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Hello, All!
Well, we are back from 5 days at BRP...which
is to say, 5 days in absolute PARADISE! Our vacation
was so very very much better than either my wife or
I expected that it's hard to put in words. BRP is MUCH nicer than any of the
pictures can really show, and lives up to or surpasses all of the great
comments I've read so far. That's my summary. Below is a short trip report (I
could write a small novel), and if anyone has further questions, feel free to
past them.
Our flight down to MoBay on Air Jamaica
was good. They were very punctual, and the food was pretty good as well. As
soon as we stepped got through passport control and customs, we were greeted
by the Air Jamaica vacations team. It all went VERY smoothly. Shortly we were
on our way to BRP
on a mid-sized shuttle bus (with 3 other couples going to BRP
only). The ride was sort of long, just under 2 hours, but nicely air conditioned
and entertaining thanks to a fantastic driver! We stopped twice on the way
for drinks (Red Stripe all around!!!!) and restrooms. This was the only part
of our vacation that was just good. EVERYthing else
just blew me away.
As soon as we arrived at BRP,
our luggage was wisked away and we were escorted in
by a head concierge (named Creighton...he was just fantastic!!) to relax in
an open air lounge with cool, scented towels to wipe our faces and champagne
all around to toast our arrival! After registering (with more drinks flowing
all the while), we were individually shown to our suite by Angela, the
property manager! Our suite was just perfect! We were on the third (and
highest) level with a panoramic view of the Sea and half of the BRP
beach. Coconut, palm, and Lime trees decorated the slope below our french balcony. Simply breathtaking.
More on the rooms: all marble floors (the whole property, really, except for
the beach and deck areas!), remote controlled Air Conditioner that REALLY
worked well, large TV and VCR in enclosed armoire, drying racks, 4-post
canopied king sized bed, dark wood crown molding and trim everywhere, GREAT
mini-bar, comfortable lounge chairs...You get the idea. The pictures really
don't capture it.
The food was amazing. Really. Lobster tails almost the size of a man's shoe,
yummy appetizers, juicy steaks, great pasta... my wife and I were impressed
by evry single meal, both at the 'casual' Royal
Cafe on the deck by the beach and the Bayside Restaurant on the heights
overlooking the beach. The french restaurant, Le Papillon, was in a class by itself. Seven or eight
courses of fine food that was as beautiful as it was tasty! And (like most
meals) eaten outside under the stars with that perfect breeze blowing in!
Wow.
The service was also excellent. Many times while lounging
on the beach, or playing pool in the game room, or sitting watching the
ocean, a staff member would come up to us seemingly out of nowhere and say,
'Excuse me, but you don't have a drink!!" As almost an accusation!!
Then, moments later, Pina Coladas or Hummingbirds
or Red Stripe would be rushed over to us. Just fantastic. There was just so
much staff for so few vacationers!! We often felt like we were the only
people there. Beaches all to ourselves, tennis courts and fitness centers
left uninterrupted for hours on end while we enjoyed...you get the idea.
We took advantage of the European Spa in the form of a couples 'Moonlight
massage'. Two massage tables were set up in advance near the gazebo end of
the pier that extends out over the ocean. Right around sunset, my wife and I
were escorted through the resort and out onto the pier in Spa bathrobes and
slippers. Then we were treated to an hour long massage under the stars, in
the moonlight, as the waves crashed in beneath us. I don't have words to
describe the feeling, guys. You just HAVE to try it for yourself!!!!!
We met several other great couples while we were there. There was a wide
variety of ages; some ealry twenties, many around
30 (like me and my wife), even more 30 to 40 or so couples, and a few even
older. There was even a family of six there...a couple and their four teenage
kids (like 16-21 year olds).
There was nightly entertainment next to the outdoor eating patio of the
Bayside restaurant. They were pretty good, especially when playing reggae.
The last night we were there, a really good Jazz band was playing instead.
As I've mentioned before, this was our first trip to any resort worth
speaking of. So on our second night we decided to take the shuttle next door
to Sandals Ocho Rios. We were planning to go to their larger gift shop, eat
dinner there, and then maybe go to the disco. Now, I am not putting down SOR
in saying this, but we stayed there less than half an hour before walking
back to BRP for dinner and dancing back at the Bayside. It just wasn't the
same. We didn't even wait for the shuttle. We walked back...quickly.
In closing, BRP
literally surpassed our expectations in every way. It was as if we spent a
week in a private summer home on crystal clean waters, filled with staff
devoted to only us!! I highly, highly recommend BRP, everyone! We are already
planning our return trip (big surprise there, huh!).
~Mgreyhawk
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