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Caribbean Travel RoundupNewsletter - Paul Graveline, Editor |
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Breezes – Bahamas P.O. Box CB-13049 Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas Telephone: 242/327-5356 Fax: 242/327-5156 Location: The Bahamas is a nation of 700 islands, 30 of which are inhabited, scattered across 100,000 square miles of the Atlantic, extending from the east of Florida, south to the east of Cuba. We have been told that each of the Bahamian Island groups has its own unique flavor, simply because of the wide geographic region the nation covers. New Providence is the smallest of the inhabited islands, at just 7 miles by 21 miles, yet it hosts the nation’s capitol, Nassau, and the largest percentage of population. Breezes is located on Cable Beach, just west of Nassau on the northern side of New Providence, Bahamas. The resort is a mere 10-minute drive from the Nassau International Airport. If arriving by air to the Paradise Island Airport, the ride takes 15 minutes. According to our bus driver, Cable Beach is named for being the site of the first telephone cable arriving to the island. The beach is about four miles long, with beautiful, course, lightly colored sand. The water is breathtaking, with colors ranging from jewel-toned aqua to teal green. Tailored for couples and single adults, Breezes is an oceanfront ‘all-inclusive’ beach resort that is humming with activity all day and all night. The all-inclusive aspect is one that we really enjoy, locking our money and credit cards away upon arrival adds to our sense of 'vacation’ … we even get a vacation from paying for anything once we arrive. There are 400 guestrooms at the resort configured within two towers, one 4-story tower to the east and one 8-story tower on the west. The facility that houses the public areas of the resort (dining, games, reception, bars, etc.), connects the two towers. The whole building facility is connected under one roof and is configured in a “U” shape; a large pool complex fills in the center. Garden-view rooms comprise those on the lower floors with a great view of foliage but none of the ocean. Ocean-view rooms offer a great view of the beach and sea, and oceanfront rooms are on the ocean side, with the sea just ‘a seashell’s throw’ away. There are two-room oceanfront suites, which we had, and an oceanfront presidential two bedroom suite with a doubly large sitting area. Many years ago a Playboy Club and Casino, and until four years ago a Wyndham Resort, it is now a 23-year-old property. SuperClubs purchased the resort back in 1994 and gave it its present name, Breezes-Bahamas. First impressions and reception: We arrived by air into Nassau International Airport, and after passing through immigration, claiming baggage, and clearing customs, we exited into a lobby that had several resort desks. You could not miss the Breezes sign. We were expected and were received cheerfully, given maps and island information, and told that just outside there was a ‘Leisure Travel’ bus waiting for us, apparently run by the company that has the Breezes airport transfer agreement. Easily done -- the Leisure Travel people immediately helped us with our bags, we boarded and were off to the resort. There were a few others on the bus that were going to Breezes, too. The bus driver, a lifetime New Providence resident, was very pleasant and full of information about the region, its geography and special features. The drive took only 10 minutes in moderate traffic on a road that travels along the beach. Upon our arrival we were warmly greeted and escorted to the reception desk. The bright, frisky colors immediately set the stage for a playful vacation. Paperwork was simple, we presented our confirmation sheet, and filled out three forms: an incidental credit card form, a return flight information, and an in-room safe information. Check in begins officially at 3:00 PM; check out is at noon. Because we arrived early (noon) were told that we would have to wait for an hour to get a room. Then, they offered to do some scrambling and proceeded to find us a room right away. A purple band was placed around our wrist to signify to all Breezes staff that we were guests and therefore entitled to be admitted if we left the property for a while, and that we could participate in all of the activities, and partake of resort meals, drinks, etc. We were instructed not to remove the bracelet for the duration of our visit. A bellman helped us find our room, carrying our bags for us. All along, we could not help but notice that Breezes bustles with activity. The rooms: We had an oceanfront suite, but because we were joining up with friends we were able to see the standard rooms, too. The rooms are spacious, yet simple hotel-type rooms. They are immaculately kept. Standard amenities to both rooms are listed below: Bathroom: Tub/shower unit; sink with large vanity and huge vanity mirror; tile floors; toilet; plenty of towels (wash cloth, hand and bath sheets); in-shower shampoo and liquid soap dispenser; shower cap; bar soap; my favorite amenity is the hair dryer that actually works (really, no need to pack your own). Closet: large open-front closet with pre-hung hangers and shelf above. Floor Safe: attached to the closet floor with a removable lock (guests are given the key and lock at check-in). Note: The safe is only good if guests keep their key with them … We never heard of anything being removed or missing from a room all the while we were there, however it is only testing fate to leave a safe key lay in the room when you’re not there. Dresser and TV Stand: These offer ample drawer space for a weeklong stay. Satellite TV with pay-per-view movies: Channels include --Hotel services, A&E, BET, Nassau station, WGN; PBS-Detroit; Japanese, French, German, Spanish and Canadian stations; TNT; FOX; ABC; CBS; NBC; CNN; CNN Headline News; CNNfn; E!; Comedy Central; Weather Channel and more. Settee: Two chairs and a coffee table, with in-room coffee and tea service. View: Huge full-length windows (locked patio doors) provide an amazing view and lots of light. There are sheers, light-blocking shades and curtains, so lighting/privacy can always be adjusted. Bed: We had a king-size bed in the bedroom and a double in the attached suite room. A nightstand with a table lamp was located on either side of the bed. AV: One nightstand had an alarm clock. Bring your favorite CD or cassette because there is an in-room player with radio in each room! The attached suite offers the following: a couch, coffee table, chairs, an additional bed, another TV and CD/cassette player. Suites have a stocked in-room refrigerator, full of Miller, club soda, bottled water, Pepsi, diet Pepsi and other sodas. The suite also has a full bathroom just like the bedroom’s. >From our oceanfront room, we could really hear the waves lull us to sleep. The facility: In addition to the sleeping rooms, Breezes Bahamas has the following facilities: Main floor: Main entrance and lobby – Information and centralized gathering spot Front desk – Ask here for anything and they’ll point you in the right direction … the bell desk is located here, too. Tour desk – Located across the lobby from reception, arrange for tours and taxis here. There is an extra charge for most tours. House phones – Located near the lobby and main entertainment areas … perfect for locating the missing person from the group. Games area – Really there are two sections to the games area. There is a large table games room that includes table tennis, foosball, and pool tables. In the other game room section, small card tables are set up to offer any number of board games (located on a nearby shelf), as well as backgammon, checkers (or the Jamaicans version, ‘Jerks’), dominoes, chess, etc. TV room – Located in the center of the game area is a large screen TV. There are always a few people gathered here watching something from on the satellite. While we were there, they showed an NFL game on Sunday. Additional TVs are located in the disco-turned-sports- bar (at least for American football games) for simultaneously televised games. Fitness center -- Located adjacent to the game area, the fitness center has an array of free weights, nautilus style equipment, steppers, cycles, treadmills, and floor mats. Towels and water are available. There are two televisions. The equipment seems very well maintained. While we were at Breezes, quite a few people took advantage of the fitness center in the morning. I was very impressed with the equipment and the state of repair it was found in. Lobby bar/Entertainment lounge -- This is where most the evening entertainment takes place. The stage, with a dance floor in front of it, is at one end and the lobby bar is at the other, with the entire center section filled with cushioned chairs and cocktail tables. On out first night, I thought, “Where is everybody? This place is very quiet.” On our last night, we got there late and had a bit of trouble finding a seat. So, I’m sure each night is different depending upon the number of people in-house, when they arrive and when they depart. One side of the entertainment lounge overlooks the pool area and made me feel like I was sitting on my own overgrown front porch. Gift shop -- The large shop offers many things -- the forgotten vacation necessities (deodorant, tan lotion, toothbrushes and paste, and miscellaneous over-the-counter remedies, and more), gift and souvenir items, costume jewelry and island crafts, novelties, as well as swim suits, cover-ups, sun visors, caps, sundresses, shorts, t-shirts, and Breezes imprinted attire. The outdoor facilities: Aerobics deck – Just outside the fitness center, accessible via the lobby and the game area, is the aerobics deck. It is mirrored and open air, with a rubber-cushioned floor suitable for high-impact workouts. Basketball half court – Near the aerobics deck is a half-court. Guests can play at any time, or they may participate in scheduled tournaments. Courtyard – Between the basketball court and the tennis courts is a lush green courtyard, free for the wandering. Wedding gazebo – Hidden behind vegetation on the perimeter of the pool deck, is the white-trellised wedding gazebo. It is an open-air structure, decorated all in white with greens creating the perfect grotto for the sacred exchange of vows. Very pleasant. Bicycle rack – Guests may utilize bikes by checking them out with the security guard. Or, guests may go on the daily bike tour. Bikes are not fancy, but they are in good working order. Jogging track/sports field -- The sand on Cable Beach would be quite difficult to walk or jog on for any great period of time, so, although it is not huge, the scenery is nice and the track is a great amenity. Tennis courts/tennis gazebo: Lit courts are open all day and night, with lessons available from 8 – 10:30 AM and 4 – 6 PM. Restaurants/Dining Options: Main Dining Room: The main dining room has a huge buffet line which is divided into sections that include several hot food tables, a centralized cold food station, several grills, a dessert/sweet table and two counters that usually hold fruit and bread. The food here is primarily American, with some local cuisine mixed in, so most won’t have to make a ‘food adjustment.’ Seating is primarily in tables of two and four. Wait staff can pull tables together to accommodate six or eight per table, however it depends on what tables are vacant and their location in relation to each other. One notable feature of the buffet line is that “Heart Healthy” cuisine is labeled, and there are many selections of these foods available at each meal, so resort guests can be good to their diets even while on vacation. Beverages are primarily self-service in the main dining room. Soda, coffee, tea and juices are available on the eastern end of the buffet line. The wait staff will bring water around each table. If one orders wine, the waiters tend to fill a glass once, and you either have to remind him or her, or ask them to leave a bottle. The same is true for coffee. So, there is good food quality, great variety, and the service is buffet. Waiters and waitresses seem to be quite busy just emptying and setting tables. My husband is the less adventuresome-type of eater … I, on the other hand, enjoy indulging in foods that are unpronounceable! We were both pleased with the assortment of foods. There were basic, traditional menu items for him, plus more novel and ethnic cuisine for me. Many of the buffet items are listed below. Continental Breakfast, 6:30 – 7:30 AM – Coffee, teas, juice, Danish and fruit. Breakfast, 7:30 – 10 AM -- Coffee, teas, milk, juices, Danish and a large fruit display. Each day there are several cold cereals to choose from, an array of bagels, toast sweet breads, and all of the condiments to go along with. In addition there are several of the items listed here to select from every day: made-to-order eggs, daily special (conch omelet, broccoli and Swiss omelet, spinach and mozzarella Italian omelet, seafood omelet, Creole and mushroom omelet, taco omelet), ranchero scrambled eggs, home fries, sausage patties, hash browns, carved smoked ham, bacon, pancakes (blueberry, banana, coconut, strawberry), French toast (vanilla, banana, rum, or Amaretto) oatmeal, croissants, corned beef hash, and O'Brien potatoes. Island breakfast fare includes some of the following each day: ackee and saltfish, callaloo and saltfish, corned beef, Bahamian boiled fish, johnnycake, yellow grits, roasted vegetables, mutton, Jamaican steamed snapper, grits, fried dumplings, roast roots, and boiled banana. Lunch, 12:30 – 2:30 PM – Again, beverages are self-service, with the exception of wine and water. Gray's Grill features hot items each day. Every day there are grilled fresh vegetables. Here is a sampling of other food items: stuff-your own potato with lots of fixings (the potato bases were cheese and onion, chicken and crab, mushroom and gouda, sour cream and bacon); Italian chicken and vegetables, calzones (sausage, ricotta/spinach, broccoli and cheese); pizzas galore (conch, cheese, sausage, conch and vegetable, Italian, deluxe combo, deep dish Chicago-style … and more); meatball hoagies; quesadillas; fajitas; tacos; gyros; teriyaki chicken; spare ribs. Cold items each day included a wide array of cold salads, green salads, salad bar, breads, fruits, and fruit salads. The Deli Counter includes hot and cold items each day: giant sub sandwiches; Rueben griller; open-faced meatloaf sandwich; shrimp pita pocket; fried bologna hoagies; ham and Swill griller; hot turkey sandwiches; turkey salad pita pocket; egg salad pita pocket; ham and turkey sub sandwich; hot corned beef on rye; French dip; Greek salad pita pocket; grilled cheese and tomato; and more. There was always a heart healthy sandwich or two. The Pasta Bar offers different selections each day, too: penne, spaghetti, baked stuffed shells, fettuccini, rotinni, linguini, ziti and shell pasta. Sauces: conch and tomato, veggies in cream sauce, mariner, plum tomato, vegetable primavera, white bean and sausage, seafood mariner, eggplant and tomato, chicken carbonara, and more. There are also other hot times to select from. Two to three soups are offered here daily. There is always at least one pasta sauce and one soup labeled heart healthy. My favorite part of every meal, dessert: scoop yourself ice cream, frozen yogurt soft serve, lots and lots of chocolate, cream and fruity desserts to choose from, brownies, cookies, mousse and puddings, the list goes on and on. Dinner, 7 – 10 PM. Trust me, you won’t go hungry at any time here, but dinner each night is an amazing array of difficult decisions! While we were at Breezes there was a huge bread display each night. Fruit and cheeses were plentiful, as were the cold salads and the green salads (and sometimes salad bars). Soups: Conch chowder, bouillabaisse, Greek lemon chicken soup, New England clam chowder, pepperpot soup, chicken soup, crab soup, corn soup, pea soup, and (my personal favorite) coconut chicken soup. Pasta is presented on most nights, including items like: Penne, linguini, spinach fettuccini and regular fettuccini … all types of cream and tomato-based sauces and meats are offered, too. Seafood and fish is big here: Curried conch, grouper Creole, grilled tuna, snapper, seafood gumbo, seafood stew, grouper nicoise, stewed conch, fried conch, curried conch, broiled grouper. Meats and poultry: Roast carved pork leg, basil and olive oil marinated chicken, grilled beef with red onion jam, bbq beef, Jamaican curried goat, Haitian spiced pork, rum-soaked beef, chicken Tropicana, roast turkey with gravy, sausage and peppers, carved leg of lamb, casserole of chicken Sicilian, carved leg of lamb, beef stroganoff, sauerbraten and red cabbage, roast duck. In addition to all of this … there are potatoes, rice, and many types of vegetables to choose from. There really is just too much to list here! Dessert (it’s simply not vacation if you don’t have dessert at every meal!): make your own ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae … an overwhelming array of desserts from which you can help yourself … lots of chocolate, lots of fruit … many sweet breads, pies, cakes, cream cakes and puddings of all sorts. A dieter’s virtual nightmare exists all on one table --yum. Midnight Buffet, Midnight – 1:30 AM. The menu here varied each evening, but it focused on desserts, fruits and breakfast foods, including waffles, pancakes, eggs, waffles, sausages and bacon. Danish, fruits and coffee, 10:30 – 11:30 AM. At the poolside bar. Pastafari, 6:30 – 11 PM, reservations required. Italian cuisine is served at Pastafari, the finer of dining options at the Breezes. The restaurant is dimly lit, with a wine cellar type of ambience. There are tables of two and four; We had reserved table of eight. Tables are seated throughout the night to assist the wait staff in providing good service. The restaurant is non-smoking with a lounge for smokers situated in the entrance hallway. The food is quite good, and we had the experience of authentic Italian taste buds seated with us. The menu includes soup, salad and pasta selections, along with specials and dessert. An antipasto bar is located at the center of the restaurant for between course grazing. Supper (Soups) include minestrone with beans and pastas; creamy garlic soup. Salad selections include Caesar Salad; Seasonal Greens. Pasta Selections include: Fettuccini Primavera, Linguini with White Conch Sauce; Penne Pizzaola (with sirloin strips and marinara sauce); Farfalle “Belle Casa” (tomato/cream sauce with mushroom and hearts of palm); Spaghetti with chicken and artichoke hearts; Angel Hair Pasta with vegetables and olive oil; Spinach and cheese ravioli with marinara; grilled chicken marsala on linguini; Grilled catch of the day with anchovy-garlic sauce on linguini; Conch and lobster Pasta served with four-color fettuccini. Desserts include espresso, coffee or tea, flavored cappuccino … frozen yogurt, chocolate mouse with raspberry, tiramisu, marble cheesecake, and chocolate mouse cake. Beach Grill, 11 AM – 5:30 PM -- Hot dogs, hamburgers, jerked chicken, grilled fish sandwiches, Caribbean rice and peas, French fries, baked potatoes tacos, hot patties, etc. Snack Attack: 1:30 – 6:30 AM – A menu of light munchies is posted and handed out at front desk, includes: sandwiches, juice, chips and cookies. Afternoon Tea: 4 – 5:30 PM -- Piano bar. Typical high tea fare is served, including finger sandwiches and cookies. The bars: At Breezes, if you can’t find a drink, it means you’ve had too much to drink already! Nearly all rail booze are premium brands, with the only exception being some Caribbean rums. Lobby bar, 11 AM – 1 PM – This seems to be the main bar. There are several bartenders on at busy times, and the bartenders seem to keep moving right along serving people efficiently, although we never noticed any cocktail waiters or waitresses. Frozen drinks like mudslides, virgin daiquiris, virgin pina coladas are on self- serve taps, with rum available on the side for self-mixing into these frozen drinks. Pool bar, 10 AM – 8 PM – Located on the east section of the pool complex area, the pool bar has a sun deck built above it with a walkway that proceeds to the entertainment lounge and lobby bar inside the main building. One portion of the pool bar is devoted to the swim-up pool area. The remainder of the pool bar is up on the sundeck (walk-up) level. Frozen drinks, sodas and coffee are self- serve. The only beverages you need a bartender for are beer, mixed drinks, or wine. Also, there is popcorn available for the munching! Beverages are served in plastic near the pool. We did not notice any cocktail waitresses by the pool. Piano bar, 6 PM – 1 AM – Nestled in a corner of the lower level, next to the main restaurant is the piano bar. There is a baby grand piano, a bar with stools and a few tables with chairs. Although I did not spend time here, the piano bar seemed to be quite busy in the late evening. Hurricanes disco, 10 PM – 5 AM – There is a huge bar in the top level of the disco (which itself is located on the lower level of the resort across from Pastafari). After the stage show, this place rocks. The music is way loud and the dancing is non-stop. The dance floor, in the center of the disco, is very spacious. While we were at Breezes, the disco was full until 3 AM. The pools: The pool complex -- including its pools, pool bar, pool grill, activity information area, whirlpool and sun deck -- fills the entire space between the guestroom towers. While we were at Breezes, the pool area was extremely busy with many guests drinking up the sunlight (and the poolside beverages). I have already explained what is offered at the pool grill and bar, so I won’t go through that again here. In general, the pool area is kept very clean and in good repair. There are ample chaise lounges lined up in several rows all around the pools, and each has its own cushion. There are towels available at the activity information area (between the beach and the pool facility), although there were several times that no towels were available because they were being laundered. If chaise lounges are not being used but there are towels ‘marking’ them for long periods of time without guests using them, the pool attendants will pick up the towels to make the chaises available for other guests. While we were at Breezes, the resort was filled to capacity – all the while the pool area was bustling with activity and guests. However, we never went down to the pool to find all of the chaises occupied. Pool attendants keep the empty glasses picked up. There are several pools to enjoy: Volleyball pool, on the South end of the pool complex, has a permanent net. It seemed that guests were quite nice about including anyone who wanted to join it. To the east of volleyball is the swim up bar area, which has a huge waist-level wading area and barstools along a bar rail. The bartender takes your order and serves you right there, no need to get out of the water! To the west of volleyball is a nifty sunning deck made of tile. Pool water pumps up through the center of the deck and softly cascades to the perimeter of the deck, which is just above the water level. About a half dozen people could lay out and never get hot because of the constant cooling effect of the water. All around the deck is swimming area. The main swimming and splashing pool, the largest area of the pool complex, is to the north of the volleyball area. The 20-person whirlpool is to the north of the main swimming pool. It was a very popular place to be in the late afternoon and evening. Another separate pool is northeast of the main pool and is used only for sunning. Guests may actually place a chaise in the water so that the seat is at water level …catch the sun’s rays without getting too wet. Cool amenity. The beach: For all of these, check with the watersports/activities desk on the north end of the pool complex, just before you hit the beach. Watersports Water skiing (beginners and advanced classes) Sailboats (8 Cats and 8 or 10 Sunfish – all in great repair) Sailing lessons Scuba lessons Kayaking (I don’t know how many, but they seemed to be in great shape) Kayak lessons Windsurfing (these, too seemed in good shape) Windsurfing lessons “Circus School”: Trampoline Clinics: 3 - 4:30 PM Tues. – Sun. Trapeze Clinics: 4:30 – 6:30 PM Tues. – Sun. – Unique! The trapeze is located between the ocean and the west tower on the beach. The circus ‘trainers’ carefully teach daring guests to climb to the pad that is up about four stories, grab hold of the trapeze, and do flips, hang by their knees, somersault, and release the bar only to be caught by a trained circus worker on another trapeze. If this sounds too amazing to be true, that is because each guest is attended to and restrained by lanyards and bungees, and there is a net below as well. Guests are required to wear socks and not be under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, guests are trained progressively, accomplishing one feat at a time. The whole process is quite impressive. Juggling Clinics: 7 – 7:30 PM Tues. – Sun. – Class is taught in the entertainment lounge area. I noticed that on the day we saw the class, there was one trainer for each guest learning, pretty good student/teacher ratio. Activities: There is always something going on here – always! Entertainment staff encourages everyone to join in, but is not pushy. So, if one wants to participate, they can, but there is no pressure. A list of the next day’s activities is posted on a white board in the entertainment area each evening. Daily printed activity sheets are available at 11:00 PM on the eve of the next day. Here are some of the activities that were offered while we were there -- there is something going on all the time, so this list is long! (If we did not participate and cannot comment, the activity is listed without explanation.): Orientation --Daily showing of ‘Bahamas at a glance’ – Each evening, an entertainment staffer shows this film to acquaint visitors with the Bahamas. Property tours: Although we did not go on a formal tour (we conducted our own), this would be beneficial to those who want to know everything right up front without investing time in self- discovery. Guests are given a thorough tour of the entire property. Fitness: Bicycle tours – Each morning a member of the entertainment staff leads the way, along their favorite route. I went one morning, and my friends went on other mornings, too. Bikes range from low speed to single speed, hand brakes to kickback brakes. Everyone was required to wear a helmet and have a bright orange flag on the back of his or her bike. We probably went seven miles, although we were told it was ten. The pace is casual. I would have done this a lot more if we had not stayed out so late each night! Pool volleyball – Lots of this going on all the time, even when it wasn’t listed on the activity sheet. Guests were very accommodating to other guests in letting everyone play. Beach volleyball – Here again, there always seemed to be games going on, even when not listed on the activity sheet. Gym demonstration Power walk Aquafit Aerobics Tan ‘n’ tone Step aerobics People movers Dance classes: All of these were a treat to watch, but we were merely spectators. Many joined in. Merengue dance class Caribbean rhythms dance class Bahamian dance class Reggae dance class Tango dance class Blast from the past dance class Misc. classes: Mixology classes – Learn how to create those great island beverages! Crafts class Other fun stuff: Jump-in-line Off-with-your-head Sumo wrestling – We witnessed this, and if you never have you really must. This event takes place in the disco. Participants don over-size sumo ‘bodies’ and ‘heads’ (helmets), and then begin wrestlin. Most wrestlers can not get up if they were knocked over, so entertainment staffers assist with that process. The crowd really has a great time watching, and the winners are given prizes. Hilarious. Bouncy boxing – This is great fun to watch. My guess is that the participants have a blast, too. Each is given a helmet and huge, air-filled boxing gloves … sock-it-to-‘em! Pool games Bingo party Toga tying demonstration Piano bar sing-along – We did not attend, although we wanted to (ran out of time!) … Other guests told us it was well done and lots of fun. Karaoke Pajama party Bumper-to-bumper stock car racing Competitions and Tournaments: Marshmallow golf Shuffle golf challenge Table tennis tournament Backgammon tournament Basketball tournament Mr. and Mrs. Sexy Bikini contest – Wish I would have seen it, and I’m sure my husband does, too. Shuffle golf challenge Lip Sync competition Oldies music trivia Evening Shows and Entertainment: As previously noted, most of the evening entertainment takes place in the entertainment lounge on the first floor of the resort. Entertainment is light and fun, not sophisticated or polished. Junkanoo Jamboree -- Junkanoo is a Bahamian celebration at Christmastime. The holiday involves parades of dancers and musicians, featuring steel drums and elaborate costumes. Breezes celebrates this authentic Bahamian tradition weekly for guests to enjoy. Cabaret show Breezes Comedy Club – An American comedian got the huge entertainment lounge audience rolling. We only saw the end, but the crowd loved the show. Funky fashion show Oldies night cabaret show – We caught this show. Lightheartedly the entertainment staff performs several very comical lip synchs; several other musicians fill in the gaps. The night also includes a dance contest. The entertainment is fun, clever and light-hearted. I danced so much that my knees hurt the next day. Lots of fun. 50’s and 60’s dance contest – Amazingly, people actually participated. The audience selected winners that were awarded with prizes. Guest and staff talent show Circus show and beach bash – We did not get to watch this act first- hand; our friends who did told us it was unbelievable. Singles night out Tokens: Tokens are given to guests who participate in certain activities. Each day, there are several times at which guests may trade their tokens in for Breezes Bahamas merchandise. Tour Desk: Located in the lobby, the tour desk offers a huge variety of things to do off-site. Some of the premier things include swimming with dolphins via Dolphin Encounters ($115 US per person), and Sting Ray City and Marine Park. The tour desk will also help secure a taxi if needed. First aid station: There is a nurse available on-site for medical situations, a peace-of-mind for international travelers. Final Notes: Future expansion and facility upgrades: I had a lovely discussion with Resident Manager Jackson Weech, who clued me in on plans for Breezes Bahamas. Within the next three months soft furnishings in the guestrooms will be replaced, bathrooms will be upgraded and redone. Soon, all hallways will have carpeting removed to make way for tile, which has excellent wear characteristics and can be cleaned better than textile floor coverings. Scheduled to be completed by mid 1999 are several capital projects including the addition of a specialty restaurant on the west terrace, between the west tower and the road. Likewise, a tower with 175 one-bedroom suites will be built in the east section of the property. To accommodate additional guests, a huge hot tub and pool complex will be added along with two more lit tennis courts. Front Desk: We found that if we were ever in need of anything and did not know where to go, a safe bet was the front desk. The staff was efficient, helpful and pleasant. They also adapt to fit the situation … we noticed that on heavy check-in and checkout days, the entertainment area is used for checking in new arrivals, while the front desk area is used for departing guests to check out. Entertainment staff: In the dictionary under ‘entertainment’ one might be able to find a photograph of the Breezes Bahamas activity staff. We were quite impressed by the quality of the entertainment and the energy level of the team of activities directors, that can be observed throughout the day … leading the beach and poolside activities, the bike tour, participating in the evening entertainment, and more. A specially trained crew of entertainment staff teaches the circus school and does the circus show one evening. They really have an innate sense of how to work a crowd, how to get people involved, and to influence the fun. What to wear: Dress at Breezes is casual. During the day swimsuits, athletic apparel and shorts are the norm. Most people wear cover-ups in the dining room and other in-door public areas. In the evenings, nice shorts are most prevalent for both men and women. There are some men and women wearing jeans with shirts. However, some guests are a bit more dressed, women wearing sporty sundresses or skirts, men wearing golf-type shirts and slacks. Nicer attire is requested in the Pastafari restaurant, although it is not too formal or dressy-- men wear slacks and women weat skirts or casual dresses. Air conditioning/Fans: The restaurants seem cold if you have even a slight sunburn or if you’ve been in the heat -- bring a sweater. The entertainment area is warm when there are a lot of people there in for the nightly show, dress lightly if you plan to dance. The same holds true for Hurricanes disco. Area attractions (a few with which we are familiar): Casino – A hotel just west of Breezes houses the Rainforest Casino. Offering quarter slots and up, craps, dollar and up poker and black jack, craps, sports betting, and more, a stop here is worth the excursion. The Bahamians should thanks us, we paid for the lights to stay on one more night. Walking – One may stroll west through the West Bay Street ‘boulevard’ (right in front of Breezes) to learn about the islands and their vegetation, on a paved and signed walkway. Atlantis – Located on Paradise Island (accessible via the tour desk), this huge mega-resort houses an aquarium and marine museum that we have heard well worth the trip. Also, the resort is claimed to be an architectural beauty. Parasailing and Jet Skiing – Available on the beach near the watersports headquarters, these activities are not included in the hotel package. For $50 US, arrangements are made directly with operators to take a Jet Ski for a half-hour or a parasail for 10 to 15 minutes. Partake in these activities at your own risk as the hotel does not assume responsibility for any injuries incurred. We enjoyed both … if you get the chance to parasail, you’ll notice that the water is a sight to behold – layers of greens and blues that are unforgettable. We had a particularly good time on Bay Street in downtown Nassau – just a 15-minute, $0.75 bus ride on “The Number 10” bus. Gentlemen, be prepared, there are more duty-free jewelry stores in downtown Nassau than I’ve ever seen before. There is a bus stop just outside of Breezes. Don’t pay until you get off of the bus, and make sure to have correct change because the bus driver cannot give you any. Miscellaneous: Photography and videos – Photographers are everywhere in the late afternoon and evening, taking pictures of guests. The photo/video desk is located across the hall from the gift shop. Each morning, guests can review the prior day’s contact sheets of photos and order any that appeal to them. We did not check pricing. A video of each night’s events is filmed and offered for sale for $30 US on the following day. We purchased one of the videos and found the quality to be fine. Videos may be reviewed before purchase. Responsiveness -- The Breezes staff is accommodating and prompt. Annoyingly, our bathtub was draining too slowly and we requested our housekeeping supervisor have someone come take a look at it. In less than a half-hour three maintenance workers arrived and within a few moments the drain was fixed. Wow, that is better service than some experienced in the States. Kalik – The Bahamian local beer is Kalik. It is available in regular and light versions and its taste is comparable to Miller and Miller light. Kalik is named for the sounds of the Junkanoo drums (that sound like ‘kalik, kalik, kalikity, kalik’). Coke – Coca-Cola is not available on property, only Pepsi products are. However, the mini-mall attached to the casino has a liquor store that offers many beverages, Coke included. Prices are high, but when one is in need of ‘the real thing,’ almost any price works. Ice – Ice bins are located on each floor. Special celebrations (birthdays, etc.) – If a guest has a special request for a birthday, anniversary, or other important date, they should contact the entertainment department. We had arranged to celebrate a friend’s birthday with Gillian, the assistant entertainment manager. She helped us have a special cake delivered after dinner to our table at Pastafari. Champagne was served. And (humorously) the entire restaurant joined in singing “Happy Birthday” to our friend. It was done very nicely, and easily, too. Wake up calls – When we arranged for a wake up call (simply by calling the front desk), it arrived on time. And, the resort called us not once, but twice to assure we were up-and-at-‘em. That gave us a sense of security … one would hate to wake up late on departure day! No tipping, really – As we have found at all of the SuperClubs all- inclusive resorts we have visited, tipping is not allowed. Employees are not allowed to accept tips, and accepting tips may result in termination. We have been told that each month employees receive a gratuity check that more than covers the amount of tips they would typically earn in that period of time. Return Flight Confirmation – By filling out the paperwork properly at check-in, the Breezes front desk staff will confirm your return flight. A note is slid under each guest’s door on the day prior to departure. The form explains checkout procedures, details when luggage must be downstairs, and outlines the time when each guest’s bus departs for the airport. Checking out – Can be done automatically if the reviewed incidental charges (phone and pay-per-view movies) are accurate. Otherwise, a quick stop at the front desk takes care of everything. Your Breezes bracelet is removed before you board the bus to the airport. Back to the reality of a non-inclusive lifestyle! Exchange rate - $1 US = $1 Bahamian. Final Words: The Bahamians were very friendly, in general. At the resort, we found the staff to be exceptionally pleasant and helpful. There is always something to do at Breezes, so be ready to have fun. If any of my friends were to ask about a great tropical vacation destination, one where they could be entertained and indulge in all types of food, beverages and activities, I would tell them to consider Breezes Bahamas. The resort is a great value for the money, and it is easily and quickly accessible from anywhere in the US. Of course, the all-inclusive aspect of the resort is one that most everyone enjoys. So, go ahead big shot, feel free to buy the whole bar a round of drinks
My new wife and I have just returned from our honeymoon in Barbados, and stayed at the Almond Beach Club. Unfortunately we did not see this news letter prior to our booking this vacation. First off I would say that this being our honeymoon we made the best of a very poor situation!! This resort-Almond Beach Club- was billed as a 4-5 star resort by our tour company- Sunquest out of Toronto. At Best is was only a 2- 3 star. A few examples of our experience- way Too many to list all. check- in= total chaos! No lobby to speak of-wrong room booked, and we had to argue with them for over an hour to get a better room-not great but adequate. The staff throughout our entire stay was rude, unfriendly, Very argumentative-who was the customer here anyway!!! If this had not been our honeymoon I would have packed it in at this point and left for another destination. The first morning I went down to the cabana(a shack on the side of the building) to get a towel to go swimming and was rudely told they didn't have anymore towels come back later-maybe in 1 1/2 hours. I returned in about 2 hours and was told we still don't have any towels and we don't know when we will have any for you. My patients was tested in this way the entire 7 long days we stayed there. The food was bland, and the service in the restaurants was nonexistant! To get water or coffee with my meal I had to get it myself- the staff had an attitude of just blowing off the guests. And by the way, my wife and I are quite friendly, so we did meet a lot of other couples during our stay- ALL of them had the same complaints, and comments about the place-some even were going to consider suing the tour company for misrepresentation. The Tour company -sunquest, was terrible, our agent Marcia was rude and smug, and VERY unhelpful! WE felt like we were in the dark most of the week. The personel at the watersports were also very rude-and went out of there way to make it as diffucult to take out water sports equipment as possible. My wife was actually in tear twice during out stay at this resort- GREAT way to start out together!! The bar service followed suit and was very lazy, ran out of liquor on several occasions. The bartenders acted as though they were doing you a favor in servicing you. They did not talk, all had an attitude, and ignored the people waiting for a drink even if not busy. The food was very routine- most of the time covered with flies and birds eating out of glasses and pecking at the bread and pasteries. One morning my wife got a bagel and went to cut it in half, turning it over and it was covered with small bugs!!! She did eat breakfast that morning- To complain to the staff at this point was a waste of time. Trying to make the best of a very bad situation-we ate the remainder of our meals off site(even though meals were paid for at the Almond beach club), and did activities off site as much as possible. I am writing this note for two reasons: 1st to vent-I just got back last night- and am very upset-probably the reason for this note being somewhat scrambled. And 2nd to warn anyone considering this resort to stay away- I am only scratching the surface of how poor this resort really is- Don't ruin you vacation with staying at such a lousy place at THE ALMOND BEACH CLUB(or ABV-both same). My follow up to this note is going to be a letter to the ALMOND BEACH CLUB, SUNQUEST TOUR(terrible!!!), and the Better Business Bureau. I only wish I had found this web site sooner.
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