Finding the Perfect Resort Hotel-What do you want?

[danvolker]

The question here is for Dive Operators in Palm Beach to be able to do a much better job of creating Dive Resort Packaging with the enormous selection of hotels to choose from here. The tendancy is for boats to just look for the cheapest possible motels, so all the money can go to diving....My suggestion, is that the most inexpensive "should be" one choice, but we also should have Packages that provide the feel of Exotic Island Getaways with 4 or 5 star hotels on Islands off Palm Beach, or high end hotels in our Entertainment districts ( but not far from the boats), to further way and progressively less expensive...to downright 3rd world-ish.

What would you want, if you wanted to enjoy 3 days to a week of Palm Beach's best diving?

 

[Michael Kazma]

I voted for what I want not what I can afford

 

[Token]

In considering this question, I did the proper, manly thing....I asked my wife.

SHE wants a nice resort hotel, preferably not very large, with a nice pool and easy snorkelling areas [she used to scuba, but has decided to retire from the sport]. _I_ want to dive...but want my wife to be comfortable and entertained while I'm away in the water.

Win-win...it's the only way...

 

[Doc]

....My suggestion, is that the most inexpensive "should be" one choice, but we also should have Packages that provide the feel of Exotic Island Getaways with 4 or 5 star hotels on Islands off Palm Beach, or high end hotels in our Entertainment districts ( but not far from the boats), to further way and progressively less expensive...to downright 3rd world-ish.

Dan, you already knew the answer. Choice is good.

 

[greylion]

Yeah, my wife is my dive buddy and always wants a nice place to stay, close to the water, with a pool and close to a variety of good restaurants. So I voted for the 4 or 5 star choice.

 

[danvolker]

I'm not quite sure what is going on here...
The poll so far is indicating the dive boats have failed miserably in determining the wants and needs of the divers traveling to Palm Beach....
I hope you guys are being honest in the "actual" choice you would make, versus the dream vacation choice that you would really not be likely to go with....ie., I would like to rent a Ferrari on my Italy trip...but it is more likely I will drive an Alpha or a Ford Focus

I will actually be able to change the present mix of hotel packages....but I don't want to get far too many of the high end properties geared up for divers, and then watch most of the dive booking go to the 1 or 2 star places.....but if you guys are being honest, then I can't thank you enough, because things are going to be changing in a big way here, very soon

Regards,
DanV

 

[kanonfodr]

Meh, I'm single and don't really care for the resort life. Keep me close to the diving but don't make me pay too much.

Oh yes, a nearby friendly pub or 6 helps with the deco'ing and buddy-chatter.

Peace,
Greg

 

[danvolker]

Anyone like to share their likes/dislikes of any of the Palm Beach Hotels used for a dive trip in the past ?
DanV

 

[TMHeimer]

Not to hijack or open an old can of worms, but so far more than half want a hotel very close to the boats, thus close to or at the shore. As responsible divers, aren't we suppose to avoid these places since coastal development harms the shoreline which in turn harms the reefs?

 

[danvolker]

Not to hijack or open an old can of worms, but so far more than half want a hotel very close to the boats, thus close to or at the shore. As responsible divers, aren't we suppose to avoid these places since coastal development harms the shoreline which in turn harms the reefs?

The development occurred long ago. The real threats would be runoffs from agriculture west as far as lake okeechobe ...obviously including Big Sugar. Pesticides and fertilizers used by farms make there way to canals and the intracoastal waterway--this dumps into the ocean at the inlets. Fortunately, the gulf stream keeps the 40 to 60 foot reefs and deeper ones pretty well protected by it's powerful intrusion into the coastal area of palm beach. Lauderdale and Miami do not fare as well.

I would be inclined to say that one lobby powerful enough to accomplish a lot in the way of protecting the reefs now, would be state and county tourism...so you might make a strong case that divers SHOULD support the hotels by the beaches, where tourism officials are already looking for issues that they should be helping with....

Regards,
DanV