This was our first "return trip" to a Sandals resort. The last time we were here, we were newly weds, and they were doubling the size of the resort by adding another pool and another building to house the guests. For my birthday, we had requested to stay in the new building, and booked a room accordingly. However, the day before our departure, Sandals offered to upgrade us to a room level that included a "roman tub for two", for 300 bucks, so I took them up on it. Upon our arrival, we found out that we had been upgraded to the "Royal Bahamian Oceanview One Bedroom Suite", (which is one level below their TOP level), and we were on the very end of the hotel, looking out over the ocean and pool. Makes for FABULOUS views!!!
My complaints for this trip are very minimal, and the first one can't be helped.
The new building, the Windsor Block seems to suffer from a few aliments, even though it's only seven years old.
- If you like heat, the bahamian days in december are about 80 degrees, and we had a few windy days (15-25 mph), which dropped the temperature to about 75 degrees. Not cold, but not HOT. And Kristy and I like it HOT!!!
- Although you have a heating/AC control in your room, it doesn't seem to really change the temperature of the room.
- The water pressure and hot water become nonexistent when the building is near capacity. (We had a group of 300 housed in our building for two days, after they left, no problem.)
The final complaints:
- The reception desk wasn't very helpful, and somewhat standoffish,
- the communication between the different Sandals departments causes problems. (We missed lunch one day b/c the only restaurant serving lunch closed @ 2:30, although the daily newspaper they print out said it was open until 3:00.)
- VIP check-in is now only being offered to guests booking only the TOP three level rooms (or the rooms with butler service) We had to check-in w/ the masses and sit around for about an hour. VIP check-in used to be included w/ concierge level rooms
We arrived the day before my birthday, so that our first full day, could be spent entirely on the beach and in the sun. And the nice restaurants were booked (Crystal Room & Bacarrat) for the weekend, so we ate @ the Japanese restaurant (Kimonos) on Friday night and planned to eat at Casanovas (Italian) for dinner on my birthday (Saturday night). 'Course some of the statues missed me from my last visit, so I had to reminisce with them. And after eating the an order of "chips" with Roquefort fondue (sorry no picture, but EXCELLENT) at the Cricketeers Pub, we went to bed.
Saturday BIRTHDAY !!!
For my birthday, I wanted to just chill in my favorite spot by the main pool, and hang out with my wife. The day was beautiful!! When we were getting ready for dinner, my birthday cake arrived at our room. At Casanova's we dined with a bottle of wine, lamb chops, swordfish steaks, beef carpaccio (hmmmmmm!!!), anti-pasta and a smorgasbord dessert platter. We then commandeered a pool table (Score for the week: Kevin 3 Kristy 6...i ALWAYS scratch when trying to sink the eight ball), rested in a hammock and listened to the waves, and rode a lion, all while returning to our room.
(Let's talk about this room)......
As I mentioned earlier, the room was beautiful (as you can see by the pictures), and had it's own doorbell!!!! It had a double vanity, a 2 person "roman tub", a separate living area with a fabulous view. The bedroom looked out on the porch, and living room. Our room was situated at the end of the building, so we had a view of the pool, and a view of the ocean. I haven't figured out HOW & WHEN your actual room is decided. When our bags were brought to our room, they had another room number on them (1409), but that was crossed out, and they correctly showed up @ room 1601!!! My theory is that @ the airport 1409 was put on the luggage, then once we got to the resort, we were upgraded during "room assignment".
Sunday (A Year Older)
Sunday was one of our coldest days, and the best chance for rain, so we decided to hop a $1.00 bus ride downtown, check out the straw market and then head over to Atlantis. Atlantis isn't really all that it's cracked up to be. Unless you're a guest (or willing to pay $29.95) you are severally limited to where you can go. Although the aquarium and common areas are accessible. Ahhhh, Christmas @ Atlantis.... Being somewhat disappointed in Atlantis, we returned back to the resort. Although I was hexed by a voodoo princess coming back over the bridge from Atlantis. This woman was standing out by the road holding chicken bones up in the air and waving them at the cab as we drove by. Strange.... We dined again @ Casanova's eating the exact same thing as the previous night (even better the second time b/c we knew how to "work it"). Then relaxed in the scalding hot-tub, switched to a cooler hot-tub, and went to bed.
Because of the clouds, we had a beautiful sunset, made even more wonderful w/ our portraits (hahahahahah)
Monday Sun & Heat
First day of REAL sun & heat and fancy dinner @ The Crystal Room.
Dinner @ the Crystal Room was excellent, and we found two new favorite items, the wine & the dessert, baked alaska. I really liked the paint scheme they used on their private island (Cafe Goomba), so I photographed it.
Tuesday Christmas Card DAY
Another beautiful day!!!! We spent an hour of it taking our annual Christmas picture, to send out w/ our Christmas cards. Some of the better shots:
The rest of the day, we spent @ the private island 1/2 mile offshore, snorkeling and picking up coral.
My newly discovered drink, is the "Miami Vice". It's a mix of Pina Colada & Strawberry Daiquri. I enjoyed quite a few on vacation
Tonight was the only night we could get in Baccarat, the food was okay. I had a rack of lamb (better @ Casanovas) and my vegetarian wife had chicken...(LONG story)...and we discovered another bottle of wine. None of the desserts appealed to me, so I requested a baked alaska from the Crystal room and they gladly served it!!!! I only mention the wine b/c generally we don't like California wine, but this particular wine was very tasty.
Wednesday Massage DAY!!!
Today was massage day! As part of my birthday present from Sandals, they gave me a $100.00 resort credit, which we used for massages. Kristy chose the "sampler pack", including Reflexology, Swedish & Shiatsu. I chose the "Hot Stone Massage", and it was wonderful, as you can tell from our afterglow. Another fabulous dinner @ The Crystal Room. I had the Prime Rib (but I'd stick to the Filet for future visits), and we posed for a few photo ops. In this picture, our table is in front of us. It had a white table cloth, with rose petals spread all over it. I tried to convince Kristy it was b/c they found out we were printed in the current issue of ESCAPADES magazine, but I really think we got the table AFTER a newly-wed dinner. Escapades is the in-room magazine that Sandals places in every room. Needless to say, I was shocked to actually see our picture and name in it. NICE!!!!!!
Thursday Returning Guests
Our last day, and I wasn't going to let the cool (cold) weather bother us. So we bundled up, and got two sets of blankets, and took our spot by the main pool & played MahJongg for the morning. The sun broke through for the afternoon, so we picked up alittle more color for the Returning Guest party. The Returning Guest party originally was booked for the Crystal Room, but then it was changed to Casanova's, the Italian place.We had a special menu, that was fantastic. We dined w/ new friends, photo-op'ed when we were presented with Sandals necklaces, and posed for a group photo, compliments of Sandals. (Kudos to the guy in the pink shirt, he's headed off for Iraq in January for military duty.) We spent the night talking w/ the manager, although Steve was on vacation, we had the 2nd in command, though sadly, his name escapes me.
Friday Departure Day
Another FABULOUS vacation!!!! Thanks to everyone who made it happen, you know who you are. Next trip, skiing in VAIL in 3 weeks!!!! Til then....
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