Sandals Royal Bahamian is struggling to maintain the 'luxury' claim.
The first impression upon arrival, where you register at the small reception area, is 'dull and dated'. We were booked into the West Bay area and then escorted through the piano bar (again dull and dated) via the large and beautiful 'quiet' pool, and the large and noisy 'party' pool to our top floor suite (1619) with balcony and stunning view of the beach, sea and Sandals private island. The following morning we were to realize how intrusive was the noise (11an to 5pm) coming from the 'party' pool, created by over zealous shouting dj's trying to encourage guests to join in pool games/activities along with tortuous hip-hop type Bahamian garage music. This audio assault was so loud it covered the whole Sandals beach area, the East and West Bay sea view rooms and effectively forced guests off their sea view balconies and back in to their rooms (our room 1619 was even at the furthest point from the 'punishment' pool), it felt there was no escape! Another problem with this audio ourput was it's balance, meaning even at a distance all along the full length of the beautiful, and otherwise serene, beach you could still hear the booming bass thuds, and nothing else.
This was our only serious problem with the resort but enough to be a deal-breaker for future bookings. Had this 'party' pool nightmare been flagged up at the point of booking we would have booked elsewhere. Maybe more transparancy needed at the time of booking. We felt there was no escaping this bombardment of noise in what we had always understood to be THE relaxing, all-inclusive, upmarket luxury brand. After a few days we found a couple of more relaxing spots over on the Sandals private island and at a small pool through the Sandals Island Village villas. We did raise this with concierge who 'understood' but were very attentive in other areas.
La Plume was excellent, great table overlooking large quiet pool area and great food.
The 'English' pub (The Queen's Pearl) was hardly an English pub, it's too bright and clinical looking, very limited beer choice and no cider at all, but great for late light meals - there was better lighting and atmosphere sitting outside the pub than inside - Philip and Rory behind the bar were good fun.
Butch's restaurant was only ok. Having booked a table we were taken to an unlaid table (just a knife and fork each), when we showed surprise they fully laid it. The steak tasted better than it cut but was not outstanding.
Canoo - very good lunchtime food and service.
Calico - great ribs.
Sweet Tings - good hot coffee
Daily room bar replenishment was unreliable until concierge were on the case (thanks Sandra).
The 'Champagne' is included at the bars and placed in every room bar daily, except, for those who may care, it is not Champagne at all , it is just 5% (abv) sparkling wine. It seems the staff are trained to keep calling it 'Champagne' (wonder why!) when in reality it is anything but! It didn't matter to us but again a transparancy issue?
Sandals Royal Bahamian could be what is was, the number 1, relaxing, upmarket, all-inclusive, luxury resort, but is hurting it's own brand with noisy and tacky pool games coupled with uncomfortable, unsettling, mismatched rap style music.
Sandals, decide what you want to be, and do it well, right now there is a commercial contraction in trying to be a romantic relaxing resort, AND, a loud partying venue.
