Members since 1995, return as often as we can!
We've been members for a long time, started out in the original Taino apartments (that are now demolished from the hurricane), then bought into the Ritz 1. We always request the ground floor, as you can just walk right out to the beach/pool from your back door. We bought into the new section, that is more "homey", with carpeting, real furniture, a bathroom with real walls, not glass. The 1 bedroom with Bahama room is roomy, modern appliances, 3 flat screen tvs (including in the master bedroom). There is an "accordian" pull-out door that gives extra guests some privacy with the pull-out bed in the Bahama Room. Since it's usually just my husband & I, no problem there. We'd buy the extra bedroom model if we had kids around still.
As for the amenities, we do bring as much in the way of groceries with us as allowed: coffee, sugar, powdered creamer, cereal, oatmeal, peanut butter, snack-y stuff, even dishwasher & laundry detergent tablets! The Winn-Dixie IS more expensive than at home, but it is an island, so everything has to be shipped in, of course. I carefully plan every meal, buying only what we need (don't forget things like paper towels & regular kitchen soap). Along with staples like milk, butter, bread, fruit & veggies, I usually buy chicken, steaks, pasta, cold cuts, yogurt. We usually spend just over $100 for a week, and then plan on having 3 or 4 meals out, usually over in Port Lucaya. An Irish pub called Shenanigans is a favorite!
The pool and beach are lovely....since we've been there so much, we just kick back & relax, going to the pool in the AM, then the beach in the afternoon, or vice versa. We've already done all the sightseeing tours you can do. My advice is to buy a weekly ferry pass, as you can use it as much as you want, to get over to Port Lucaya. From there, walk down to the public bus stop: for a dollar you can go anywhere in Freeport, as opposed to taking a cab, which is always "$20" no matter how far you go!!! As for the pace, get used to Bahamas time....nobody is in a hurry, so don't you be either! Just take it all in, for the most part, everyone at the resort is pleasant & helpful. The place is what you make it....you decide how much or how little you want to do, and enjoy doing it!