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Beachside Villas #104431
08/03/2016 01:13 PM
08/03/2016 01:13 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 214
pburke40 Offline OP
Traveler
pburke40  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 214
We are considering a rental here for next year and have seen many positive comments on TTOL. We have a few questions. Can a specific unit be requested? Any unit that is preferred? (I realize that can be subjective) We have both had skin cancer. Are there beach umbrellas available? Flat screen TV? Any insights would be appreciated.

SXM Sponsors
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pburke40] #104432
08/03/2016 01:25 PM
08/03/2016 01:25 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 193
Compskier Offline
Traveler
Compskier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 193
We stayed at BSV late June/early July of this year and really loved it! Don't know about requesting specific units, but the unit we had (#12 I think) was great. Just keep in mind that only the bedrooms are air conditioned. There was a flat screen TV in the living room. As for umbrellas, there were beach loungers provided, but no umbrellas. We thought about going to the store and buying one, but we found that we didn't need one since the covered deck is so close to the water that we spent much of our time there when we weren't walking the beach or swimming. The breeze and shade was nice there and it was better than sitting under an umbrella. Plus you're so close that you could flip a coin to the water!
Ed

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pburke40] #104433
08/03/2016 02:02 PM
08/03/2016 02:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
It is my understanding that Drew and Tracy no longer will guarantee specific units. Inside they are EXACTLY alike, in terms of layout, etc., except for the couple that are three bedroom units--except that some of them are mirror images of each other--things exactly reversed from the unit next door.

With regard to particular units, #1 is the most private. It is also the furthest walk from the parking, but still not far at all. #14 is the closest to the pool. I prefer to be at the pool end. At the times that we generally go, there are not many kids there ever, but if there are kids, it can be noisy there in #14. Anywhere from 12 to 14 I think are the best as far as parking, because you literally can park your car at the end of your sidewalk and it is just a few feet to your front door. That’s great for lazy people like me, especially as we do a LOT of cooking there and it’s so convenient for hauling in groceries.

As far as umbrellas, as the other person said, no, they do not provide them. I generally rent one from Craig at Pack Light, who delivers and picks up right at the unit. I get an umbrella (pretty big one and pretty sturdy) and a small flat top cooler for I think it’s $20 a week. Really, as the other person said, you really don’t need an umbrella, because you can sit on the covered deck, which is basically never out in the sun. You don’t have to get sand all over you and it is a closer walk to the fridge for your drink! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

There is a TV in the main room, yes. I have been asking them for years to put TVs in the master bedroom also. I asked Drew about it again this year and he was noncommittal.

BSV is NOT brand new everywhere. There is no marble. There is no granite. There is no stainless steel. There is no dishwasher. There is no ice and water through the door of the fridge. In fact, the fridge doesn’t even have an icemaker. They have tons of ice cube trays and after the first day we always have plenty of ice.

What it is, is beautifully Caribbean, comfortable with lots of space, with almost your own private patch of sand, on one of the best beaches on the island. It’s not for people who like a lot of action around, or need lots of ‘services’. It provides me with just exactly what I need—relaxation, comfort, and the most fantastic view on the island!



[Linked Image]


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: Carol_Hill] #104434
08/03/2016 02:13 PM
08/03/2016 02:13 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
Traveler
RonDon  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,346
Rhode Island
Pburke I just sent you a PM look for the flashing envelope near your name.

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pburke40] #104435
08/03/2016 02:30 PM
08/03/2016 02:30 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,860
Greensboro,N.C.From Colonie NY
wildbill069 Offline
Traveler
wildbill069  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,860
Greensboro,N.C.From Colonie NY
[Linked Image] You don't need an umbrella there is a large deck to sit on out of the sun there is not another place on the island that you can walk out of you room right on to the beach.
It Just Don't Get Any Better!!!!!
95 days and counting for us.

Last edited by wildbill069; 08/03/2016 02:33 PM.
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: Carol_Hill] #104436
08/03/2016 02:43 PM
08/03/2016 02:43 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 193
Compskier Offline
Traveler
Compskier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 193
Hey Carol,
For some reason,your recent posts come through extra large as compared to other posts. It's such that I have to scroll the screen left to right to read all of your text or see the entire pictures. It doesn't seem to happen with posts from others. Is it something to do with your posts or is it my computer? I'm not the most tech savvy person on the planet, so I'm open to suggestions from those who are.
Thanks, Ed

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: Compskier] #104437
08/03/2016 02:55 PM
08/03/2016 02:55 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Same for me. I am guessing it is the size of the photo and the fact I am using an antique computer.


J.D.
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: Compskier] #104438
08/03/2016 02:55 PM
08/03/2016 02:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Probably not all posts, probably has to do with pictures being too wide for your screen. I have a constant fight with Eric when he re-sizes the pictures--I always want them larger and he says that they are too wide for a lot of people's screens! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> I will try to pay more attention to what he says in the future! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: Carol_Hill] #104439
08/03/2016 02:57 PM
08/03/2016 02:57 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Quote
I will try to pay more attention to what he says in the future!


You should have been paying more attention to Eric all along!


J.D.
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: ruralcarrier] #104440
08/03/2016 03:14 PM
08/03/2016 03:14 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Spoken just like a guy!! But I agree, too, in that I almost always have difficulty reading your posts that accompany the photos which are generally huge and dwarf the print of the posts. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: Carol_Hill] #104441
08/03/2016 03:15 PM
08/03/2016 03:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,080
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
Traveler
boucharda  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,080
Massachusetts
Look fine to me.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: boucharda] #104442
08/03/2016 03:21 PM
08/03/2016 03:21 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
And for what it's worth, IMHO, BSVs ARE FINE as long as you aren't the traveler that needs to be catered to. We stayed there and loved it but we are fairly independent and can usually roll with the punches. We recommended them to friends, the daughter and her husband loved the place and everything about it and the father and his S.O. were very disappointed because it lacked some of the glitz he's accostomed to and the staff to tend to his needs. I think how anyone feels about this property will depend on their individual perspectives but for sure, we loved it. Didn't miss a TV in the bedroom or airco in the rest of the unit and at bedtime, even with the doors and shutter/drapes closed, we could still hear the sounds of the waves. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there and would recommend it highly. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pat] #104443
08/03/2016 03:50 PM
08/03/2016 03:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Yeah, yeah, yeah... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pat] #104444
08/03/2016 03:50 PM
08/03/2016 03:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Agreed, that's the essence of being happy there. If you need to be catered to, it's not for you..


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pburke40] #104445
08/03/2016 04:40 PM
08/03/2016 04:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
Traveler
islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
We have always enjoyed our stays there, but when we stay there in November, it is very hot and humid without A/C in the main living area. If there are no ocean breezes, it can be very uncomfortable. I admit we are spoiled with total air conditioning at all the other villas and condos we have stayed at in the past. We love being right on the beach and would love to keep our screens open at night, but unfortunately that is not advised as there have been break ins in that area at night.There is a security guard that walks the beach at night so that helps a bit.The pool is lovely and usually very quiet and it is fun to watch the planes land and take-off as the location borders on the airport.The units are mainly all the same and only differ in the wall decor and paintings so the unit number is insignificant.




Re: Beachside Villas [Re: islandgem] #104446
08/03/2016 04:52 PM
08/03/2016 04:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
I agree would love to have a/c in the entire unit, but if there were, the price would be above what we could pay... As far as security, sadly, there is NOWHERE that I would feel safe on SXM these days, on the ground floor leaving a slider open at night.


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pburke40] #104447
08/03/2016 07:13 PM
08/03/2016 07:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
I believe all your questions have been answered. We are big fans of BSV and love Villa 1. As Carol mentions its the most private. TV only in living room as of last year and it was not a flat screen but large enough for sure. I don't think TVs have been replaced.

Free Wifi can be spotty but it's not much different any place else where we've used WiFi. I can usually move to another part of the villa and get reception.

We go in October when it's hot and humid. During the day we are either in the ocean or on the deck and can refresh using the outdoor shower head to cool off if needed. In the evening we keep the sliders open as well as the front door for cross ventilation.

When we retire to bed its into the cool bedroom.

We love staying there.

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: fabila] #104448
08/03/2016 07:54 PM
08/03/2016 07:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 214
pburke40 Offline OP
Traveler
pburke40  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 214
Thank you everyone for your feedback. It is much appreciated!

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: fabila] #104449
08/03/2016 08:32 PM
08/03/2016 08:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Louise--they are flat screen TVs now. We were in #1 in May/June this year, and there is a flat screen there now. Our wifi was pretty rock solid in May/June..

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 08/03/2016 08:33 PM.

Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pburke40] #104450
08/04/2016 12:02 PM
08/04/2016 12:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 188
South Jersey
davecyndi Offline
Traveler
davecyndi  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 188
South Jersey
We have been here since 7/28 and leave tomorrow. We requested a unit as close to the pool as possible. We ended up with #14 right next to the pool. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
In fact this is the unit that Drew uses when he comes down. He graciously allowed us to have it this week, and he is down this week.
We highly recommend BSV.
Looks like we have found our new SXM home.
PM me if you have any question.
Regards,

David

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: Carol_Hill] #104451
08/04/2016 12:05 PM
08/04/2016 12:05 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
Traveler
jazzgal  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
FWIW - I have no problem reading your posts. I love the image size!


[Linked Image]
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: davecyndi] #104452
08/04/2016 12:10 PM
08/04/2016 12:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Glad you guys are enjoying it! Enjoy!


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: jazzgal] #104453
08/04/2016 12:10 PM
08/04/2016 12:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
It depends on how wide your monitor is..


Carol Hill
Re: Beachside Villas [Re: pburke40] #104454
08/08/2016 02:52 PM
08/08/2016 02:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613
originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223 Offline
Traveler
irish1223  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613
originally Long Island, NY/now...
A little late to the party here, but my two cents, FWIW. We have stayed at BSV in the past and have to agree with Elizabeth (islandgem) that we were quite uncomfortable without A/C in the living room/kitchen areas. It was very hot and humid when we were there (I believe it was September) and I had to go cool off in the bedroom several times during the day. Yes, we do like our a/c. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> The other thing to be aware of is if you go with another couple, the back bedroom is much smaller and darker. DH and I had the main bedroom, but I would not have wanted to stay in the back bedroom. Also the planes going by overhead did not bother dh and myself, but they did bother the other couple we were with.

On a positive note, it was very nice staying right ON the beach. You're literally a stone's throw from the water.

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: irish1223] #104455
08/13/2016 05:32 PM
08/13/2016 05:32 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 389
blackmercedes Offline
Traveler
blackmercedes  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 389
We are staying there next week for the first time! It's probably our 13th time to SXM. We are very excited about this new discovery! BSV looks perfect for us.

Re: Beachside Villas [Re: blackmercedes] #104456
08/13/2016 08:08 PM
08/13/2016 08:08 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Looking forward to hearing what you think about it..


Carol Hill

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