hot property In brief
Peter Island Resort & Spa in the BVIs has devised a new package to coincide with Julia Roberts’ new film Eat Pray Love. Starting from £2,490 for two people, the five-night package includes daily gourmet picnics, private yoga sessions and an Ayurvedic consultation. ■
peterisland.com
Checking out
Royal by Rex Resorts is an all-suite property on Reduit Beach, one of the best beaches in St Lucia
Rooms and furnishings
All rooms are a fantastic size. My suite had rather dated decor and the shower cubicle was so dark that shaving your legs was a risky business. However, a massive refurb is now underway, with 100% of rooms to be completed by early 2011, so request one of the nice new modern rooms for your client. 7/10
Service and welcome
Staff were quick to resolve a booking error to ensure I had a room for the night, but I had to ask three times for a hairdryer and toiletries to be brought to my room — poor service by anyone's standards. 5/10
Facilities and dining
Dinner in the beachfront restaurant was very good, as was the breakfast buffet. Royal also has a fine-dining restaurant, Chic. The property has a lovely pool area and a small spa, plus a rather cramped gym. Sailing, windsurfing and other activities are avail-
50 03.09.2010
able for a charge. Note that when the cruise ships come in, the fabulous beach is inun- dated with their passengers. 8/10
Value for money
With rack rates from $188 per night for two, the Royal is good value for money. Clients may not be able to budget as easily as in an all-inclusive hotel, but the excellent restau- rants of Rodney Bay are only a few minutes away, so staying room-only, B&B or half-board is the perfect way to appreciate them. 7/10
Overall 70%
A superbly-located hotel with a friendly atmosphere and lots of space. I didn't see St Lucian by Rex, which is just next door, but appar- ently the Royal is the superior. The UK is the biggest market for the hotel and its level of repeat business is a strong indicator of its popularity — I met one Brit who comes for three months every year. 8/10
by Philippa Jacks Booking it
Virgin Holidays has a week at Royal by Rex Resorts from £999 per person in November, including flights from Gatwick and transfers. Accommodation is on a room-only basis and based on two sharing. ■
vhols4agents.com
Sandals’ Royal Plantation brand has ceased operation, with Royal Plantation Ocho Rios becoming Sandals Royal Plantation, Ocho Rios. Royal Plantation Island, Exumas will revert to its original name (Fowl Cay Resort), while Royal Plantation Private Villas in Ja- maica will retain its name. Sandals has also added a new room category at Sandals Halcyon Beach St. Lucia. The eight Romeo & Juliet Beachfront Walkout Butler Rooms are the first at this resort to have butler service. ■
sellingsandals.co.uk
Ground has been broken on Secrets Puerto Vallarta and Now Amber Puerto Vallarta, both due to open on Mexico’s Pacific coast in summer 2012. Secrets is to be a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, with 271 rooms. Now Amber will offer 331 guest rooms. ■
amresorts.com
Real Resorts in Cancun has launched a “Single with Kids” programme, allowing single guests at the all-inclusive Gran Caribe Real Cancun and Gran Porto Real Playa del Carmen to bring one under-12 for free. Up to four other children can share the suite for a rate of $59 per child per day. Other benefits include free entry to the Oki Kids Club and discounted babysitting. ■
realresorts.com
The Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa (formerly Sandals Dunn’s River Falls) reopens this month after being taken over by Aimbridge Hospitality. All 250 guest rooms have been refurbished and the resort is being represented in the UK by AMG. ■
amgltd.biz
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