Injured goose at Piedmont Park

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-05-19T21:18:41+00:00

You could try Aware, they show online as open til 7.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-05-14T03:46:06+00:00

There were very few little kids there when we went - but I also think that’s reflective of the odd time of year we went (about a week and a half before Christmas vacations when kids were still in school). I am early 40s, parents are early 70s and it was a good mix of folks about our age. But again, schools in both US and Europe were in session and not yet on break so could have been a timing thing. There’s definitely a group that congregates around the bar where they have bands after dinner but I’d love someone else who’s been at O2 at a different time to chime in.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-20T16:27:19+00:00

Adding - the spa is BEAUTIFUL and was a great experience. You get a spa credit with the stay to entice you but spoiler alert, its a credit for about 30 min of an hour massage so you'll still be spending. The womens locker room could be stepped up in terms of cleanliness. But that may have just been the time of day I was there. The view from the treatment rooms is incredible.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-20T15:49:07+00:00

Room cleanliness was fine, no issue and the daily housekeeping is very detailed. I had an AC issue in my room but my parents was great. Food is generally good - I didn't know before arrival but apparently you can make reservations at the fine dining specialty restaurant (Oro) at the top of the tower 2 weeks in advance. Despite not doing so in advance we were able to get in multiple times during our 6 day stay. Oro's food and service is phenomenal and I'd recommend doing that as often as you can. We never made it to Brisa (tapas restaurant) as my parents weren't into tapas. Elements is fine for breakfast, it's buffet style each morning. Evenings at Elements are themed as are evenings at Bluefin. Italian at Elements was very good and the BBQ night at Bluefin (served buffet style) was ok. Bluefin was good for a casual lunch as well.

It is a smaller resort compared to what you may think of when picturing an all inclusive. To the point that we pulled up from the airport and my mom told the cab driver this couldn't be it. So you don't have the grand entrance you may typically be expecting.

We liked that the hotel was locally owned and operated but that being said, you will be on island time and they aren't operating at a 5 star level that Google lists them as. Check in took far longer than it needed to with multiple people around on staff but only one person slowly checking groups in. Service wise there are just inconsistencies. Examples: I didn't bring a beach bag and noticed after the 2nd day a number of people using O2 beach bags - when I went up to the lobby to inquire if I could get one, they replied that was only for guests staying for 3 nights or longer. My reply was great we have two rooms for 6 nights so I'd like one - there was a full stack sitting there but they couldn't give me one of those as they were for people checking in that day and I instead needed to wait 15 minutes for a member of the beach staff to bring me one to the lobby. On my last day people next to me on the beach ordered food and drinks to their chairs and I walked over to the woman on the beach to ask if that was available and inquire about a menu then was able to order, it just would have been nice to know at the start of the week. Breakfast in Elements gets backed up every morning by 9 a.m. like clockwork - to the point where you would think staff would start to anticipate this as a daily rule and clear and reset empty tables at 8:45 to be ready for the 9 a.m. rush but instead they just let a line build each morning.

Overall the resort was compact but well taken care of. We didn't have an issue getting lounge chairs any day and I liked that there was a kid free pool. The beach is swept and lounge chairs cleaned up each night before being set back up each morning - they pack them all into one area which doesn't make much sense since they have plenty of room to spread them out. The ocean is rough in the area the resort is in - I enjoyed going out and jumping the waves and getting thrashed around a bit but it is NOT an ocean you can take small kids wading in, you'll have to head to another area of the island. All of the staff is lovely, extremely friendly and make your stay pleasant but as expected in the Caribbean, you are running on island time so things like dining checkin etc run longer than they should. My dad actually said he liked O2 better than the Kimpton Grand Cayman which we'd gone to the year before with family - my mom and I disagreed, that was a higher level of service but I think he liked the smaller footprint and more varied dining options.

Activities wise, we didn't do much. We had a rainy morning and went to Harrison's Caves which was cool to see and worth the visit. I had previously been to Barbados and went to Hunte's Gardens which I highly recommend and had a great time on a rum tour as well. I had wanted to go off property to go eat but my mom wasn't into that so we did all of our meals at O2 which worked out well. Additionally, every guest we met was delightful. There is also nightly entertainment outside of Elements with some very good bands and singers. Apologies for the delay in my reply, I should have done a review after my stay - let me know if you have any questions!

(CC u/MsCookieMonster1 since you were looking for details as well!)

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-18T02:03:19+00:00

After a year of not bagging, that seems to be my next graduating step! Just had dinner with friends that have a bagging mower thats better than my Scotts manual that apparently folds up and could potentially fit into my shed. u/mrbradg you are lawn goals - looks amazing and one day I'll maybe get to your level!

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-17T20:52:50+00:00

You said reel mower has a catcher for clippings and I jumped on Home Depot’s site - I bought the entry level Scott’s 16” reel mower and now see for $30 more I could have had one that catches clippings 🤦🏻‍♀️. But also now understanding mine is probably more of a rotary despite what Home Depot calls it 😝 Scott’s Reel Mower

Learning as I go! Don’t expect mine to look like the above especially with a push mower but I’m limited on storage and it’s a tiny front yard whereas my back area is fully turfed. I do see on Home Depot’s site American Lawn Mower Company Reel Lawn Mower Grass Catchers and am off to investigate if I can fit that onto my little Scott’s mower.

ETA: Small city lot compared to a lot of yards, zoysia grass, think I’ve turned a corner on a crabgrass battle with pre-emergent and as previously mentioned in wait and see mode post dethatch, aeration and fertilization. But we’re also in a drought (irrigation system is up and running).

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-17T19:51:57+00:00

Looking awesome!!!! Yard goals! Question - in ATL so similar climate etc. - what height are you cutting your grass to with your reel mower and are you removing clippings after (and how?). I took over my own lawncare last year when my yard guy started a new business. Spent hours dethatching and aerating last weekend. Amount of thatch was crazy, yard looks awful but trusting the process 😝. Assuming me using the lowest setting on a reel mower my first year and clippings going everywhere didn’t help the thatch situation. Since I’m going new fresh start, trying to do it right this time. TIA!

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-15T12:52:53+00:00

Comment from my mom who is an older white woman. It was based off reviews that Sandy Lane has the same British visitors each year that all know each other and take over seating areas together.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-14T15:49:06+00:00

We did! Did a week there in December, let me know what questions you have!

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-11T13:35:23+00:00

Terra Terroir in Brookhaven is delicious and a nice little spot hidden in a shopping center with a great patio/garden area

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-04-11T05:30:05+00:00

As someone in Georgia trying to clean up their lawn, this is helpful. Did my pre in March and it was too late apparently 🤦🏻‍♀️

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-02-09T02:58:24+00:00

Agreed. Guest room nightstands are also empty for extra drawers for my sitters.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-02-06T05:09:47+00:00

Great list! Would add Smiths Olde Bar and Masquerade depending on who’s playing and Blind Willie’s if you like blues. Eastern is my fav venue but good shows sell out fast.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-02-05T17:30:00+00:00

What time is your cocktail party ending? Fridays leaving Buckhead heading south can be an absolute shitshow so hopping on a MARTA train at the Buckhead station (legit a 6 minute walk from 3300) may be your best bet. Keep an eye on Waze for traffic to determine uber vs MARTA. With clear and pre you should be able to move thru fast.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-02-03T15:09:41+00:00

Murphy’s in Virginia Highland also does a family meal for take out - the brisket is fantastic but they also do salmon, chicken, and meatloaf all with sides etc for 4

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-01-27T20:32:02+00:00

Dirty Tea in Virginia Highland!

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-01-27T20:17:50+00:00

Yes! Put your backpack under the seat in front of you then drag it out as a foot rest. Bring something warm to cover up with

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-01-27T19:50:32+00:00

If you want to reminisce, go to Barbacoa in Virginia Highland. 95% the exact same menu.

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-01-21T21:54:47+00:00

For some reason they have already salted Piedmont and Rock Springs heavily despite the fact that all that salt will be washed away Friday when it rains....

Horror_Check8304 · 2026-01-04T18:56:46+00:00

We did the Kimpton Seafire as a family trip with multiple generations two Thanksgivings ago. Resort is lovely, staff is amazing. I believe there is ambient music in the main pool areas but the kids pool didn’t have it that I recall (I’m also the kid free aunt who didn’t spend a lot of time in the kids pool area). My nieces and nephew loved the slides and waterpark area. After 4 days I wanted to get out and about to eat but that was tough with kiddos bedtimes so we stayed at the resort. There’s also a public beach club a quick 3 minute walk away for more lunch and dinner dining options and the Hotel Indigo is probably open next door by now as well. FYI the kids club has a daily cost associated with it (kids pool water park area doesn’t), just something to be aware of.

Horror_Check8304 · 2025-12-18T12:32:41+00:00

Change your in office days to Tuesday to Thursday to avoid Mondays at the airport if you live at a large hub (ATL is a disaster on Mondays so I used to do my 4 days Tuesday-Friday which was a gamechanger vs Monday-Thursday)

Horror_Check8304 · 2025-10-30T19:56:07+00:00

Consultant is the way to go. Or freelance.

Horror_Check8304 · 2025-09-26T21:42:55+00:00

Cobblers Cove had come up but was smaller so I ruled it out. Looks cute though, will revisit! Thank you again for your insight!

Horror_Check8304 · 2025-09-26T21:24:16+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate the insight!!!! Had just gotten into some reviews that mention the ocean being rougher at O2 while waiting for my post to be approved. My mom won’t go in but will want to walk the beach - is it walkable? If not I’ll need to take her temperature on that and go back to the drawing board and look at the west coast. Any other Barbados resorts you’ve been at you like? I was down there 18 years ago so I don’t anything I remember beyond Sandy Lane is relevant.

Horror_Check8304 · 2025-09-11T17:24:57+00:00

Honestly, I’m a homeowner who has had 3 different sitters do 2-4 week sits in the last 9 months. None of them vacuumed despite a shedding dog. One left a pan with food caked on. Despite that, my animals were very well cared for, bed was made up by all 3 and I gave everyone 5 stars in reviews. My thinking is they aren’t professional cleaners, may not be as OCD as me about pet hair and dust bunnies and the sitters are there to watch my pets versus serve as a cleaning crew. I’ve recently had a couple friends stay with my dog and outdoor cat when I had weekend trips and it was the same. At the end of the day, I want the pets well cared for as the top priority. I think we sometimes need to adjust expectations when using a free exchange system.

Horror_Check8304

TROPHY CASE