Info needed on Island Seas - Freeport

[nytraveler]

Hi,

I am considering Island Seas resort in Freeport at the end of June. Has anyone been there lately? I have read mixed reviews on the ratings database.

Also, is it ok for a female to travel alone to Freeport? Sounds like the island is mostly for couples and/or families.

 

[Victoria]

We were there two years ago, and it is a beautiful resort. Just stay away from the sales presentation. it is the worst that we have ever been to. In fact, when she heard we were not going to buy, she walked out on us and refused to give us our gift!

I think that a single girl would be fine, there are several good tours that we went on, and good transpo to the shopping area.

The beaches there are incredible - have a great holiday!

 

[donnaval]

We were there the week after Thanksgiving, and loved it! I was very nervous about the exchange because I read such bad reviews on Trip Advisor. I don't know where those people had stayed, because our week at the Island Seas was wonderful.

Three gals went--me, my mom and my best friend. We felt perfectly safe at all times. We used the resort's free shuttle service to go in to Freeport a few times for shopping and dining. We also went to the Wednesday Night Fish Fry with Mitch from the resort, who charged a very reasonable amount to take us there and bring us back. You can ask in the lobby for him, and you'll get hooked up.

Our unit was very nice, and we had daily maid service. There is a tiny convenience store at the resort but don't expect to be able to buy much there--the selection is extremely limited and the prices will take your breath away. We took the resort shuttle into Freeport one day and then walked down the street to the public bus stop (the "buses" are actually vans) and the driver took us to the Winn-Dixie for shopping. Be aware that food costs a lot even there! (Example, pack of Thomas's English muffins, $5.25) She gave us a card with her phone number and said she'd even pick us up and take us to the end of the Island Seas' street which is not a scheduled stop, but as it tuned out a taxi driver who was checking out as we were offered us a great rate to go back, so we did that.

If you are going alone, they won't bother you for tours. They didn't bother us at all since we didn't have husbands with us, just said "next time you ladies bring your men, okay?" There was a separate room for RCI exchangers to check-in, and they gave you free coffee while you were waiting, gave you your safe key, etc.

The resort does not have many planned activities (or at least they didn't in late November/early December). There is an activity desk in the lobby with lots of off-site offerings. The resort staff was friendly and accommodating--Nelson even hauled loungers up to our balcony from the pool. We ate at the restaurant on site a couple of times and it was okay. There's a conch shack down the beach from the resort that we visited a couple of times. There is nothing within walking distance of the resort other than the AWESOME beach right at your feet, so you will need to use the shuttle or taxi (of if Mitch is available he will take you at a very reasonable price) if you want to do something on your own.

We'd go back for sure. Don't let those reviews scare you. If you decide to go, you'll feel like you're in paradise.

 

[Happytravels]

Island Seas Resort/exchanges

I have some questions as to the exchanges you have made into this resort. We are owners here and wanted to go for two weeks EOY. I have wrote to the reservations dept and they told me I can exchange back in for the second week. I didn't want to have to do that as it is never a guarantee you will get what you want. So I wrote and asked about the Bohemian tax for the exchanged week. This is her response to the e-mails I have sent:
________________________________________________


You don't pay taxes on Owners week.



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From: BRIGHTEYES1128B@aol.com [mailto:BRIGHTEYES1128B@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 3:49 AM
To: Shirley Cooper
Subject: Re: reservations


If we exchange back into Island Seas through our exchange company will we have to pay the tax on the room?

In a message dated 6/13/2009 10:47:30 A.M. Central Daylight Time, ShirleyC@islandseas.com writes:
If you deposit your 2010 week you can use it in 2011 by going Thur your exchange company if they have the week that you want in their inventory.


thank you



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From: BRIGHTEYES1128B@aol.com [mailto:BRIGHTEYES1128B@aol.com]
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 5:13 AM
To: Shirley Cooper
Subject: reservations


Good Morning Shirley,

I wanted to ask if there is any way I could make reservations for next year for two weeks in a row consecutive weeks our account number is XXXXXX we own one bedroom. We would like to go in June 2010. Could we use our 2010 week and our 2011 week together? If we pay both maintenance fees?
_________________________________________________________________
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


Now, I am a little confused as to what she is really saying. Sounds like they will charge me the tax which is about $25.00 per person per night for the exchanged week. Also on another note, they deal with INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL and when I bought it was an RCI resort. I doubt I would get a trade back in as I only deal with RCI.

If anyone owns at this resort would PM so we could talk. I really don't want to deposit my week with RCI and would like to make some arrangements with another owner. If this is not allowed please move or delete. I think I followed all the rules but who knows........