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Bluebeard's Beach Club any updates?

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Bluebeard's Beach Club any updates?

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(@bernadette)
Posts: 33
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Plans have suddenly changed for this summer and we are going to be able to come back for a week's stay, much to my joy! Thought I was going to be waiting till at least Feb 2014 or August after. (And still planning that as well:-) )
I've had many happy day trips off of cruise ships and two summers back finally came to stay for the first time for 8 days. We stayed at Sapphire and I really enjoy the Red Hook location with easy access to STJ and the BVI as well as some nice restaurants for dinners.
But we own a vacation condo here at home and can do an exchange this August virtually for free at BBC. In February 2009 we visited the club off a ship because at the time we were going to actually buy in there. Deal stalled and we cancelled it. But was not bad then and has supposedly undergone a significant upgrading since.
While I liked being based at the East End, we will be renting a car and traveling all around same as we did before. So it seems silly to spend money to rent a unit over there if we can just exchange for one at BBC.
Anyone have any opinions to share? Would appreciate "insider" perspectives.

 
Posted : May 5, 2013 8:58 am
(@stt-resident)
Posts: 3316
Famed Member
 

I've never stayed at BBC but have friends who stay there every year and absolutely love it. I'm familiar with the set-up and it's a very laid back, comfortable and peaceful place. Lovely beach and its location is just fine for getting around all over the island. Have a great time and so glad an earlier trip has worked out for you!

One little hint - we've been spared for many years now but you'll be traveling in hurricane season and it's always a good idea to take out trip insurance when traveling to the Caribbean during that time. Check around to see what's offered and you'll find that the cost is very small for good coverage.

 
Posted : May 5, 2013 10:09 am
(@gerie)
Posts: 407
Reputable Member
 

I'd like to think I'm among STT Res's friends. I own at Bluebeard's Beach Club and have visited every year since 1997, making this coming August my 16th visit. I have now wrangled a way to stay for three weeks at a time. The units in the entire resort have been redone in both decor and bath and kitchen. They are quite lovely.

The grounds are continually maintained, and each year there seems to be something new they've done. As STT Res said, the beach is lovely, with enough sea life to keep snorkeling interesting. It's relatively quiet there, with no cruise ship excursions invading the property. There have been many times we've been the only one on the beach or in the water. Activity at the pool and pool bar can be quite lively at times.

The folks from the dive shop on the beach, Aquamarine, are just wonderful. http://www.diveaquamarine.com Each Sunday the Activities Director, Victoria, has a gathering where different vendors meet with guests to discuss their excursions, many at a reduced rate for Beach Club guests.

The one inconvenience to the resort is that there is no full restaurant on the grounds. Restaurants in general have had hard times on the island and finding one to start up here has been difficult. However, hot breakfast is served at the pool bar, and the barkeeps also prepare some great paninis. On Tuesdays, if enough people sign up, Victoria has a barbecue/beach party with craft vendors and music. If you have stayed at Sapphire and survived there with no restaurant, you will be fine here.

I agree that staying in the Red Hook area offers lots of dining choices and easy access to ferries, but I like the convenience of the more central Frenchman's Bay area, equally convenient to Downtown, Frenchtown, Northside, and East End, especially if you're renting a car.

As far as stormy weather is concerned, I'm well aware that it is hurricane season and assume that one of these years space and time will align just so that we will get to experience a hurricane during our time on island. So far we've been lucky although some August storms have passed close enough to the north or south to churn up the seas and offer some weather. Good advice about trip insurance.

I've rambled a bit here...can you tell I love the place? If you're there in August, we're bound to meet up. We'll be there for 3 weeks.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask.

 
Posted : May 5, 2013 2:16 pm
(@stt-resident)
Posts: 3316
Famed Member
 

Gerie wrote:
I'd like to think I'm among STT Res's friends.

For true, Gerie!

Wow, that time is coming around again so fast - it seems it was only just the other week that you were here. I forgot to mention Victoria - she's such an asset to any resort and a true ambassador for the USVI!

Look forward to seeing you in August and having you over to my North side aerie on the mountain where I've truly found a home!!!

 
Posted : May 5, 2013 3:31 pm
(@bernadette)
Posts: 33
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the response and the hurricane tip. We are well aware and always buy trip insurance for all trips. I am a teacher so I have to travel then but won't let it keep me away from the VI.
We have cruised nearly every August since 2001. Actually when we came to stay in STT in August 2011, nearly didn't make it down because Hurricane Irene decided to come up here to New England instead! We were fortunate to get down ahead of it and that our area (Cape Cod) was not struck, though we did spend the first day and a half monitoring the TV down there to see which way she was going and fretting a bit.
Since we are going to be able to stay close to free, we are looking now to see if there is another BBC unit available to rent and hoping to bring our daughter, son-in-law and then 14 month old granddaughter with us!

 
Posted : May 5, 2013 7:26 pm
(@bernadette)
Posts: 33
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks so much. Sort of sorry now that the deal we pursued to buy at BBC didn't occur. My husband's a realtor but he understood that the legal wrangling in VI is different. But after a couple of years of waiting to close we just decided to pull out.
We did think it was just fine when we visited in Feb.09. Limetree Beach is lovely and I agree that as long as we have a car, we can do much of the same as we did last time and more. Just a different position for "base camp". And like you, we've been really blessed regarding the hurricanes during our travels.
As I said to STT Res, since the trip will be less expensive for us, we're now putting out inquiries for a 2nd unit with the idea of bringing my daughter and her husband and our little granddaughter along. We're looking at 8/11-8/17 and so it would be delightful if we meet up. Hit the pause button on the hurricanes long enough for us to get there!

 
Posted : May 5, 2013 7:37 pm
(@serenity)
Posts: 8
Active Member
 

I have never been to BBC but have heard wonderful things about the property. I am posting just to possibly offer another option. I am not sure how your exchange is taking place, but I know BBC is a Wyndam property and I wanted to let you know that the Elysian Beach Resort on the East End of the island near Red Hook, is also a Wyndam property.

 
Posted : May 5, 2013 7:53 pm
(@bernadette)
Posts: 33
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks very much for that tip. I was curious to visit there when we were last on island but we never did go over. Good to know about it for another time.
We are set through an exchange with our own vacation condo owned locally. My husband confirmed it for us last night for August 10 through the 17th.
Now we are looking to see if someone has another unit to rent for that same week in BBC in order to bring our family along.

 
Posted : May 6, 2013 5:51 pm
(@gerie)
Posts: 407
Reputable Member
 

STT Resident wrote:

Look forward to seeing you in August and having you over to my North side aerie on the mountain where I've truly found a home!!!

I too am looking forward to August. It will be lovely to see you again. First comes the thrill of my end of June retirement.

 
Posted : May 6, 2013 8:54 pm
(@gerie)
Posts: 407
Reputable Member
 

Bernadette wrote:
...we're now putting out inquiries for a 2nd unit with the idea of bringing my daughter and her husband and our little granddaughter along. We're looking at 8/11-8/17 and so it would be delightful if we meet up. Hit the pause button on the hurricanes long enough for us to get there!

Our Owners Board president rents out delinquent units. If you send me a private message here with some contact information I'll forward it to her to get back to you if there are potential units to rent.

BTW, I'm a teacher too, which is why my St. Thomas timeshare is in August.

 
Posted : May 6, 2013 9:02 pm
(@bernadette)
Posts: 33
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Soon to be retired teacher? Congratulations on that. I have a ways to go but am a "veteran" teacher now at my school and seeing more and more long-time colleagues retire. They all say it'll really hit you in September. You can stay on in STT!

I'll PM you with contact info. Thanks.

 
Posted : May 7, 2013 5:35 pm
(@bernadette)
Posts: 33
Eminent Member
Topic starter
 

Thanks for the help, Gerie. My husband heard from Darla and is working on booking a second unit. We asked our daughter today at brunch on her first Mother's Day if she would like to spend her next birthday at BBC. She and our son--in-law are thrilled to becoming along with our granddaughter. So I'll look forward to meeting you there. Meantime, I'm joining the BBC Facebook group too. Anticipation is a great part of it!

 
Posted : May 12, 2013 2:55 pm

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