cmt489:
Yup got over to see CCV and FIBR. Not sure of the acronyms IoLR and BIBR - if you let me know, I can tell you
I guess I just liked the setting of AKR and the maintenance. When I went over to FIBR (which I am assuming is Fanatasy Island) I was shocked by how run down it was. I know that they were renovating at the time but I had gone on this trip with my parents and we almost stayed there since my mother is a non-diver and is a tennis player. Well good thing we didn't stay there for that reason since the tennis court is such a mess that it is absolutely unusable!
CCV appeared nice but it just didn't grab me. I also liked the boats at AKR and the fact that they have a lot of the attractions that others come in to use. There were non-diving oriented things to do (such as riding and the canopy ride) which the whole family enjoyed (don't get me wrong I LOVE diving but when you go for 2 weeks sometimes you want to do other things!) My dad is a diabetic so the medical centre and the recompression chamber being on site were also a bonus.
The cabins at AKR were great (I was in a new AC cabin so I don't know what the older ones are like) and were situated wonderfully. The food was also very good.
Anyhow, that is my report and I know I will definitely recommend AKR to anyone.
Just one diver's opinion.....
Michelle
IoLR= Inn of the Last Resort and
BIBR = Bay Islands Beach Resort
So in a diver's opinion, how did the diving (the operation, boats, as well as the diving itself) compare when you dove at CCV & FIBR versus the North side and a place like AKR? How did you find AKR's boats to be superior to CCV's?
FIBR has vastly improved in the last two years with new ownership. The place has some real die hard fans, no matter what the shortcomings, and the well seasoned dive staff has a lot to do with that. For what the DM's do for the resort's reputation and memory in the traveller- they are seriously underpaid. They have a great beach (one of the few on the island) and a lot of men bring their topless 'neices' for vaction.
As to the claim of medical facilities and availablity on Roatan- please don't be deluded... you are still at 2 hr. plane ride away from any real medical assistance. A medical center, recomp chamber, or whatever- if you stub your toe, head for Houston.
A note to any that are travelling with older or those in diminished capacity- there are many, many steps - up and down- at AKR... just to eat. The attraction that they offer, the Dolphin show, can be accessed by any Roatan visitor, including the 80-175 cruise ship divers that make it to AKR every week.
There are several here at SB that have actually spent entire weeks at various of the Roatan resort properties. My experience is less broad: I have been day-diving extensively with each of the major AI properties, and many of the day trip services. I have been to look in every room type offered at the major AI's, and many of the smaller guest houses. I've eaten at the major AI's, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I have only slept overnight at CoCoView, so I don't know what the sunrise is like at other resorts when you have no clear East & West view. I'm spoiled by the 24/7 actual shore dive access.
No one resort is for everyone, and you have an even bigger propblem when you bring non-divers to Roatan! Sounds like Michelle may have picked the optimum place (AKR) for such a varied group. AKR has easy access to the "West End", a great place for day trips for the non-diver... lots to keep mom and dad occupied for your dive week! It is also quite near the Botanical Gardens, the Jungle Canopy tour and the Iguana/Parrot dealywigs. These non-dive activities can be accesed from any Roatan dive resort, but once again- for the non-diver tag-alongs... AKR puts them right in the center of Roatan's "entertainment district"... such as it is
