Everyplace looks good, would like views on each site.

[snorkymn]

I went to Fantasy Island Resort a couple of years ago and have to say it was my absolute favorite diving vacation, out of about 15 different dive trips to various islands. Beautiful beach, great diving, convenient dive times, decent food.. I never left the resort for any reason other than to get on a boat and go diving. It was so convenient. I hear they even have a new pool and have refurbed even more rooms too.. Should be great if you want an all-inclusive at the most resonable price. (With a/c!) Dive masters seemed to know where to find all the good stuff and were very friendly and helpful. Convenient locker area for your gear storage too.

I posted pics of the resort, and some dive photos here:

Fantasy Island Resort - Roatan

Roatan Scuba Diving

 

[Bay Island Diver]

For shore diving it has to be Cocoview or Fantasy Island, absolute no brainer. HOWEVER these resorts are far from all the touristy activities offered on the West End of the island.

How many dives do you really want to do a day? If it is more than four, then got to cocoview or fantasy island, baring in mind that it is possibly at the cost of your wifes holiday enjoyment. If 3/4 dives a day will give you your fix check out the huge array or Dive shops, hotels, restaurants and activities West End has to offer. If you need any specific advice feel free to PM me. I have now lived on the island and worked in the dive industry for the last five years FULL TIME.

 

[Pembina]

I just returned from ILR and thouroughly enjoyed it. You can read my trip review also at:

Inn of Last Resort - Roatan - Inn of Last Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

If cost is a factor, then the ILR has nice rooms and all are A/C and the price is right.

It is a short walk to town (West End) and a return taxi will only cost you about $4-6.

If food is the primary decision then maybe not ILR. Although the food was good and plentiful, it was basic. No exotic or blow me away dishes except for all their delicious homemade soups. They also can cook a steak to perfection and I almost forgot the BBQ they have each Friday evening down at the lagoon was great. They also served a plate of assorted fresh fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice with every breakfast.

They do have a lagoon for shore diving but no sandy beaches.

They will help arrange topside activities including transportation. They will even take the time to take you on personal tours. We commented on some of the wood carvings they had at the bar and before we know it, Captain Ed is driving us down the road to visit and shop at the wood carver's home.

 

[Wiilldd1]

We stayed at Fantasy Island last year and the air compressors didn't work. The pool pump was out and the pool water was green. The food was average compared to other all inclusives. I think next time we will spend a little more and go to CCV or somewhere on the West end.

We would go daily to CCV to get tanks. They had new compressors and the resort looked very nice. CCV seems more geared for Divers.

 

[DECKHAND]

Nice. Ignore my trip report because it's negative. We're only allowed to report positive experiences. Pay no attention to the dive operator behind the curtain, whose boats left oil slicks in the marine park on every dive.

I've reported the truth of our experience in great detail. It is what it is. Yes, many people have posted positive reviews of their experience. We too had a positive experience, as I have said repeatedly -- OUT of the water. It was the dive operation in particular where we had major, repeated issues. We had a great time in the resort itself (dining/accommodations/bar).

I've posted my review/report, for those who want to hear all opinions. For those like Jiminmd who think only rosy, glowing reviews are valid, ignore Delphinus' trip report.

Well said

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

I have not, of course, had the opportunity to dive all the many operators on Roatan...my first two trips to Roatan I dove with Anthony's Key and my last three trips have been at Fantasy Island......I can say nothing but good things about both of them......I personally feel the value is better at Fantasy Island if Air Conditioning is a priority(as it is with me).
Diving on the North side at Anthony's and on the South side at Fantasy (or Coco which I understand if highly regarded also) is a bit different but both are outstanding. If as you state least expensive with air conditioning is what you are looking for and think I can safely say you will not be disappointed with Fantasy Island.

 

[Nismo]

AKR and CCV seem to be the top choices I'm considering. Any pro's and con's to the locations of each resort? Where are these resorts in relation to the main town? My wife and I LOVE to check out the local cultural scene. We try to buy local crafts and go for at least one meal where locals like to eat. That was a fun trip in Bonaire, and confused the people working at the restraunt who thought we were lost. We like to spend an afternoon in the town.

 

[rzk4sb]

You're rattling off all the big hotels (big for Roatan that is) which tend to turn me off due to employee apathy and tourist mindset. I just got back from a week at West Bay Lodge diving Bananarama and found it to be the most enjoyable dive vacation I've had yet. Logged 19 dives in 6 days including major stops like El Aguila and Mary's Place. Roatan now rivals Cozumel for me in terms of dive destinations although Cozumel seems to have more fish, more consistent electricity, and better viz.

 

[mrlipis]

Wow, first post...RZK... I am staying at Bananarama in two weeks. How was the dive ops? Just curious what the exit and entry of the boats are.

Bruce

 

[Doc]

You're rattling off all the big hotels (big for Roatan that is) which tend to turn me off due to employee apathy and tourist mindset.

That's what the OP was asking about, though. You checked out the better AI's for comparison of apathy and mindset while also staying in the West End? Cool.

I just got back from a week at West Bay Lodge diving Bananarama and found it to be the most enjoyable dive vacation I've had yet. Logged 19 dives in 6 days including major stops like El Aguila and Mary's Place. Roatan now rivals Cozumel for me in terms of dive destinations

Maybe you'll see some place someday that will beat even these two destinations. Looks like you had a real busy 3 a-day dive schedule, luckily you got to see Mary's Place. Did you enjoy it's solitary ethereal beauty or was it crowded?

although Cozumel seems to have more fish, more consistent electricity, and better viz.

Cozumel has much better bars and nightlife, too. I doubt that you'll ever beat that.

Nice grouper in your profile photo. Did you see anything smaller than that?

I see you did a write-up on TripAdvisor, but you didn't mention any diving. Start up a thread here in this forum, lay it out. Bananarama is a good thing.