The Royal Plantation lives up to the hype; hands down.

My wife and I are both professionals in our late 20's, US citizens, looking for a relaxation vacation and we sure did get it.

We traveled through the second and third week of May 2008. The weather was overall great, with a couple of overcast days with some scattered rain at times, 85 degrees F high humidity.

Also, there was a 33% discount with 7th night free deal going on when we booked through the hotel.


To start:

Arrived at airport, hung out in Sandals hotel area, had a complimentary red stripe while we waited for our car. It was funny to see all the other people cramming into tourist buses for their journey, while our driver showed up in a private car, air conditioned to the max, with chilled beers, soda and water on ice waiting. It was an 1 1/2 hours from Montego Bay to the hotel, the highway was smooth and the driver entertaining giving us a cool history lesson on the way there.

Hotel was amazing, from the moment we walked in to when we left, we had the most relaxing time ever. Air conditioning everywhere! Nice champagne and cold towel waiting when we showed up, followed by a tour of the grounds. Our room was not ready yet, so we went right to lunch and enjoyed a crab salad and avocado appetizer and red snapper filets with a fruity cocktail, fantastic!!!

We stayed in a one bedroom honeymoon suite (room 206) which had 2 air conditioners, a nice balcony with table and chairs, one standard bathroom and one bathroom with an open rain shower and separate jacuzzi tub. It also had a bar with 4 different types of liquor (your choice) with a fridge full of mixers, beer and champagne. We had a perfect unobstructed view of the ocean, we could listen to the waves all day long. Also, perfect spot for privacy as well. Beds were very comfortable, there are pillow menus to order what you like.

The room was always kept clean, they missed turn down service twice out of 5 nights but we did not care. The room was always well stocked and cleaned each AM.

We had breakfast on our balcony overlooking the water for the first 4 days, you hang your order on the door the night before, then it arrives at your scheduled time, set up on your balcony if you want with tableclothes, silverware, china, etc. Great fruits and pastries!!! Breakfast was also great at the Grille, where it was a buffet style.

The beach has two different areas to lay out. There were always chairs, which would be set up for you by the staff anyway you liked it with your mangosa cocktail waiting. No having to go out early to "save" a chair, they were always available all day. The beach was nice sand, raked free of debris daily, clear blue water, warm and inviting. You can go out snorkeling twice a day on a boat out to the "shipwreck" or the area reefs, I highly recommend it.

I worked out in the gym each morning, smaller, but has 6 or 7 cardio machines, free weights, televisions, air conditioning, fresh towels and cold water available 24/7. Pretty much barren in the AM if you are up.

Room is always available at every restaurant so no problem with reservations (only the good tables go quickly). Lunch is available on the terrace for the fancier food, or you can eat down at the Grille on the beach, or just have the food brought to your layout chair on the sand. We did not find anything on the menu we did not like. We ate dinner at all three placed and enjoyed them all. The Pepillon can cook a great steak that would rival many different great steakhouses. Dinner is a true event there and lasts 2-2 1/2 hours so be ready. Make reservations early to sit outside, it is worth it.

We did the Chukka zip line excursion which was a lot of fun. We paid $91/person, lasted 4 hours with the majority travel time, but the travel time was an experience to say the least. Fun to drive through the hills and see "real" Jamaica. Bring good walking shoes, it is a good workout!

We also enjoyed the fire dancing show, bought freshly rolled cigars made right in front of us and really enjoyed the BBQ night, make your reservations!!!!

Our advice to all of you:

1) Take the Royal Plan. Avg breakfast $50-75. Avg lunch $50-100. Avg dinner $150-200. Drinks average $10 each. Everything has a 15% service charge on it on top of that. If you are on Royal Plan, eat and drink as much as you want, all included (even tips).

2) Bring your own wine. You can bring one liter per person into Jamaica through customs, so we brought 375ml bottles from our home for dinner. We found the house wine to be average and everything else you have to pay for WAY overpriced. Bring your own.

3) Bring money for tips. They work hard and the service is amazing. While your tip is included with the Royal Plan, we tipped an extra $1 per drink and $5 per meal. The drivers got $10 for a great tour of Jamaica. We tried to tip everyone along the way and we probably spent $150-$200 for the extra tips in 6 days so no big deal and it means a lot to the employees.

4) This is not a party hotel. The bar is open until 1am and there is a live band each night playing your favorite tunes, but it is not a raging party. This is a relaxing type vacation, FYI.

5) Try all the fruity drinks. Red Stripe light is also good.

6) You may curse the stairs to use the bathroom from the beach, but remember all the calories you are consuming so it is good for you.

7) The food is great, we don't care what the other snobs on here say and yes, we are cultured and have eaten at all the fine dining places.

8) Yes, there were a couple of small hiccups but one phone call and 5 minutes later it was handled, no problem,


Don't even bother going anywhere else, spend the extra money and live for once. You will not regret it. We will never stay anywhere else in Jamaica, ever.