Guana, Elbow or Green Turtle

[JRH]

Hey

I am planning our trip for next summer, probably in June. This will be our third trip (me and my husband) but this trip my brother and his wife will be joining us. It will be their first time to Abaco. Previously we stayed in Marsh Harbour for our first trip and Green Turtle our second trip. Both times we stayed in resorts. We have also visited Treasure Cay, Lubbers, Man o War, Guana, and Elbow.

This time we plan to rent a house and stay for a week. I have done alot of research and have narrowed it down to Guana, Elbow, ot Green Turtle. We plan to rent a boat a few days and a golf cart a few days. Really don't want the expense of renting both all week, although I definitely could see the advantages. We want a little variety for eating dinner in the evening and maybe a selection of a few places for cocktails in the evening. Remember, I have been to Abaco and know the best night life will be the shooting stars on the beach. (What a show we saw on Green Turtle on night!) But it would be nice to have some evening entertainment. For example, I know the Gully Roosters play at the Green Turtle Club one night a week. Our daytime entertainment will either be boating in the sea of Abaco or exploring beaches and the island the days we have the golf cart. And we may take one day to do a small group tour.

I have been looking a houses and I am just overwhelmed with the choices. Would someone care to make a recommendations? Either as to an island or even a nice house? Oh, and the house MUST have AC.

[bellavista]

I'm biased but go Guana. Fun to be on. In between Green Turtle and Elbow for running around in boat.

[Jerry S]

www.lilgecko.com

[steamboat]

If you want a "small" resort type atmosphere, try Turtle Hill Villas located on Elbow Cay just outside Hope Town proper and look at the 3 bedroom units. The rate includes a gas golf cart and they have a boat dock just down the road for your rental boat. There are two shared pools between the 6 villas. The villas are just behind the dunes on a beautiful beach and there is an on sight bar/grill called On Da Beach if you don't feel like cooking or playing bartender. All the comforts without the big resort feel. Plus the on sight staff is a great asset for information or help of any kind.

[JJ]

On Guana and Green Turtle, we felt like we needed a cart the entire time. I guess it would depend on the location of your rental, but ours have been outside the settlements and the cart was needed to get supplies and for sightseeing around the Cay. We usually just rent a boat for a part of the trip. I have not stayed on Elbow.

[Henz]

North End of Elbow! Or Summerview on Lubbers!

[Apoggi]

We've stayed on both Elbow and Guana and I would pick Guana. The people there are the friendliest people in the Abacos.

[JRH]

Henz....what are some places/cottages/houses on the north end of Elbow? Is it a problem that golfcarts are not allowed in Hopetown? Or is that correct?

Apoggi....where did you stay on Guana?

[Cathy Arizona]

As you notice, everyone on this board has their favorite cay. We like Elbow. You can check out renting a house from TannyKeyrentals.com, Hopetownhideaways.com, elbowcayrentals.com and there are a few more. We've rented through all of them depending on whether we want to stay on the north end, south of the village or in town. You can't drive golf carts through Hope Town but you park just at the edge of town and everything is in walking distance as you know, since you've been there. Cap'n Jacks usually has entertainment on Wed & Sat. evenings and Abaco has entertainment too but I'm not sure which nights. Like all of us you'll have fun wherever you decide.

[Apoggi]

JRH:


We stayed at Shorecrest II right on the Ocean. Wonderful and then we spent three days at Guana Seaside. Loved them both but really liked being right on the ocean.

[Mike from Boston]

JRH North end of Elbow is very quiet. Highly recommend it. Short drive into town by cart. Plenty of access to the beaches. Community boat dock. A little more going on in town at night. Stayed at Buttonwood Hammock last year. Beautiful house. Mermaid's Ridge next year. Peace of mind.

[Coolstr85]

I always use www.greatherron.com (http://www.greatherron.com) . Danny Levison owns 2 houses on Guana that he rents out. 1 in town and 1 right outside of town. so you could pick which one would better suit your needs. hope this helps a little.

[JRH]

So glad to have the responses!! Please keep them coming....I am starting tp print alot of info and will get together with my brother later so we can make the final decision! Now I am starting to worry about plane fares with the predicted gas price increase. Oh well...I know Abaco is worth it!

[SDS]

Frangipani on Great Guana Cay is a great place, two bedrooms, a/c, and has its own dock. Stayed there many times and highly recommend it. http://www.frangipanicottage.net/

[Under the Palms]

My wife and I have been traveling the Out Islands for eleven years, and we've hit all the places you've talked about, Knowing what we know, we'd go to Guana. Incase you haven't been following the board about what's going on on Guana, it will probably look much different next year. We've stayed at Shorecrest II five years straight, great house, right on the beach. But here are two alternates.

Blueberry Hill Landing, featured home in Coastal Living Magazine http://www.blueberryhilllanding.com/

And for the best veiws on the island hands down, Tranquility http://www.abacotranquility.com/

We're staying at Blueberry Hill in Nov/Dec this year, but with the loss of High Rocks Beach, and now the impending losss of Bakers Bay, there will be no more "private" or undeveloped beach left on Guana, every piece of beach will have house on it (or a golf course). Go to Guana and enjoy it while you can, hopefully something will break and Bakers Bay will be left alone, but it's not looking good. See you on Green Turtle next year.
Todd Green
Partner
Under the Palms
Advertising/Marketing/Web Design
http://www.underthepalms.com/

[Henz]

That is correct, Guana is being developed and is going to change. For those who have enjoyed the tranquality, all we have left are the memories. This will also put more pressure on the other out islands as those of us seek alternative places for the peace and quiet.

[Moderator242]

Please stay in track of the subject of this thread.

[Henz]

Yup, gotchya, there is another site for that..!

[AbacoSea]

If looking for places to stay on Green Turtle Cay go to abacoislandrentals.com
The company's name is Island Property Management, and they have over 40 rental homes/properties on Green Turtle.

[BahamaAngie]

That's depressing, sounds like we might eventually have another Paradise Island.

[ericinsc]

Hey, just go wherever you want.. I am sure you and your wimpy Bro will be happy, lol.

[JRH]

Hey Whimpy Bro, its not you I worried about, its our other halfs!! They are the one who need the a/c!!

[ericinsc]

That was me, the brother..

I thought the post ws funny at the time, but it looks REALLY idiotic now... too bad there isn't an edit function on here.. I would have deep-sixed it, lol..

Anyway , i appologise (sp?) for the tasteless comment !

e

[Moderator242]

There is an edit function. To the left..

[ericinsc]

thanks

[ericinsc]

and how do I e-mail the moderator privately (or ask a question, like how to erase a stupid post, lol)

[Moderator242]

Just hit the private message link at top right. You can also email me at moderator242@aol.com.

[up north]

The Guana Beach House and the Guana Shell House are right on Guana's beauitful beach!!! 5 minutes from town and a hop skip and a jump from Nippers. It does not get better than this. Snorkeling right from the beach!!! It is the real deal. www.guanabeachhouse.com

[judissi]

"Cheers" on Elbow!!! Incredible house on the beach! Great A.C. and a pool. Walking distance to Tahiti Beach!
http://hopetown.com/cheers/index.html

[Sally]

I highley reccommend Hopetown Hideaways. They are my favorite places. So many rentals to choose from!! And the office staff is great. They just go out of their way to help.

[JRH]

We booked a house on Elbow with Hopetown Hideaways. We are set to go next June. You are right, so far they have been very nice and very helpful.