Todd and Debbie Royal
This was our 5th stay and 6th visit to Royal Plantation since the resort opened at Royal Plantation in March, 2001.
We arrived at about
A lady named Frankie that was traveling by herself rode with us on the
van. She had been to
Right after check-in, I ran into my client Lynn, Lisa C.'s friend. They had caught a mahi
mahi that day, and they were excited about it.
We booked a luxury oceanfront room and were upgraded to a
honeymoon plantation room, 306. We have
been in that room before and also have stayed in 206. The room was not quite ready, so we went to
lunch at Royal Café. We had cream of
vegetable soup (like pumpkin). Todd had a chicken Caesar and a Monte Cristo sandwich
(cheddar and bacon on French toast). I had the seafood salad and a lobster blt (better than ever).
We had a lovely Savignon Blanc, and they still
have the chips and salsa
The resort was at 60 or 70% occupancy, but Dave in the
bar said it is often same ole' same ole and that 14 rooms arrived that day.
I had a plum tart at tea as a walk-by. There was no champagne out, and tea was
in the box and bag. There were no pots.
We wanted to get our internet going right away once we got in
our room, but Michael, the computer guy was not going to be there until
Monday. I signed up for the internet in
the business center. It was $10 for one
hour and was high speed. I was not going
to be allowed to divide it up over multiple days, and if I didn’t stay the
whole hour, it would still be $10.
In the room, we received a fruit and cheese tray. Ice was already waiting. They
had the Wycliff sparkling wine (sweet for me). They
had sodas and juices, and there were 4 liquors there. The lemongrass amenities consisted
of the mid-sizes of lotion & shower gel.
Shampoo and conditioner had a tropical fruit smell. Added since October
was aloe vera gel (why couldn't they bring back the
scrub?). Sandals soap has been replaced by Royal Plantation soap. We had some
Q-tips and a few other things. Music was on with some cds
there for us to use.
Piano music started just after 4, and many were sitting around listening to it.
They still had the NY Times Fax, and they had a nice schedule for the day with
also the weather listed on it.
There was a hammock added down at the beach in a nice little corner on the west
beach, and there were two hammocks on the east beach.
They came to turn down the bed just before 8. Todd told them not
to turn down the bed, but they did have ice for us. For
dinner, we ordered a 5 course meal. We made it thru some of it. Todd had steak,
I had veal (not on the menu, but I asked for Bayside dish). I saved shrimp cocktail
for the next morning to eat on the balcony.
We woke up realizing how much we needed the trip. We did sleep well.
Todd got very burnt while we stood in the
water and talked to Lynn and Warren. He had
caught a 24 lb. mahi mahi the
day before, and they had a wonderful time deep sea fishing.
They were to leave the next day and were
contemplating a return trip.
This day was our 11th anniversary, and we were scheduled for
a couples massage at
For breakfast, I did try a chocolate pastry and also had egg and
toast and papaya, Todd had blueberry pancakes, potatoes and ham.
For lunch, I had the seafood crepes (lobster and salmon, I only ate the
lobster), market salad, pepperpot soup, and champagne
sorbet. Todd had shrimp Caesar, pepperpot, and fish
and chips, also the sorbet.
Butch Stewart was there w/ some people (maybe his daughter Jamie?? and another
couple). We talked to him for a few moments. He said for me to send my comments
to him directly. He patted me on the back 3 times and said he remembered me
from
We hit tennis balls in the morning and picked up fresh/ripe mangoes up right
off the ground. We also went to the
beach and enjoyed the hot tube. We
really did not do much that day. It was
our anniversary, and we were exhausted.
We enjoyed the food, service and amenities.
The weather was lovely.
The ocean and pool were alright but took getting used to for us. It was cloudy by
We were able to enjoy our room view better than in this room
before. They had cut out a little
foliage, so we could see the water crashing the waves a little bit.
Todd adjusted the spa temperature, as he usually does. He had to stay in the shade, too.
I had a lovely visit with the craft ladies. They are at the
resort on Sun. and Mon. and go to Pineapple Market down past SOR on other days. She
said that some days, they don't even make a dollar at RP but that they come
because if not, they won't get their spot. She gave me a gift, and I didn't
even buy anything. She was not even at all trying to get me to buy something.
She has a friend in craft stall 3 across the street.
We had a couple's massage in the spa. I had Marva.
She was as good as Ginnie (close, I love Ginnie!). Not sure where Ginnie
was, as I was supposed to have her. I steamed before, Todd was too burnt.
Afterward, they brought us wine on the spa terrace, as I had requested. We then
walked in the full moon and TRIED to get pics (we
have no idea how to take night photos).
We had dinner at Bayside outside at the table next to Lynn and Warren. They
looked very happy, and we had a good time chatting over to their table while
each still having time by ourselves. At first nobody was around, so we didn't
bother anyone. Later, others came, but they were all at the other end having
their own chats.
Todd had Cajun Catfish with dirty rice (he wished he had had
something else. It was too healthy for
his taste but probably was very good for him. I had the veal
The first entertainer was a guy that played a number of instruments. He even
played our wedding song (which we did not request), I Will Always Love You.
Lynn and Todd said they were surprised I could recognize it, and
Next, they had a band playing more instrumentals...all songs were U.S. 70s and
80s stuff.
We headed to
We were back to the room by
Lynn and Warren left and said it was the best vacation of their
lives.
I saw Tanya today, she cut her hair, it is so cute.
She is managing the spa here and Ocho and I asked her
what would happen to Elaine (now at GS). She said Elaine would not be laid off
that there was too much going on and that they also had Whitehouse...hmm.
Hugo was at the resort this day and looked like always. He was getting ready for the buffet and all
the activities and said he was doing the returning guest on Thursday at my
request so that Cyndi and Randy could join.
Brad and Joan arrived at about
The weather was nice again.
After a nice breakfast, I didn’t really do anything. Todd was still too burnt for golf. I visited with various staff members and
walked up to Grande Sport and visited Elaine, the spa manager. She was set to go work in the main office
until the SOR/GS combo resort opens. She
also said she might end up at Turks eventually.
Paulette, the Turks spa manager, is going to Whitehouse.
Elaine said the whole lawn at GS will be one huge pool. She said they are considering
a walkway above the road. I also went to the lunchroom and had some mussels and
visited with a waitress.
I saw Raymond, the driver. We had a hug! We just love Raymond. We saw Michael,
the IT guy. We visited with Tanya, the spa manager and also with Peter Fraser,
the general manager. He's great and gave me a lot of info.
He was telling me about some of the changes for the Royal Plan – it won't include
transfers. They will have a caviar bar...it will not be included on any plan.
Le Papillon will have mostly seafood and also Angus
Beef. The Royal Cafe will have grilled items the 4 nights they are open-such as
t-bones and chicken. Bayside will have the usual plus the flambé back.
Lunch was
good, but we weren't hungry...Todd had fruit and chicken Alf redo. I had
gazpacho (not as good as usual, I didn't think, but still good), market salad
and lobster blt-I only ate the lobster.
Tea was held up in the drawing room at
After the tea, I saw Brad and Joan in
I went up
to change for the manager’s cocktail party and the beach buffet.
The manager’s
cocktail was on the patio, not down by the Jacuzzi. We sat with Brad and Joan there and visited
with the staff. After some time, we were
escorted down to the beach buffet, where we sat at a big table with Brad, Joan,
and others.
The
buffet was nice. I took pics of everything and
checked them as I took them, but none were on the camera the next morning....grrrr....
I only ate lobster and salad and a little bananas foster. Todd had chicken,
roast beef and lobster. Brad and Joan seemed very pleased with the dinner, and
we had a really nice visit with them. Todd's burn got the worst of him at
We tried
to stay out of the sun today. I didn’t
want to risk them not being willing to do my facial.
I went to
Jamaica Inn on foot, and it is very lovely. I took some nice pics over there and got a good idea of the layout. I was impressed with the beach and the rooms,
although they have no Jacuzzi and no TVs except in the rooms that are normally
timeshare (but now are available sometimes for rent to non-timeshare people).
Maggi and his wife (used to do yoga at Sans Souci) were at RP selling jewelry. He still was doing yoga
at Grande Sport and
Hedonism III, and she still was still
doing her healing therapies. She was telling me how thankful she is they can
make a living in
We ate
lunch from 2-3 at Bayside in total shade for Todd. He had fruits in port,
chicken Caesar and chicken Alf redo. I had Minestrone soup, market salad, and
the seafood crepes, though I just ate the shrimp and sauce.
I got in
the Jacuzzi briefly and headed to the collagen facial and eye treatment. I had the collagen facial with eye treatment. Gennie exfoliated my hands and did the mittens. I swear the
woman is gifted every time I have anything done w/ her.
The jacuzzi was perfect. Sat in there w/ Brad
and a few others, first time it was just right at 100 (set by Todd). Joan
observed.
Todd and I sat around (I did jacuzzi
while he observed) and then scoped all the sunset spots. The best/most comfy
was on the chess set pier. It was awesome.
We gpt nice pics, but
camera batteries died just at the drop of the sun. Oh, well. Next it was a little wine and back
to the room to get ready for dinner. We were just too comfy and full, too, so
we went down to eat at 8. Todd ran back to the room to get the key, as we left
when the maid came for turndown and had no key!
Meanwhile, Peter Fraser joined me, and then Todd came back and we chatted for
an hour. He reiterated what he and Hugo told us--food, if anything,
will be kicked up a notch, more selection, too. He also indicated that if
guests start on EP plan, they can convert while here as long as it is for the
remainder of the stay and they have at least 3 nights left.
At 9, we went to Bayside. Philip was our waiter. Todd skipped the appetizer. I
had the shrimp cocktail. We both had the lentil and potato soup. Todd had
Caesar and I had market salad. For entree, he had the tenderloin, and I had
veal
The band
was awesome. They played tunes from 60s
to 90s, and they sang with them. People danced and enjoyed while eating, and
others sat on the patio. There were about 25 people enjoying the show. We
finished dinner at
Todd
still was not up to golf. At lunch, we
were ready for lobster BLT. They had.
switched to
shrimp BLT's but they were good. Todd had a burger w/ cheddar and bacon. We had
a good time feeding bread and chips to the peacocks.
We had the German cheddar soup and salads.
I spent hours this day visiting w/ the only activity being the glass bottom.
All the dishes starting 4/5 or 4/6 were converted to shrimp due to the lobster
season being off, including shrimp scrambled eggs at breakfast. We did not order that
Todd and I dined at Le Papillon on the patio at
I had the mussels for appetizer but wish I had ordered the shrimp cocktail from
downstairs as others did, as that was what I was in the mood for. We had the
We headed down to the crab races. Quite a few people were interested, and some
bet. We bet on all races ($6 a race). I think we ended up with $18 in the end,
so we lost $6.
During dinner and after the crab races, Marlena
played the guitar and sang. She was very pleasant, singing easy-listening tunes.
Cyndi and
Randy arrived mid afternoon. Lovely people! Had some talk and then hot tub...we
were all set for the returning guest dinner.
We went
snorkeling. The water was so blue. It was over at the SOR fish reef, and we saw
a lot of small, colorful fish and coral.
There were four of us on that boat, but there was another snorkeling
boat out there, as weel.
Next, we
did Hobie sailing with Murphy. We didn’t quote go to
Before
that, we had lunch at Bayside. We had the lamb and barley soup, salads, and
Todd had fish and chips. I had them fry scallops and had it with rice.
They had
a cooking demo downstairs on the tea terrace with local fruits on display and
with guests helping them make up the dishes before they magically whipped out
done ones--a plantain tart and some coconut thing. I got the recipes even
though I was in the office during the demo collecting some TTO prizes.
The
returning guest was very nice. Five couples. Peter, Suzanne, and Andre came to
cocktails in the drawing room with us. At dinner, one table (ours) was hosted by
Suzanne, and the other (the other TTO couples) was hosted by Andre.
They had surf and turf, a soup with apples in it that was very good, crab
backs, a marvelous battered scallop that Hugo should serve as an entree, and
then a "warm chocolate pudding" that was a moist rum cake w/
strawberries and then chocolate covered strawberries decorated like tuxedos and
petit fours. Entertainment was instrumental again but something different from
the other night. We went in about
In the
morning, I went
to the spa for steam and a massage with Christine. Meanwhile, Todd hung out in the room working
crossword puzzles. We missed breakfast.
Todd went
for golf. I had eggs and toast, which took 34 minutes to be brought to my
table. The Bayside was packed. I went to SOR to meet member CC, but I did not
find her and came back.
In the late afternoon, they had a rum tasting and cigar rolling demo where they
sold cigars. They had 3 types of
Esther also said she was doing Pilates on the pier.
The
Easter church service was different. There were about 20 people there with 12
being guests and 8 being staff. It was held in the conference room at
At lunch, Todd asked for the chicken Alfredo they have been making but instead
he received a cream red sauce. He didn't like it much, but they had Alfredo
shrimp for dinner, so that made up for it. I tried the spinach cannelloni (sp),
which was not my favorite, but I didn't expect it to be. It was well prepared;
I am just not a cooked spinach fan. We had soups and salads. The sorbet was
kiwi and one of the best. Come to find out Randy told us later we should have
all been eating this veal schnitzel that was yummy. I had no idea it was even
on the menu
We laid out on the East beach for a while. Afterward,
I met TTO lurkers.
Next was the hot tub, still hot but not bad.
After church, it was almost time for dinner. The entertainment was a guy
singing everything from Elvis to reggae. New arrivals were dancing. He had told
everyone earlier that he was nearly 82. Not sure of her age. They danced and
had a wonderful time.
I had veal again, and we both tried the hot and sour soup which really was a
spicy won ton. I had the Vietnamese spring roll-OK but not like
I went over to meet Kimberlyn Brown at the next
table, and she was so gracious and sweet and held my hands during the entire
conversation. She has acted in Bold and
the Beautiful and Port Charles soap operas.
For once
I actually sort of liked the pre-checkin since it was
a holiday. That went just fine. There was only one other couple checking out,
as Brad and Joan were working on staying another night and perhaps staying all
week at RP instead of going on to SMB.
We ended up having the egg hunt that morning.
Simone hid the eggs for us, and 8 TTOers went around
having a ball acting silly. Todd found the most, 7. Ricardo tried to send us on
a wild goose chase, but we caught on quickly!
Before the brunch, they served tropical concoctions in coconuts and pineapples.
I didn't have any of that but a lot of guests had fun with that. The brunch
started 30 minutes late, but we still had time to eat. I ate crab legs and
salad with balsamic vinaigrette. I grabbed a few lobster flakes from the omelet
station. I also had a strawberry fruit tart. They were done on puff pastry and
out of this world.
The staff outdid themselves with this buffet. The presentation was excellent.
There was quiche, bacon, eggs benedict, omelets to order with a wide variety of
ingredients available, pasta cooked fresh, carved ham and prime rib, crab legs
already opened, oysters on the half shell, Thai
scallops, mussels, shrimp, a huge mixed seafood salad, lots of fruit, and a ton
of desserts. I'm sure I am forgetting lots of stuff. We did not have time for
seconds, thankfully, as we did not need more to eat!
Our 8 nights sure went quickly. That morning, we had time for the hot tub and
the egg hunt. We had a small breakfast (for vacation).
We left about
Our flight was at
We truly had a wonderful 9 days and can't say enough about the staff and all
that they do.