- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 2435
- Messages
- 48
3 years ago I reported on my disappointment with this marina. Since then it has "won" Best of the Bay 3 years in a row. We were curious if they deserved this honor. Back then we spent most of that time enjoying the hotel resort amenities to avoid the hassles of a new inexperienced marina.
We had a much better time this time and took advantage of the 2 nights paid/1 night free mid-week package. They now have two men's toilets - converting the john to a full toilet. Still not enough to support 150 slips. Eddie, the harbormaster, told me there are plans to add a new building that will be only heads.
They painted the walls with murals. Named each shower after the Gilligan's Island characters (I particularly liked the "Ginger" shower). These are still showers only rooms. We still used the showers by the hotel indoor pool since we spent most of our days there.
Cable TV works now. Slip water works - leaks all over the place 3 years ago. Docklines still are tied to pilings, not all slips have cleats (too expensive?).
Very heavy concentration of nettles, first time we had a A/C shutdown due to nettles. Neighbors had 2-3 shutdowns. Not faulting River Marsh on this one.
During the day, Eddie or any of the dockhands are very willing to shuttle you to the hotel. After they close at 6PM, you call the parking valet to pick you up and return. There was a constant feeling we had to tip for every trip. We mainly used our dinghy to go to the pier close to the main pool. The walk to/from hotel is still a long way and we had one of the closest slips to the marina office. In late August, the temps were not too hot.
Eddie says there are plans to add 150 more slips. All fixed, no floating. TIP - the one long floating dock is for only boaters who have handicapped crews.
All in all, the marina has improved. Dock personnel were all very nice and helpful. Knowledge before hand of their weaknesses and how to handle them makes a visit very pleasant.
Our biggest complaint has shifted to the hotel restaurants. While the food was great at all restaurants, it was very expensive. When entrees average around $22-25 each, we opted only one meal at each restaurant. At night, there are only two restaurants so your choices are very limited to expensive. During the week, the restaurants were at best half full. When we checked in with the hostess at the Blue Point (above the marina office), they asked if we had a reservation, we said "no". They said there is an hour wait. What!! Half the tables were empty and we were the only one in line. "Oh, wait, we just had a cancellation (but I didn't see the hostess answer a phone). For the whole evening, the most crowded it got was 3/4 full and there was never a line waiting.
Next night we go to the 4 star rated hotel restaurant. " Do you have a reservation?" "No" "OK, there is a one hour wait" What?? Same thing again - 25% tables are occupied, no line. "Oh, you are in luck, we just had a cancellation". Deja Vu? I couldn't believe it! It was 25% full our entire meal.
The only explanation I can think of is they wanted us to think we lucked into a great deal. Feel good about it. Maybe celebrate this great stroke of luck by buying more food and drink. Not at these prices.
I had to ask another family if they got treated the same way and they said yest, but thought they were incredibly lucky. Not realizing they were being manipulated.
During the day, the valet parking shuttle will take you to the main hotel entrance on US hwy 50. On the other side of the street is a Wal-Mart and Supermarket. Then save by cooking on the boat. But, when you are on vacation.... It would be nice if they had Wawa-type deli service. They used to deliver room service to your slip. Not anymore, you must pick up at the hotel.I guess since it is a resort you expect this. We will probably take a cab to town to explore more and find cheaper eats.
The mid-week package makes it a decent deal, but you wonder whether that 3rd night is really free, considering the cost of eating.
We will go again, maybe every other year. But, Best of the Bay?
Not for us. Just better.
Joe
We had a much better time this time and took advantage of the 2 nights paid/1 night free mid-week package. They now have two men's toilets - converting the john to a full toilet. Still not enough to support 150 slips. Eddie, the harbormaster, told me there are plans to add a new building that will be only heads.
They painted the walls with murals. Named each shower after the Gilligan's Island characters (I particularly liked the "Ginger" shower). These are still showers only rooms. We still used the showers by the hotel indoor pool since we spent most of our days there.
Cable TV works now. Slip water works - leaks all over the place 3 years ago. Docklines still are tied to pilings, not all slips have cleats (too expensive?).
Very heavy concentration of nettles, first time we had a A/C shutdown due to nettles. Neighbors had 2-3 shutdowns. Not faulting River Marsh on this one.
During the day, Eddie or any of the dockhands are very willing to shuttle you to the hotel. After they close at 6PM, you call the parking valet to pick you up and return. There was a constant feeling we had to tip for every trip. We mainly used our dinghy to go to the pier close to the main pool. The walk to/from hotel is still a long way and we had one of the closest slips to the marina office. In late August, the temps were not too hot.
Eddie says there are plans to add 150 more slips. All fixed, no floating. TIP - the one long floating dock is for only boaters who have handicapped crews.
All in all, the marina has improved. Dock personnel were all very nice and helpful. Knowledge before hand of their weaknesses and how to handle them makes a visit very pleasant.
Our biggest complaint has shifted to the hotel restaurants. While the food was great at all restaurants, it was very expensive. When entrees average around $22-25 each, we opted only one meal at each restaurant. At night, there are only two restaurants so your choices are very limited to expensive. During the week, the restaurants were at best half full. When we checked in with the hostess at the Blue Point (above the marina office), they asked if we had a reservation, we said "no". They said there is an hour wait. What!! Half the tables were empty and we were the only one in line. "Oh, wait, we just had a cancellation (but I didn't see the hostess answer a phone). For the whole evening, the most crowded it got was 3/4 full and there was never a line waiting.
Next night we go to the 4 star rated hotel restaurant. " Do you have a reservation?" "No" "OK, there is a one hour wait" What?? Same thing again - 25% tables are occupied, no line. "Oh, you are in luck, we just had a cancellation". Deja Vu? I couldn't believe it! It was 25% full our entire meal.
The only explanation I can think of is they wanted us to think we lucked into a great deal. Feel good about it. Maybe celebrate this great stroke of luck by buying more food and drink. Not at these prices.
I had to ask another family if they got treated the same way and they said yest, but thought they were incredibly lucky. Not realizing they were being manipulated.
During the day, the valet parking shuttle will take you to the main hotel entrance on US hwy 50. On the other side of the street is a Wal-Mart and Supermarket. Then save by cooking on the boat. But, when you are on vacation.... It would be nice if they had Wawa-type deli service. They used to deliver room service to your slip. Not anymore, you must pick up at the hotel.I guess since it is a resort you expect this. We will probably take a cab to town to explore more and find cheaper eats.
The mid-week package makes it a decent deal, but you wonder whether that 3rd night is really free, considering the cost of eating.
We will go again, maybe every other year. But, Best of the Bay?
Not for us. Just better.
Joe