My (new)husband and I travelled to this resort in order to get married, and I couldn't be happier that we did!
After a tedious 10 hr flight with Virgin, we were greeted at the airport and directed to the Sandals private lounge to await our transfer to the hotel. The lounge was very nicely furnished with an array of free, self-service drinks - alcoholic and soft, and very polite, friendly, smiling staff.
After short wait we were taken to our air conditioned minibus by the Redcaps (airport porters who take care of all your luggage). A brief 15 minute journey later we arrived at The Royal, and were taken aback at how luxurious the place was right
from the main entrance.
As we exited the minibus, we attempted to retrieve our bags but were told that "You are on vacation now, you don't carry bags", and again our luggage was whisked away with a smile.
We were greeted with cold towels and champagne, and after a quick check-in (done at our seat whilst we drank) we were taken to our room by our porter. He gave us an explanation of how everything in our room worked, and told us that if we need anything to call room service 24 hours a day.
The room was fabulous, a king size 4 poster bed, tv, coffee making facilities, lockable safe and roomy bathroom. We had lovely views over the lawned gardens with peacocks roaming around, to the beach and sea which was around 100 yards away.
We quickly changed into our beachwear and set off to explore. We were maliciously accosted by the pool bar, which refused to let us pass without trying our first cocktail - the legendary dirty banana. It was DIVINE and very strong. We then checked out the pools, restaurants and bars.
The place is immaculate and the staff greet you as you walk around with a genuine warmth. Within half an hour of arriving we were on cloud nine.
The dining there is unbelievable, everything a-la-carte and white glove service. We also used the restaurants at the Mobay Sandals nearby, there is a free bus that shuttles day and night and only takes 10 mins. We ate to excess, and tried every restaurant whilst there. We had wonderful steaks, fresh seafood, japanese, thai, italian etc but as we had paid 3,800 we think we deserved to pig out a little!
There is also a beach grill which is open 24 hrs and serves jerk chicken, burgers, jamaican patties, pizza, fries and the like. There were also any number of special buffet events, around the pool and on the beach which have to be seen to be believed. Breakfast can be buffet, a-la-carte or room service, and there is every imaginable food you could eat for breakfast prepared freshly for you.
Our wedding was just the most wonderful experience, and included in the price of the holiday! We met with the wedding co-ordinator on our 2nd day, and chose our flowers, cake, reception food and photo package. We then chose our location, the beach gazebo and that was that. We had a quick meeting with the wonderful Reverend Terence, and what a guy! If our priests had his sense of humour there would be queues around the churches.
Our wedding went without a hitch, all we had to do was turn up. We had a 2tier cake, champagne and hors-deuvres, a quick photo shoot and then quickly hurried back to the swim up bar for more cocktail sampling. We had a special meal that evening (if it's possible to be more special than all the others) and had a champagne breakfast brought to our room the next morning.
We did all the included sports whilst there, scuba diving, wind surfing, sailing and the staff were just superb. The girl who looks after the gardens left us 2 fresh coconuts on our balcony after we commented on the palm trees. We took them to the barman, who deftly sliced off the top and topped them up with malibu, mmmm.
You can have as much premium branded drink as you like which is always served with a smile and the Jamaican phrase -"no problem man!" We fell in love with so many of the staff who were without exception superb.
Before this turns into war and peace, I will cut to the chase. This place is heaven on earth, but beware, it will spoil you for anywhere else! We are frantically saving for a return trip, and every day that we are not there is agony!
I actually cried when I left, our lovely friendly staff came to wave us off on the bus and gave us a little packed lunch of jamaican patties and OJ to take to the airport. They had also (incredibly) baked us a 2nd wedding cake to take home and share with our folks!!
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