Arrival
We used Club Mobay on arrival and were taken to the Sandals lounge, where we were pleasantly surprised with a private transfer driven by someone we’d had before.
Unfortunately, the arrival experience at the resort was a little confusing. We were greeted with a welcome song but given no instructions on where to sit or what to expect. As seasoned Sandals butler guests but first-timers at this resort, we eventually followed another couple’s lead and just sat down. A cool towel was given and some mixed sparkling wine beverage. After about 10minutes, we were told our butler was delayed with another guest. He arrived shortly, gave us a very quick tour, and took us to our room.
Room
We stayed in an LR category room on the second floor, with an amazing view of West Beach. The decor was lovely, mixing updated touches with old-world charm.
We found the bathroom layout was awkward, with the sink outside the cramped area containing the tub, shower and toilet. We often got in each other’s way getting ready for the evening.
Unfortunately, cleanliness was an issue and from other reviews I was surprised by this. We take our shoes off at the door, and after unpacking barefoot, I discovered that the bottoms of my feet were black (black, black). My husband’s were the same. Our butler immediately arranged for the floor to be mopped, but the floors never really felt clean. Even wiping them with a cloth left it grey, so we wore our slippers throughout our stay.
On a positive note, the bedding was fantastic. I love the weight of Sandals’ bedding, the firmness of the mattresses and the pillows. Our fridge was stocked with our requests, including rum, rum cream and Stella beer. They also made an effort to provide a different sparkling wine for me, supplying a bottle of Jean Dorsene daily instead of the La Roche wine drink I don’t care for. I appreciated the effort, but would have preferred something of better quality. This isn't a resort problem, it's a Sandals problem.
Restaurants
There are limited restaurant choices and found the overall selection for us (who eat everything) to be disappointing. Guests can also visit the neighbouring Sandals Ochi for additional dining options, which helps offset the limited selection at Royal Plantation.
The Wobbly Peacock has low lounge seating with coffee tables that are really only suitable for drinks and snacks, not a proper meal. Including it as a restaurant option seems odd. We had fish and chips and I propped a pillow on my lap to eat off of it. The fish and chips were underwhelming.
Our experience at the French restaurant was particularly disappointing. Dinner took 2½ hours, despite only five other tables being occupied. We sat outside and were left with empty water and wine glasses, with no updates about the delays. Our waiter eventually blamed the delay on a group he was serving. Delays happen, but communication matters.
The food was also off. My lamb was overcooked, with three tiny shrivelled chops, one of which was barely there. My husband’s steak was cooked properly. We both became very sick after returning to our room for the evening. We recovered by morning, but we didn’t return. We can’t say what caused it, although we wondered whether it might have been the amuse-bouche, a small raw fish dish served at room temperature before our meal. Another disappointment was the inconsistency in the food. I had a delicious penne alla vodka with mushrooms and chicken at lunch. The penne was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was fantastic. I enjoyed it so much that I requested the same dish through room service on our last evening. What arrived was nothing like what I had ordered. The penne was severely overcooked (mushy), and instead of the vodka sauce, it was in a tomato based without any cream, and added overcooked chicken. There was no freshly grated cheese or finishing touch, and the dish was inedible. It was hard to understand how a dish that had been so delicious at lunch could turn into something so completely different and disappointing through room service.
The Terrace was our favourite, and Jamaica Night was outstanding. I had the best curry goat I’ve ever tasted! The repeaters’ dinner was also the best we’ve attended at Sandals. The atmosphere, flow of the evening and presentations were a refreshing change.
General Manager
Omar, the General Manager, is a real asset to this resort. He seems to know everyone by name, genuinely engages with guests throughout the day and is willing to help wherever needed. He also made our repeaters’ dinner a wonderful experience.
His presence and approach make a noticeable difference. If we return, Omar will be a big part of the reason why. We left feeling that the resort has a great deal going for it under his leadership.
Beach and Beach Butlers
The beach was surprisingly good for the Ocho Rios area, with lovely sand, calm water and a clean, well-maintained setting.
However, by around 4 p.m., we felt awkward staying on the beach. It was like 80% of the folks left and of course the staff would rake and rearranging empty loungers. When we asked our butler about it, we were told that most guests head back to get ready for dinner. With a 7 p.m. dinner reservation, that seemed far too early. I also thought it was an odd response, rather than reassuring us that we were welcome to stay and enjoy the beach for as long as we liked. We love watching the sunsets and experiencing the peacefulness of the water as evening approaches.
There were also a couple of groups whose noise and shouting became increasingly noticeable as the day went on. It felt out of place at a resort that otherwise has such a relaxed atmosphere.
The beach butler concept is excellent, and the service here should be a model for other Sandals resorts. Efficient drink service on the beach should be part of the luxury experience, not something that feels like an extra. We tipped the beach butlers, as many guests do, because their service was genuinely appreciated and they were tremendously attentive..
Butlers
Unfortunately, our butler experience wasn’t among our best. One butler clearly stood out more than the other, but overall, we never quite connected with the team. This was unusual for us, as we’ve had some wonderful butler experiences at other Sandals resorts.
We’re accustomed to butlers taking care of things when we ask, often telling us not to worry and that they’ll handle it. On this occasion, we were given a cooler for the beach and told to call when we were leaving so it could be collected (understood)
As we stay on the beach late, sometimes until after sunset, our call is after 5PM. On one occasion, when we called, our butler said he was getting ready for night service. Feeling guilty, we asked if he wanted us to take the cooler to our room. He said yes, so we carried it upstairs ourselves. Our other butler was surprised to find it there the following morning. It was a small thing, but not quite the level of service we’ve come to expect from a butler resort.
Overall
Despite some disappointments, we genuinely liked Royal Plantation. The room’s view, the beach, Jamaica Night, the repeaters’ dinner and, especially, Omar all made our stay memorable.
Perhaps we simply caught the resort on an off week. This was the first stop on a 17-day Jamaican vacation, and we’ve been visiting Jamaica on and off since the late 1980s, with many, many, many visits over the years. When people ask which resort is our favourite, it's always the resort we are at, at the time. Every resort has something that sets it apart and makes it special for the guests.
Ultimately, it’s the people and Jamaican culture that keep drawing us back to Jamaica. Royal Plantation has plenty of potential, and with Omar at the helm, we would consider returning to experience it again.
