Westin Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort left Starwood 6/30/09 (Master Thread)
Aug 9, 2004, 10:16 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Miami/NYC
Programs: United Global Services, UA Million Miler, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 337
Westin Our Lucaya
Hi Folks...I've read a few things on here about the Westin Our Lucaya and we're off for a 5 day break there on Wednesday.
Anyone have any last minute tips for me about the resort? Restaurants (good or bad)? Local attractions? etc.
Also, any recommendations on best building/room types? I'm SPG Gold (doubt that will do much for me there, though...)
Thanks for your help!
Anyone have any last minute tips for me about the resort? Restaurants (good or bad)? Local attractions? etc.
Also, any recommendations on best building/room types? I'm SPG Gold (doubt that will do much for me there, though...)
Thanks for your help!
Aug 14, 2004, 10:18 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Balto, MD
Programs: SPG (AmEx), A+ (AirTran)
Posts: 46
My fiancee and I are, coincidentally, just back from five nights that very resort.
Tsk! I just noticed that you wrote this on Monday the 9th, so you're already there! Oh, well...for the benefit of others (and you, if you're checking in), I'll keep typing. :-)
Restaurants: We ate most of our breakfasts/lunches in the Port Lucaya Marketplace. There are a number of cheap eateries there, and most of them will do a fair job of feeding you a smallish meal for not a lot of money. (Mrs. Nihilator says "don't get the chicken"...she had a chicken salad that strongly disagreed with her.) That illustrates a good point...going out for local flavor is all well and good, but a bit risky.
Mrs. Nihilator recommends the grilled tuna-steak sandwich at Waves pool grill and the jerk burger at the Prop Club, but don't go on DJ night because you can barely hear yourself think. We ate at Iries (caribbean-style restaurant), which was nice, and Willy Broadleafs for a breakfast and a dinner (both buffets). Expensive, but wonderful food. Expect to pay up to twice as much for food in the Starwood restaurants that you would pay back at home, but the quality is pretty well worth it.
Hungry for home? There's a Dominos, a Subway, and a Dunkin' Donuts in the Marketplace. We didn't eat at any of them.
An exception: get loaded in the Marketplace. There's a little stand that does frozen drinks really well. $6 if you want it in a coconut, but skip the gimmick and get the 16 oz for $5 with a 10 oz (same flavor) for free. No charge for rum!
Mrs. Nihilator says to go do activities, which we didn't really do. We *did* do Garden of the Groves ($19 taxi ride each way, $10 admission per), which was nice, if under-maintained...don't expect an American-style botanical garden. Hurricane Charlie kept the water too rough to do a snorkeling trip or a glass-bottom boat trip, which disappointed me. If I could have, I would have, but I waited until the second half of our week, by which time the seas were too rough and no tours were going out at all. Tours can be arranged through the concierge desk, or just go straight to the docks in the Marketplace and sign up there.
We did a parasail ride. Expensive ($60 per person, even in tandem, for a five-minute ride), but really beautiful. We didn't do a jetski, which might have been more of a fun value at $60 for a 30-minute rental. We also didn't do anything in the spa at all, which surprised me...a couple of the smaller massage packages sounded nice, but we ended up skipping them.
We probably didn't "do" as much as others might want to squeeze in during a vacation, but we were happy with the pool, the sunshine, the Heavenly Bed (and shower!), and not having to go to work.
Oh, and I dropped a bill at the casino. Really nice place, and not crowded at all. I milked about three or four hours out of that hundred, and kept a $5 chip as a souvenir.
So, when you get back, let us know what you did!
--Chris
Tsk! I just noticed that you wrote this on Monday the 9th, so you're already there! Oh, well...for the benefit of others (and you, if you're checking in), I'll keep typing. :-)
Restaurants: We ate most of our breakfasts/lunches in the Port Lucaya Marketplace. There are a number of cheap eateries there, and most of them will do a fair job of feeding you a smallish meal for not a lot of money. (Mrs. Nihilator says "don't get the chicken"...she had a chicken salad that strongly disagreed with her.) That illustrates a good point...going out for local flavor is all well and good, but a bit risky.
Mrs. Nihilator recommends the grilled tuna-steak sandwich at Waves pool grill and the jerk burger at the Prop Club, but don't go on DJ night because you can barely hear yourself think. We ate at Iries (caribbean-style restaurant), which was nice, and Willy Broadleafs for a breakfast and a dinner (both buffets). Expensive, but wonderful food. Expect to pay up to twice as much for food in the Starwood restaurants that you would pay back at home, but the quality is pretty well worth it.
Hungry for home? There's a Dominos, a Subway, and a Dunkin' Donuts in the Marketplace. We didn't eat at any of them.
An exception: get loaded in the Marketplace. There's a little stand that does frozen drinks really well. $6 if you want it in a coconut, but skip the gimmick and get the 16 oz for $5 with a 10 oz (same flavor) for free. No charge for rum!
Mrs. Nihilator says to go do activities, which we didn't really do. We *did* do Garden of the Groves ($19 taxi ride each way, $10 admission per), which was nice, if under-maintained...don't expect an American-style botanical garden. Hurricane Charlie kept the water too rough to do a snorkeling trip or a glass-bottom boat trip, which disappointed me. If I could have, I would have, but I waited until the second half of our week, by which time the seas were too rough and no tours were going out at all. Tours can be arranged through the concierge desk, or just go straight to the docks in the Marketplace and sign up there.
We did a parasail ride. Expensive ($60 per person, even in tandem, for a five-minute ride), but really beautiful. We didn't do a jetski, which might have been more of a fun value at $60 for a 30-minute rental. We also didn't do anything in the spa at all, which surprised me...a couple of the smaller massage packages sounded nice, but we ended up skipping them.
We probably didn't "do" as much as others might want to squeeze in during a vacation, but we were happy with the pool, the sunshine, the Heavenly Bed (and shower!), and not having to go to work.
Oh, and I dropped a bill at the casino. Really nice place, and not crowded at all. I milked about three or four hours out of that hundred, and kept a $5 chip as a souvenir.
So, when you get back, let us know what you did!
--Chris
Aug 16, 2004, 8:19 pm
#33
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Pittsburgh - SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, US Chairmans Pref
Posts: 32
I got back last Thursday from 7 days at this resort. The Plat recognition was great. I had 2 rooms booked in the Westin and called the Plat line 5 days ahead to inquire about upgrades. They confirmed one room upgraded to an ocean suite gratis, and upgraded the other to connecting room for 1500 pts/night. Turned out to be a great set up. The ocean suites in Breakers Cay bldg have kitchenettes with fridge, microwave, sink, utensils, etc plus a big double size balcony. The lounge on the 10th floor was great, coffee/cereal/rolls in the morning, drinks all day. It also has a PC for surfing plus free wireless access in the lounge. The resort was great with infinity pools, swim up bar, water slide over at the sheraton, plus great beaches. There was even good snorkeling right there as we saw squid, flounder, jack, tigerfish swimming among the rocks right in front of Breakers Cay. The Waverunners were worth the $60 as they have 2.5 miles of ocean to scoot around. It was great place to bring kids and we plan to go back. Ate most nights over in the marketplace, not at hotel. I recommend La Dolce Vita for moderately priced but excellent Italian food. And even came out ahead at the craps table. I view it as the opposite of St John, where you sleep at the resort but get out of there the rest of the day. Freeport is not much to look at and we spent nearly the whole time at the resort or the marketplace across the street. ^
Mar 19, 2005, 6:22 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
Westin Our Lucaya
Just got back last night from a four night trip to the Westin Our Lucaya in Freeport. Since I couldn't find any updated detailed information on the property before I left I have decided to post this trip report about the property.
Arrived at the hotel on 3/14/05 after taking a short 20 minute cab ride from the Freeport airport. First impression of the main building was very nice. Looked like a huge plantation house. Check in line had 4 people in it and 3 hotel employees working. SPG Gold/Plat. desk was not open! Check in process was slow! Just to let everyone know, I had booked 6 rooms for a small sales meeting here. Several days prior to arrival I had called the hotel and spoke to the SPG Preferred desk and asked if they could try and get all of us on one floor...preferably the Royal Beach Club Floor. The attendant (Anja) I spoke to was very nice and she CONFIRMED that we would all be on the Royal Beach Club Floor (10th floor). At check in the attendant knew nothing about us all being together on the 10th floor which naturally got me a little upset. The attendant said there was nothing she could do and gave us all rooms on different floors. More frustration...she said several of the rooms were not ready. It was 2:50pm and check in was at 3! I knew not to expect the greatest service in the Carribean based on past trips. I inquired about a key to the Royal Beah Club level, since we had been told we would have rooms there but the attendant said "I can't give you a key to the floor if the floor is already filled up because there will be no room for you in the lounge." Decided to drop the discussion with her because I wasn't getting anywhere and decided to go wait for our rooms. When I got room, I called down and asked to speak to Anja the attendant who had confirmed the Royal Beach Club rooms for me prior to arrival (she hadn't been available at check in or I would have requested speaking to her right away). Anja apoligized for the problem and said she would send up a Royal Beach Club key to me right away. Key arrived and the initial frustration began to fade. Naturally I hoped that the rest of the stay would only get better and I have to say it was PERFECT from then on!
I had an ocean view king room on the 5th floor. Rooms are very nice and the furnishings look fairly new. Heavenly bed and shower as usual but the water presure was horrible. Nice thing about the room is that you had a double slidding door out to the patio which you could open up very wide. It was almost like the whole room opened up to the patio. View was very nice and the property was incredible. There are several pools including two infinity pools and a lap pool. One of the infinity pools and the lap pool are at the far end of the property by the Senses spa which also contained the gym. For golfers there where two courses in the direct proximity to the resort. Several tennis courts (I think 6) where on site. The property is connected to the Sheraton which includes separte pool areas and a small casino. (Min. table bets where $15)
The resort included several restaurants and we tried the following:
China Beach - average food
Portobellos - good italian food
Churchills - good steak house
There is also a carribean place and a buffet but we didn't try those. One work of warning, prices are expensive. A two course dinner at Churchills for 6 of us ran $600. This did include two bottle of $48 wine but it still runs around $80-100 per person. Portobellos ran us about $300 for 6 without any starters and 1 bottle of wine. We also ate at Dolce Vita across the street in the market and the food was very good. Prices where a little lower than at the resort.
Overall the resort and the stay where very nice. I had expected the worst after the check in mess but I was very surprised. Everyone (except for the check in attendant) was very nice and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. I would go back and would definitely recommend the resort to anyone! Just don't expect it to be a cheap vacation!
Arrived at the hotel on 3/14/05 after taking a short 20 minute cab ride from the Freeport airport. First impression of the main building was very nice. Looked like a huge plantation house. Check in line had 4 people in it and 3 hotel employees working. SPG Gold/Plat. desk was not open! Check in process was slow! Just to let everyone know, I had booked 6 rooms for a small sales meeting here. Several days prior to arrival I had called the hotel and spoke to the SPG Preferred desk and asked if they could try and get all of us on one floor...preferably the Royal Beach Club Floor. The attendant (Anja) I spoke to was very nice and she CONFIRMED that we would all be on the Royal Beach Club Floor (10th floor). At check in the attendant knew nothing about us all being together on the 10th floor which naturally got me a little upset. The attendant said there was nothing she could do and gave us all rooms on different floors. More frustration...she said several of the rooms were not ready. It was 2:50pm and check in was at 3! I knew not to expect the greatest service in the Carribean based on past trips. I inquired about a key to the Royal Beah Club level, since we had been told we would have rooms there but the attendant said "I can't give you a key to the floor if the floor is already filled up because there will be no room for you in the lounge." Decided to drop the discussion with her because I wasn't getting anywhere and decided to go wait for our rooms. When I got room, I called down and asked to speak to Anja the attendant who had confirmed the Royal Beach Club rooms for me prior to arrival (she hadn't been available at check in or I would have requested speaking to her right away). Anja apoligized for the problem and said she would send up a Royal Beach Club key to me right away. Key arrived and the initial frustration began to fade. Naturally I hoped that the rest of the stay would only get better and I have to say it was PERFECT from then on!
I had an ocean view king room on the 5th floor. Rooms are very nice and the furnishings look fairly new. Heavenly bed and shower as usual but the water presure was horrible. Nice thing about the room is that you had a double slidding door out to the patio which you could open up very wide. It was almost like the whole room opened up to the patio. View was very nice and the property was incredible. There are several pools including two infinity pools and a lap pool. One of the infinity pools and the lap pool are at the far end of the property by the Senses spa which also contained the gym. For golfers there where two courses in the direct proximity to the resort. Several tennis courts (I think 6) where on site. The property is connected to the Sheraton which includes separte pool areas and a small casino. (Min. table bets where $15)
The resort included several restaurants and we tried the following:
China Beach - average food
Portobellos - good italian food
Churchills - good steak house
There is also a carribean place and a buffet but we didn't try those. One work of warning, prices are expensive. A two course dinner at Churchills for 6 of us ran $600. This did include two bottle of $48 wine but it still runs around $80-100 per person. Portobellos ran us about $300 for 6 without any starters and 1 bottle of wine. We also ate at Dolce Vita across the street in the market and the food was very good. Prices where a little lower than at the resort.
Overall the resort and the stay where very nice. I had expected the worst after the check in mess but I was very surprised. Everyone (except for the check in attendant) was very nice and went out of their way to make us feel welcome. I would go back and would definitely recommend the resort to anyone! Just don't expect it to be a cheap vacation!
Last edited by christianj; Mar 19, 2005 at 6:47 am
Mar 19, 2005, 10:00 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: From: PWM
Programs: United GS, Fairmont Platinum,SPG LTPlat, Hilton Diamond, MarriottGold..like the rest of the world
Posts: 4,401
Nice review! I, too, was there about a year ago and found things to be remarkably nice. As a plat, I got an OV suite which was slick. Had a bose wave radio and a small kitchenette/bar area that was well done. We found the lounge there to be among the nicest and best staffed that I've encountered just about anyplace. (That was a real surprise.)
All in all, this is a great vaca property and is exceptionally well managed by Mr Harris Chan (he of Orchid at Mauna Lani fame, for anyone out there keeping records). He knows what he's doing and set a high standard.
My issue with this place, however, is that there is PRECIOUS LITTLE to do on this island off site. And, I'm not joking. The snorkeling is fair to poor (maybe even dangerous) and the shopping and diversion activities are frankly almost non-existant. Yes, we did all the recommended stuff but found practically all of it to be quite poor.
So, if one is ready to getaway to a nice, well run resort and simply stay ON SITE whilst there, this could be a good option.
Lastly, it's a shame you didn't make the buffet while you were there. While we were there, we hit it twice and thought it to be both substantial and well presented. Numerous on line guides all comment on the quality of and skill with which this buffet is run. A highlight for us.
All in all, this is a great vaca property and is exceptionally well managed by Mr Harris Chan (he of Orchid at Mauna Lani fame, for anyone out there keeping records). He knows what he's doing and set a high standard.
My issue with this place, however, is that there is PRECIOUS LITTLE to do on this island off site. And, I'm not joking. The snorkeling is fair to poor (maybe even dangerous) and the shopping and diversion activities are frankly almost non-existant. Yes, we did all the recommended stuff but found practically all of it to be quite poor.
So, if one is ready to getaway to a nice, well run resort and simply stay ON SITE whilst there, this could be a good option.
Lastly, it's a shame you didn't make the buffet while you were there. While we were there, we hit it twice and thought it to be both substantial and well presented. Numerous on line guides all comment on the quality of and skill with which this buffet is run. A highlight for us.
Mar 20, 2005, 5:10 am
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2003
Location: AA Plat / UA NOTHING / Alaska 75K / Hyatt Diamond / SPG LT Plat / Marriott Gold / Priority Club Plat / Hertz Pres
Posts: 24,710
Originally Posted by sbtinme
All in all, this is a great vaca property and is exceptionally well managed by Mr Harris Chan (he of Orchid at Mauna Lani fame, for anyone out there keeping records)
Jul 11, 2005, 2:50 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Westin Our Lucaya - Club Lounge
Hi
I'm taking my family to this resort soon and I was wondering if anyone had any experience of the club lounge, i.e. is the food decent?
I'm taking my family to this resort soon and I was wondering if anyone had any experience of the club lounge, i.e. is the food decent?
Jul 13, 2005, 6:54 am
#38
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
Was there in March and the lounge was pretty nice. For breakfast they had your typical pastries and cereals. At night it was chips, cheese and one or two warm selections. Evening selection was good for us but then again we only went up for a drink and some cheese before heading out for dinner. If you are planning on skipping dinner and just eating enough in the lounge to cover you dinner you will however be disappointed. I know some people expect to find enough food so they eat dinner in the lounge. Not really sure what your expectations are.
Aug 29, 2005, 1:00 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Heads Up - Westin at Our Lucaya Royal Beach Club To Close
Hi
Just thought any FT'ers planing a stay here should know that both the Royal Beach Club Lounge and the Royal Beach Club Floor is to close from the start of October 2005. So, in otherwords Club facilities are being dropped. Apparently, they are losing money on it.
Just thought any FT'ers planing a stay here should know that both the Royal Beach Club Lounge and the Royal Beach Club Floor is to close from the start of October 2005. So, in otherwords Club facilities are being dropped. Apparently, they are losing money on it.
Aug 29, 2005, 6:00 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: From: PWM
Programs: United GS, Fairmont Platinum,SPG LTPlat, Hilton Diamond, MarriottGold..like the rest of the world
Posts: 4,401
That is a major downer since I consider the Westin's Club to be among the very best (if not THE BEST) in the Westin chain hands down. Admittedly, my last stay here was a little more than a year ago, but the club was maintained and stocked most impressively. Additionally, it was staffed by true professionals who sought out opportunities to be exceedingly helpful to guests.
This was a most refreshing breath of fresh air and numerous other posters here on FT have also agreed that this was among the very best of the Starwood Lounges.
If it's true, it's a sad day.
This was a most refreshing breath of fresh air and numerous other posters here on FT have also agreed that this was among the very best of the Starwood Lounges.
If it's true, it's a sad day.
Aug 29, 2005, 10:17 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1k SPG Platinum Marriott lifetime Titanium
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by sbtinme
That is a major downer since I consider the Westin's Club to be among the very best (if not THE BEST) in the Westin chain hands down. Admittedly, my last stay here was a little more than a year ago, but the club was maintained and stocked most impressively. Additionally, it was staffed by true professionals who sought out opportunities to be exceedingly helpful to guests.
This was a most refreshing breath of fresh air and numerous other posters here on FT have also agreed that this was among the very best of the Starwood Lounges.
If it's true, it's a sad day.
This was a most refreshing breath of fresh air and numerous other posters here on FT have also agreed that this was among the very best of the Starwood Lounges.
If it's true, it's a sad day.
Aug 29, 2005, 10:40 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Airstrip One
Programs: AA gold, UA Premier, HH Gold, *wood gold, PC gold
Posts: 950
Originally Posted by jocelynt
I was recently there. The Royal Beach Club was not impressive at all. The staff were rude.
In fact I'd say my experiences in The Bahamas were without a doubt the number one worst of any trip I've taken. It was the first time I've personally experienced reverse racism (I'm white), rude people, drugs everywhere (especially in Freeport - my friend was threatened with his life 'cuz he told a cocaine dealer to beat it - the dude had a pistol under his shirt), nothing but crap in the tourist markets, just generally a horrible time. The only thing that place has going for it are the conch fritters - and I can get them here in Buffalo.
I'd suggest Costa Rica instead - beautiful.
Sep 2, 2005, 2:01 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
The "Royal Beach Club" sign has been removed from the 10th Floor Entrance, and the attendants have said that they are seeking alternative employment.
The hotel is in bad shape by the way, everyone is working a 3 day week and the occupancy levels are 30%.
I'll be posting a trip report in the next few days, once I've recovered, it was so bad.
The hotel is in bad shape by the way, everyone is working a 3 day week and the occupancy levels are 30%.
I'll be posting a trip report in the next few days, once I've recovered, it was so bad.
Sep 2, 2005, 2:39 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2003
Location: AA Plat / UA NOTHING / Alaska 75K / Hyatt Diamond / SPG LT Plat / Marriott Gold / Priority Club Plat / Hertz Pres
Posts: 24,710
Originally Posted by PhileasFogg
The hotel is in bad shape by the way, everyone is working a 3 day week and the occupancy levels are 30%.
I'll be posting a trip report in the next few days, once I've recovered, it was so bad.
I'll be posting a trip report in the next few days, once I've recovered, it was so bad.
I think it's a very nice resort, with nice amenities, wonderful pools, nice people and as a Plat staying at the Sheraton I was upgraded to a huge suite w/ two bathrooms, a separate bedroom and double balcony on a $119 AAA rate.
I guess it's all about expectations, I don't expect the world and I am usually happily surprised.
Oct 13, 2005, 5:06 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lafayette, CO, USA
Programs: SPG Lifetime Plat, AA Gold, UA Gold, DL Silver, HH Gold, Vail Epic
Posts: 9,096
Can't say that I'll miss that lounge
Originally Posted by jocelynt
I was recently there. The Royal Beach Club was not impressive at all. The staff were rude.
However, we found the amenities of the lounge to be rather weak. Barely a continental breakfast. Evening snacks were okay, but didn't offer much variety. Alcoholic drinks were available for purchase at an honor bar. It was nice to be able to go in to get a free bottle of water or a soft drink during the day. I had free access to the lounge as a Plat. If I had paid for a Club Level room, I'd have felt cheated out of $30.
We like this Westin, though, and will return soon for our fourth visit. Current promos offer rooms starting at $139. Jazz festival packages are available for Halloween weekend, too.