Day 6 - Exuma Bahamas
Posted: 02-07-10
Greetings from the Bahamas. I thought I was going to leave today, but “unfortunately” my first fight was delayed which would have caused me to miss my connection. So, rather than hope to catch the next flight, I decided to stay in Exuma.
The resort was delighted to have us back and even put us back in the same room. So, the bright news is that our agency had clients arriving to this resort and originally didn’t think I’d meet them. However, coming to the resort gave me the opportunity to meet them. I spoke with their butler and look forward to meeting them.
I went to the Super Bowl Party at the Drunken Duck. They had music, games, and a special buffet. The pub was packed with guests watching the game.
I had dinner at the Bahama Bay Restaurant. They had a tapas bar, and they had a huge selection of bread, and a dessert station. I had a chicken entrée which was delicious. I spoke with Ella, the Manager and was delighted to hear her passion for her job. She came from Beaches Negril and is married to one of the chefs.
Like I said the last 3 days, I’m going to be coming home tomorrow. But maybe there will be another snow storm or something so I’ll “have” to stay her another day. If you were in Exuma Bahamas wouldn’t you look for a way to stay here?
Talk to you tomorrow,
Amy
Day 5 - In Sandals Emerald Bay
Posted: 02-06-10
The day started with a nice ala cart breakfast at Il Cielo with Cinzia, the Hotel Manager. Cinzia just came here from Sandals Dunn’s River where she was one of our favorite hotel managers. We are so excited that she is here to help give special treatment to our clients who visit Sandals Emerald Bay. I hear we got 24” of snow in PA….no snow here. :-)
Then I got another spa treatment. I got a Sweet Ortanique body scrub. It was wonderful. After treatment I spent time in one of the spa hot tubs. You could go to one of the quiet rooms for a beverage, or the steam room.
Unfortunately, today was a rainy day (at least there was no snow :-) ), but I enjoyed sitting in the hot tub and meeting people. I met a wonderful couple from New York who were thoroughly impressed with their butler. In fact, while we were in the hot tub, their butler came by and brought us drinks.
I ended the day with dinner at the Drunken Duck Pub. I had a Caesars Salad and chicken pot pie. Both were very delicious.
I may be leaving tomorrow. Stay tuned for more….
Amy
Snowed In at Sandals Emerald Bay
Posted: 02-06-10
Well, today was the day to leave, but unfortunately my last flight was canceled, so I’m “stranded” in Exuma. I hear that we are supposed to get 16” of snow in PA, but the weather in Exuma looks clear and sunny. :-)
Today there were numerous guest arrivals as this was one of the first days with actual guests. It was fun watching their faces as they came down the steps. They seemed to be amazed.
Have I told you that “The Big Break” is here filming for a couple of weeks filming for an upcoming show. There were some famous golfers running around here.
I spent some time at the pool and had one of the pool side butlers bring me a pizza from Dino’s Pizza which has a wood fired oven. It was delicious. I worked on my tan for a bit then went back to the room to get ready for dinner. I went to dinner at Il Cielo and had minestrone and a chicken entrée (I can’t remember the name). Everything was great.
Then we went to the Drunken Duck Pub. By the way, they serve Kalik (a Caribbean beer), Red Stripe, Guinness, and Heineken. Make sure you look for Kerry, who is the pub manager. She is from England and is a riot. She interacts with guests a lot and is very witty.
Good night from warm sunny paradise,
Amy
Day 3 - Exuma Bahamas
Posted: 02-04-10
Today was another gorgeous day in Exuma. We did a 90 minute sight inspection of the resort. It included a tour of the Red Lane® Spa and was introduced to the prescriptive treatments using Dermalogica®. They say this is the most scientifically advanced skin care line ever created. I had the 60 min Tropical Bliss message. It was excellent and the therapist even when over 60 minute time slot. They also have a 90 version.
We had dinner at Barefoot by the Sea. Seafood lovers will love this restaurant. The floor of the restaurant is sand, so you can take your shoes off and sink your toes in the sand while you eat freshly caught seafood. We ended the night with a cocktail at the Drunken Duck. The energy level in this pub is awesome. Everyone is dancing, singing, and having fun.
Tomorrow we leave late. When I get back in the office I will fill you all in with many more details about this amazing resort including many pictures.
Good night, from the Bahamas,
Amy
Sandals Emerald Bay - Day 2 in Paradise
Posted: 02-03-10
Greetings from a perfect day at Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma Bahamas. We started with breakfast at Bahama Bay which serves a delicious buffet as well as an ala carte menu. Then came some pool time. We hung out at the main pool which is absolutely spectacular. I tested the pool bar and can vouch that the drinks are great.
The weather was in the 80s today and was sunny and gorgeous--the sky was as blue as the water. The beach is mesmerizing. Later I watched the Golf Channel film and Greg Norman interview. What a thrill to see him in person. On property is an 18 hole Greg Norman golf course. Then came a group dinner at the Il Cielo restaurant. This restaurant serves Italian favorites. Both the food and company were great.
Then everyone went to the Drunken Duck Pub for more drinks and conversation. Tomorrow comes the spa….can’t wait. :-)
Loving this resort,
Amy
Sandals Emerald Bay - Arrival
Posted: 02-02-10
We’ve (Amy & Lynda, one of our agents) safely arrived at the beautiful Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma Bahamas, the all butler all oceanfront resort. The water flying in was just stunning. As soon as we got to the airport, we were whisked away in a private van to the resort. The resort is about 10 minutes from the airport.
Upon arrival, after a welcome cocktail and some warm greetings, our butler showed us to our beautiful suite. We are in suite 4301. This is an entry level room and it is still very impressive with a spacious balcony that has a partial oceanview. We have stocked minibar. There is a walk in shower and a separate tub.
We went to the Drunken Duck for some appetizers. It is a beautiful pub and I was very impressed with the food (I had the bangers and mash and Lynda had a hamburger). The quality of the food is very good. The other restaurants look stunning--everything looks brand new. With a short walk on the beach, we could tell that it is one of the best beaches we’ve seen.
Room service (included 24-7) is here, so I’ve got to go. More tomorrow….busy day,
Amy
Heading to the Brand New Sandals Emerald Bay
Posted: 02-01-10
Greetings to all!
I am so excited to announce that I will be at the new Sandals Emerald Bay this week, for a quick visit. We are honored to be one of the first guests of this beautiful resort, which is located in the Out Islands of the Bahamas. This is the first all-butler resort in the industry! Guests will find oceanfront rooms, suites and villas with a Greg Norman Golf Course, a 16,000 sq. ft. Dermalogica concept spa, a marina and 5 restaurants among other amenities. I will be taking many pictures and will have many observations to report about this amazing vacation destination. Stay tuned for more…
All the best,
Amy
Zoetry - A Truly Unique Property
Posted: 01-17-10
A Truly Unique Property!
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
I am still catching up from being away at various awards trips but really wanted to post on my recent visit to Zoetry in Mexico. This resort is truly "one of a kind" so I wanted to share my experiences with you our valued clients while they were fresh in my mind.
First of all, I stayed at the El Dorado Royale first for 3 nights for a work trip (very good stay there as well-more later) and then transferred to Zoetry. I stayed here for 1 night which was not nearly enough and I hope to go back in the near future. This property is not for everyone but it is a true "winner" and it fit my personality (I wanted some R & R) perfectly. I was so happy with my visit and highly recommend this resort for special occasions, for persons who want a restful vacation, etc.
Awesome view from the Zoetry Lobby.
Transfers
Zoetry is officially called Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya. It is a member of the AM Resorts family, as AM Resorts actively manages it. This resort is located 20 minutes from the Cancun airport and you are picked up in a private transfer-a Lincoln Navigator. It is located near Secrets Silversands, Azul Beach, and Azul Sensatori for a point of reference. Zoetry is comparable to Royal Plantation in Jamaica in many ways (as a point of comparison), although they do have distinct differences. This is an upscale all-inclusive resort and the pricing is not inexpensive, although there are many special inclusions involved in your experience. Children are allowed although there are no facilities whatsoever for children and children are rare here. The children that were here (3 of them) were articulate, quiet and you barely saw them. They did not change the atmosphere at all and I enjoyed seeing their smiling faces.
Arrival
I was met at the front entrance by a few staff members. There are no check-in or check-out times at Zoetry. A manager said that this can be challenging to them at times but I think that it is a great policy to have for the guests. I was offered a special ice tea, as each day they have a "tea of the day" and the first day it was a chamomile tea which was delicious and the second day was Black Currant. I arrived around 10:00 am and within a few minutes of arrival, my room was ready.
The Director of Groups and Weddings at Zoetry and I -Susanne Prenzel
Suites
Zoetry is a smaller sized resort with only 90 suites. The suites are all unique as they are filled with treasures from all over the world from the owners travels-he would buy things for his wife and bring them back with them. I am blessed to have traveled extremely well but this is probably the nicest room that I have ever stayed in (or close to it).
The suites do not have room numbers, they have names and my room was named Marbella and was located in the section closer to the lobby which was perfect for me. All suites are at least 1100+ square feet and mine was on the ground floor which a plunge pool. Yeah! You even have a front gate to your room that you can open or shut, depending on your wishes. There was a separate living room, a huge shower, large tub, etc.
Part of the unique living room area in my villa.
When you arrive, you are given a bottle of tequila as a gift (with fresh limes cut and ready to go), a handmade straw bag to use at the resort, and a mini fruit basket. Housekeeping comes 3 times a day. That may seem excessive but with a room that size, I guess that there is more to do. LOL! At night, they turndown your room, clean up anything that is needed and leave you the Sundial for the next day which is the list of daily activities.
My favorite perk for Zoetry is that laundry is included and each day they will basically take your laundry order and bring it back within 24 hours. They happily did my laundry from the El Dorado time and I felt guilty (but grateful!) about that. They brought it back that night, on hangers with my undergarments and socks wrapped in tissue paper. Awesome! My t-shirts were even ironed. Imagine going home from a vacation with no laundry-wow...
My mini-frig. was stocked with Diet Coke, a small bottle of white wine, water, Coke, Sprite, juice and beer. There were also small mini bottles of Kahlua, rum, vodka and Jack Daniels.
My very own plunge pool!
Endless Privileges
Zoetry has an “Endless Privileges” concept (rather than all-inclusive). Of course, food and drinks are included. You also get a complimentary 20 minute massage. Other great inclusions that are complimentary are a Catamaran Sunset Cruise and a daily Boat Shopping Tour. The Catamaran Cruise was nice although I was on it with a few other couples, so I felt a little lonely on this one being by myself. I did not do the shopping boat tour simply because I wanted to experience the resort and they said that this takes 3-4 hours-another great idea.
Another perk of the "endless privileges" concept at the resort is that phone calls around the world are complimentary. It was awesome to call Mike and the kids without worrying about room charges, etc. When I checked out, of course these calls (probably 5 of them-lol!) magically were not on my bill.
Service
The resort was at about 90% capacity, but did not feel full. I did hear a few guests complain that the service was slow but I did not find that to be the case at all. I felt that it was relaxing and attentive.
I spent a few hours lounging at the pool on an amazing bed of sorts. I had a fabulous vegetable calzone (a little spicy which made it interesting!) from the beach grill. Pool service was efficient, although I thought the beach service at Royal Plantation was better. The staff was very professional and I think a few more days with them would have been excellent as I think they would have show more of their personalities. I tipped from time to time and they always seemed surprised and appreciative-it was not expected at all.
Check out the waiter bringing guests drinks in the pool!
Atmosphere
The overall resort atmosphere was friendly, yet reserved (not suffy). I was pleased that although everyone that I saw at dinner was dressed quite pleasantly, the style of dress was more casual than I expected. After weeks of dressing up for evening functions, this was a welcome relief. J
As for the guests, at first I was not sure since everyone seemed to keep to themselves but as my day went on, I really met some nice couples. It's just a different atmosphere than many of us are used to as it is more quiet, etc. The one couple (an older couple from New York) was very concerned that I was eating dinner myself and insisted that I join them at their table. I replied that I did not want to ruin their romantic dinner (it was the last night of their vacation) and that I enjoyed the quiet time but was very touched by their kindness. They checked with me after dinner again and also chatted with me the next morning-really nice couple.
Unique artwork around the resort.
Bars
The library turns into a bar at night and there were some nice groups of friends sitting around enjoying each others' company when I looked in there. There is also a beach bar that guests tend to go to after dinner.
Zoetry Lobby.
Food & Restaurants
After the catamaran tour, I ate at their oceanfront grill which is called El Chiringuito (the smells from this area were amazing!) and grabbed a hamburger (top quality of course!) since I wanted to sample the various resort restaurants.
I was looking forward to spending time on my huge patio (which had two different sections to it), until it started raining. So, I went to La Canoa earlier than I expected which is their 4 Diamond Restaurant. Dinner reservations are not required at dinner. This restaurant certainly lived up to its reputation. Service was friendly and efficient. The hostess (I think her name was Vivienne) wanted to show me the wine cellar (wow!) and the water bar-both additional add-ons (of course house wine and regular bottled water is included).
She brought me a small stool to put my purse on, as she said that she did not want my "beautiful purse" to be touching the ground. Very thoughtful and another special example of how this resort is different than the rest (I kind of chuckled by this as I could care less if my purse is on the ground or not-lol!). She also asked if I wanted something to read since I was by myself and brought me a pile of magazines which were actually quite interesting. Without looking at my notes, I had salad, some type of oriental soup and filet mignon for my entree. The menu was 4 pages long and included many types of seafood, etc. There is something for everyone at this restaurant and they will also make you almost anything that you request as well. I like my meat well-done, and they did this perfectly for me. For dessert, I had triple chocolate cake (OMG!).
Dining at La Canoa is a supreme experience.
Room Service
I ordered the triple chocolate cake (I had at La Canoa) through room service which is available 24 hours a day. It arrived in about 10 minutes after I ordered it. My goal was to eat my amazing cake on my patio but it continued to rain. I checked e-mails (of course internet is included) quickly and then relaxed in my living room.
Activities
If you are looking for beach volleyball games, drinking contests, etc. this is definitely not the right resort. Those fun activities surely have their place of course but at Zoetry, activities could include the following: Yoga on the pier, Aqua Gym in their Thalasso Pool, (their heated saltwater pool) a Cigar Experience, Tea Time and they do have a Tequila tasting in the Library once a week. There is also music at dinner and the two gentlemen who sang and played their guitars were masterful (I actually got teary eyed listening to them sing-it was very beautiful).
Spa
I did a site inspection with the Director or Groups and Weddings and then went for my complimentary 20 minute massage, which all guests are entitled to throughout their stay. It was good. I actually wanted to pay to upgrade it to a longer massage but they were full so I could not (I should have planned ahead-lol!).
The spa offers extensive treatments (even Botox!) that I have not seen before at many spas and is apparently a leader in the spa market. The prices seemed high in my opinion but the spa was jam- packed with appointments so it is obviously popular. They had a machine that would analyze your skin in great detail (this is included although the follow up recommendations would be additional) but after being in the sun for the last few weeks, I was too chicken to try it-lol! I would like to explore the spa more on a future visit. The sauna and steamroom were complimentary and I was encouraged to use them as well. Included in your "endless privileges" are temazcal sessions as well, which are mini cleansing/healing rituals. These were offered 3 times a week and I did not try one this time. Another really unique inclusion.
Beach
Earlier in the day, I made it a point to walk the beach at the resort and dip my toes into the ocean. Zoetry is on a decent beach and the sand is soft and clean. The ocean floor here was smooth, which surprised me since I had heard otherwise. By the end of the day, there was a decent amount of seaweed on the sand but they did do a good job keeping up with it. Zoetry does not have a spectacular beach but it is sufficient and the water temperature was lovely.
Pool
Zoetry has 2 really nice sized pools including their main pool and their Thalasso Pool and that is where I spent most of my time.
Weather
The weather was HOT while I was there and one day, was up to 91 degrees which is hot for December in Mexico. The last day that I was there, it was about 86 degrees. Except for my time at Zoetry, it was sunny the entire time-fabulous!
Departure
The next morning, it was already time to leave. I ate breakfast at Kaax and had the best chocolate croissants ever here as well as a delicious fruit plate-yum! My luggage was collected within 2 minutes of my call and I was whisked off to take the transfers back to the airport, in my private Lincoln Navigator (they have at least 2 of them on property that I saw).
Recommendation
It's really hard to put into words how much I enjoyed this resort. It's a very special, unique resort that offers so many inclusions and special features that many others do not have. Service is professional and friendly. The suites are beyond stunning and the attention to detail is amazing (they seemed to know very quickly what I liked and disliked). This was the perfect way to relax after the first part of my trip and I truly wish that I could have had more time here. The resort is just as beautiful as their brochure and their website. I actually felt "younger" after a night here, if this makes any sense at all-the serene beauty of this resort truly allowed me to relax and enjoy it to the fullest.
For couples looking to re-connect or celebrate something special, it would be an amazing vacation. I met 3 sisters traveling together on a "girl’s trip" and they said that it was the perfect choice for them since they wanted to hang out and relax. I also saw a family group who were there for a wedding and can only imagine how perfect the wedding would be.
Zoetry means the "art of life" and this resort truly captures many wonderful things that life has to offer. It's not an inexpensive resort at all but a very special one regardless and I highly recommend it.
I know that I am leaving things out, so when I think of things will add them in. Please let me know if you have any specific questions, etc. as I am very happy to answer them. Dream Makers Vacation Services works closely with this resort (and many others) to ensure the ultimate in vacation satisfaction. For additional pictures, sample menus and questions, please contact me at AmyMc@DreamMakersVaca.com. We look forward to planning your magical dream vacation and hope to hear from you soon!
Happy Travels,
Amy
Owner, Dream Makers Vacation Services
Secrets Resorts & Spas Enters New Destination with First Property in Cap Cana
Posted: 01-09-10
PHILADELPHIA, PA (January 5, 2009) – Secrets Resorts & Spas, the luxury resort brand offering Unlimited-Luxury® vacations for adults-only, announces the opening of Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic. The property becomes the award-winning brand’s first resort outside of Mexico.
Secrets Sanctuary will be dedicated to providing guests the full Secrets Resorts & Spas experience offering an Unlimited-Luxury® package for adults only. In order to allow for a smooth transition, Secrets Sanctuary will honor all existing reservations purchased with an EP status, but will offer these guests the option to upgrade to an Unlimited-Luxury® experience. Furthermore, since existing reservations were made without an adults-only policy in place, we will accept existing reservations with children through Easter, Sunday April 4, 2010.
Located on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, the 175-suite, five-star luxury resort offers the largest selection of unique suite types of any hotel in Cap Cana. Ranging from 72 Ocean View Junior Suites to the cozy 600 sq. ft. Castle Suite and the grand 5,550 sq. ft. Island Suite situated on its own impressive private island, Secrets Sanctuary will treat every guest to a consummate Unlimited-Luxury® vacation experience.
The resort’s distinctive Spanish-Colonial design, breathtaking ocean views and majestic beachfront grounds - complete with eye-catching fountains and lush gardens - create the ideal setting for leisure and incentive travelers. Guests will also be treated to all the distinctive attributes they expect from a Secrets Resort & Spa:
- Beautifully appointed rooms and suites offer stunning views of the ocean, shimmering pools or manicured gardens; private balconies; Jacuzzi tubs; plunge pools; and dozens of other luxury conveniences such as amenities by Gilchrist and Soames, in-suite climate control, plasma TV, high-speed internet and more
- Five international restaurants serving gourmet fare and five comfortable bars and lounges serving premium brand beverages
- A spectacular array of day and evening activities
- Tee time access at two Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses, Punta Espada and Las Iguanas
- A world-class Spa treating guests to an ocean view Jacuzzi, plunge pool and lavish treatments
- Fitness center complete with cardiovascular and weight-training equipment, as well as free weights
- 24-hour room and concierge services
- Competitive vacation promotions, complimentary destination wedding and honeymoon packages and offers
- Access to the Caleton Beach Club, which features a swimming pool and swim-up bar, expansive palm-studded beach and two additional dining options
- On-site 18,279 square-foot Convention Center with enough space to host large events or small groups
- Nearby excursion sites for golf, shopping, tours
- On-site casino featuring Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Poker, Caribbean Poker, Baccarat, slots and electronic games within a unique Caribbean setting
In addition to offering the utmost comfort in luxurious and spacious accommodations, guests have a plethora of activities and scenic wonders just outside their door. Cap Cana is home to what will soon be the largest in-land mega yacht marina in the Caribbean, two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses and spectacular beaches. The renowned destination features a variety of elegant boutiques and restaurants, tennis and swimming facilities, deep-sea fishing, polo grounds, a casino and more.
Secrets Resorts & Spas currently has three resorts in Mexico’s Riviera Maya region and is slated to open additional properties in Mexico and the Caribbean by the end of 2012. New resorts include Secrets St. James and Secrets Wild Orchid in Jamaica in March 2010, Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa opening fall 2010, an additional Secrets Resort & Spa in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic and additional plans to enter the Aruba market in 2012.
Please contact us to book your Dream Vacation at any of the Secrets by calling 1-888-449-3563 or emailing us at dreams@DreamMakersVaca.com or visiting DreamMakersVaca.com.
About Secrets® Resorts & Spas
A member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Unlimited-Luxury® Secrets Resorts & Spas offer adults an extra measure of romance and sensuality in beautiful beachfront settings. The award-winning resorts feature elegantly-appointed rooms and suites with 24-hour concierge and room services; multiple gourmet, a la carte restaurants and lounges serving premium beverages; endless day and evening activities in spectacular settings; and more. Information about Secrets Resorts & Spas is available by calling 1-866-GO-SECRETS or visiting www.secretsresorts.com.
Loyal to the Royal!!!
Posted: 05-01-09
It took about 20 minutes to get through customs at the airport after landing at the Montego Bay airport. Then, I came to the Sandals/Beaches lounge and the timing was great. I was ushered straight to my transfer. Within 10 short minutes, we arrived at the resort. The proximity of the resort to the airport allows travelers to make the most of their precious vacation time.
Upon check-in, I was given a warm greeting by Hughill my Butler. If you can afford Butler service, you will not regret it. I also had Ellis as well (with Damion substituting one night). The warm, attention to detail with Butler Service at Sandals Royal Caribbean is second to none.
He whisked me off to my room which was Room 127 in the new Clarence Building. It is an end River Suite on the first floor and I loved it. The craftsmanship on this room was outstanding. From the gorgeous mosaic tiles in the shower to the luxurious bedding, this room was stunning and I never wanted to leave. My room was cleaned before 11:00 am each day which was great, since I was never disturbed later in the day. The room was immaculate. Having a clean room is important to me, so I was very pleased. I would highly recommend this room category and hope to stay in it on my next visit. I also did an extensive site inspection of various room categories and would be happy to share further details-please contact us for details!
I needed to do some work on vacation, so spent time on my extended patio area answering e-mails (internet is an additional fee and worked fine!). When I became warm, I would take a few steps into the "River" section of my suite. I really enjoyed spending time there. Even though this area is only a few months old, the landscape is lush and gorgeous. My Butlers offered drink service and also brought me my lunch one day (so I would not miss any sun time). The water temperature in the River Pool was perfect, so it made for pleasant wading.
One of the amazing features of most Sandals/Beaches Resorts is that some room categories come with Butler Service. This personalized feature will really make your vacation the perfect “dream” vacation. For example, here are some of the things that my Butlers Hughill and Ellis did for me on this particular trip:
- Offered to help with unpacking and packing-saves on precious vacation time
- Brought appetizers to the room each day around 4:00 PM
- Provided drink and food service by my River Pool
- Saved seats at the pool and beach area
- Arranged all of my meals-avoiding potential reservation problems
- At dinner time, escorted me to my table and decorated my table in anticipation of my arrival with flowers and candles
- Made sure that my refrigerator and bar area was stocked with my favorite drinks
- Arranged a beautiful candlelight bubble bath for me
- Often had beautiful towel art arranged on my bed for me
- Packed my cooler with my favorite beverages for the pool/beach. Wouldn't it be great to sit on the beach all day without having to get up…except to go in the ocean?
- Arranged my wonderful spa treatment
- Checked on me throughout the day. With Butler Service you have a cell phone, and can call your Butler when you need something.
- Attended to my room and oversee my bar, etc.
- Bring you special dinners in your room—this is not like room service. Your butler will bring you all the resort restaurant menus. You pick and choose from each menu. The butler will set your table on your balcony and serve each course to you like you are in the restaurant.
- Packed me snacks/lunch for my shuttle/flight home.
Although I had not had much sleep over the last two days, I decided to have dinner that first night at the Thai Restaurant..This is located on their very own private island and reservations are required (make reservations soon after you check in). You get to take a boat over there and it was really beautiful the night that I went. I had "no problem" getting reservations for this since I was I was honored to have dinner with the General Manager, Iain McCormack. He is an outstanding asset to this resort and has a delightful personality-a great dining companion. My meal was great (a mix of things but I really enjoyed the rice, chicken and peanut sauce) and drink service was attentive. It's a lovely, romantic place for dinner! Numerous refurbishments have been made recently to the island and it is a very pleasant place to spend a day. During the afternoon, a lunch buffet is served, there is a clothing option section to sunbathe and they also have cabanas that you can rent for an additional charge.
Another great advantage of staying at most of the Sandals Resorts is that you have exchange privileges at other resorts. At Sandals Royal Caribbean, you can eat, drink, and play at both Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Inn. I had the pleasure on this trip of taking a site inspection of Sandals Montego Bay. I will report on this later, but needless to say the resort looked great and the friendly staff there is amazing.
Wine & Cheese Party & Chef’s Challenge
On Mondays, they have the Managers Wine and Cheese Party and I decided to attend that. It was impressive how many persons (staff wise) were in attendance for this. The staff here truly has pride in what they do and it shows. After some wine, cheese, appetizers and staff introductions they gave away a few prizes to some very excited guests! After this, the group moved over to the Chef's Challenge which is another relatively new idea at the resort. In summary, the chefs had 4 different culinary stations based on different themes and the guests ate their creations and voted on them. Fun! I stuck to the Asian dishes which were outstanding. I had the pleasure of spending time with the resort Sales Manager, Andrea who is a delight to speak with. She has great vacation knowledge and enthusiasm-hope you get to meet her!
Room Service
Later I returned to my room for Room Service (a benefit of the Concierge and Butler Categories) and ordered some type of Apple Crisp from the Pub. Delicious! It was so great that I ordered it two nights in a row!
Spa
I purchased a 60 minute Reflexology treatment at the spa. My therapist, Sherna was outstanding and I felt great afterwards. The spa at this resort is small but they have a long list of treatments available and decent pricing, including many outdoor treatments. I was able to watch a bride have her hair and makeup done before her wedding and she looked gorgeous.
Staff
The best asset of this resort is its staff. Leadership starts at the top and Iain McCormack. the General Manager is an outstanding leader with creative ideas, excellent taste, and a warm and charming personality. Sandals is fortunate to have him. Rick, the Hotel Manager is constantly talking to guests and never stops moving. The guests love him (and we do too!). Leighton is the Guest Relations Manager and guests just adore him as well. He has a fantastic memory (remembers details from guests who were with him years ago-no detail is too small for him) and is always smiling. Nicky-Ann is the friendly Concierge Manager and to say that she is organized, would be an understatement. I am sure that I am forgetting others but the Royal simply has an outstanding team.
Recommendation
This resort is for anyone who appreciates good food, outstanding service and a friendly atmosphere. It is not for those who want to party until dawn (although there is a lot of fun to be had if one wants some nightlife) but was a perfect fit for me. I am already plotting my return! If you have any specific questions, please ask. Dream Makers Vacation Services highly recommends Sandals Royal Caribbean and looks forward to making your vacation dreams come true!
