island and rent a wee motor boat to explore the nearby beautiful beaches (please be careful not to damage the coral with the prop when the tide is out).

For this last stay there were a lot of mosquitos around so make sure you pack lots of repellent and consider buying insect spray to kill all of these critters in your room.

Also, make sure that you check your final bill carefully as the staff make frequent mistakes (in both yours and their favours).

This is a great resort, although there are no decent beaches in the immediate vicinity they are within easy reach with a golf cart, private plane, boat or long walk. There are, however, some fascinating reef or nurse sharks by the jetty (they are safe to swim with) and you have the impressive thunderball grotto to explore (get there by boat or, if you are a decent swimmer, stick on some fins and swim there).

We researched a lot about where to go for our one week “romantic” holyday, Staniel Cay was the final choice as we wanted to get away from it all. It was the PERFECT choice!!! The hotel Staniel Cay Yacht Club is simply fantastic... a mix of good service and great rooms with small and intimate hotel feel. We stayed in the yellow cottage which was extremely well appointed, great bed, cool view, AC, tidy and with lots of privacy. This hotel has a brilliant “charm” of its own. The owner is a great guy, and so is the staff.

The island is perfect, almost no shops (only the blue & pink stores) the local people are extremely friendly and the beaches are what you see on the pictures (post card perfect). I recommend renting a boat from the hotel for at least one day and going to Iguana and the other close by Islands. You must go to Thunder ball Club in the afternoon and have a fish burger (the best I have ever had) with Kalik (the local beer), and watch the sun slowly going down towards the horizon! Simply FANTASTIC!

I highly recommend this hotel to anyone that is looking for island that is not resort oriented, is out of the beaten tourist track, and is full of “natural” adventures like, exploring, snorkeling, diving boating, walking and beachcombing.

My husband and I and our children spent time at Staniel Cay Yacht Club in March 2005. If you are looking for a completely laid back, casual and quiet place, with the most beautiful gin clear waters, this is for you. Yes, the bar crowd gets going in the night, but you are on vacation. By the way, this has to be on Jimmy Buffet's list of great Caribbean bars. Locals galore, but it just adds to the flavor. The food in the restaurant is terrific, and its "the" place to be (because there is nothing else on the island). Spend the day exploring the shallow Bahamian waters, snorkeling, beach combing etc. This is not Atlantis. So if you are looking for a good value for your dollar, a quiet place where you can find remote beaches, unbelievable water, then Staniel Cay is the place for you. If you need things to occupy yourselves, then don't come here. Just bring a few good books and plan on relaxing for the time you are here. I would highly recommend this place for those who don't need to do anything but chill. Bring plenty of sunscreen and a good hat. I also brought sun shirts for my children, which were great for snorkeling. Thunderball Grotto was simply amazing, a strong current so if your children are not great swimmers yet (like my son), you can just give them a float (a life jacket will do just fine).