From Wendy:

Subj: Re: My trip to Plantation
Date: 9/24/2001 8:38:07 AM Central Daylight Time
From: ALazieDay
To: DebbieH103

Dear Debbie,

As I promised I am writing you as soon as I got home!

I had a wonderful time....DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE !

THIS IS THE BEST ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT YET !

If you like to be pampered and like serenity, this is the place for you!

The housekeeping staff take great pride in their jobs and suprise you each day with a little touch of something special, towels folded in heartshape left on the bed with flowers all around, notes to say thank you each day..etc

I was given gifts such as bathrobes to take home, a beautiful wooden box, they even allowed me to take home a bottle of champagne!

The weather was wonderful, a bit humid but who cares!

All the employees are fantastic.

Aran and Nadul (spell check) took us along with two other couples off property to dinner at Evita's. They are very nice people.

I would suggest this property if you like to just mellow out by the beach and be pampered. If you wish a more lively (loud and crowded) vacation I would suggest the other Sandals/Beaches resorts.

Beaches Royal Plantation seems to be geared more to the 30 and over crowd which is fine by me. I think younger couples might be bored as there is not much activity in the way of disco's and coordinated activities.

They have available...snorkeling, water trikes, kayaks, windsails, glass bottom boats, tennis, table pool, video tape rentals, board games, swimming pool, and out door Jacuzzi (all of these are free of course).

You can go to the adjourning properties all within walking distance (they provide transportation if you do not want to walk) for scuba diving and the more active elements such as disco's and coordinated activities and you may dine in their facilities.

BRP has a fantasic Spa. We did the Couples Moonlight Massage. They set up the tables on the pier over the water and light candles all along the pier.

I also witnessed 3 weddings and helped to decorate for one.

The food was superb, I am fussy and have not one complaint except for the fact that I wanted to take the cooks home with me and they would not allow it !

Chef Hugo is great too, I planned on asking him for the recipe for the Caesar Salad Dressing, but did not get to speak to him before I left.

I told Aran that you where going to be arriving just after I left, and he told me that you had to postpone your trip, I am sorry to hear that....but be sure to visit them soon...it is a place not to be missed!

SUMMARY: BRP IS HEAVEN ON EARTH !

In regard to your questions:

Maybe Aran wrote you because I mentioned you and he wanted to be sure, or because the occupancy rate was low. BTW: Low occupancy is good .. we booked the cheapest room and got the honeymoon suite ! I counted no more then 10-12 couples that I saw on a regular basis. This was great because you feel like you have the entire resort at your beck and call...and the staff is not overwhelmed with people to accommodate. They all knew us by name and room number...

The Moonlight massage is in total dark, with the exception of the candles, I am sure if you request a sunset time you will be accommodated, if you don't mind others possibly being around during your massage. I must say that the possibility is slim as it is low occupancy, this is their off season and they say that in Nov, Dec they start up again. However, if a couple wishes to view a sunset from the pier it might be uncomfortable as you are nude with the exception of towels and sheets covering you. BESIDES: you will miss the sunset, your eyes will be closed to enjoy the massage, MINE WERE!

WE SNORKELED! They go out 2 times a day, 10:30 and 3:00, unless they change the times. They are very helpful, I do not swim and have a great fear of the water and they helped me thru it and I got to see the sea!

We were transported via a mini van, but there was another couple arriving from our flight, one couple I met from Illinois was transported via car. I guess it will depend on how many guests are arriving at the same time. Going back we traveled with the couple that arrived in car also in a mini van.

In the French Restaurant a jacket is required, the first night we went, we got all dressed, but we where over dressed. The second night we went my husband wore dockers with a short sleeved golf shirt and carried the jacket. I wore silk capri pants and a silk blouse. All men's jackets where rapped around chairs, so just have one on arm. It is all very laid back and casual. I would also suggest that you make your reservations at the French Restaurant early, they only serve one thing, you do have a selection of one of two entrees, but if you are not satisfied, you will then have time to go downstairs to bayside. The food in the French restaurant was good, if you like what they have on the menu that day, however the portions are small and if you don't happen to like what is served, it is always nice to have an alternative.

We had breakfast in room on balcony for the most part...its more convenient and it is the same food as the restaurant...

I HAVE TO SUGGEST THAT YOU TRY THE COLD SEAFOOD SALAD AT THE HUT BY THE BEACH...IT IS FANTASTIC, additionally the escargot at bayside for dinner is superb as well and is a regular staple on the appetizer menu! I also highly recommend the Caesar salad with tiger shimp.... yummy!...Honestly, I was more impressed with the food in the bayside then the French, but mostly because I could choose what I liked as opposed to have to eat from what the French offered.

They HAD CRAB RACES ! and you see the rock crabs walking on property as well as a family of peacocks that love the taco chips that you can get at the bar by the beach.. they will take food from your hands, just choose things that have some grabbing room, as they are not gentle, they will not hurt you, they just want the food, but they are not to good with judging where the food ends and where your fingers begin.

BTW: they have an exercise facility right on property next door to the spa, so you will not have to travel ! go check it out and see if their equipment will satisfy you.

I am not sure how often the shuttles run, we rented a car and only used the shuttle once to duns river, we walked to sandals ochios (its right up the block) and drove the rental Grandsport.

RE: Security checks, I found that going from New York, there was not to much, we got to the airport 3 hours in advance and it was way to early. returning there is much more security both in Jamaica as well as arriving in the states, such as customs, immigration etc, but it was not bad..we zipped right thru. I did not bring carry on as I heard via news that the states would not allow carry on, but Air Jamiaca allowed it. I guess this will depend on your carrier and suggest you contact them direct for their rules and regulations.

Just wanted to tell you that BRP makes your return flight home easier. The morning you plan to leave, you have your bags packed and outside your door by 7 am. They take them to the game room, and about an hour later you meet in the game room with an Air Jamaica rep and a customs agent. They then provide you with your boarding passes, customs has you open your bags and checks them (a minium of 2 bags where searched out of 4) they check you luggage and take it right to the plane, so you don't have to worry about lugging your baggage or checking in at the airport.

I hoped this answered your Q's and if you have any others, just give me a holler....