Help on rooms - Lambert Beach Resort

We are staying at the Lambert Beach Resort for one night after our charter in October. The beach front rooms are $210.00 and the garden View are $125.00 That's a pretty big difference. I have asked for the updated rooms as I understand that some are not updated yet. Anyone have an opinion about these 2 rooms and if it's worth it for the beach front?
And before you ask, yes. I looked into The Tamarind Club. Based on the reviews on TA, Lamberts wins hands down. Closer to beach, better restaurant and nicer hotel staff.

WOW that seems very surprising about Tamarind as I've read, or so I thought, a lot of positive commentrs here on TTOL.

But if you read TripAdvisor, it is very mixed, with the negatives generally about two of the four family members, the dogs or lost reservation/credit card issues. YMMV

I use TA as well but we had a very good experience there the one time we went to watch the Kentucky Derby and met the owners who are from Woodstock, GA as are we.

Also looking at TA Tamarind is rated #10/28 while Lambert is 8/28 not a blowout. Since January 1st Lambert has eleven 5*, eight 4*, four 3*, and one 2*. Tamarind has seven 5*, four 4*, and one 2*.

NOT for argument just for comparison sake.

Stayed one night at Lambert in 2007. I think they were in transition, ownership-wise, at the time.

Anyway, I had paid for a gardenview room, but without asking, was upgraded to a beach front...must've been my charming face...actually I was one of only two customers that night! The room was a bit dated, but very clean and comfortable. The landscaping was gorgeous, and I did a little walk and sniff tour of the garden at sunrise.

This past January we stayed at Tamarind to enjoy the full moon party at Trellis before heading home. We had 2 meals and a continental breakfast, all delicious and enjoyable in the covered living space next to the bar and pool.

Our room was clean, but needed maintenance on the doors and lacked enough electric outlets to have room lights and recharge our electronics. At checkout, they volunteered that a mistake had been made with our reservation and charged us a low season rate, which cheered us up considerably.

Lambert Beach has gone through several years of trials and tribulations followning the Raffle's debacle but appears to be on the way back. The original owners finally recovered clear title late in 2014 and I believe Giorgio Paradisi,formerly of Giorgio's on VG, is running it now.

This is so interesting to us. I believe we stayed there in the 90s?? This was our first trip to the BVIs. We went sailing also with Patouche. These were the days of having almost hourly USAIR flights from SJU to EIS.....WOW! We had a garden room then and it was plain but quite nice. They even had a tennis court and pool....gosh...can't remember the year. They also were famous for their Sunday brunches.

Stayed at Lamberts and Tamarind in the last two times we were down there chartering. Lamberts hands down. Go for the garden room. #23 or 25. The rooms are simple. But best of all those rooms are 15 yards from the beach. North swell was up and heard surf all night long.
Geeta runs the desk, it will be slow season and she will bend over backwards to get you the room you want.

If it helps, I was just there at Lamberts in April. I wish I knew how to get photos on here because I took them of the grounds, pool, restaurant.

Be aware that in any sort of north swell the under tow at Lambert and Josiah's can be deadly. The worst rip currents on accessable beaches in the BVI.

Thank you so much for all the great info. Leelanaugirl, I have PM'd you twice because I remembered your post about upcoming trip to LB. I would love to see some pictures. You can email me. I will send my email address thru PM.
Thanks
Linda

Glad you asked this question. We are thinking about staying at Lambert in Oct also. The villa we rented will only rent Saturday to Saturday and we arrive on Thursday.

My crew went to lamberts on our last trip. They were very happy with everything, the room, food and grounds. Wished I would have stayed there.

The word around island is that Lambert is again in a "state of flux." Restaurant recently closed abruptly - no advance notice, then reopened again a few weeks later, but I understand they are looking to hire a new chef. The rooms are indeed right on the beach, but I personally would choose Tamarind. Their rooms are clean and all rooms have a/c and a mini fridge, and you just can't beat the food! Portions are huge, prices are very reasonable, staff is very accommodating. Very large pool and you can even swim up to the bar! Even a free welcome drink upon check-in. Tamarind is closing for the slow season after brunch on Sunday, 2 August, and they will be renovating for the 6 or so weeks that they will be closed. I'm sure you will be pleased with either place, just my two cents!

Thanks Mary for the heads up about the restaurant at Lamberts. That really important to us because we don't want to leave the place for dinner. Looking forward to just chilling in the pool and drinking our last island drinks. Now back to square one. Ugh!

After reading this thread we are really considering Tamarind. I have a question. If the doors do not have locks at Tamarind, what do you do with valuables when you leave for the beach?

We stayed at Tamarind a few years ago after our two weeks aboard reef Song before our departure home and loved it. 15 minute walk to Josiah's beach which was lovely. lots of locals do visit ( with their dogs) Didn't bother us.....and the food was indeed wonderful and plentiful. The pool was refreshing and a nice way to cool off before bed. the rooms yes are basic, cool a/c and the doors don't lock. We simply stowed our stuff in our bags and did not worry about it.

We explored the entire North shore beaches that same trip by car and yes Lamberts beach and resort are lovely. totally deserted tho when we were there.

I guess depends what you are after...a room right on a gorgeous beach with questionable service or a solid spot with a good reputation a little walk away from another gorgeous beach. Josiah's has a very cool vibe with the incredible Naoimi and her awesome beach bar.

we have also stayed in Josiah's Bay Inn ...also run by Naoimi....small little apartments , clean and well maintained but no a/c .

wish Photobucket didn't hate me ...I'd upload some of the many photos I have of these places. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Kim. We are land based and villa is only available Sat to Sat. We arrive on Thursday. Looking at different options for our first 2 nights. We always stay on west end so we're looking to explore other end of island first 2 days.

We love Ms Naomi. We stayed 1 night with her post sailing trip. Went back the next year to say hello and she remembered us.

Also thinking about flying into VG and stay 2 nights at Leverick. Just trying to figure out if I want to haul luggage back to Tortola on the ferry.

Anybody been to Lambert's in the past couple of months? What did you think?

We have stayed at Tamarind a few times and enjoyed it a lot.
Very nice atmosphere. Good food and if you are there on the right night, they do a great team trivia quiz game. Don't mind the dogs. Once you get there you will realize that there is no one there to compromise your valuables.

Stay at Tamarind. We spent two nights there last month. Great place. Food was good, hospitality was great, wine was cold. I can't wait to go back. We had a blast.