Hello all.....just got an exchange thru rci into the Simpson Bay resort and marina. 2 bedroom. Wondering if anyone has ever exchanged to this resort. I know where it is,,,perfect location for us....just wondering what the bedroom situation is like. Hard to tell from site. Speaks of 2 bedroom and suite 2 bedroom....and is there a difference between simpson bay resort and marina and simpson bay resort villas? just a little clarification needed please and thanks!!

Simpson Bay Villas is the newest building closest to the Atrium Resort.It is the best one to exchange into. SIMPSON BAY marina building is just past that and also on the water. There is a big renovation going on at the marina buildings now so eventually they will be nice too. Either exchange should be fine, but if I had a choice, I would choose the villas.

i am going to have to call the resort itself....because the notice from RCI simply said 2 bedroom,,,sleeps 6, privacy 6 (which made me wonder) and the resort name was Simpson bay resort and marina.....which does not tell me whether it is villas, marina,,or up higher across the road (it appears there is part of the resort up there as well,,??) very confusing.

OK, glad you waited to get something into Simpson Bay. TAKE IT. There are a lot of different configurations in the various buildings there, but all are now renovated, except for the Marina Building, and I don't think there are any 2 br units there. You may not get an ocean view, but you will get a renovated unit, and it will be in the area where you can walk to a bunch of different things. The Villas are different, yes, best units in the resort, all full ocean view, but at this point, I wouldn't worry about it, you have a good exchange. Go with it..

I'm at Simpson Bay now, in the building that has the check in area.
Third floor, we have 2 bedroom2 bath.
Our configuration: We have the "A" and "B" sides. The "A" side has a bedroom with a king bed, bathroom with a vanity just outside the bathroom with 2 sinks, full kitchen and living room (and 2 Murphy beds), full balcony the entire width accessible from either the bedroom or the living room. Connecting door to the "B" unit, which has bathroom, kitchen area (no stove, but mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Small balcony off the bedroom which has 2 queen beds. Safe in each unit, and each unit has hair dryer, and iron. Not sure if it's "marina" or "villas".

If you're in the building with check-in, you are in the Villas, and based on your description also, sounds like you are in the villas..

So,,to isgrocr,,,I take it you have full ocean view? And can I ask if you did an exchange thru RCI or Interval or did you just rent it outright. I will call tomorrow to the resort and ask if they will tell me where my unit is. We really do like ocean view,,,but may take this exchange anyways. We will be bringing another "newbie" couple to SXM so I like to have full info on particulars of their soon to be vacation. Thanks everyone for your responses.

Simpson Bay Resort and Marina is NOT the Simpson Bay Villas.

Take it. You can always upgrade to the villas if you don't like the unit they assign you.

I do: full view from both balconies of Simpson Bay. I just get confused with all the different names they have for the units. Started staying here when it was just the Pelican. Last week, I was in B building of old pelican, then some friends from the states joined me. We rented through Expedia the units (3 weeks total) Because I was moving from an older unit, they have a number of rooms that you are allowed to move your stuff into, even before they are cleaned. They put me on the ground floor, but 2 of my friends had never been to the island before, and I wanted them to have a good view. Yuanisto was very accommodating, but even so, it took me 4 trips back to get something on the third floor. (Computer system seems to go week to week, and switchover is not seamless. At least, that's what they said, but being a former programmer, I know the computer gets blamed for a lot of things that are actually human errors.

As was mentioned SBR and SB Villas are two different entities but in the same resort area and both use the same check in.

I have stayed in most all the buildings and there are not really any bad two bedroom units. Some are up/down lockouts some are not. "Sleeps 6 privately" just means there is a separation (door(s) ) between the pullout (now Murphy bed) and the other bedrooms. The only issue will be ocean view....some have a full view, some do not....still nice units.

Re: calling to find out your unit assignment. II sometimes has the unit listed but other times it is assigned at check in depending what is open. I would assume RCI does the same. I bet it will be in one of the C buildings which are up down separate units each with a deck/balcony. Just a hunch...

All of the units except the F building (our building) have been renovated & are beautiful. The only concern which has been stated is the view. Some have no view. You can walk to many restaurants which is great. A little hint to avoid the hill coming back is to go thru the Villa parking lot & go up the stairs in the Marina Building. It saves a little huffing & puffing ( in my case, not my husband's). Enjoy the resort, it is really at its finest except for our building, one more year.

hello again....I am getting "sketchy" info,,,and RCI said they had on their records that it was unit D17?? Does that sound like a legit unit. Does anyone have any idea where that might be,,,and if there is ocean front. They said it was facing Simpson Bay,,,two full bedrooms, full kitchen....I have not phoned resort myself yet,,,just sharing the most recent info I have??

NOPE D17 IS NOT A VILLA...

I don't own a timeshare but have stayed in them many times. Sometimes renting through an owner, sometimes renting through a 3rd party and also through friends who were able to get me a unit through RCI or II. One thing I found out is the rental/exchange agencies really don't know a lot about any particular property UNLESS there is a specific unit assigned. Sometimes there is a specific unit attached and sometimes there is not.

If you do not have a specific unit you are likely guaranteed a 2 bedroom but it could be in any of the various buildings and may not be assigned until you actually check in.

I don't know Pelican/Simpson Bay Resort that well but have been in many units there. If this were Royal Palm we were talking about, there would not be a problem as all 2 bedroom units are basically the same with ocean views.

As long as you have the number of bedrooms you need and the location is in the area you desire, I would relax and go with the flow.

Its not ocean front or view it did at one time have a great view but since they built the Simpson Bay Villas the only view you have is the back of it depending if you are on the first or 2nd floor .
http://www.royalresortscaribbean.com/Ima...licanresort.pdf
http://www.royalresortscaribbean.com/Ima...licanresort.pdf

That is disappointing news...I am not sure about floor,,as the way it is described on site floor plan and description of room is that there are two levels,,,bottom floor and top floor and top floor has balcony? Maybe from up there you can see something. I would hate the idea of looking into back of building and I cannot see where we would have a pool to have use of without walking a fair distance? Guess we are spoiled,,,have always had ocean front or ocean view. However, I did find out D17 has apparently been totally updated, on the plus side, lol.......Thanks again people,,all the info I can get, really helps <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

finally got a consistant answer to my query re at least a view....it was not favourable. The D17 is not a two storey unit, as I was told. And it does not have ocean view or bay view as I was told,,,the view is back of the villas,,,,,just as you said. Thanks for that tip. To many it may sound like we are being fussy, but our style is to take in lots of different restaurants, beaches, etc....but we love, just love to start our day off with coffees, or caesars on the balcony or porch,,,reading the paper, watching the cruise ships come in or out, or just plain looking at the water....some days,,,we didn't even leave the condo...only maybe down to the pool or beach for a splash and out for dinner close by. Sounds like D17 is totally renovated, which would be lovely,,,but the view I think is the biggest downfall,,,we would be looking at the cars and people struggling to get up the hill....some may say I am foolish, but I might have to release this exchange and pray I get another one,,,even at a different time....such difficult decisions to make. Maybe if we were not once again, introducing newbies to the island it would be different,,,but oh man, the view really is a big thing.As someone said,,,the Royal Palm is good for that, as all face the water with no obstructions....and it was nice and close to keep an eye on the yachts coming and going....could I get so lucky?? lol.....thanks again for helping me out.

You can pay a little extra and get a condo at the Villas. Many people who really want the view prefer to do that. If you are planning to be there in January, time is fast approaching and securing another good unit may not be in your favour. Of course it is your final decision, and we cannot advise you on that.

Hi there ....yes I know it is my decision,,,it's just so hard. People say...risk it...you might get a different unit at check in. You mentioned upgrading to villa? I heard that was over a thousand dollars? can that be true? Wish the canadian dollar was better....I know full well this is a great area...and it's such a risk to let it go....lol...maybe before 8pm tonight something will be clearer to me and I can make the final decision.! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

D17 is the second unit as you go up the hill from the casino which means that the Villas are way to the right of the unit. You MAY have a view of Simpson Bay/Airport over the Marina parking garage. It is a 1st floor unit so that might be an issue with the view.

Very nice unit though...pool right across the street, steps to casino/restaurants/Peli Deli, parking could be a PIA.

We own 3 weeks at the Simpson Bay & Marina. Did own in F
Building for many years, had to exchange into the Marina due
to medical issues. The units in both the F building and Marina are much bigger square footage than the Villas. Marina
now is renovated, F Building due to be done next Spring. The
5th floor is all 2 BR units, with one 3BR on the end 510.
There is no comparison with the Villas to the Marina 2 BR
units or the F Building 2 BR. We have hot tub on the roof,
complete privacy with our balcony, and private parking spot.
F Building has 2 BR units and 2 BR Penthouse units. PH
units have 2 balconies - 1 off LR on 1st floor of unit and
2nd one off master BR on 2nd floor.The 2 BR units compose of
2 floors and are beach/water front.

Simpson Bay Resort and Marina is everything except the Villas. Unless they have changed their web site since I checked it last, it has the layout of the whole resort including suite numbers and you can see the arrangement of every suite. So go to town on their site and have a ball

Here are some listings for rentals by owners at the Royal Palm. There is also a page for Flamingo, Atrium and Simpson bay Resort.
http://smx2.atlanticwebfitters.net/Default.aspx?tabid=91