Almost ready to book FI - Feb 14-21

[billmosel]

FI DOES provide beach towels. At least they did in March.

 

[Reef Tank]

Now I have a question about the rooms. After reading the many posts here I know at FI there are older rooms and renovated rooms. Which do you think are best and why?

I've heard old rooms are bigger and closer (to what? the dive shop? Is that really a good thing?) We don't need fancy but we want a nice clean working bathroom and a bed that isn't lumpy or have a spring sticking in your back. So which should we choose. FI booking agent said they could add our request for a renovated room to our reservation. Do we want to do this? On the resort map which rooms are considered old and which are new?
Betty

If you go to FI with an attitude of camping versus the Catered Cloistered Venue you will be prepared and not be disappointed. We were in the renovated part but our bathroom ceiling fell in one night and we could see the attic. We lost one hour of sleep moving to a new room but no harm, no foul. The new bed was a little springy but I've stayed at a worse Motel 6 in Montana. The first room ceiling fan worked but the second's did not. The second room had a hair dryer but the first did not.

 

[DandyDon]

FI DOES provide beach towels. At least they did in March.

I was thinking that they did offer me one. I think you have to check them out & in maybe to prevent leaving them just anywhere.

The have plenty of towels on the boats, altho I usually used my own shammy towels - the kind marketed for swimmers & divers. I don't think I would lay on the sand if you are into sunbathing, but lay a towel on one of the fold out beach chairs. A few women went topless but it was uncommon.

If you go to FI with an attitude of camping versus the Catered Cloistered Venue you will be prepared and not be disappointed. We were in the renovated part but our bathroom ceiling fell in one night and we could see the attic. We lost one hour of sleep moving to a new room but no harm, no foul. The new bed was a little springy but I've stayed at a worse Motel 6 in Montana. The first room ceiling fan worked but the second's did not. The second room had a hair dryer but the first did not.

Now that would discourage me if I hadn't been there a few times already. It's a pity that this property has been thru so many owner & management changes, but hoping the current manager gets it back into shape.

In 2001 and around 2005, I had a private room in the building adjacent to the lobby, away from docks and thot they were quite nice. This year, I shared one at the far end of the newest building and it was fine altho the bathroom door was probly level before the quake. It was a little bit of a hike to the lobby but I only did that twice a day for breakfast and dinner.

 

[BettyfromToronto]

Well our trip was booked today. Yahoo! Can't wait.

I asked for a newly renovated room with a king bed vs the two. Booked hotel + air myself and saved over $600 for the two of us. Will be funny being there the same time as the LDS whose people bought for so much more.

Booking agent Megan was fantastic. Answered every e-mail I sent; most times within minutes. She confirmed today that they do supply beach towels so that's two less bulky things to bring down.

Hubby is going to do his AOW. He bought the book and is going to the review/quiz with an instructor here and then just take down the referral sheet for the 5 open water dives. Does anyone know the price for just that portion? Website has the whole course for $210. LDS led us to believe it would be about half.

I bought myself a wetsuit on the weekend. Didn't need to pay the extra for a custom. The Henderson 3mm suit streches fine and cost alot less. (<$200 Cdn) We also bought two dive lights for our night dives; hubby got a compass for the navigation dive which is part of his course and we bought a 2nd dive bag plus a mesh bag for carrying everything onto the boat.

Can't wait to see our next AMEX bill. :shocked2:

I want to thank everyone here for all the great stories and advice you have shared. The lastest trip report is a little scary. Reminds me to remember the pictures on the website are probably years old and the place is a little "rundown". Maybe the new management will have made some noticable changes in the next 3.5 months.

Anyone else there for Valentine's Day???

Betty

 

[DandyDon]

What is their booking site now?

 

[Reef Tank]

Well our trip was booked today. Yahoo! Can't wait.

I asked for a newly renovated room with a king bed vs the two. Booked hotel + air myself and saved over $600 for the two of us. Will be funny being there the same time as the LDS whose people bought for so much more.

Booking agent Megan was fantastic. Answered every e-mail I sent; most times within minutes. She confirmed today that they do supply beach towels so that's two less bulky things to bring down.

Hubby is going to do his AOW. He bought the book and is going to the review/quiz with an instructor here and then just take down the referral sheet for the 5 open water dives. Does anyone know the price for just that portion? Website has the whole course for $210. LDS led us to believe it would be about half.

I bought myself a wetsuit on the weekend. Didn't need to pay the extra for a custom. The Henderson 3mm suit streches fine and cost alot less. (<$200 Cdn) We also bought two dive lights for our night dives; hubby got a compass for the navigation dive which is part of his course and we bought a 2nd dive bag plus a mesh bag for carrying everything onto the boat.

Can't wait to see our next AMEX bill. :shocked2:

I want to thank everyone here for all the great stories and advice you have shared. The lastest trip report is a little scary. Reminds me to remember the pictures on the website are probably years old and the place is a little "rundown". Maybe the new management will have made some noticable changes in the next 3.5 months.

Anyone else there for Valentine's Day???

Betty

Yes, it looks like you have been making the right preparations. Even with what I posted above I would go again in a heartbeat. Some people need to be catered, we do not. I have more stories that might give one pause, but I'll save them for later. There is no place like the south side of Roatan. My cousin said it equals anything he saw in the Red Sea. At 40 foot point we were totally engulfed in schools of Chubs, Spade fish, and Creole Wrasse.

 

[Fantasy Dive Travel]

What is their booking site now?

www.FantasyIslandDiveResort.com

or

Fantasy Island Resort Roatan Honduras PADI Scuba Diving Snorkeling

 

[BettyfromToronto]

I went through Fantasy Island Dive Resort - Roatan Bay Islands Honduras - Home

Megan at FI Travel Services in Texas was great!!

Betty

 

[DandyDon]

So is it going to be book with FIBR direct or thru the Texas office? I've met the fellow with the Texas office, at FI and at Dema, but forget his name at the moment.

 

[Doc]

I've met the fellow with the Texas office, at FI and at Dema, but forget his name at the moment.

Nick Palandra 800-676-2826