Visiting Ocean Pointe

[GregT]

All,

I have been enjoying the Maui thread posted by @luv_maui and I am very happy for them that they will have an extended stay in Maui when quarantine is over. I miss Hawaii very much and look forward to a return trip (when possible).

I booked a trip to Ocean Pointe when it was uncertain that Hawaii would reopen and I’m very happy that I did. Jack and I are staying in a 2BR OF unit and the weather has been fantastic the first few days. The amenities (bars/restaurants/shops) are all closed and you have to bring your own golf clubs/ball to be to pay the miniature golf, but the pools and beach are open and that is what we needed. The beach is much better than I expected, water clarity is excellent and it’s definitely warmer than California. Jack loves the rope swing suspended from the pumping equipment — and I cringe while he does it (just as I cringe when he jumps from Blackrock).

We went scuba diving today and we have jet skis rented tomorrow — and then dive again on Wednesday. Thus far, Ocean Pointe has been a fantastic destination for us and we are really enjoying it.

We are in King Fish, and as another TUGger noted, I enjoy watching the boats coming in and out of the harbor — it’s very beautiful and peaceful to see. Because so much is closed at the main resort, I am happy to be at King Fish because I really like the boat activity. I can understand why others may prefer to be at the primary four buildings when the amenities are all open.

@dioxide45 will also be here at Ocean Pointe and I’m sure we will meet up for an adult beverage at some point. Thanks to all TUGgers for all of their advice on the property — and special thanks to @Quilter for the pictures and “local advice” that she sent me. TUGgers are the best! We will still plan to go to Orlando at the end of the week and visit Universal Studios parks. Fingers crossed.....

Best,

Greg

 

[hangloose]

Great to hear Greg! OceanPointe is one of our favorites! Large footprint, many pools, expansive beach, strong amenities (when open), etc. Something for everyone.

While it is quieter than Miami, Fort Laud, or even Ka’anapali ...it is still a great destination to unwind and relax!

Don’t forget you can take the 1 mile walk North along the beach to check out Oceana Palms. You can also walk through Palm Shores (quaint community) to Sailfish Marina to watch or rent boats (if open?).


How is it with COVID? We are thinking of making a trip down soon. Ready for a ‘safe’ beach vacation out of the house!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Ocean Pointe will be reopening it's on site bar (bar + grill) on Saturday, June 27th, 2020. This is the location in front of the Dolphin Building. It is my understanding that chairs at the bar will either be far spaced or non existent, and the food will be "take out". Sit down tables will exist but it will be self service (no table waiters).

There is no date set as of yet for the reopening of the Kingfish Bar.



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[dioxide45]

We checked in yesterday. I overhead them say that occupancy was 64%. The pools seem pretty busy, though perhaps it is because there are about 1/4 the number of longers that are usually there. So all the loungers are still full because there are less of them. As mentioned, everything is closed.

I don't see how removing bar stools will help, people will just stand shoulder to shoulder. Even thinning out the chairs won't help. People will just stand between them. This is Florida afterall, our our experience is that social distancing is something everyone else does. We tried to go to a restaurant yesterday (won't say the name) while we were waiting for our unit to be ready. The restaurant took your cell number so they can text when our table was ready. That way you can wait in the car or whatever. After a while we get a text and go in only to find out that there is no table. They still have to clean them all. The new cleaning measures are the same as the old cleaning measures. You would think they would reinvest in busboys given the new "protocols". Given what looked to be poor cleaning regimen (among something else), we left.

As for here at the resort, I have walked around a little bit so far and I do see more staff cleaning. Spraying and wiping down loungers at the pool. You can no longer just walk in to the lobby. They have someone outside (at least yesterday during busy checkin time). If there isn't someone, you have to page to be let in. Too many people inside probably means you wait outside.

We are in a third floor Pompano and I don't know the last time this unit was renovated, but it does show a bit of age. One of the lamps in the living room is leaning and can't be straightened. The dishwasher could be replaced. The carpet, paint and furnings all seem to be in pretty good shape though. I suspect it may have had a soft refurb recently and is due for case goods soon. The tile around the tub in the lockoff studio is dated. We were last here in 2016 and I can't recall exactly what it looked like, but this is the old style pink tile. No granite counters in the bathrooms either

We haven't been out of the unit yet (except I did go to the front desk today as they forgot to give us a parking pass yesterday when we checked in) since we are working during the day a few days this week. The internet went down for about three hours this afternoon. Seemed to coincide with the T-Mobile nationwide outage. Not sure if it is related. I will be able to provide more details, and videos, in the future.

 

[GregT]

How is it with COVID? We are thinking of making a trip down soon. Ready for a ‘safe’ beach vacation out of the house!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you for the thoughts and comments! No disrespect intended, I only copied the COVID comment.

I really don’t know how to respond to this — California is in major lockdown — masks everywhere — and Florida is “modestly” different. I really think it is up the individual. Every Marriott employee has masks (and many have gloves) but no guest is wearing a mask. On our scuba trip today, they asked us to wear masks when we boarded and then pretty much left us to our pursuits.

Everybody in Publix is wearing masks too. None of this is bad, I think we are all doing the best we can, with the information we have. I have friends who are shocked that I flew to Florida. But California has COVID too. Strange times.

I hope you come when you are comfortable with it — Ocean Pointe is a beautiful property and may become a recurring stop for me if I can better understand the weather. First few days are great and hoping for just a few more! (And Gold Season is a II trade/points bargain?????)

Best,

Greg

 

[Superchief]

If you enjoy seafood, I recommend Captain Charlie's Reef Grill or Juno Beach Fish house that are about a 20 minute drive north. I'm not sure of their seating capacity due to Covid, but we've enjoyed many great meals at both during previous stays. Juno Beach Fish House has Tue and Thu specials of 2LB lobster dinners for $30. We typically don't eat lobster when in Florida, but theirs is worth it. Have a great trip.

 

[Hobee]

Glad to hear it is working out well for you. We were there for the first time in late February. We really enjoyed a visit to the Henry Flagler mansion/museum followed by a drive through Palm Beach.

 

[GregT]

All,

I did want to share something that the Ocean Pointe team did for me, that is greatly appreciated. I'd originally booked a 3BR OF with DC points because I thought the entire family might come. Caroline (graduating high school senior) decided to stay back because she's finally getting to do things with her friends -- she's missed out on alot already (prom/graduation/baccalaureate mass/awards dinner) of her senior year and I understand she doesn't want to miss more -- and Jonell stayed back so that our house is not overrun with high school seniors that have been locked down for 3 months. So this became a trip for Jack and me. I replaced our 3BR with an an II deposit for Sunday to Sunday and I booked a 2BR OF for the Saturday night. There wasn't a 2BR OS available with DC Points, and I knew I was going to have to change rooms. I asked if there was any way the property could keep me in the same room and I would have been happy to be in a 2BR OS for the entire trip, which is what I thought would happen (if anything) and would have been the easier thing for them to do. Well, the team was able to keep us in a 2BR OF for the entire trip, which is not what I thought would happen but has been a great benefit to the trip.

I do not know if this was because occupancy levels are unusual, but this was an unexpected result and the OP team did an amazing job making this happen -- they were highly communicative and supportive. Plus, this is a great room, with the high floor and is close to the ocean. Congrats to the Ocean Pointe team and congrats as well to those of you who own OP -- you are in good hands!

Best,

Greg

 

[ilene13]

As someone who lives in Florida, I am appalled by our state’s lack of concern for residents. Our Covid numbers have been rising daily and the East Coast of Florida is far worse than where I am. We have no state mandates concerning masks. My husband is a physician on the front lines and obviously we are doing social distancing and wearing masks etc. We have not set foot near restaurants, including our club which is restricted to residents only. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy but Florida would NOT be my destination of choice!

 

[gln60]

your feelings are understandable.....Everyone should practice social distancing and masks...whether mandated or not....we will be vacationing on Singer Island in November(Oceana Palms)...We plan on making that trip unless the Covid 19 situation takes a drastic turn for the worse

 

[Mlvnsmly]

Ocean Pointe will be reopening it's on site bar (bar + grill) on Saturday, June 27th, 2020. This is the location in front of the Dolphin Building. It is my understanding that chairs at the bar will either be far spaced or non existent, and the food will be "take out". Sit down tables will exist but it will be self service (no table waiters).

There is no date set as of yet for the reopening of the Kingfish Bar.



.

Looks like some stuff opened today.

 

[jmhpsu93]

your feelings are understandable.....Everyone should practice social distancing and masks...whether mandated or not....we will be vacationing on Singer Island in November(Oceana Palms)...We plan on making that trip unless the Covid 19 situation takes a drastic turn for the worse

We're traveling down next week to Singer Island (Oceana Palms) via Southwest flights, and fully plan on masking up during the trip and anywhere we're inside around people. Even in Florida.

 

[dioxide45]

Looks like some stuff opened today.

What would that be?

 

[hangloose]

I did want to share something that the Ocean Pointe team did for me, that is greatly appreciated.

Congrats to the Ocean Pointe team and congrats as well to those of you who own OP -- you are in good hands!

Kudos to the staff. A nice gesture!

Another reason why we enjoy Ocean Pointe. It has consistently over the years had very good customer service, staff and GM. Plus, a very loyal owner base...some staying months on end...or some families you would see the same weeks annually!

While that owner base has changed a bit with the introduction of DC Pts over the years with more frequent turnover, the resort still has a strong loyal base. It also has a nice Yahoo Group newsletter sent from local board members/owners.

 

[luv_maui]

All,

I did want to share something that the Ocean Pointe team did for me, that is greatly appreciated. Congrats to the Ocean Pointe team and congrats as well to those of you who own OP -- you are in good hands!

Best,

Greg

fantastic! I hope we are just as fortunate here at Maui ocean club, for our 7 weeks

 

[gln60]

We're traveling down next week to Singer Island (Oceana Palms) via Southwest flights, and fully plan on masking up during the trip and anywhere we're inside around people. Even in Florida.

Please write a review upon returning...very interested on how things are at Oceana Palms...have a great time

 

[dioxide45]

Please write a review upon returning...very interested on how things are at Oceana Palms...have a great time

I have a number of videos from our recent visit to Oceana Palms. Link is in my signature.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

What would that be?

I read that some activity stuff like mini golf and shuffleboard opened today. Also that they were hoping to have the bar and restaurant open by Monday.

 

[dioxide45]

I read that some activity stuff like mini golf and shuffleboard opened today. Also that they were hoping to have the bar and restaurant open by Monday.

I think you are right. I did walk by there today and saw the staff cleaning the equipment for shuffleboard and a couple people playing mini putt with bright yellow golf putters.

 

[csalter2]

All,

I did want to share something that the Ocean Pointe team did for me, that is greatly appreciated. I'd originally booked a 3BR OF with DC points because I thought the entire family might come. Caroline (graduating high school senior) decided to stay back because she's finally getting to do things with her friends -- she's missed out on alot already (prom/graduation/baccalaureate mass/awards dinner) of her senior year and I understand she doesn't want to miss more -- and Jonell stayed back so that our house is not overrun with high school seniors that have been locked down for 3 months. So this became a trip for Jack and me. I replaced our 3BR with an an II deposit for Sunday to Sunday and I booked a 2BR OF for the Saturday night. There wasn't a 2BR OS available with DC Points, and I knew I was going to have to change rooms. I asked if there was any way the property could keep me in the same room and I would have been happy to be in a 2BR OS for the entire trip, which is what I thought would happen (if anything) and would have been the easier thing for them to do. Well, the team was able to keep us in a 2BR OF for the entire trip, which is not what I thought would happen but has been a great benefit to the trip.

I do not know if this was because occupancy levels are unusual, but this was an unexpected result and the OP team did an amazing job making this happen -- they were highly communicative and supportive. Plus, this is a great room, with the high floor and is close to the ocean. Congrats to the Ocean Pointe team and congrats as well to those of you who own OP -- you are in good hands!

Best,

Greg

Greg,

I am glad to hear such positive feedback from you about OP. As you know that was one of my 2weeks I bought from Marriott in lieu of points. I had planned to go their this year, but due to COVID, I won’t get there until next year. it sounds like it’s a nice pickup.
Continue to have fun and stay safe.

 

[ilene13]

For all of you wanting to travel to Florida yesterday we had 2783 NEW cases and the majority of them were in Palm Beach, Date and Broward Counties. I find it interesting how people are so cavalier about this virus. Just stay safe and healthy!!

 

[gln60]

I have a number of videos from our recent visit to Oceana Palms. Link is in my signature.

I have watched them...very informative...we will be at Oceana Palms in November...very much looking forward to that trip...appreciate the videos....Thanks

 

[gln60]

For all of you wanting to travel to Florida yesterday we had 2783 NEW cases and the majority of them were in Palm Beach, Date and Broward Counties. I find it interesting how people are so cavalier about this virus. Just stay safe and healthy!!

WILL DO...can’t wait until November at Oceana Palms

 

[pedro47]

I have a number of videos from our recent visit to Oceana Palms. Link is in my signature.

dioxide45,, your vacation videos were very good and informative. Oceana Palms is on our bucket list for next year, if we cannot travel to Hawaii.

 

[Mlvnsmly]

Please write a review upon returning...very interested on how things are at Oceana Palms...have a great time

Here now. First day there was garbage everywhere. It hasn't been as bad since. Bar/ restaurant open with limited hours and menu. Store open with limited hours and no self serve soda/wine. No activities. Larger pool and larger hot tub both closed. Very limited space at the smaller pool and very crowded at times. Beach is more crowded than usual because of the pool. They have been giving one free umbrella because of the pool construction. Also, the construction next door is in full swing. Two grills per building are available, but you have to get utensils at the front desk. It is what it is. I'm hoping all this gets sorted out by next year. If you have any questions, let me know.