ROYAL PLANTATION MAY 15-23 2009

NINTH STAY

One thing that is always on my mind as we arrive is how can the Royal Plantation be any better than it has been in the past?  Well I can tell you that they continue to improve their employees, their service, food and the overall relaxation you experience at the resort. Usually by the third day, I can’t even remember what day it is I have unwound so much.  That is why we keep returning.

We arrived an hour late thanks to AA but that may have been a blessing in disguise as there was no waiting at immigration or customs.  Barely sat down in the Sandals lounge when they call us to our car and off we went.  After some fresh fruit and couple of Red Stripes and a quick stop we were at the Royal.

It seems like half of the employees are always just waiting for you to arrive including management so they can hug you and welcome you home.

You may find the rest of this kind of boring because we didn’t do much this trip.  I golfed three times; the course was in the best shape I have ever seen it. Other than one extended trip downtown, we were on the beach most of the day with small interruptions for afternoon showers. We did have one afternoon that was washed out but that was it.  I would recommend if you do go downtown, go into the craft market, get a beer and sit down at one of the Rasta’s stalls and have a chat with them.  You’ll find that they are very interesting and not near as scary as they look.

Breakfast was usually fresh fruit and banana bread although they still have the buffet and you can also order from the menu.  Did have room service breakfast one day.

Lunch was mostly at the beach grill with all items on the menu being very good especially liked the spring rolls, coconut shrimp and fish and chips.  The jerked pork was good but very spicy.   Went to the Terrace one day to try the Wiener schnitzel after Debbie had mentioned it.  I had tried it when Chef Hugo was there and didn’t care for it but it is delicious now.

Dinner was mixed between all three places and all were very good.  Most memorable meals were the returning guest dinner with curried Canadian lobster, Jamaican night and the Royal grill.

I did two spa treatments, both were good.  Do not miss the foot massage on the beach, wonderful.

As we are leaving, I’m always thinking this is probably the last time we’ll stay at the Royal Plantation but after I spend six months reading trip reports and checking prices on various places we always end up coming back.  If you consider your suite with the bar, the quality of the service and food, I don’t believe for the same price you can find a better place.