Requesting tips and pointers for Harborside

[Julian926]

Is the VAT, an additional 15% tax, and is there another 15% service charge?

 

[blondietink]

The VAT in the Bahamas is 7.5% and is added to everything, even the 15% service charge. It gets very expensive to have drinks or food at a restaurant or bar in the Bahamas. They even charge the VAT on groceries.

 

[mindy35]

Yes, there is a tax and a 15% service charge.

Although we asked, we never did find out if the server actually personally receives these funds as a tip.

Your question prompted me to check - whototip.net :

"On most restaurant bills in the Bahamas, a 15% service charge is usually added to the final bill. If there is a service charge you shouldn't leave a gratuity, expect if you receive exceptional service. It's rare, but if a service charge is not included, you should leave at least a 15% gratuity. At a more luxurious restaurant you may wish to change this to 20%.

At a bar, it is standard to give a tip between 10-15% to any staff members that bring drinks to your table or $1-$2 per round of drinks for the bartender. This amount should be based on how satisfied you are with the service."

 

[mindy35]

Wifi: Had terrible service with Pocket Wifi, as it quit working after day 1. Couldn't get our money back because we'd pre-paid it outside the 3 month window where you can dispute charges. We ended up paying for the onsite wifi, which was expensive, but worked. We had no trouble connecting at the pool.

Had I only listened Lisa????? it was very frustrating!

 

[LisaRex]

Had I only listened Lisa????? it was very frustrating!

And expensive. We paid $100 for the stupid thing and it capped out on Day 1 after claiming that we'd used 1 gb of data. We were only using our cell phones to check email and check websites for weather. No streaming. So we ended up paying for the exorbitant Pocket Wifi PLUS exorbitant HRA wifi. Never again.

In contrast, last month we traveled to Grand Cayman. Verizon services Grand Cayman so we signed up for their international data plan for $32/month ($40 before my corporate discount) for 100 texts, 100 voice calls and 100 mb of data. In an entire week, neither of us exceeded 100 mb of data. Yet PocketWifi was saying we exceeded 10x that amount in 1 day.

Don't say you weren't warned!

 

[okwiater]

And expensive. We paid $100 for the stupid thing and it capped out on Day 1 after claiming that we'd used 1 gb of data. We were only using our cell phones to check email and check websites for weather. No streaming. So we ended up paying for the exorbitant Pocket Wifi PLUS exorbitant HRA wifi. Never again.

In contrast, last month we traveled to Grand Cayman. Verizon services Grand Cayman so we signed up for their international data plan for $32/month ($40 before my corporate discount) for 100 texts, 100 voice calls and 100 mb of data. In an entire week, neither of us exceeded 100 mb of data. Yet PocketWifi was saying we exceeded 10x that amount in 1 day.

Don't say you weren't warned!

Since you were on a Wifi connection, your phones may have been silently downloading app updates in the background, which could easily consume 1 GB. When connected to Verizon, your phones would have behaved differently since they know they're on a metered connection.

 

[emeryjre]

I have heard from another person that is a Harborside regular that a T-Mobile account is a great alternative for WiFi. Apparently T-Mobile phone works in some countries the same way it works in the US. No need to sign up for International Plan and pay additional fees for limited service like Verizon and AT&T. Apparently there is T-Mobile service in the Bahamas.
I am tied to my current AT&T account until October at which point I will look at T-Mobile for myself

Anybody have any experience with T-Mobile in the Bahamas

 

[LisaRex]

Since you were on a Wifi connection, your phones may have been silently downloading app updates in the background, which could easily consume 1 GB. When connected to Verizon, your phones would have behaved differently since they know they're on a metered connection.

I suppose that's possible, but if that's the case, it would cement my advice to not waste your money on PocketWifi, no? You'll pay $100 to silently update your apps.

 

[lily28]

I have t mobile and get free text and free 2-3G data while at harborside and Atlantis. Can use voice call $0.2 per minutes. The free data really handy to check emails and surfing the web but not fast enough for streaming

 

[okwiater]

I suppose that's possible, but if that's the case, it would cement my advice to not waste your money on PocketWifi, no? You'll pay $100 to silently update your apps.

Perhaps, but your previous message seemed to imply that PocketWifi was not being truthful in claiming that you had consumed 1 GB. I was just pointing out that it may have been accurate. But I agree that a Wifi hotspot with a low data usage cap is a bad investment.

 

[komosatp]

Anybody have any experience with T-Mobile in the Bahamas

We've had T-Mobile the past few years. The free international roaming is great. Yes, its not fast enough for streaming, but fine for basic email checking and a little web browsing or social media. While its just 2G speed, nobody else is on the 2G network, so its speed is consistent and reliable.

When you turn your phone on in the Bahamas, you get an automatic text from T-Mobile:

It amuses me that people think its a good deal when their provider charges them $70 for a week of use on vacation. That just reflects how well the other guys have conditioned their customers to getting gouged.

 

[blondietink]

We used the resort wi-fi on our last visit. Yes, it is pricey, but it was fast and reliable. Used What'sApp to communicate with folks at home if we needed to and apparently there is a call feature on Facebook Messenger that can be used when connected to wi-fi. Haven't tried it, but somebody at the pool in Mexico showed me how to use it.

 

[LisaRex]

Perhaps, but your previous message seemed to imply that PocketWifi was not being truthful in claiming that you had consumed 1 GB. I was just pointing out that it may have been accurate. But I agree that a Wifi hotspot with a low data usage cap is a bad investment.

Since data usage is not transparent, it's impossible to prove or disprove your theory, so I reserve the right to remain skeptical. I only use 3 apps regularly (weather, GPS and Safari), and those are the only 3 apps that are allowed to use data ever, not just internationally. The default for all the rest of my apps is "OFF." I never stream movies or music, use FB, read books, play games, etc. I make phone calls, I text my kids, and I read my email. My husband is even more tech-adverse than me. So if WE exceeded 1 GB of data in a day, then I'd assume a family with teenage kids would need 100x what we used.

Anyway, PocketWifi was a good idea in theory. It certainly didn't work for us. Irregardless, the total lack of customer service (no one ever answered the phone, or responded to emails, or texts). That alone would be enough for me to discourage people from using them.

 

[LisaRex]

We used the resort wi-fi on our last visit. Yes, it is pricey, but it was fast and reliable.

I agree with you. It was pricey, but fast and reliable for us. Worked at the pool, too.

 

[Julian926]

Do you need an electrical adapter for Harborside (being from the US)?

 

[Helios]

Do you need an electrical adapter for Harborside (being from the US)?

no, they have the same outlets and voltages as the us.

 

[mindy35]

FYI, We used Xcomglobal rather than Pocketwifi but it seems some of the issues are similar. What differed was that Xcom did respond and communicate regularly. But...... I was abruptly shut off after 1 1/2 days without giving me the opportunity to examine our habits and fix the problem by decreasing our usage. And as much as they were communicative and responded to my complaints (sent via the computers in the lobby), they were unable to get our service reinstated during our stay. They did say that they were attempting to do so.

I will say that on on our return and after receiving the return of their device, they credited me for the days I was unable to have internet service. They had said they would examine the information on the device and consider my request for a refund. It probably helped having that email stream of complaints that I would have used to complain to my credit card.

I had shut off all automatic downloads, data roaming and uploads and stayed in airplane mode with wifi added the entire time. The first day (only), I may have forgotten to shut off icloud backup (would have only happened the 1 night) on 1 of 5 allowed devices but I was fully backed up before my US departure so there should not have been that much. I had taken no photos, videos, music, etc., made any phone calls or downloaded any documents that would have added the amount of data they claimed.

Like Lisa, we only used it for email, texting and a little researching the local area restaurants, etc. The day we landed was a big news day (!) so I think I may have glanced at some news articles. The next day we did none of those extra things and even left the device in the room for the day. They still claimed extremely high usage for 1/2 the day.

If we are unable use it for basic connectivity, what's the point?

My complaint though is also with Harborside and Atlantis. At the VERY least, they could offer free Wifi in the lobby or allow Starbucks to send our their signal. That would be so much better than waiting for the slow the computers in the lobby. It didn't help that almost every ad on the TV in the room was for phone or internet services. This day and age, even the most remote locations around the world offer that accommodation.

 

[drpayne]

Going to Harborside this weekend and had already ordered the Xcom Global hotspot. It arrived today and after reading about the recent experiences I contacted the company to let them ahead of time that I was planning on following the rules - was not going to stream anything and would turn off all automatic downloads, etc - and that if the service was disrupted I would be requesting a full refund.

They responded fairly quickly with specific tips that amounted to trying to limit data use to under 200 mb per day and that if data was cut off to contact them so they could request a reset.

I'll give it a try and report back when we return.

 

[drpayne]

Just returned from Harborside.

All in all another great trip. This time just my wife and I - we take our children (now adults) every year when we go at Christmas.

We tried the Xcom Global pocket wifi - followed the instructions to the letter - discontinued iCloud backups prior to going and cut data roaming. Ran our iPhones in Airplane mode with only wifi turned on to the pocket wifi for the entire week. For the two of us it worked great for checking emails, texting and ATT Wifi Calling (just a few short ones), checking Facebook and Twitter as well as lite web browsing. No disruption of service during the entire week.

However the battery life is extremely short - only about an hour when not plugged in - perhaps we just had a bad battery? Worked for us like a home router for the room, but had to cut it on only when needed when not plugged in. Also the range of the wife is fairly small - hard to pick up in the bedroom from the living room.

I'd do it again (maybe two for Christmas) for about $71 each for the week including shipping both ways.

We also expressed our displeasure on the current wifi rates for Harborside - they said they are hearing a lot of that since the rest of Atlantis properties provide wifi included in their room/resort fee. Seemed to indicate it may be getting the attention of management. However they also told us that Cabo would be open shortly after we bought our first developer week back in 2006 - we'll see how long it may take - hope everyone visiting Harborside continues to bring the wifi issue up with management. We made it the full week without having to use HRA's service - maybe if more do they'll make some changes.

 

[elleny76]

Can we use the COVE at Atlantis? Can we go everywhere? every pool? or we have restrictions?

 

[DeniseM]

Can we use the COVE at Atlantis? Can we go everywhere? every pool? or we have restrictions?

No, it is for Cove guests. I don't think anything else is restricted.

 

[komosatp]

Can we use the COVE at Atlantis? Can we go everywhere? every pool? or we have restrictions?

To elaborate a little further than Denise: the pool between the Cove and Reef, known as Cascades, is exclusive to Cove Reef/Guests. But this is no big deal as its out of the way and has no special features.

The beach adjacent to Cascades (known as Paradise beach) has seating and services just for Cove/Reef guests, but again, it doesn't have any special features and is only easily accessible through the Cascades area, which itself is not that convenient unless you're staying in those towers.

The Cove Pool, formerly known as Cain at the Cove, is just for Cove adults (18+). Its a swank-a-lux daytime nightclub vibe. No slides there, but a few gaming tables and luxury daybeds.

Cove Beach and the Baths Colonnade Pool, which are close to the Cove tower, are for all guests. And all guests can use the bars and restaurants at the Cove/Reef.

 

[elleny76]

To elaborate a little further than Denise: the pool between the Cove and Reef, known as Cascades, is exclusive to Cove Reef/Guests. But this is no big deal as its out of the way and has no special features.

The beach adjacent to Cascades (known as Paradise beach) has seating and services just for Cove/Reef guests, but again, it doesn't have any special features and is only easily accessible through the Cascades area, which itself is not that convenient unless you're staying in those towers.

The Cove Pool, formerly known as Cain at the Cove, is just for Cove adults (18+). Its a swank-a-lux daytime nightclub vibe. No slides there, but a few gaming tables and luxury daybeds.

Cove Beach and the Baths Colonnade Pool, which are close to the Cove tower, are for all guests. And all guests can use the bars and restaurants at the Cove/Reef.

Awesome..thanks so much