Our luggage was waiting for us when we arrived. Our room, like all rooms, overlooked the ocean & the beach. The suite was huge with a king bed, amoire w/ t.v., vcr & dvd, two cushioned chairs, two night stands, one expandable table w/ chairs, walk in closet, double sink area w/ lighted make-up mirror & hair dryer, separate toilet room, whirlpool tub, doorless shower and add'l sink area, six foot sliding door facing west beach & door leading to balcony facing east beach & pool. (Suite 301). We unpacked quickly and went to the beach where we were met by Dalan (beach crew) and escorted to two padded, covered lounges with an umbrella and table. He then took our drink order and the ultimate rest began.

We hung out every night at the hot tub on the elevated terrace for the most beautiful sunsets I've ever experienced. Drinks and champagne were served at the pool and hot tubs (2) the same as they are served at the beach. Most days the pool deck was virtually empty until one hour before sunset. The pool was warm & the hot tubs were hot (about 103 degrees).

At 4PM every afternoon, high tea was served on the upper verandah porch. The tea, coffee and cappuccino was great. The scones with fresh cream were not dietetic. Fresh fruit was available as well.

We dined at all three dinner restaurants. Pappilion (the 5 star) is located on the second floor of the main building overlooking the ocean. The selection, service and atmosphere was amazing. Bayside was on the main patio overlooking the ocean & served breakfast, formal lunch and a great dinner with live music every night. Dance if you wish. Flambe was a flambe and fondue restaurant. The food was great, but I'm not a fondue person. This restaurant was also located entirely inside and not breezy nor with any kind of view.

By the third day, at least 75% of the wait/beach/bar/management staff knew our names. They also began to know our drinks and likes & dislikes.

We dined one evening with Peter Frassier (GM) at the returning guest dinner (only one other couple). He was the perfect host and spent several hours with us. He even wanted OUR comments on the property.

A typical day could be as follows; breakfast overlooking the ocean, walk down to the beach and find your lounge & umbrella already for you, 10AM Mango or orange mimosas are served on the beach by the beach butlers, dip in the ocean, turn over, 11AM fresh fruit served loungeside on the beach by the beach butlers, dip in ocean, lots of sun screen, order a frozen drink or water, beach butlers spray you with rose water to help you stay cool, walk on the beach to the water sports center & go for a glass bottom boat ride (1/2 hour..included), back to the lounge and read a couple chapters in your book, order lunch from your lounge or walk 50 feet to the patio, sit down and enjoy lunch at a table with music being played (live) by a local band, back to the lounge, couple dips in the pool, walk to water sports and take out a kayak or water tricycle, back to the lounge and order a frosty drink, rose water spray, order an ice cream sundae or banana split and eat it fast, rinse off in the beautiful clear ocean, walk up to the upper porch for high tea, go to the spa and have a massage, head to the upper patio pool/hot tub area, order a glass of champagne, watch the sun set, go to your suite, sit on the balcony and have a drink from the room wet bar or open a bottle of wine or champagne from the refrigerator, shower, dress, cocktail on the patio, dinner, romantic walk down to the beach to look at the moon & stars, walk back up to the patio and enter the piano bar, order an after dinner drink, enjoy the breeze and the music, drift to your suite and sleep like a baby. REPEAT DAILY!

Sounds delightful? It is! You cannot go wrong recharging at the Royal Plantation. The road from MoBay to Ocho Rios is under construction and it does take 2 hours by private car to get there, but hopefully within 6-9 months the road will be complete and it should only take a little over an hour. Either way...it is worth the trip.