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Hi:
If you'd like more information, please feel free to email me at the following e-mail address:
carriek5@hotmail.com
It would take too long to write out all the answers here.
The Bahamas Princess Country Club and The Bahamas Princess Tower Resort (with adjoining Princess Casino) are sister properties that are located across from each other in close proximity to the International Bazaar shopping complex and the main Straw Market.
Websites that you can look at:
http://www.grandbahamavacations.com
http://www.princess-vacations.com
http://www.princess-vacations.com/pizazz.htm
http://www.bahamasnet.com/bpgolf.htm
I would recommend the Bahamas Princess Tower over the Bahamas Princess Country Club for their accommodations. None of the resorts are five star and so I don't know whether this will fit in with your idea of a "tropical island vacation." Freeport is not as lush as Barbados or Antigua or the US Virgin Islands but is considerably less expensive.
The Bahamas Princess properties are not on the beach. Guests of the two hotels share privileges with each other and are shuttled daily to Xanadu Beach which is the closest beach (about 3 miles away).
Over the years, the once regal Princess properties have slipped in elegance and popularity. Both hotels are a bit weathered and in need of some refreshing and revitalization. For an additional fee, you can upgrade your accommodations to a superior suite.
The two properties were up for sale a few months ago and there was a buyer but then the sale fell through. There is some chaos between the staff and owners as the staff is on "pins and needles."
I hear that some renovations and rehauling of the properties is set to take place, perhaps, beginning after the summer.
The Bahamas Princess Tower Resort is a 400 rm. Moorish, high rise adjoining the Princess Casino and the International Bazaar via an arcade.
At first sight, the casino looks like an Arabian or Sultan's palace in some fairy tale book. It has Moorish domes and mosaic tiles in the hotel's octagon shaped lobby which has comfy couches to sit in.
Golf afficionados can play at the two 18 hole golf courses: 1) The Ruby; 2) The Emerald.
Drinks go for about $7-$8 but there is usually Happy Hour specials or "2 for 1" specials.
Both properties have shops.
The John B. Lounge is an open air bar (dancing) at the poolside of the Bahamas Princess Country Club Resort -- probably my favorite place to dance. There's a live band, the Sunglows who perform nightly except for Tuesday when there's Karaoke and disc jockey.
Both hotels have a hot tub. The one at the Princess Tower Resort is more quieter and probably more romantic (nice at about 10:30 p.m.)
For children, the Bahamas Princess Tower offers their "Camp Seashell" which is a supervised children's program, offering complimentary activities for children from 9 a.m. to noon. Afternoon activities cost approximately $15 per child.
Boss and the Conch Shells (if they're still around) are probably one of the oldest Bahamian live bands - a calypso trio - who can be found playing Bahamian and Caribbean classics in the lobby of the Bahamas Princess Tower Resort.
Both properties have tennis courts and numerous restaurants at either hotel and the casino.
The Princess Tower is a high rise and the Bahamas Princess Country Club is a low rise property spread out.
"Goombaya" is an island native revue feating singing, dancing and Junkanoo with dinner at 6 pm and show at 7 pm on Wednesday and Saturday held at the Palm Pavilion of the Bahamas Princess Country Club costs about $39 (prices always subject to change) but is offered, I believe, free if you take the all inclusive Pizazz package.
The Princess Casino has a "Las Vegas style" show which is about $15-$20 and includes 2 drinks.
There are a total of 3 restaurants at the Bahamas Princess Tower Resort (Lemon Peel Coffee Shop, Morgan's Bluff & La Trattoria), 4 restaurants at the Bahamas Princess Country Club (Patio Coffee Shop, Rib Room, Guanahani's and the Palm Pavilion for the native show & buffet dinner), and 2 restaurants at the Casino (The Crown Room, Garden Cafe).
The Rib Room has excellent food but expensive. It looks like an English pub with dark wood panelling. Good prime of beef, grouper, rack of lamb for two, Caesar salad for two. Desserts consist of Strawberry Melba & Cherries Jubilee. Good service.
Take the bus to Port Lucaya (runs until 7 pm) which is the waterfront complex of shops, restaurants and intimate bars. Try Zorbas or Fatman's Nephew or Lucianos (restaurants).
Everyone likes to eat at Pier I Seafood Restaurant which is a timber building anchored on stilts sitting on land near the cruiseship dock at Freeport Harbour on the waterway. The panfried grouper is recommended and the fresh catch of the day. Good conch chowder, conch salad and conch fritters. Outside patio dining available but reservations are definitely recommended. Shark feeding each evening at 7,8 and 9 pm (times always subject to change so check first). Several sharks come to the sound of a dinner bell & workers throw fish out into the ocean while the sharks circle below and fight for the food while seagulls circle overhead. Really neat!! These are real sharks, some 6 feet long or so. This restaurant is located about 5 miles from Bahamas Princess Resorts. Request a table next to the shark feeding area and go before sunset. If you don't want to pay the price of a meal, there's a bar where you can hangout & just order a classic tropical drink (Goombay Smash, Bahama Mama, Yellowbird) without having a meal & you can still see the sharks. Excellent restaurant. A website you can look at: http://www.bahamasvg.com/pierone.htm
There are beach party/sunset bonfires/native show with all you can eat and drinks included featured on Taino Beach at either Pirates of the Beach Theme Park or Kaptain Kenny's Sunset Bonfire (at Kaptain Kenny's Beachwatch).
Remember the 15% service charge that is added at most restaurants. I know that Ruby Swiss (an all night restaurant & popular hang out) next to the Bahamas Princess Tower Hotel, and Zorba's and Fatman's Nephew in Port Lucaya area do not add 15% so please tip your waiter or waitress.
There are taxis always outside the Princess Casino front entrance.
I think I've over-extended my space here and I better sign off. I hope I've given you some information that will help you to have a better vacation in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.
Other hotels I would recommend:
1) The new Lucayan (phase 1 opening in April 99 with 2 more phases to go) -- across from Port Lucaya Marketplace and Marina.
2) Port Lucaya Resort & Yacht Club -- Port Lucaya
3) Pelican Bay at Lucaya Hotel -- Port Lucaya
4) Island Seas -- on its own beach (nice condo units)
5) The Ritz Beach Resort -- on Taino Beach (nice condo units)
Best regards and good wishes for your upcoming vacation. Post a report on one of the message boards upon your return to let us know what you liked or disliked.
Sincerely
Carrie
carriek5@hotmail.com
If you want to see some nice, uncrowded beaches you'll have to rent a car. Gold Rock Beach, Pelican Point Beach, High Rock, Paradise Cove in Deadman's Reef. Visit Club Caribe and Banana Bay (small restaurants on beach) both of which are located on quiet stretches of beachfront.
If you look at some of the other Bahamas Message boards, I've posted some messages on beaches and activities, etc.
Best regards,
Carrie
carriek5@hotmail.com
At 11:46:48 PST on 02-09-99, gptraveler wrote:
>Is Freeport a good place to stay? How about the Princess Resort and Casino? We are looking into a Princess Vacation and would like to hear some recommendations. Think this resort will be suggested for it's price; am I going to be able to enjoy a tropical island vacation here? How are the beaches? Thanks in advance.
Carrie
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