Royalton White Sands

[SoEze]

The Royalton Resort

 

Upon arrival...

The front of the resort is a little shabby, in need of some landscaping. Once inside it's absolutely beautiful! Staff greets you with a cold drink and cold towels. Your bags are taken as you await check-in. We were upgraded to diamond club so check-in for us was a breeze. Can't say the same for our guests though.

 

CHECK-IN...

A total nightmare! We arrived early, our room was ready, none of our guests rooms were. That's fine because check-in isn't until 3pm. Our guest were allowed to explore the resort, restaurants and beach until rooms were ready...unfortunately that wasn't until 6 pm for some of our guest. It was 2:51and I remember one of the girls at the counter very rudely telling one of my guest that she still had 9 minutes until check-in and needed to wait. Really? It's been 4 hours since our arrival. If the rooms aren't ready yet, I'm sure they won't be in 9 minutes. There were not.

When our guest finally got to their room they found that not only were the rooms very small but the double occupancy rooms consisted of two twin beds. We were told that our travel agent should've informed us of this (NOT). After a few room changes, after guest were already unpacked, that was settled. My Hubby and I were originally upgraded to the honeymoon suite in the diamond club which was beautiful. Then we found out that the resort didn't have a room for one of my guest so they were given the Chairman's suite....wasn't happy about that. We complained and they switched it (before my guest knew anything about it lol). We then has to repack our room to be moved downstairs to the chairman suite....AMAZING! Private plunge pool, walks right out to the beach, duplex apartment style, with a living room, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. Some of my guests complained that the bathrooms leaked and some of the AC's didn't work (they fixed that right away).

 

The Restaurants...

Nothing to write home about but good for resort food. We had a group of 56 guest, 48 stayed at the resort. The restaurants were unaccommodating to large groups. Many of the restaurants were empty which makes me think that they're understaffed. We wanted to have dinner as a group and we had to separate. My hubby said that Zen was really good. I ate at Grazie with the ladies. It was ok but they only seat 6 at a table. We begged them to fit all 15 of us together and the best they were able to do was 12 at one table. Again, the restaurant was practically empty. Only 3 other tables (couples) in there. The manager explained that a group of 15 would be too large to accommodate at once. The buffet was decent.

 

The beach...

Small but nice. Only saw one beach server at a time so be prepared to walk to the bar for your drinks and food orders.

 

 

BRING TONS OF BUG SPRAY! Very buggy

 

The wedding...

1.) as stated in our contract, we paid for the Jamaica experience, inclusive of a 1 hour cocktail party (beef patties, chicken patties, codfish and ackee canapés) 2 traditional cocktails (we chose rum punch and blue lava) and 45 minutes of steel drum band.

All my guests received was 1 tuna fish canapé (not codfish) for each person, which sat wrapped in plastic wrap until one of my guests unwrapped it and passed it around to our other guests (which I can verify via video) and a few bottles of champagne. Once the champagne ran out, they were told that there was nothing else to be given. It's an all inclusive resort, how can there be no more drinks or alcohol? Even if it wasn't, what happened to the cocktails? There was no steel drum band as our contract states. There was only a guy playing a guitar. As I speak to a few of my guest, they all have the same consensus, there were only 2 hors d'oeuvres and champagne and they felt unguided. Many of my guest still had to go to the resort bar for drinks because they weren't served more than 1 glass of champagne at the cocktail hour.

Our guest were left to cluelessly linger around the resort in between cocktail hour and the reception because they were not done setting up for the reception.

Also, we paid for a private event however resort guest were still allowed to walk through the cocktail hour to take pictures and board the boat that's docked at the gazebo....that's not very private.

 

2.) rehearsal dinner/welcome dinner...we were told that we had to choose one meal choice. It puzzled me because I couldn't understand why this was the case at an all inclusive resort but I figured that it had something to do with our group size and timing. We sat for an hour and a half waiting for pre-selected food to be brought out to us. My guest were falling asleep. Usually, there's a pre-selection to help cut down on time but it seems as though no one was prepared for our dinner, not staff or the kitchen. When the steak came out it was very fatty and tough. Again, unacceptable.

 

 

3.) I found out that the same DJ who screwed up the previous brides' wedding would be DJ'ing my wedding. I requested Phillip and was assured that it would be up to him because he usually doesn't do weddings, just resort parties (like the sports bar). I agreed to have him and he agreed to take on my wedding. No one EVER said that he was also the back-up manager and would possibly be pulled away from our wedding to handle managerial duties. This is exactly what happened. I understand that there was an emergency situation but that should have nothing to do with my wedding. There should be plan A, B and C's for things like this. There were periods of time during the reception when there was absolutely no music playing at all. On another occasion, the same slow R&B song looped three times before someone stopped it. Totally unacceptable. Once things were settled, Phillip and the other DJ he had with him did get the party going and did a great job but those are things that we should not have had to experience. Maybe I could've been a little more understanding if not for the fact that I met a bride at the bar after her wedding (the night before mine) who had puffy eyes from crying all night just because they too messed up her wedding "from start to finish" her own words.

 

4.) also stated in the contract was 2 hours of rum tasting at the reception...that didn't happen.

 

5.) as per the contract, there was supposed to be dessert (pudding, assorted seasonal fruits) that was not available to us.

 

 

6.) lastly, it's been brought to our attention that one of the bartenders threw a drink on one of bridesmaids. The thought of someone in our family being so greatly disrespected is extremely upsetting. This is not an issue that we will let go of.

 

Overall, the staff at the resort is very kind and hospitable. Many of the issues we had were due to management. Thanks to our family and friends we had a great time but if we had to redo it we would not choose this resort for our wedding or for vacation.

 

Hope this helps!

[calgarybride2015]

The Royalton Resort

 

Upon arrival...

The front of the resort is a little shabby, in need of some landscaping. Once inside it's absolutely beautiful! Staff greets you with a cold drink and cold towels. Your bags are taken as you await check-in. We were upgraded to diamond club so check-in for us was a breeze. Can't say the same for our guests though.

 

CHECK-IN...

A total nightmare! We arrived early, our room was ready, none of our guests rooms were. That's fine because check-in isn't until 3pm. Our guest were allowed to explore the resort, restaurants and beach until rooms were ready...unfortunately that wasn't until 6 pm for some of our guest. It was 2:51and I remember one of the girls at the counter very rudely telling one of my guest that she still had 9 minutes until check-in and needed to wait. Really? It's been 4 hours since our arrival. If the rooms aren't ready yet, I'm sure they won't be in 9 minutes. There were not.

When our guest finally got to their room they found that not only were the rooms very small but the double occupancy rooms consisted of two twin beds. We were told that our travel agent should've informed us of this (NOT). After a few room changes, after guest were already unpacked, that was settled. My Hubby and I were originally upgraded to the honeymoon suite in the diamond club which was beautiful. Then we found out that the resort didn't have a room for one of my guest so they were given the Chairman's suite....wasn't happy about that. We complained and they switched it (before my guest knew anything about it lol). We then has to repack our room to be moved downstairs to the chairman suite....AMAZING! Private plunge pool, walks right out to the beach, duplex apartment style, with a living room, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. Some of my guests complained that the bathrooms leaked and some of the AC's didn't work (they fixed that right away).

 

The Restaurants...

Nothing to write home about but good for resort food. We had a group of 56 guest, 48 stayed at the resort. The restaurants were unaccommodating to large groups. Many of the restaurants were empty which makes me think that they're understaffed. We wanted to have dinner as a group and we had to separate. My hubby said that Zen was really good. I ate at Grazie with the ladies. It was ok but they only seat 6 at a table. We begged them to fit all 15 of us together and the best they were able to do was 12 at one table. Again, the restaurant was practically empty. Only 3 other tables (couples) in there. The manager explained that a group of 15 would be too large to accommodate at once. The buffet was decent.

 

The beach...

Small but nice. Only saw one beach server at a time so be prepared to walk to the bar for your drinks and food orders.

 

 

BRING TONS OF BUG SPRAY! Very buggy

 

The wedding...

1.) as stated in our contract, we paid for the Jamaica experience, inclusive of a 1 hour cocktail party (beef patties, chicken patties, codfish and ackee canapés) 2 traditional cocktails (we chose rum punch and blue lava) and 45 minutes of steel drum band.

All my guests received was 1 tuna fish canapé (not codfish) for each person, which sat wrapped in plastic wrap until one of my guests unwrapped it and passed it around to our other guests (which I can verify via video) and a few bottles of champagne. Once the champagne ran out, they were told that there was nothing else to be given. It's an all inclusive resort, how can there be no more drinks or alcohol? Even if it wasn't, what happened to the cocktails? There was no steel drum band as our contract states. There was only a guy playing a guitar. As I speak to a few of my guest, they all have the same consensus, there were only 2 hors d'oeuvres and champagne and they felt unguided. Many of my guest still had to go to the resort bar for drinks because they weren't served more than 1 glass of champagne at the cocktail hour.

Our guest were left to cluelessly linger around the resort in between cocktail hour and the reception because they were not done setting up for the reception.

Also, we paid for a private event however resort guest were still allowed to walk through the cocktail hour to take pictures and board the boat that's docked at the gazebo....that's not very private.

 

2.) rehearsal dinner/welcome dinner...we were told that we had to choose one meal choice. It puzzled me because I couldn't understand why this was the case at an all inclusive resort but I figured that it had something to do with our group size and timing. We sat for an hour and a half waiting for pre-selected food to be brought out to us. My guest were falling asleep. Usually, there's a pre-selection to help cut down on time but it seems as though no one was prepared for our dinner, not staff or the kitchen. When the steak came out it was very fatty and tough. Again, unacceptable.

 

 

3.) I found out that the same DJ who screwed up the previous brides' wedding would be DJ'ing my wedding. I requested Phillip and was assured that it would be up to him because he usually doesn't do weddings, just resort parties (like the sports bar). I agreed to have him and he agreed to take on my wedding. No one EVER said that he was also the back-up manager and would possibly be pulled away from our wedding to handle managerial duties. This is exactly what happened. I understand that there was an emergency situation but that should have nothing to do with my wedding. There should be plan A, B and C's for things like this. There were periods of time during the reception when there was absolutely no music playing at all. On another occasion, the same slow R&B song looped three times before someone stopped it. Totally unacceptable. Once things were settled, Phillip and the other DJ he had with him did get the party going and did a great job but those are things that we should not have had to experience. Maybe I could've been a little more understanding if not for the fact that I met a bride at the bar after her wedding (the night before mine) who had puffy eyes from crying all night just because they too messed up her wedding "from start to finish" her own words.

 

4.) also stated in the contract was 2 hours of rum tasting at the reception...that didn't happen.

 

5.) as per the contract, there was supposed to be dessert (pudding, assorted seasonal fruits) that was not available to us.

 

 

6.) lastly, it's been brought to our attention that one of the bartenders threw a drink on one of bridesmaids. The thought of someone in our family being so greatly disrespected is extremely upsetting. This is not an issue that we will let go of.

 

Overall, the staff at the resort is very kind and hospitable. Many of the issues we had were due to management. Thanks to our family and friends we had a great time but if we had to redo it we would not choose this resort for our wedding or for vacation.

 

Hope this helps!

So sorry you had to go thru all if this.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[margaretsmith7273]

Our wedding is October 14/2015 and I'm in the process of finalizing with the wedding planner

We have the poolside reserved but we are up in the air over the Jamaican experience or picking our own food

Question is the band good that is included in the experience?

[Km444]

Hi fellow brides,

 

I recently got married at the Royalton and it was a great experience. The staff there really went about and beyond to make sure my wedding day turned out great. I used Stacey Clarke as my photographer and although she was great leading up to and on the day of our wedding, I have yet to receive my photo's from her. My wedding was 4 months ago and she keeps promising me my photo's but always has a new excuse as to why I don't have them yet. I'm wondering if anyone else has used her and had a similar experience? I'm starting to worry that I will never get my photo's and that she will have in essence stolen $3000 US from me. 

[calgarybride2015]

Hi fellow brides,

 

I recently got married at the Royalton and it was a great experience. The staff there really went about and beyond to make sure my wedding day turned out great. I used Stacey Clarke as my photographer and although she was great leading up to and on the day of our wedding, I have yet to receive my photo's from her. My wedding was 4 months ago and she keeps promising me my photo's but always has a new excuse as to why I don't have them yet. I'm wondering if anyone else has used her and had a similar experience? I'm starting to worry that I will never get my photo's and that she will have in essence stolen $3000 US from me. 

 

 

I am pretty sure there was a long discussion about this recently, but I could be mistaken on the photographer (although i am sure I am not) I went back to try to find it for you and I couldn't.  Maybe @@beckys98 may know what I am referring too.

[NoRad]

I am in the same boat as you @@Km444 however my wedding was only 3 months ago.  I recent spoke with another bride who was experiencing the same frustrations, however GOOD NEWS!  Her photos arrived after 5 months.  Better late than never right! Fingers crossed our photos arrive soon.

[beckys98]

Yes! @@Km444 @@NoRad I used Stacey only a month ago but in the weeks leading up to our wedding I considering backing out of the contract because I'd heard so many issues about her responsiveness (or lack of). Unfortunately, your situation is the norm. Most brides get their photos somewhere in between the 4-5 month mark. On the upside, I have never heard of a bride not getting them and they are ALWAYS thrilled with the photos once they receive them and say they were worth the wait. I've literally seen dozens of brides tell this same story about her.

 

So, waiting is no fun, but I wouldn't worry. You'll get them! Do you have her phone number? Leading up to the wedding we reached her via Whatsapp and she responded right away. I haven't tried to reach her since but you could try that or give her a call.

 

I am pretty sure there was a long discussion about this recently, but I could be mistaken on the photographer (although i am sure I am not) I went back to try to find it for you and I couldn't.  Maybe @@beckys98 may know what I am referring too.

[MaggieS]

Did anyone choose the Jamaican Experience? How was the food and entertainment? 

[STBMrsPowell]

Hello everyone!  I'm currently planning for a Jamaica wedding for June 2016.  My fiancé and I are looking at the RWS for our nuptials.  Does anyone have pictures of all the venues options?  Also, I reside in the DFW area and was wondering if any of the brides have used any travel agencies/destination wedding planners from that area.  We love the fact that there is a customizable menu and we are opting for the fireworks as well.  Has anyone had the fireworks and how were they?  I was wondering...how easy was the planning process and were you able to incorporate your own colors as much as possible?  Thanks for any help!

[Soon2beMrsJ]

Hi @@STBMrsPowell, congrats and happy planning!  We were married at the Royalton this past April and it was fantastic. The planning process went pretty smoothly. We live in NJ and worked with Chandlyn (the wedding coordinator at the resort) throughout our planning, most of the finalizing took place about a month and a half before the wedding, but we planned on our own so we were ready for when we could coordinate with her. She was awesome and helped us to make our wedding everything we wanted it to be. We used Wright Travel for our arrangements and our travel agent was great. She secured us a good group rate and most of our guests reserved their travel/rooms through her.

 

I can email you photos of our ceremony at the beach gazebo and poolside reception if you'd like to see them. We didn't have the fireworks (I don't think they were an option when we signed our contract in early 2014) but they sound incredible!! I would have loved that    The colors worked out really well - my bridesmaids wore navy and had white hydrangea bouquets, my dress was white and I had white calla lilies and deep blue orchids in my bouquet, and then the centerpieces for the reception were yellows, blues and white orchid stems. The people who work at the resort are more than happy to customize to make sure you get the look you want.

 

Best of luck!!