Our stay at Fernandez bay was incredible, in so many ways. The beach is truly one of the most beautiful stretches, and so to awaken and retire each night just steps away on soft sand from pristine clear water was an experience to have. A stretch of beach long enough for early morning walks and lovely swims, yet quiet and secluded.
I wish I could say with equal enthusiasm our satisfaction with the services and amenities that others had experienced. My husband had stayed at Fernandez several times in years past, but this was my first. Not my first island experience by any means, so an “on island time” understanding I know, appreciate and honor. But this was unfortunately different for us both.
The “honor bar” system has been re-established, but finding fresh (or any) ice was a rarity. The coolers were broken every day except one of six, and ice chests were restocked less than daily. Although things were never apparently cleaned, the view remains incredible, so we definitely still enjoyed. But one does question how much lost potential is here. I am not high maintenance by any stretch, but I do expect attention to detail to a point which demonstrates that people truly care.
Breakfasts were fresh and consistent, so that’s a plus. Dinner, however was far less appealing. In the positive column, there were always 2 main options, but only two of 5 nights we tried could be called good. Ribs were dry, meat sparingly present. The fried fish was soggy, grilled fish tasteless and tough and the last nights chicken smelled of old. Appetizers were creamy and obscure to be kind, desserts were stale and lacking.
Service, although when present came usually with a smile, was definitely on someone else’s time. It felt as if we were more intruders in the timeline of life than visitors, much less customers. In our last day, I had to go to the kitchen to let them know we wanted lunch, and was told to come back when I knew what we wanted. I then had to ask the cleaning woman for a cup of ice, since the bar had not been touched since the night before (it was past noon). I fished my husbands hopeful last kalik (light, since regulars were absent for days) from the bottom of warm water in a cooler while the kitchen staff was pouring and enjoying what looked like much colder beer behind the kitchen door.
Fortunately with lunch at the blue bird earlier in the week, and a visit to Julian at da smoke pot, island culinary desires for fresh and local with genuine, unhurried smiles can still be fulfilled:).
The grounds at Fernandez were wonderful though, in ambiance and nature, which is the important thing of course. The water is perfect in splendor which does balance things. Much needed maintenance is definitely going to be necessary moving forward here, as well as someone to manage things. That much is evident.
All said it was lovely. We had a last moment on a breezy porch and said goodbye. And when we were dropped off at the airport, after paying 18% gratuities on everything, automatically added which is customary and fine, were actually asked for cash tip by the staff member. What a wonderful farewell! Maybe she should have looked in the room. Because that’s where we left it, simply because that was where the service seemed to actually not miss a beat.
It will be interesting to see what happens to this Cat island gem. Hopefully someone sails in on the horizon to rescue! There is SO much...
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