Staff, Service and Final Thoughts on my True Blue Bay Grenadian Staycation

The Service: The staff of the True Blue Bay Resort was very good to me. They were so helpful and I cannot count the number of times a staff member saw me apparently wondering around and made it their business to ask if I was okay or needed help. My greeter was understanding when I took some time to sign my form at the front desk upon arrival. Those who guided me to my room were informative. Room services was helpful whenever they came, taking my dishes away even though it is typically a task for house keeping. My waitress on the first day was reluctant when I first asked her to read the menu to me NOT because she was rude but because she was trying to services the needs of as many people that were waiting for her return to her table as possible. I respect that, nobody wants a waitress or waiter that dilly-dallies and I appreciate that she wasn't rude about it. Also, upon her return with the dessert menu she OFFERED to read it to me out of concern over the small print.

When there was a mix up at the end of the night where I expected her and thought I'd been forgotten she found me the next night and expressed concern for me! Turns out, I misunderstood her and she made sure I did not leave without my desert on Sunday night.

Story time: Here is something I  overheard that I really appreciate:  one of my waitresses was on her way over to me when one of them started whispering quickly and over and over in what she thought was  a low voice 'Don't give that to her, don't give that to her! Come. come!' she said and my waitress retreated. I was so amused because for them the most important thing in that time for serving me well. So much so that they forgot my ears work just fine haha, She returned with A TABLET SO I COULD SEE THE DESSERT MENU WITH MINIMAL DIFFICULTY! Y'all! I appreciate this attention to detail, this learning how to services ones guests come what may! I love that they are paying attention!

I even heard my servers singing along to the live music which I loved because it is a literal nod to whistling while you work. When a person enjoys their job, it makes you enjoy interacting with them even more!

On Saturday at breakfast the staff was again ever helpful, providing extra cutlery when needed, providing warning about our bird guests and laughing along with guests who were having good Caribbean life fun.

Areas for improvement: I did tell you I would give an honest review. If I had to grade my service I would certainly give it a score of 4.5 out of 5 because I did encounter at least two people who did not seem all too pleased to provide me with any aid.

As a visually impaired solo travel I do wish many of the documents, signing in and out sheets and menus were made available digitally through email or otherwise. Perhaps even before my stay began. In this time of accessibility I feel like more and more places have a chance to go paperless and this hotel, who is making green living and energy conservation part of their vision for the future is no exception. I do appreciate their strides towards green living so far as this is reflected in their choice of furniture, their allowance of birds at the restoration as I'm sure it was originally their environment before it ever was ours and the inclusion of recycle bins in the rooms.

Though it was very easy to get to the hotel I thought it was a little too difficult to leave. While I could order a taxi through the front desk taxis tend to be pricey in most places and in my opinion that includes my country. I feel that the opportunity is there for a shuttle on retainer to at least take guests to the main road with their bags at a reasonable price. Once at the main road, going in any direction is scores easier. I was informed however, that the hotel does have a beach shuttle and with a little coordination of check out time, one could likely hitch a lift out to the main road that way. Consider that a 'pro tip'.

My over all stay at the True Blue Bay Resort and Villas was just what I needed at the time, peaceful and full of activities I could freely choose to be a part of or from which I could obtain. The grounds are beautiful, the service is good, the food is abundant and varying and the room is designed to make you so very happy and at home away from home. The facilities are largely accessible and there is available help everywhere if you run into difficulty. This includes the existence of wheel chair accessible rooms.

I am grateful for the opportunity to dwell in peace for that weekend and to experience a hotel built to appease the international eye from a local perspective. I'm already planning my next trip back, perhaps mothers day? It's so important to make intentional decisions to treat yourself well, to remember that you are just as valuable at home as you are abroad. Thank you to True Blue Bay Resort and Villas for giving me a chance to come face to face with that and I hope you will give them a chance to do the same for you!

Did someone say giveaway? Stay tuned for a HUGE surprise!

Peace. Love Treat Your Self!

Spa Day at True Blue Bay Resort and Villas

The Spa: My spa experience was seamless euphoria. I chose to have a mint soak because I am often affected by respiratory issues and I looked forward to breathing easy and clear. I knew mint would do this for me. The water was littered in bright pops of bougainvillea petals and I sank into that gorgeous run of hot water, looking out over the miraculous sea view and sighing with bliss. My blessings seemed close enough to touch just then... I can't say when last I've sat in a tub and just lived, breathed, closed my eyes and acknowledged the moment as nine and mine alone.

When my twenty minutes of letting my body absorb essential oils was through, I went straight on to my massage appointment two doors down. My masseuse was a well informed professional that made small talk with me the whole time and I really appreciated that interaction. We started by getting my health history out of the way, so that we were both clear what would be acceptable and effective for us both.

I got a medium pressure massage and learned that day that deep tissue massages (the only other massage I have ever had) are most effective and suggested for athletes. 

Let me tell you, I was surprised to find that my body was filled with tension all over. It made me a little ashamed of myself to be honest. Tension in my lower arm, my left side thigh, my feet! The aches and pains in my body were proof that I really had not been respecting, listening to and taking care of it as much as I taught I was doing. My body had clearly been trying to tell me things but I just had not been hearing it. I had not been actively listening. I know that everyone may not have a message but that experience taught me that they are worth it.  A moment in a a room with a professional to hear your body parts speak and cry out for help in a language you may not have yet correctly translated is surely worth a moment of your time.

When I was through my masseuse talked with me about skin care, skin type and how best to hydrate. She spoke to me of my areas of tension, of if and why she needed to apply a little more than medium pressure when she asked for my permission to so do. She was so informed, so kind and so open with me about health and my bodies needs. I cannot thank her enough.

Now lets talk a little about the service and staff...in my next post! See you soon!

Want to book your own spa day at True Blue Bay Resort? Click Here!
OR ENTER MY GIVEAWAY TO WIN ONE! Over on instagram. Check out my account for more details, @thewordyphoenix or this post for each and every step

Dinner and Dinning at the True Blue Bay Resort and Villas Grenadian Staycation

The Restaurant and Dining: Saturday night I had dinner at the Dodgy Dock a restaurant on the dock joined to the hotel. I had pasta salad, corn, vegetable salad, savoury Caribbean styled macaroni pie and chicken breast barbecued live in a sweet amber sauce.

On Sunday morning, I took it easy. I went downstairs to have breakfast at the dock restaurant, where a well known gaggle of birds happily and hopefully perused the scene in hopes of being invited to pick from a plate. These birds are very popular and well known by most who frequent the area. While some may be put off by their presence my animal lover self was constantly amused by them while I ate. They never steal  if you're looking but dare not turn your back on your food or best believe they will fly away with It! I was warned by the staff though so I did not fall victim. 

I had lunch brought to my room on Saturday because I really wanted to spend some time with myself, my book and the writing I needed to get done.  Life doesn't stop when you tell it to and it was a fruitful evening. The change of scenery did me well. I had an air conditioned atmosphere within which to work and sea sounds and birds calmly encouraging me to be free and get it done. 

Sunday night I ordered dinner off the restaurant menu. It was the Mexican styled fajitas and they were carried to my table steaming off the plate with delicious sides of tomatoes, guacamole and cream cheese. I packed them to my liking, into the provided skins and ate to my hearts content.

This time dessert did not miss me ither but I took it back to my room as I again wanted to retreat to the absence of my sea side veranda. A veranda, now bathed in moonlight and solitude. My decadent dark chocolate truffle paired with vanilla ice cream and I enjoyed it.

On Monday morning I had a vast Grenadian style breakfast room serviced to me as I had a spa appointment at the Blue Haven Spa and was in a hurry. They sent up some fragrant lemon grass tea, codfish with scrambled eggs, roasted coconut bakes and a beautiful assortment of tropical fruit.

Entertainment: On Saturday night there was a live band. Tammy Baldeo performed live with an accompanying guitarist Gabriel. They were phenomenal! They enhanced the intimate, warm feel of a dimly little, on the dock, restaurant near the seaside. His guitar strummed, her voice soothed, the food digested and the sea hummed along with low ripples and rumbles. It was a beautiful evening and I was glued to my seat. I was well fed, cool, safe and entertained. 

On Sunday night I ate my fajitas to the sounds of soft calypso instrumental as the full moon glistened over the water near my table. The food was affordable and so good I was ashamed of myself guys. See you soon for more of my True Blue Bay Experience!