relax and enjoy, but beware the electricity charge

Guest: Taylors (Lenexa, Ks.)
Date of Stay: 01/29/12 Review Submitted: 02/09/12

The house and all of its amenities were wonderful. I would be aware that electricity is high. I felt that we were charged too high an amount for NEVER running the washer, television, or air conditioning. Only ran the dryer 2 times for very short drying of swimsuits and fans for cooling. Also,we ran dishwasher a few times for the maid so she did not have an overabundance of dishes to do. Where do they get charging for electricity?? Shouldn't that be part of the rent? We stayed on the north side the first week, and were only charged for air conditioning if we went over our alloted 150.00. (To discourage open doors, etc.) Would not stay here again because of this outrageous fee for only minimal use of electricity. The place and pool are nice, but owners need to wake up and quit taking advantage of their guests.

Owner response:We are delighted our guests and their friends enjoyed Provo and our house and its amenities. With regard to billing for electricity usage, Provo’s utility rates are more than 4 times the residential rate in Kansas City, and our guests did their part in conserving electricity by using less than $14/day. This add-on charge is onerous to both parties; however, in order to keep our rates down we must reluctantly charge for the usage. It is stated on all 11 web sites, it is in the written offer, and it is stated in the contract for full disclosure. We have had this policy for more than 6 years without a misunderstanding. Prior to having this policy, the average electrical usage was over $40/day with some exceeding $65/day.

Recommended for:

Fantastic Vacation!

Guest: LC (Louisiana)
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 06/08/11

We had a fantastic time in Turks and Caicos and really enjoyed our stay at the Oceanside Villa. The pool probably has the best view of all the villas in that subdivision and we were able to snorkel in the ocean right behind the house. It was so peaceful and calm near the house that it was by far one of the most relaxing vacations we had ever been on! Las Brisas resort is such a great bonus nearby and if you truly want to escape you really never need to leave the area and could dine here every night and never get tired of the menu! The service is great and food was some of the best on the island. We were also able to easily rent kayaks from Las Brisas and enjoy the beautiful sound. Great location for peace/quiet, beautiful view, wonderful house, and a trip we hope to return to again in the future!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+.

The epitome of a Caribbean vacation

Guest: Bill & Jane (Bedford, NH)
Date of Stay: 02/12/11 Review Submitted: 03/01/11

In the kitchen next to a mural of a palm tree, it is written “another day in paradise”. This could not be more appropriate. My wife and I stayed for two weeks, and each morning, as I waited for my coffee to brew, I wondered if this day would indeed live up to the challenge. We were not disappointed. Oceanside Tower Villa is the epitome of a Caribbean vacation. The tranquility of Oceanside Tower Villa is juxtaposed with Grace Bay’s energy where you can experience almost any water sport, shopping or restaurant imaginable – even an Irish pub. Provo is perfectly safe, and the local residents are very friendly and helpful. In Sapodilla Bay, Captain Bill rents his 24-foot T-Craft with a bimini top to skippers with limited boating experience, like us. We took it alone to Bonefish Point where we anchored just offshore in knee-high water and carried our lunch and snorkel gear to the deserted beach save a few pelicans, starfish and turtles. We walked Sapodilla or Taylor Bay every day just because they are so beautiful. The GraceWay IGA store has as much to offer as any major market in the U.S. This was surprising to us. In previous trips to other Caribbean islands we have never experienced the advanced infrastructure and the services as we found on Provo. Provo could use a larger airport, but you don’t know this until you leave. We went to Las Brisas Restaurant three times. There is no reason to go anywhere else. Las Brisas is currently ranked #1 on Provo by tripadvisor.com. There is good reason for this: superb food, excellent friendly service, reasonable prices and all less than five minutes away from the house. The owner, Rachel, is delightful and works very hard to insure that your experience is the same. You will also meet some local characters if you have a drink at the bar before your meal. We found Oceanside Tower Villa very comfortable and with all the latest amenities. The beds are very comfortable, and the screened-in porch provided serenity for an occasional nap. We swam and snorkeled right in front of the house, and we used the infinity pool extensively. I now know where the sun sets. It dips into the ocean halfway between Turtle Rock and Pirate’s Cove. We witnessed this event every night, so it has to be true. I wish we could have stayed another day in paradise forever. We will come back.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children.

breathtaking

Guest: Krispycritters (ipswich, ma)
Date of Stay: 01/29/11 Review Submitted: 02/12/11

We arrived in the early evening, & were welcomed by the property manager, who kindly led us to the house (a very easy 10mins from the airport), stopping at a local convenience store first so we could pick up the basic necessities for breakfast the next morning. We arrived after dark, so had no idea of what anything looked like until the next morning, when we opened our eyes onto the most spectacular views from the master bedroom! The house was amazing - wonderfully furnished, all the amenities one could ask for, with the added touches of things that you just don't want to lug across the Atlantic in your suitcase: linens, towels, soaps, etc were all provided. The decor was light and airy, complementing the architecture of high ceilings and fans. Winding stairs led from the great room up to the 'tower', where there was a sitting area which one could just go & enjoy the views (our 4 year old son made it his 'area', playing with his toys, reading books). We really appreciated the dining options of out by the pool or in the enclosed screened porch. There were a couple of nights when the mosquitoes were out, so the porch was perfect. It was blissfully quiet in the evenings, and the star-gazing was amazing! Having both the pool and the beach (when the tide was out) was great. Being able to lounge in the pool in the mornings and have fun in the ocean in the afternoon made for very relaxing days. Having a 4 year old meant a bit more caution was needed, but it was mere steps from one to the other. We very much appreciated the rafts, floats, and pool toys that were made available to us at the house as well. The house is local to everything, mere minutes to shopping and dining - we had wonderful evenings out in Turtle Cove at Sharkbite Restaurant and Tiki Hut. The IGA supermarket had everything we needed. If you fancied a quick coffee, the Green Bean whipped up a gorgeous latte and our son could not get enough of their chocolate chunk cookies! Oceanside Tower not only has it's own little beach, but a few minutes drive took us to Sapodilla Beach and Taylor's Bay, both of which have beautiful sandy beaches of their own. The sunsets on the beach were spectacular. We did find the entertainment center rather tricky to master; having internet/tv/stereo/cable etc all managed via a keyboard and several remotes meant that it took quite some time to just get onto anything. It was a bit more high-tech than what we felt was necessary. **HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!**

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.

A true fantasy vacation awaits you at Oceanside Tower Villa!

Guest: DC Family Who Loves to Vacation! (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/20/11

We were a three generation family who were lucky enough to enjoy the week after Christmas in this home. The weather was spectacular, but was only a small piece of why we enjoyed this trip so much. The house is an easy drive from the airport, in a very private but safe location. The moment we walked through the front door it was like a dream come true! The house was very inviting and comfortable. The layout offers plenty of privacy for anyone who needs a bit of time to relax and enjoy a little solitude, while also offering areas for everyone to gather comfortably. We ate all our meals on the back deck, enjoying the view. The kitchen was well stocked, we had everything we needed to make all our meals at home. The library of movies and books was also an unexpected treat, entertainment for everyone. A wonderful stock of pool towels and bath towels was located in each bathroom. The house was immaculately clean and everything was as advertised here. The highlight of this location for us was the ability to snorkel every day. As soon as the tide went out we all assembled at the steps down onto the sand and began the exploration - there was much to be seen in the rocks and coral along the shore and even more under the water. The water was clear and warm and held nothing but pleasant finds. We had considered taking some of the chartered snorkeling trips, but quickly realized we had everything we wanted right in our own back yard. The owners went far out of their way to answer our endless stream of questions before the trip and the local manager was eager to be sure we were 100% comfortable once we arrived. We strongly endorse this property and hope to have the opportunity to enjoy it again some day.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Escape!

Guest: SMK-TAK (Flemington, NJ USA)
Date of Stay: 05/22/10 Review Submitted: 06/04/10

Highly recommended for anyone who wishes to escape to one of the most beautiful and serene settings in the world. If you need constant entertainment and pampering, keep looking - this vacation will allow you to fully unwind as no scheduled, event-driven resort can match. Not for everyone, but for those that have always said "just put me on an island and leave me alone" - here's your chance!! P.S. - Ignore the weather forecasts - they always seem to show some rain, but the weather is incredible.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, girls getaway.