Sandals Royal Plantation: Exclusive and Indulgent

Posted on Fri , Jan 20, 2023

For the ultimate in exclusivity and indulgent pampering, escape to Sandals Royal Plantation, a small, boutique all inclusive resort and spa in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Sandals Royal Plantation

Sandals Royal Plantation is the only resort in the Sandals collection where all rooms are suites and include Sandals Personal Butler Service. Nestled within a magnificent coral bluff on Jamaica's lush north coast, this intimate resort of only 74 ocean-view suites is renowned for its personalized service, unmatched attention to detail and retro-chic sophistication - complete with all the world-class amenities for which Sandals in renowned.

This is the quieter side of Sandals.

Sandals Royal Plantation

All 74 suites at this resort boast a beautiful view of the ocean and include Sandals Personal Butler Service.

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The range of impressive amenities includes a bluff top freshwater pool with two whirlpools and poolside butler service, beach butler service including dining and cocktails on the west beach, and Sandals’ comprehensive scuba diving program with a water sports pavilion on the east beach. Lovers of golf will be treated to complimentary green fees at the nearby 18-hole course at Sandals Golf & Country Club.

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The dining experience at this resort is unparalleled. The award-winning Le Papillion serving French cuisine is one of the resort’s three gourmet restaurants, while the chic CBar is the island’s only champagne & caviar bar. Guests also enjoy exclusive privileges at the neighboring Sandals Grande Riviera which expand your dining options to 11 more venues.

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Catering to those who appreciate refined elegance with an authentic island experience, Sandals Royal Plantation is the quiet side of Sandals and the ideal retreat for whenever you need to recharge.

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Look for my next blog - a review of Royal Plantation and the Ocho Rios dine-around option by Neal Green, Owner of Knoxville's premier catering service, All Occasion Catering and Board member to the International Caterers Association Board of Directors.

Topics: Sandals resorts, Personal Butler Service, Sandals Royal Plantation, Jamaica

Personal Butler Service: Anticipating Your Every Need (part 1 of 3)

Posted on Mon , Jan 16, 2023

There are so many features included with your stay that set the Sandals and Beaches resorts apart from other all inclusive Caribbean vacations. Sandals refers to these as More Quality Inclusions. One of my past guests' favorite inclusions - and my personal favorite - is Sandals exclusive Personal Butler Service.

Butler 1-1

Although I have had clients give me a hesitant look when I offer a room with Personal Butler Service, I have NEVER heard anyone (my clients or others) describe their butler experience as anything but overwhelmingly positive. Almost all of my clients who select a suite with Personal Butler Service come back from their vacation and report that they plan to do it each time they return to a Sandals property. They recommend it to their friends.

So you're kind of interested, because this is something very different than you've experienced - or most of your friends and family have experienced - before. But you're skeptical. "Why would I need a butler? I'm not high maintenance. All I need is a comfortable chair by the pool/on the beach, a cool drink in my hand and a good book/my loved one by my side." Yes, and I garantee you will enjoy your perfect vacation at a Sandals resort. You will absolutely love it. But should you choose a suite with Personal Butler Service, you will come back telling me story after story of how your butler enhanced the relaxation, the luxury, and the romance of your vacation. I've seen it time and time again.

It will take me three blog entries to give you the full picture of this remarkable feature of the Sandals and Beaches resorts.

Here, let me tell you just a few of the ways your butler will enhance your time on resort.

When you arrive, you butler will have already double checked that your suite is prepared and your preferences are already in-suite. He or she will greet you as you arrive on resort and escort you to your suite where he has prepared refreshments for you, and he will conduct your private check-in in your room. There have been times that my clients arrived on resort during lunch. Their butler knew they would be hungry and he escorted them first to lunch, then returned to take them to their suite for check-in.

Each morning, your butler will serve you breakfast on your patio/balcony or in your room if you like. I encourage my clients booking a suite with Personal Butler Service to choose a room on the ground floor. This way, your butler can set up your breakfast table without disturbing you. Once you are up and enjoying your view, he will serve your coffee and breakfast.

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During your stay, your butler will make all restaurant and tour reservations for you. Most Sandals properties have one or two very popular restaurants with limited seating that require reservations for dinner. When you arrive, your butler will have already secured reservations at each of these for you. Of course, should you wish to change which night or time you dine, he will see that your reservations are changed. Each night, he will come escort you to your table in your chosen restaurant. And you will receive premium seating with the most beautiful view and romantic atmosphere.

Personal Butler Service

Let me give you a personal example of how your butler will enhance your vacation. Your butler will give you a cell phone so that you can call his phone any time you need somthing. My husband and I were in the pool one day and met another couple that was raving about a catamaran tour they had been on the previous day. We decided we should try it while we were there as well. Normally, I would have gotten out of the pool, dried off, put on a cover-up and shoes, walked to the tour desk, stood in line, and made a reservation for our tour. Then, I probably wouldn't have wanted to get wet again and would have considered not returning to the pool. But I had a butler on this trip. So I grabbed my butler phone, called the only number saved in the phone, and my butler answered, "Jerry the butler!" in a tone that requires a smile. I told him which tour we'd like to try, and he said, "It is done." A few minutes later, he appeared at the pool to confirm our departure time for the tour the next day... and brought my husband and I a refill on our favorite drinks.

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Our tour the next day took us off property for the whole afternoon and evening, and it included dinner. When we got back, our butler was waiting for us as the catamaran pulled up to the beach. He carried my bag and asked how our time was as he escorted us back to our suite. Then he left us at the door and said his goodnight. When we walked in, he had drawn a bubble bath, lit candles, and sprinkled rose pelals all over the bathroom. There was champagne icing in a bucket by the bath. He knew we would want to relax when we returned...

Personal Butler Service

I sell Sandals Personal Butler Service to my clients whenever possible because it is an unimaginably supreme standard of service and luxury, where your every need is anticipated.

Look for Part 2 of this series on Sandals Personal Butler service - an interview with a recent guest who chose a suite with a butler at Sandals La Toc.

Or, if you already know your next vacation should include Personal Butler Service,

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Topics: Personal Butler Service

Personal Butler Service: Anticipating Your Every Need (part 2 of 3)

Posted on Mon , Dec 14, 2020

Sandals Personal Butler Service is the ultimate experience in service and luxury. But don't just take it from the travel agent! To help you understand the benefits of choosing a suite with butler service, I've interviewed Janet, a recent guest of The Sandals Lady who chose a butler suite at Sandals La Toc in St. Lucia.

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Janet and Michael's very special butler suite was on the bluff side of the resort. You can also see the beach side of this beautiful resort in the background above.

How did Sandals La Toc compare to other resorts at which you have stayed?  
The entire facility was beautiful.  Everything was spotlessly clean, and they were improving things (painting, etc.) that I couldn't tell needed to be improved!  We've never stayed in an all inclusive resort before, but I can't imagine anything being any nicer.  Everyone, and I mean literally everyone, was incredibly friendly and helpful.  They seem to have thought of everything.

What was your favorite feature of Sandals La Toc?
We loved our suite and the view from our balcony, and we loved having the butlers.  I wouldn't want to give up either of those!

Sandals La Toc
Why did you choose a room with Personal Butler Service?
That was based on Robbie's recommendation.  I'm not sure we would have chosen to do that if she hadn't given us a good idea of what it would be like.  My initial reaction to hearing about it was something along the lines of, "Oh, we'd be embarrassed to ask for things, and I don't think we'll really use their services."  She assured us, by giving us examples of what the service was like, that we would be comfortable with it, and she was right.
 
What was your Butler's name?
Our butlers were Tana and Gilbert, and they were both great.

Sandals Personal Butler Service Sandals Personal Butler Service

What preparations did your Butler make on your behalf before your arrival?
When we arrived, we already had reservations for several restaurants.  We had a fully stocked bar, along with chilled wine and champagne, waiting in the room.  We also had a small cheese tray from Sandals, and a fruit plate from The Sandals Lady.  Tana spent a good bit of time with us, filling us in on all the amenities of the resort, and all the services she and Gilbert would provide while we were there.  
 
Did your Butler greet you when you arrived?
Yes.  We used a private car from the airport, and our driver mistakenly took us to the regular check-in lobby, rather than the butler check-in.  The minute they opened the trunk and saw the special tags on our luggage, they whisked us back into the car, assuring us, to quote the bellman, that "we were on our way to heaven".  This allowed us to see another advantage of butler service.  At the regular check-in, we would have been behind several couples who were unloading from a van that had pulled in just ahead of us.  At the butler check-in, there was no one ahead of us, and we barely had time to take a sip of the rum punch they gave us before we were on our way to our suite.  Tana was there to take us to our room, spend some time with us, and then she went back down and brought our luggage up to the suite.
 
How did your Butler make your time on resort more relaxing or romantic?
It was wonderful having our chairs reserved for us every day at the pool.  After the first day, we even told them where we would like to be, and they were right there.  They reserved them with towels (sometimes shaped like swans) and our room number in flowers.  They made dining reservations for us, and they brought us drinks and snacks at the pool, regardless of whether or not we asked for them.  They had chilled champagne in our room every night, and twice we came in after dinner to enormous bubble baths.  Most evenings we even had flower petals in various designs on the bed!  They also made sure we didn't miss some of the special occasions at the resort.  For example, we would have missed the Chocolate Buffet if they hadn't told us about it, and that would have been a shame!
 
What did you enjoy most about having a Butler?
May I say that we liked everything about having a butler?
 
Would you recommend a room with Personal Butler Service to others?
Absolutely!  In our opinion, it is essential - we would not consider going without it.
 
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience at Sandals La Toc?
I do have one further example of how really special our butler service was:  one evening, after a day at the beach and pool, we came back to the room and I went straight to sleep.  We had reservations that evening for Pitons, which was one of our favorite restaurants at the resort, and we were looking forward to going there again.  As the time for our reservation drew closer, Michael called Gilbert and told him we would need to cancel the reservation, and would just have to have room service for dinner.  Gilbert brought us menus from PItons, took our order, and delivered the full meal to our suite for us.  It would never have occurred to us to ask him to do this, and we thought this was far above and beyond the call of duty.
 
Beyond that, I will add that for a relaxing, renewing vacation, Sandals La Toc was an absolutely wonderful choice.  It would be nice to try some of the other Sandals resorts, but we might not be able to take that chance!

Sandals La Toc Sandals La Toc

Above: Janet and Michael at their favorite restaurant on Sandals La Toc, The Pitons; and a sunset view from their suite.

Summarize your vacation in 3 words.
Hard to do, but relaxing, renewing, and luxurious are what come to mind.

Thank you, Janet and Michael for sharing your vacation with us! Look for Part 3 of our series on Sandals Personal Butler Service. You deserve it!

Make sure you didn't miss Part 1 of this series!

Topics: Sandals La Toc, Personal Butler Service

Suite of the Month: The Romeo and Juliet at Sandals Ochi

Posted on Thu , Oct 29, 2015

Sandals Ochi is the hottest adults only, all-inclusive resort in Jamaica right now. It has just received a huge upgrade to the social and night life scene as well as several brand new restaraunt concepts to the Sandals chain. This month's suite of the month offers a super romantic, secluded retreat just up the hill from the social scene of the resort. You get the best of both worlds. This is the perfect honeymoon suite or romantic getaway for a couple who enjoys a little night life mixed with their intimate alone time.

In this first video, The Sand Lady Tara shows you the private courtyard area of the suite. You have your own private plunge pool, hot tub, gotto shower and sun chairs. You will enjoy sunning in privacy during the day and star gazing at night. 

 

 

In the second video you will see the luxurious bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom is very large with a soaking tub, walk-in shower and double vanities. Then, on the other end of the courtyard, you will see you living room with sitting area, wet bar and private dining area. Of course, this LoveNest Suite includes Sandals excluive Personal Butler Service. So you can order an elegant dinner under the stars or romantic breakfast in bed any time you like!

If you think that Sandals Ochi might be a good fit for your next romantic vacation, check out our eBrochure here. Or request your Complimentary Vacation Consultation now. 



 

Topics: honeymoon, Personal Butler Service, romantic suite, Jamaica

Top Five Most Romantic Honeymoon Suites with Private Pool

Posted on Tue , Feb 18, 2014

If the romantic honeymoon suite you have dreamed of includes your own private pool, here are 5 suites at are sure to wow. The privacy of your own plunge pool provides the ultimate relaxation and reconnection time with your significant other. Whether this is your first honeymoon or your 25th, you deserve a honeymoon suite!

The Romeo & Juliet Sanctuary Villa Suite at Sandals Grande Riviera (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)

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This is probably the best value of all Sandals Resort's LoveNest suites. This suite has two separate indoor areas divided by a walled courtyard area. In the outdoor courtyard area, you have your own private plunge pool, sun chairs, outdoor shower and hut tub.

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On one end of the courtyard is the entrance to the bedroom with king size, four-poster bed.

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The bedroom leads to the immaculate bathroom with two vanities, closet, large soaking tub, tilled walk-in shower and separate water closet.

honeymoon suite sandals grande riviera

On the other end of the courtyard is the sliding glass doors that lead to a large sitting area, dining set and fully-stocked wet bar. 

The Mediterranean Villa Suite with Private Pool sanctuary at Sandals Grande Antigua

Honeymoon suite sandals grande antigua

Sandals Grande Antigua is voted "World's Most Romantic Resort" year after year for good reason. The long, beautiful white sand beach, gorgeous blue ocean and chic marble and fountains of the Mediterranean village set the mood for romance. This suite is the ultimate luxury for two people in love. 

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The living room, which is furnished with a sofa, a love seat and a writing desk, and wet bar area looks out onto the pool deck. Both the bedroom and living room are equipped with large flat screen TVs (42"). This villa offers total romantic seclusion.

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The bedroom is furnished with a four-poster, king-size bed and sits just steps from the poolside.

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The bathroom has twin wash basins, a roman whirlpool tub and a separate walk in overhead "rain" shower.

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As with all Sandals LoveNest suites, 24 hour room service and Sandals exclusive Personal Butler Service is included with this suite. You can enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner on your private patio anytime.

The Millionaire Suite at Sandals Negril (Negril, Jamaica)

Honeymoon suite sandals negril

Negril is the Capitol of Casual. The sunset is so amazing every night that, when you return from your trip and review your pictures, you'll wonder how you could have taken THAT many pictures of the sunset. (Personal experience!) The Millionaire suite at Sandals Negril is extremely private. The courtyard area is surrounded by a high wall and situated in a very quiet area of the resort. 

honeymoon suite sandals negril

honeymoon suite sandals negril

The bedroom and living room areas are both spacious and comfortable with beautiful views of the landscaped garden area. 

honeymoon suite sandals negril

The luxurious bathroom features double vanities, a walk-in shower and a whirlpool tub. 

honeymoon suite sandals negril

This is the perfect suite and resort for a couple that wants an authentic Caribbean escape with plenty of time spent enjoying the views of the Caribbean together. The suite opens up to a lush private garden which includes a plunge pool and miniature waterfall, and an outdoor shower with a private wall to ensure intimacy.

The Skypool Suite at Sandals LaSource (Grenada)

Honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

Sandals LaSource is a brand new resort that just opened in December 2013. This resort has the best of everything Sandals has to offer - all in one location. And then some... Sandals is pioneering a new concept to suites with private pools: The Skypool. These suites are located on the third, fourth and fifth floors of oceanfront buildings. Relax in your private plunge pool with a view of the ocean. 

honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

These two-room suites feature a large bedroom with access to the skypool and a living room with a large veranda, two lounge chairs, dining area and tranquil soaking tub. 

honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

The bathrooms in these suites equal the drama of the rest of the space. The bathroom includes two Carrera marble vanities with backlit mirrors, Kohler claw footed tub, separate frosted glass shower and a frosted glass water closet. 

The South Seas Millionaire Suite at Sandals LaSource (Grenada)

honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

Entering the suite through the porte cochere, you will find a full living room with a wet bar and dining table.

honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

The living room opens up to a trellised veranda with soaking tub, double chaise lounges, and exterior dining.

honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

The luxurious bedroom boasts a king size bed and large flat screen TV.

honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

The bathroom includes two Carrera marble vanities with backlit mirrors, freestanding soaking tub carved out of solid stone, frosted glass shower, and water closet. It also opens up to a private grotto carved out of the mountains with an outdoor shower. The flooring is Turkish ivory patika travertine natural stone with accents of pebble and porcelain planks from Italy.

honeymoon suite sandals lasource grenada

The bedroom opens up to a private plunge pool with an infinity edge. 

Did you see something you liked? Request your complimentary consultation for a personalized quote:

complimentary vacation consultationcomplimentary vacation consultation

Topics: honeymoon, Personal Butler Service, romantic suite

Destination Wedding: Jessica and Justin's Intimate Island Nuptials (part 1 of 2)

Posted on Mon , Oct 07, 2013

Real Destination Wedding

When I first started working with Jessica and Justin, they wanted to plan a honeymoon in Jamaica or St. Lucia. They dreamed of a romantic getaway with a nice mix of relaxation and island adventure, and they wanted a special honeymoon suite. I made a couple recommendations on each island to suit their requirements and explained the major differences between the rooms and resorts that I was suggesting so they could make a final decision.

As sometimes happens, when next I spoke with Jessica, the couple had become slightly overwhelmed by the prospect of planning a traditional, local wedding with lots of family and friends to please. She wanted to know more about the Sandals WeddingMoon®, which is a destination wedding + honeymoon all in one package. I told Jessica that because they were already planning a 6 night honeymoon, they could add the Wedding to the Moon at no additional cost, and I would lead her through each painless step of planning the ceremony and reception. After consulting with Justin, the decision for an intimate island wedding was made, and after a 2 hour lunch date, we had planned their destination wedding and honeymoon at Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia. 

I always recommend that honeymooners - and especially those getting married on resort - book one of Sandals Love Nest Suites. These suites are Sandals most romantic, intimate accommodations, and staying in a Love Nest Suite makes for a very special, unique honeymoon experience. Jessica and Justin chose the Sunset Bluff Honeymoon Oceanfront One Bedroom Butler Villa Suite with Private Pool at Sandals Regency La Toc. 

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This room boasts one of my all-time favorite views in the Caribbean - enjoyable from your own private plunge pool. Sitting atop Sunset Bluff, this suite has a beautifully decorated separate living room and bedroom with plenty of space. The veranda is large and the view of the ocean and the sunset is stunning. Open the sliding glass doors in your bedroom to enjoy these romantic views right from your four poster king size bed. Stone floors, mahogany furnishings, and vaulted ceilings make these suites cozy and inviting. 

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I always make sure my WeddingMoons couples receive VIP treatment. Upon arrival in St. Lucia, Jessica and Justin were driven by a private driver and luxury sedan from the airport to the resort. Their personal butler met their car at the resort and escorted them directly to their honeymoon suite. The next day, they met with their on-resort wedding coordinator who confirmed the details of the wedding ceremony and reception. They had a champagne cake tasting and selected a cake flavor. A local attorney met with them in the resort wedding office to finalize the legal marriage documents. The wedding coordinator took them on a full tour of the resort grounds, and Jessica made the final decision to hold the ceremony in the wedding gazebo overlooking the beach. Then, they were off to relax and play until it was time for their wedding, which was scheduled for 4pm two day later.

Each island does has its own legal documentation and residency requirements for weddings. St. Lucia requires the bride and groom arrive on the island 3 business days before there wedding ceremony. However, as in the case of Jessica and Justin's wedding, the couple may choose to pay a documentation expedition fee in order to get married sooner. But as Jessica would tell you, don't fret about the details! Contact The Sand Lady to take care of all of these things for you. It is my job to know the details and present  you with the options. 

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On the wedding day, Jessica had her hair and makeup done in the spa on resort. She said this was a great way to relax before the wedding. Her partial up-do was beautiful, and she was happy to see that the spa used makeup products by MAC. Once her hair and makeup were complete, her female butler Trisha drove her back to the suite to get dressed. Jessica was happy that Trisha was there to help her with her bridal gown. Before the wedding, as they got to know their butler team of Trisha and Sydney, Jessica and Justin decided to ask that they stand as witnesses to their marriage. 

Jessica and Justin's wedding theme is the Beautiful Beginnings complimentary wedding ceremony and champagne reception. They also used Sandals in-house photography and videography services. 


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Jessica's Tips to Brides
- What NOT to miss: "Sandals Personal Butler Service was absolutely amazing. I was SO GLAD we had this for our destination wedding. It made everything so relaxed and stress-free on the wedding day, especially."
- What I would have changed: "Justin said he was kind of nervous and anxious waiting for wedding time. I was in the spa - all relaxed. He was hanging out by himself. He is not a spa guy. If your groom would enjoy a massage, then I'd say schedule that for that time that you're apart before the wedding. For him, if I'd realized this would be the case, I would have just gone ahead and scheduled the wedding to be earlier in the day. When you're planning your wedding, you might be thinking more along the wedding time of a traditional, local wedding. Once you're on island time, there is not much difference between 11am and 4pm!"

Check out Part 2 of this blog series for the rest of Jessica and Justin's WeddingMoon story.

Click below to request your complimentary WeddingMoon consultation with The Sand Lady.

Complimentary Destination Wedding Consultation

Topics: destination wedding, Sandals La Toc, Personal Butler Service

Personal Butler Service: Anticipating Your Every Need (part 3 of 3)

Posted on Sat , Nov 12, 2011

 

Sandals Personal Butler Service

Are you planning an extra special celebration such as a honeymoon, destination wedding, renewal of vows, anniversary trip or family reunion? Sandals Personal Butler Service is the cherry on top of the perfect Caribbean celebration.

In the video below, view how your every need is anticipated and catered to by your own personal butler.

 

To start planning your special celebration today, click below to request your complimentary travel consultation.

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Make sure you didn't miss Part 1 and Part 2 of this series!

Topics: destination wedding, honeymoon, Personal Butler Service