Day Pass @ Marriott OR Chair & Umbrella Rental?

[teltrainer]

Hi Tidewaters,

 

The cost according to the email I originally got from the Marriott for renting two chairs and the gazebo like palapas they have was supposed to be $30. However, the young man who met us on the beach from Marriott said the resort was very empty and offered us them at no cost. I think it is a way for the resort to "advertise" so cruise people may come back and stay a week. We did buy drinks and the snack served to our chairs and paid by cash/travelers checks. Service was very friendly.

 

As we walked through the pool area, there were just a few people. We didn't stay so I'm not sure if a pass was needed there.

[teltrainer]

We will be on the Miracle at the end of March, thanks for the review, I was glad to hear you had a great time. We are considering going to the Marriott also, how much was the cab ride, there will be 5 of us going? Also, did you have a stop in St Maarten?? Was it very busy and what excursions did you do. Thanks:D

 

Paul answered the cab question but I'll comment on St. Maarten. We were there with the HUGE new Oasis of the Seas and a couple other ships, however we planned to go to the quieter side of Orient Beach so it wasn't crowded there. We spent the day at Boo Boo Jam. Go to the St. Maarten port board and you can see my comments there.

 

Melissa

[mercedesmom]

Paul answered the cab question but I'll comment on St. Maarten. We were there with the HUGE new Oasis of the Seas and a couple other ships, however we planned to go to the quieter side of Orient Beach so it wasn't crowded there. We spent the day at Boo Boo Jam. Go to the St. Maarten port board and you can see my comments there.

 

Melissa

Melissa

Thanks so much for the info, I hope this isn't consider hijacking:confused:I am new to this stuff. Yes, Oasis of the Seas will be in port with six other ships including ours:eek: Almost 16000 extra people in port. Makes me nervous, I don't want to miss the boat.

 

Trish

[lgarner]

I called the resort today and the very nice person at the front desk explained that the day pass is $35 per person the day rate for a room is $65 plus 19% tax for up to four people. She did not mention any free spins at the casino or free drinks. On the St. Kitts tour store sight they mention a free beer and 10% off at one of the restaurants and 15% off at the spa. It looks like the earlier poster who talked about free spins at the casino and free drinks did not get a day pass but rather a day rate for a room. I wonder if I get a day pass (not a day room) directly from the hotel, will I get any coupons and discounts? Anyone know the answer?

[CinWin]

What is the sand like at the beach there? Since it is located on the Atlantic side, is the water rough?

Cindy

[Tidewater Cruisers]

I called the resort today and the very nice person at the front desk explained that the day pass is $35 per person the day rate for a room is $65 plus 19% tax for up to four people. She did not mention any free spins at the casino or free drinks. On the St. Kitts tour store sight they mention a free beer and 10% off at one of the restaurants and 15% off at the spa. It looks like the earlier poster who talked about free spins at the casino and free drinks did not get a day pass but rather a day rate for a room. I wonder if I get a day pass (not a day room) directly from the hotel, will I get any coupons and discounts? Anyone know the answer?

 

Let's see... two day passes @ $35/person times four persons equals $140. Day rate for a room for four people is $65 plus 19% tax equals $77.35. Divide that number by four and it will cost you $19.34 per person or under $40 per couple.

No brainer! Take the room!

I would assume you have free run of the beach and pool facilities, restaurants and bars. Any thoughts on this?

Plan to be in St Kitts on Feb 21 (Mercury). I know the Marriott is a first class resort... (walked thru the resort last year, and was impressed), looks like a great way to spend a relaxing day at a tropical beach.

 

Peter

[teltrainer]

What is the sand like at the beach there? Since it is located on the Atlantic side, is the water rough?

Cindy

 

 

Hi, I am an OK swimmer (can float in an emergency if need be :) but I didn't feel uncomfortable although there were waves coming in. The boulders set out from the edge of the water create a better, less rough swimming area than if you went beyond (not a good idea unless you are an Olympian I think!). One of the locals said it was more choppy than usual due to the rain storms they had had earlier so I think it depends on the weather.

 

The sand was not powdery white but a golden tan sand. Pretty but not St. Maarten and not calm given the Atlantic side. It was comfortable to walk on. And, we didn't care if if wasn't placid. The views and the waves against the outside of the rocks were beautiful!

[teltrainer]

Let's see... two day passes @ $35/person times four persons equals $140. Day rate for a room for four people is $65 plus 19% tax equals $77.35. Divide that number by four and it will cost you $19.34 per person or under $40 per couple.

No brainer! Take the room!

I would assume you have free run of the beach and pool facilities, restaurants and bars. Any thoughts on this?

Plan to be in St Kitts on Feb 21 (Mercury). I know the Marriott is a first class resort... (walked thru the resort last year, and was impressed), looks like a great way to spend a relaxing day at a tropical beach.

 

Peter

 

Peter you are absolutely right! The room is the way to go but we didn't have enough time there to take advantage of it. The room or day pass gives you access to the beach, pool etc. You can just rent chairs and purchase food/drinks but had to pay by cash or card since no "room charge" if you didn't have the room package. It really was a great beach and we will return again sometime I hope!!

[Tidewater Cruisers]

Thanks for the info teltrainer!

Peter

[Tidewater Cruisers]

What is the sand like at the beach there? Since it is located on the Atlantic side, is the water rough?

Cindy

Cindy... last year we had an enjoyable day in St Kitts. If you enjoy walking the beach and are in good health to walk about three miles I recommend what we did last year. We took a taxi to the St Kitts Marriott (early- 9 am). We walked thru the hotel to the beach and enjoyed a beach walk all the way to the end of the beach (would be to the right of the hotel as you face the Atlantic). The beach sand was not compact, but hard enough to walk... similar to your sand in Fort Lauderdale. It was not like our beaches here in North Myrtle Beach (hard, compact, flat beach). There is a slight incline of the beach line... it is not a flat beach. Not a soul was on the beach... a lovely walk, so peaceful. Nice surf!

At the end of the beach(about a mile in length), we crossed over the isthmus to the Caribbean side (about 1/2 mile walk). Here we have an entirely different setting.... beach bars, more people (but not overly crowded), calm waters, harder sand, and flatter beach. Actually the sand is black toward the far end! We settled down for several hours... rented a beach umbrella and two chairs for $7 (you can negotiate... cheaper far down the beach). Two Carib beers were $3. Picked up a taxi (shared) to our ship. The entire excursion (taxi fares, beach chairs, umbrella and drinks) was $34. We were back at our ship by 3:30 pm. Best low cost excursion we ever had in the Carribbean!

To help plan your trip... go to Google Earth and check out St Kitts... you will really get a good idea of the amount of walking required.

Peter

[lgarner]

Peter,

You are right it is a no brainer for a family of 4 to get the room - but there are only two of us so its pretty equal - just trying to find out which deal has the casino coupons. With my lack of skill at the casino, I like to get all the freebies I can!

 

Lisa

[CinWin]

Hi Tidewater,

Looks like you really made the most out of your St. Kitts stop. Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if we will be as adventurous as you were but might give it a try. :D

Cindy

[lgarner]

Peter,

Do you know the name of the beach that you walked across to? It sounds like I might just want to go there and skip the Marriott - but then again, I change my mind every day as I read these posts.... so many beaches so little time!

 

Any idea what a cab runs for two people to the marriott or to the beach on the caribbean side? I think I answered that myself - is it $12.50?

 

Thanks in advance for the info.

[Tidewater Cruisers]

We walked from the Marriott to the end of the beach(to your right facing the Atlantic at the Marriott) and crossed the isthmus over to the Caribbean side. This beach is Frigate Bay South. It is the most popular and best beach in St Kitts outside of the beaches on the Southeast Peninsula. This Caribbean beach has a long stretch of golden sand and the waters are mostly calm. There are beach bars (including Mr X Shiggidy Shack Bar & Grill and Monkey Bar) and restaurants (Dolce Cabana and Sunset Cafe) that sell a variety of cold drinks and mouth watering foods. This beach is ideal for swimming, windsurfing, and water skiing so do check out the wide range of water sports and other beach activities on offer. There is good snorkeling at either end of the beach where the rock cliffs begin. The South Frigate Bay beach is home to Mr X Water sports, a fully equipped water sports operation offering windsurfing, sailing, sun fish, wind rider sail boat, snorkeling tours, kayaking tours, and scuba diving.

 

Peter

[lgarner]

Many thanks! Now I have to decide between this beach and a ferry trip to Nevis... decisions, decisions!!