Graycliff Hotel - worth it?

SvilleKid · 10-08-2012, 12:40 AM

So.... I'll be going on a cruise in a couple of weeks. One of the stops will be Nassau, Bahamas. I'm a fan of Graycliff cigars, have been for years. So....

Anyone here been to the Graycliff? Is it worth the time to visit? Or would I be better served to find some other place to visit while in port?

emopunker2004 · 10-08-2012, 12:43 AM

Here ya go buddy

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showth...raycliff+Hotel
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14289

T.G · 10-08-2012, 01:18 AM

Cliff,

If you're a fan, you'll be forever remorseful if you don't at least go there and try to get in on something.

icehog3 · 10-08-2012, 01:20 AM

The tour is cool, and the food is pretty good. They have fairly limited hours as I remember, so best to arrange the tour time before you go, Cliff.

10-08-2012, 10:30 AM

I hate to be a wet blanket, but my child bride and I cruised into Nassau in June of last year and I felt that Graycliffs was a must-see. I was pretty disappointed.

I don't know if business was just bad or it was the off-season or what, but the place was all but closed down. The restaurant was closed, there were hardly any people around -- it was just dead.

Our cabbie waited while I looked in on the torcedores - there were only a couple of them working - and went into the gift shop. Prices be d@mned, I felt I had to buy some Graycliffs at their place of birth just so I could say I had. I also bought some for a BOTL who had asked me to. This wasn't a good thing to do.

Once I was home again, I sent the sticks to the guy who asked for them - only to get a reply a while later with photos showing the beetle damage in one of the cigars I sent him. After apologizing profusely and offering to replace any damaged ones, I promptly froze the entire contents of my coolidor.

For me, it was a bad experience all around. Graycliffs have never been at the top of my favorites list and, now, I don't even consider buying them again. I'm not saying I'll never smoke one again but I sure won't go out of my way to get one.

icehog3 · 10-08-2012, 11:18 AM

Yes, to be clear my last trip to Graycliff was over 7 years ago, so my information may be trumped by Bacchus' more recent experience.

Powers · 10-08-2012, 11:31 AM

I went about three years ago and had a great time. I had never been to a cigar factory previously so granted I didn't have anything to compare it too. As Tom said, definitely contact them to arrange a time. They are pretty flexible w/the length of your tour in my experience, depends on how much you ask and wanna poke around.

This was my

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12170

mosesbotbol · 10-08-2012, 12:16 PM

If you know a B&M that is selling a lot of Greycliff's have them call to accept you when you are there. Vendor based introductions will get you much better treatment such as free drinks and cigars. They'll roll out the carpet for an industry guest.

I heard the hotel has quite a wine list, so if they are open for dinner you could have a real treat in that respect.

SvilleKid · 10-08-2012, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

If you know a B&M that is selling a lot of Greycliff's have them call to accept you when you are there. Vendor based introductions will get you much better treatment such as free drinks and cigars. They'll roll out the carpet for an industry guest.

I heard the hotel has quite a wine list, so if they are open for dinner you could have a real treat in that respect.

An interesting idea!! I do have several people in the cigar industry that could call them on my behalf! I think I'll do that.

Thanks Bacchus for the current info. I think, since this is the only time I'm likely to ever be there, I'll make the effort to go. My wife was very interested in the rolling process we watched in Charleston, SC, so I know she would go with me. And, if the cigar part is slow or not going that day, it sounds like the hotel would be an interesting tour in itself.

So, is the hotel close enough that an overweight 54 year old can make the trip walking without showing up in a pool of sweat?? I'm no against walking, and a five to ten minute walk isn't outside of my capabilities. I just don't want to show up sweating like a $2 hooker on a Amsterdam Saturday night!!!

As to buying a cigar, It would make sense to grab a couple from the source, though I currently have several dozen various ones. Will have to see. And will definitely freeze them after seeing Bacchus' post!!

icehog3 · 10-08-2012, 05:09 PM

You're staying at the Graycliff Hotel as well, Cliff? If so, it's all "right there", you shouldn't have a problem.

SvilleKid · 10-08-2012, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

You're staying at the Graycliff Hotel as well, Cliff? If so, it's all "right there", you shouldn't have a problem.

No, unfortunately. Only a day stop on the cruise. But should be there to eat lunch. Will have to see what menu and prices look like!

Will be either walk there and then back, or take a taxi. I could always use the exercise (although walking has to be my LEAST favorite form of exercise - bad knees may have something to do with that!)

php007 · 10-08-2012, 05:18 PM

It's a great place to visit and you will most likely see them rolloing. Since you are taking a cruise, take a cab to the hotel from the dcok.

Enjoy.

icehog3 · 10-08-2012, 06:00 PM

From the port, Cliff, you will probably want to cab it.

SvilleKid · 10-08-2012, 07:42 PM

Thanks Tom! That's good to know before hand, for sure!!

Caymus · 10-08-2012, 09:45 PM

I went to the Graycliff Hotel on a cruise stop, and I enjoyed it. I enjoy Graycliff cigars, so it was a must-stop for me. The grounds alone are worth seeing, and they do have a world-class wine and spirits selection. We walked from the cruise port, but it's more than a 10 min walk...you might choose a cab. I highly, strongly recommend heading over to "Fish Fry" (formally known as Arawak Cay) , an area about a mile from the cruise terminal/Graycliff. It's an area of colorful seafood huts where the special in all them is fresh conch. I'm a foodie, and the fresh conch salads I ate there were some of the best food memories I have. Just delicious and so fresh and local. The conch fritters are great too....wash 'em down with some ice cold Kalik beer.

Caymus · 10-08-2012, 09:54 PM

Graycliff pool...

Caymus · 10-08-2012, 09:55 PM

Fish Fry (Arawak Cay)

Caymus · 10-08-2012, 09:57 PM

Conch salad and Kalik

SvilleKid · 10-26-2012, 09:19 PM

Well, Graycliff was a bust. Hurricane Sandy put that port of call off the ship stops. Maybe some time in the future....,

MarkinAZ · 10-26-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SvilleKid

Well, Graycliff was a bust. Hurricane Sandy put that port of call off the ship stops. Maybe some time in the future....,

...sorry to hear about that Cliff

10-08-2012, 12:40 AM	#1
SvilleKid Yes I am a Pirate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 33°46′08″N 86°28′16″W / 33.76895°N 86.471037°W Posts: 2,776 Trading: (52)	Graycliff Hotel - worth it? So.... I'll be going on a cruise in a couple of weeks. One of the stops will be Nassau, Bahamas. I'm a fan of Graycliff cigars, have been for years. So.... Anyone here been to the Graycliff? Is it worth the time to visit? Or would I be better served to find some other place to visit while in port? __________________ Ceilin' fan it stirs the air, Cigar smoke does swirl. The fragrance on the pillow case, and he thinks about the girl. Thanks, JB, 1975.

10-08-2012, 12:43 AM	#2
emopunker2004 Central Fla rollin Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Justin Location: Winter Springs, FL Posts: 6,171 Trading: (46)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? Here ya go buddy http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showth...raycliff+Hotel http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14289 __________________ Cigar Asylum: Where all are equal, unless you are from CA, then you are more equal.

10-08-2012, 01:18 AM	#3
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? Cliff, If you're a fan, you'll be forever remorseful if you don't at least go there and try to get in on something.

10-08-2012, 01:20 AM	#4
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,284 Trading: (60)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? The tour is cool, and the food is pretty good. They have fairly limited hours as I remember, so best to arrange the tour time before you go, Cliff. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

10-08-2012, 10:30 AM	#5
Bacchus Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? I hate to be a wet blanket, but my child bride and I cruised into Nassau in June of last year and I felt that Graycliffs was a must-see. I was pretty disappointed. I don't know if business was just bad or it was the off-season or what, but the place was all but closed down. The restaurant was closed, there were hardly any people around -- it was just dead. Our cabbie waited while I looked in on the torcedores - there were only a couple of them working - and went into the gift shop. Prices be d@mned, I felt I had to buy some Graycliffs at their place of birth just so I could say I had. I also bought some for a BOTL who had asked me to. This wasn't a good thing to do. Once I was home again, I sent the sticks to the guy who asked for them - only to get a reply a while later with photos showing the beetle damage in one of the cigars I sent him. After apologizing profusely and offering to replace any damaged ones, I promptly froze the entire contents of my coolidor. For me, it was a bad experience all around. Graycliffs have never been at the top of my favorites list and, now, I don't even consider buying them again. I'm not saying I'll never smoke one again but I sure won't go out of my way to get one.

10-08-2012, 11:18 AM	#6
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,284 Trading: (60)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? Yes, to be clear my last trip to Graycliff was over 7 years ago, so my information may be trumped by Bacchus' more recent experience. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

10-08-2012, 11:31 AM	#7
Powers Swamp Ash member in exile Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas Posts: 2,283 Trading: (17)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? I went about three years ago and had a great time. I had never been to a cigar factory previously so granted I didn't have anything to compare it too. As Tom said, definitely contact them to arrange a time. They are pretty flexible w/the length of your tour in my experience, depends on how much you ask and wanna poke around. This was my http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=12170 __________________ "There is true glory and true honor: the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle" - Robert E. Lee

10-08-2012, 12:16 PM	#8
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? If you know a B&M that is selling a lot of Greycliff's have them call to accept you when you are there. Vendor based introductions will get you much better treatment such as free drinks and cigars. They'll roll out the carpet for an industry guest. I heard the hotel has quite a wine list, so if they are open for dinner you could have a real treat in that respect. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-08-2012, 05:09 PM	#10
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,284 Trading: (60)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? You're staying at the Graycliff Hotel as well, Cliff? If so, it's all "right there", you shouldn't have a problem. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

10-08-2012, 05:18 PM	#12
php007 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: Placentia, CA Orange County Posts: 360 Trading: (35)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? It's a great place to visit and you will most likely see them rolloing. Since you are taking a cruise, take a cab to the hotel from the dcok. Enjoy. __________________ Paul Patel http://s166.photobucket.com/home/php007/allalbums

10-08-2012, 06:00 PM	#13
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,284 Trading: (60)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? From the port, Cliff, you will probably want to cab it. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

10-08-2012, 07:42 PM	#14
SvilleKid Yes I am a Pirate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 33°46′08″N 86°28′16″W / 33.76895°N 86.471037°W Posts: 2,776 Trading: (52)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? Thanks Tom! That's good to know before hand, for sure!! __________________ Ceilin' fan it stirs the air, Cigar smoke does swirl. The fragrance on the pillow case, and he thinks about the girl. Thanks, JB, 1975.

10-26-2012, 09:19 PM	#19
SvilleKid Yes I am a Pirate Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 33°46′08″N 86°28′16″W / 33.76895°N 86.471037°W Posts: 2,776 Trading: (52)	Re: Graycliff Hotel - worth it? Well, Graycliff was a bust. Hurricane Sandy put that port of call off the ship stops. Maybe some time in the future...., __________________ Ceilin' fan it stirs the air, Cigar smoke does swirl. The fragrance on the pillow case, and he thinks about the girl. Thanks, JB, 1975.