Coral Gardens/Reef Residences on Grace Bay

Description:

• It's not clear what's going on at this popular Grace Bay resort, which fronts one of the beach's top snorkeling and diving spots on Bight Reef in the Princess Alexandra National Park. Visionary Andre Niederhauser has decamped to Panama; the planned spa and Epicurean restaurant have not materialized. The Reef Residences lies behind Coral Gardens and has no ocean views -- plus, the two places have different management teams. And what of the heralded multimillion-dollar renovation? Most, if not all, of the resorts are condo hotels, with each unit privately owned. At Coral Gardens, some owners renovated; others, unfortunately, did not. In spite of their supremely generous space (full kitchens and even walk-in closets in some!) and deep, expansive balconies, many of the suites were looking ripe for a good refurbishment. Fortunately, what hasn't changed is the excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities literally right out your door; the on-site dive operator Cactus Voyager offers scuba courses, snorkeling tours, and complimentary snorkeling equipment. And you can always rely on the oceanfront Beach Café for tasty food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the delicious feel of sand in your toes while you're dining.

  What does this confusion mean to the consumer? At press time, fairly reasonable rates for a spacious oceanview suite in high season.

  Facilities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; 2 outdoor pools; golf (nearby); spa; fitness center; fishing; kayaks; sailing; scuba diving; snorkeling; excursion desk; 24-hr. room service; babysitting; nonsmoking rooms; bikes; convenience store; dive and snorkel shop; Wi-Fi.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010