Sandals Royal Plantation - All-inclusive Couples-only

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Previously Royal Plantation Ocho Rios, the resort has been converted into the Sandals brand as Sandals Royal Plantation. As a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World, this luxury boutique resort features 74 butler service oceanfront suites. Featuring an elegant old world charm, english style tea time is available on a daily basis. Known for its sophisticated pampering, it is the only Sandals resort that offers such features as a complimentary pillow menu.
Sandals Royal Plantation (Official Website)
Description (Sandals Website)

Location - The resort is located along the Jamaica northern coast approx 1.5 hours from the Montego Bay airport. Located near Ocho Rios which serves as a primary cruise port offering shopping and area attractions. Located directly next to Sandals Grande Riviera, guests of Royal Plantation also have complete access to all of the Grande Riviera restaurants and facilities (note that Grande Riviera guests do NOT have access to Royal Plantation).

Atmosphere - Royal Plantation is a quiet upscale resort serving a need for a simpler elegant style not quite found at the larger Sandals Resorts. There is no swim-up bar at this resort, it is the destination for couples who desire a quieter elegant retreat along with the the ultimate service and pampering. It is fair to say that the resort attracts mostly mature couples although some younger couples are also attracted who desire more peace, more charm, more tranquility, and more personalized service. The resort is a historical landmark which is well preserved and featured within the art and decor throughout the resort. This is also the only Sandals resort who will allow single guests.

Layout & design - Royal Plantation is a small beachfront hotel featuring one main building and two primary accommodation wings. The resort grounds are very lush with attractive thick tropical foliage and gardens throughout the grounds. This resort is constructed at an elevation with patios and terraces overlooking the sea and does involve steps down to the beach area. The resort is not considered a handicap friendly resort although it does maintain two handicap rooms.  If you are attracted to large pools or prefer to lounge around the pool as opposed to the beach, beware that the pool at this resort is very small.

Dining
Sandals Royal Plantation includes 4 restaurants with International, Mediterranean, Caribbean, and French cuisine. 24-hour room service available for all guests. English style afternoon tea on the terrace daily 4-5pm. Caribbean's only Champagne & Caviar Bar (additional cost). Large wine cellar on property featuring many vintages. Optional dinners on the beach feature regular candlelight ($170) and classic candlelight ($275, upscale wines and specialty dishes cooked in front of you). Guests also have full complimentary access to the 16 restuarants at the next door Sandals Grande Riviera.

The Terrace (International, Caribbean, Mediterranean fusion) - fine a la carte dining indoors or on the terrace under the stars. Full deluxe breakfast 7:30am-11am, exotic Caribbean lunch 12:30-2:30pm, dinner 7-10pm resort evening attire & reservations required for dinner.

Le Papillion (French) -  very best in exotic french cuisine. Reservations required, resort evening attire. Dinner 7-10pm.

Royal Cafe (Caribbean) - lunch specialties with Caribbean flair in beach side setting. Casual attire, afternoon hours 11:30am-4:30pm. Also enjoy Royal Beach Butler Service with dishes and beverages served directly to your beach chair tables.

Wobbly Peacock Pub - favorite pub fare and dishes. Resort casual attire, daily 3pm-midnight.

Restaurant Descriptions (Sandals Website)

Bars (2)

Wobbly Peacock Pub - 10:30am-1am (or 2am winter)
Royal Cafe - beach bar - 10am-4pm

Parties & Entertainment:
Manager's Cocktail Party - Mondays 6:30-7pm
Sandals Select Cocktail Party - Tuesdays 6:30-7pm
Martini Moments - Fridays 7-8pm
Mediterranean Theme Night - Mondays Terrace Restaurant
Jamaica Night - Fridays Twerrace Restaurant

Celebrity Chef Cooking - Saturdays 12:30-1:15pm
Wine Pairing/Mixology Demonstration - Sundays 12:30-1:15pm
Jamaican Cigar Rolling - Fridays 6-8pm

Nightly entertainment includes jazz trio, Caribbean steel band, dancing with resident band. Afternoons include Calypso band on the beach ad piano melodies with the pianist during afternoon tea time.

Activities & Facilities
Sandals Royal Plantation has two beaches, the west beach which is the primary beach and the attractive east beach which is quieter but also has the watersports area. The resort's pool is a small heated pool with a nice view overlooking the ocean. The property also has two whirlpools. The resort has a full service Red Lane Spa ($), beauty salon ($), and a fully equipped air-conditioned fitness center. Resort scuba certification & PADI or NAUI Dive certification available at additional cost. Full range of water sports and 2 day/night tennis courts with tennis pro. Scuba dive & snorkeling boats, glass bottom boats are all easily accessible at the docks next door at Sandals Grande Riviera.A beach gazebo is available for weddings, private romantic dinners, or activities such as yoga. Complimentary golf and transfers at the nearby 18-hole par 71 Sandals Golf & Country Club (Caddies mandatory $). Full schedule of activities throughout the week. Gift shop located on property.
($ designates additional charge)

Activity descriptions (Sandals Website)
Off-property excursions (Sandals Website)

Accommodations

74 suites all with butler & concierge services along with oceanviews. This is the only Sandals resort where every accommodation has butler service. The accommodation building has two wings - east and west wings. The western wing has an elevator. Also available along the eastern side of the property is Villa Plantana, a 3 bedroom villa with private pool.

All suites include luxury mahogany furnishings, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, iron/ironing board, Ipod docking station, 32" flat screen TV, cable TV with movie channels, WIFI service ($), hair dryer, plush robes, coffee maker, in-suite bar with wine/beer/alcohol, refrigerator stocked with drinks, daily NY Times fax, in-room safe, full bathroom, and telephone. 2 handicap accessible suites are available.
Room descriptions (Sandals Website)

Villa (view photos)

Villa Plantana - located on the secluded east beach, Villa Plantana is private 3 bedroom villa along with a large private pool. This is a fully staffed villa including private butler, room attendant, and chef to prepare culinary masterpieces. Guests also have full access to the resort and facilities. The villa has a large patio area where the private pool is located along with exceptional ocean views. Rooms are very spacious including expansive living and dining areas along with the 3 bedrooms and bathrooms. The villa is perfect for a wedding party, couples traveling together, or simply a single couple wishing to experience the villa luxury and life style.

Suites (view photos)

(GR) Governor General's 1BR Oceanfront Plantation Suite - large 1658 sq ft penthouse one bedroom suite located top floor of the west wing. The suite maintains two full walkout balconies with full beach and ocean views. The luxury bathroom is equipped with a roman tub and separate walk-in shower.

(MR) Prime Minister 1BR Owner's Suite - located top floor west wing at 1628 sq ft, large one bedroom suite with expansive elegant rooms. Spacious balcony with lounge chairs directly off the living room and overlooks the west beach and ocean. Bathroom with roman tub and separate walk-in shower.

(1R) Royal 1BR Estate Oceanfront Suite - romantic 1BR suite located east wing on floors 1,2,3 at 593 sq ft. Marble bathroom with roman tub and separate walk-in shower. Walkout balcony with views of the east beach and ocean.

(HVR) St Ann Honeymoon Oceanfront Verandah Suite - large suite at 649 sq ft and located in west wing floors 1,2,3. Large walkout verandah at 178 sq ft with views of the west beach and ocean. Sophisticated luxury with half canopy mahogany bed, huge marble bathroom with whirlpool tub and separate tumble stone shower.

(HR) Royal Peacock Oceanfront Suite - east wing floors 1,2,3 at 549 sq ft. Elegant decorated suite with roman tub batroom and separate walk-in shower. Spacious walkout patio with ocean views.

(LR) Royal Great House Oceanfront Suite - west wing floors 1,2,3 at 465 sq ft. Bathroom with roman tub and separate walk-in shower. French balcony provides views of the west beach and ocean.

(PRR) Coconut Grove Plantation Oceanfront Suite - east & west wings floors 1,2,3 at 395 sq ft. French balcony provides views of the beach and ocean.

(RO) Royal Orchid Oceanfront Butler Suite - similar to (PRR) but slightly smaller at 365 sq ft.