Beaches Royal Plantation Emails 7/2001 by BunchofHomes (Nicole)

Hi Debbie!

Just wanted you to know that the hubby and I just got back from Beaches Royal Plantation on the 26th (I know you are going soon...September?) and it was everything AND MORE that you have heard!  We've been 9 times to SuperClubs/Sandals in the past three years, and by far this resort is a step above any all-inclusive that we have visited.  I am working on a trip report, but would be happy to answer any questions or share information with you beforehand since you do so much for all of us on these boards.  We were in St. Lucia in January, and are headed back to SRB in October, but all we can think about is when we can go back to BRP!  It was truly that wonderful!  And knowing that you and Todd are "room" people as we are, I believe you are going to be very pleased with your choice of suites.  The Prime Minister of Jamaica and some of his counsel and numerous body guards and personal police security were staying there at the same time we were...They say this is his version of our presidents' Camp David (He has been for three visits since they reopened this past winter).

Let me know if you would like any more info, and thanks for all that you do!  :-)

Nicole and Steve

In a message dated 7/28/01 11:09:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time, DebbieH103 writes:

<< Everyone says the a la carte lunch is good, but nobody tells about it.  How is the lunch at Bayside?  Does it rotate?  Is it set?  What do they have? >>

Lunch at Bayside was better than Royal Cafe in our opinion (different scale/atmospheres).  It is a set menu.  The calamari appetizer and the tomato basil brushetta is to die for!!!!!!  Caesar salad with tiger shrimp, the curried lamb, and the angel hair with white wine and sun dried tomatoes were our standard fare and were quite exceptional.  Other items are seafood and papaya salad (decent), weiner schnitzel (decent), linguini and bay scallops with tomato cream sauce (barely decent...I like a more robust sauce), smoked marlin plate (didn't try...boycott eating sailfish due to endangered species), corned beef on rye (very good, but small), and crab salad sandwich (wonderful).  The jerk ribs and chicken at the Royal Cafe were wonderfully spicy (just as you tex-mex'ers and we North Carolinians like 'em!  LOL)  Afternoon tea is a must-do, even if you only have the "accompaniments" served in the pool or whirlpool every day from 4-5 as we did:  scones, miniature fresh fruit tarts (kiwi, raspberry, banana, and blueberry), miniature  sandwiches (crab salad, vegetable, smoked salmon) and some other little morsels.  It was such a refreshing wonderful snack before dinner!  I can not say enough about the freshness of the food and the sheer pampering of the service!  You are never going to want to leave!  LOL  Every morning Sophia (waitstaff) brings around fresh sliced papaya, peaches, pineapple, watermelon, grapes, kiwi and honeydew and serves you on china at the pool or beach while you are sunning (between 10-11-ish).  Then they bring you Icy cold wet towels on a platter with flowers and large ice chips on top to refresh yourself from getting too hot while sunning, of course accompanied by mimosas and iced bottled water!  Debbie, it was unlike any all-inclusive we have ever even heard of, much less experienced!  Just a grander, more personalized pampering than even Grand Lido, Negril, etc.

I had to laugh when I told Steve that "Debbie" is going to be in heaven with all of the superior quality soups!  I, too am a soup girl, and from reading your posts, you are too!  LOL  :-)  The minestrone was the best I have ever had (even in the states), the cream of vegetable, the carrot and cinnamon, and the creamy beet were also outstanding.

Champagne in room is really good...don't remember the name, but it had a very nice taste (unlike some we've had). Bar in room is stocked with Tanqueray Gin, Absolut Vodka, Johnny Walker Black Label Scotch, and of course Appleton Rum.  We like Merlot, so we left a note on the first morning to please have our bar stocked with wine, extra bottled water and diet pepsi, and tomato juice.  They honored our request and even restocked the "extras" and special requests everyday after that without us having to ask.  The standard mixers (i.e. OJ, pineapple, cranberry juices, Ting, Red Stripe, ginger ale, tonic water, soda water, Pepsi and 7-up) were also restocked daily.

The Beach BBQ on Mondays was good (nothing compared to SRB's International Buffet), but very good.  Miscellaneous salads and crudites, steamed chilled shrimp, pasta cooked to order, baby suckling pig (yes, the whole thing...head and all), jerked chicken, jerked beef kabobs with grilled onion and peppers, rice and peas, steamed carrots, squash, broccoli and zuccini (very al dente and very good) and a dessert section that could have come from the Ritz.  Presentation is obviously very important to them, and every thing is exquisitely done.  Service reins supreme (I just can not say that enough!)  The fire dancer is very good, but do not miss the limbo guy at the very end...we were going up to the bar from the beach because we thought it was over, but are so glad we didn't miss him.  I won't ruin the act, but have your camera and camcorder ready!

Every night at dinner the "cigar" lady is outside on the pool deck with a beautiful display of Monte Cristo's, Cohiba's, other miscellaneous Cubans and Jamaicans.  DONT MISS THE PIANIST IN THE DRAWING ROOM!!!!!! (Tuesdays and Thursdays, I believe).  He is so exceptional...the best entertainment we have seen in the Carribbean!  Also, Kool, Siboney and Bridgett will take care of you after dinner in the downstairs bar. 

All of the staff is on probation for 90 days to make sure that they are "up to calibur" of giving this above standard service, and all are just so eager to please.  We formed a wonderful relationship with Bridgett, Sophia, Martin, Siboney, and Canel and wrote about them in our questionnaire.  Ms. Millhouse (management) says that that is one way (must be in writing) management takes very seriously in rewarding their employees for a job well done.

Never smelled or saw any ganja the entire time we were there...could have been because all of the extra security for the Prime Minister.

In a message dated 7/29/01 10:47:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time, DebbieH103 writes:

<< I hope they have the shuttle bus thing under control.  They had been doing one bus for both golf and to go around to the resorts, but they were supposed to be getting two more buses and separating the two. >>

Sorry to say, but not yet.  That was a complaint that we heard from a couple of people. 

It would also be nice for the beach areas to have those nice floats like Grand Lido...but it was still great. 

By the way, at the French restaurant there are the 7 courses with the two choices for entree.  If you get a chance to try the Seafood Rendevous (bay scallops, lobster, shrimp and fish in creme fraiche) it was the best meal I had there.  Steve's rack of lamb was also fabulous. Most people passed over the cheese and cracker tray, but it was really good, too.

We've never been to GLSS or Braco...do you prefer one over the other?

Yes, we too heard before going that they were going to be doing the "puddle jumper" flights for all BRP guests from MoBay, however they (and everyone else I have asked) seemed to know nothing about it.  We were, however picked up by a private car at the airport for the ride over to the resort.  Teddy was our driver...he was great!  Took the bus back.

If you get a chance to get the Prime Rib at Bayside for dinner, it was spectacular.  They bring the whole roast over and carve it tableside just to your specifications.  Very tender and juicy!  The escargot was a great appetizer, but the oysters rocky were just decent.  Conch chowder there is a must!  Very flavorful!  They also bring out a rum infused with spicy peppers for you to season the soup to your liking.  Didn't need any at all, but a little goes a loooong way if you do choose to use it.