Coco Reef

[Miranda Lubbock]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 30 January 2003

I have already replied to a couple of questions posted on the website but here is my review of the Coco Reef.

We stayed there from 9th - 23rd January on an all-inclusive basis and it was the best holiday we have ever had. The hotel is attractive, wonderfully situated with a perfect beach and excellent lagoon for swimming in. The staff were brilliant and attentive for the most part, or at least 85% of them were. The wonderful Benecia (a meeter and greeter at breakfast, and waitress at lunch) even procured a special request of grilled flying fish for our final lunch for four of us. There were a very few who didn't greet one with a cheery smile and they were mostly all willlng to put themselves out for you.

Lunch service was sometimes a bit slow, but then everybody tended to arrive at the same time. We found the food very good, with one or two exceptions, but we decided that it partly a matter of what you choose and what your expectation is. For instance, one evening three of us chose "bread and butter pudding" which came as an interesting chocolate spongecake-like thing which didn't resemble what you and I would recognise as bread and butter pudding at home. It was thoroughly enjoyable but not what we were expecting! Creme brulee on another night came completely cold, with the brulee soft. Again, my expectation had been a warm base with a hot, grilled top that was crusty so that you had to crack it with a spoon. What we got was not very nice in fact. Personally, if somebody else shops for, cooks and clears away my meal I am not too fussy, but if you are a fussy type, you could probably find something to be pernickety about.

The plus points of the hotel are undoubtably those I have named above, with the addition of the Gardening Tours by Delia, the Head Horticulturalist (1 hour, twice a week). These are not to be missed, even if you know nothing about gardens, as she is a guinea a minute, a born comedienne. We requested a drink at the same time every day on the beach and this was delivered unfailingly by a smiling Manning or his colleague, beautifully turned out in his white uniform.

Minus points: well, there are always a few but none ruined our holiday. We complained on a few evenings that the band on certain nights was too loud to permit a normal conversation, the artistes believing that they were there to drown any other activity out, rather than being an enhancement to a pleasant evening. Having said that, some of the evening bands were really excellent and very enjoyable (Exotic Vibration to name but one). Bands with loud drums were the culprits.

The bath is small by ouro standards, but I suppose this is to preserve their water supplies. Our water was lukewarm on many evenings which was another drawback. If I was being picky, I would expect a hotel of this standard to offer decent sized bath towels. Even the beach towels were larger than the ones in the bathroom so I took to using those instead of the ones provided for bath use. I was worried about the postings on the website mentioning a lack of shade on the beach. There is plenty of shade but it is true to say that you if saunter down to the beach mid-morning, most of it will have been snapped up, particularly if the hotel is full. Most days people are on island trips so there were only one or two days when the beach felt full.

Anybody worried about the proximity to the airport should not be. It is an advantage to be three minutes' drive away after a long flight. There is very little aircraft movement to and from the island and the wind blows in such a direction all the time that it blows the noise in the other direction and means there is hardly any noise whatsoever.

I have gone on long enough so, as I have indicated in earlier postings, I am happy to answer any questions from individuals should they wish to contact me.

Miranda L

[Bridget]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 30 January 2003

thank you so very much for the extensive review of coco reef. it is so reassuring to hear from someone who has just come back from the resort you are going to in a few weeks. also thank you for replyiing to our query about b and b v. all inclusive. i am sure you are happy relaxed and have a great tan following your stay!!! once again many thanks for taking the time to reply to us.

Bridget and Barry

[Nicky]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 09 February 2003

I have booked a 5 night stay at the Coco reef in November as part of my honeymoon. We have booked bed & breakfast and was wondering about establishements to eat and drink in that are within walking distance of the hotel. Are they many? Any recommendations? and lastly is it safe to walk around outside the complex at night?

[Steve Wooler]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 09 February 2003

Hi Nicky

Totally safe - as long as you are sensible. Suspicious characters look suspicious wherever you are in the world. Obviously don't carry around a lot of money and avoid obvious flashy expensive jewellery that might tempt some toe-rag. How far is walking distance? In terms of distance and within 5 minutes walk, you have Dillons Seafood Restaurant, Pelican Reef and Panache (excellent). Within a cheap 5-minute taxi ride you can include Ru-B-Lou's, Kariwak and Bonkers. Keep an eye on our Restaurant section. I'm going to re-write this when I get home and break it up into sections, by district/region.

[Corrin]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 09 February 2003

We are thinking of booking 2 weeks all inclusive at Coco Reef in August. Does anyone know whether the meals will be buffet style on the All Inc option or is this just merely the breakfasts?

Thanks, Corrin

[Steve Wooler]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 09 February 2003

Hi Corrin

The breakfasts are buffet style, although the eggs are cooked to order (and preference) in front of you. Really lovely choice and breakfast was always a treat. A variety of light lunches are available in the beach bar. There is a buffet one night a week in the main restaurant. The more casual Bachanaals Beach Bar used to have buffets several nights a week, each night having a different theme - Italian, Creole, Spanish, etc. However I think the menu has changed and I'm not sure what the current menu is. In summary then, breakfast is the only regular 'buffet' meal.