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Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
#317908
04/14/2024 03:19 PM
04/14/2024 03:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 30 New Orleans
BSer
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 30
New Orleans
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Hello,
Does anyone care to share their review on either of these 2 resorts? My crew has reservations at both for late May, so I was asked to see what people on here thought of the two resorts. In particular, is noise from the airport much of a problem?
I did read the thread about the A/C at the Royal Islander, but I expect that should be resolved before our visit. Or is that naive?
Thank you for any feedback you may have.
BSer
Last edited by BSer; 04/14/2024 03:22 PM. Reason: Forgot one thing
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#317909
04/14/2024 03:34 PM
04/14/2024 03:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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Noise from the airport? No. There is no place on SXM where it is a problem. Big planes only in the afternoon and not that many overall. A/C has been fixed at RI.
As far as Divi is concerned, the biggest problem with it from my standpoint is that it is further from most of the big draws on SXM. Other people have different views.
Carol Hill
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#317916
04/14/2024 07:41 PM
04/14/2024 07:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
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We don’t own at RI but we have stayed there and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The airplane noise was not a problem and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing the big ones come and go. Rooms were nice, views were great and the staff couldn’t have been anymore accommodating. Haven’t stayed at Divi but the beach is nice and it’s a pleasant place to avoid the hubbub the island can offer. Only disadvantage to me would be the driving time to so many of our favorite eateries, many of which are at Maho and Cupecoy.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#317930
04/14/2024 11:47 PM
04/14/2024 11:47 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,276 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,276
Boynton Beach, FL
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We are also owners at Royal Islander...and have been for over thirty years. There is no better on the island. Location between the two choices is hands down in favor of the Islander. A two minute walk to probably at least a dozen great restaurants...Casino right across the street...nightlife right there too...so if you don't want to get in the car, you don't have to!! Watching the planes during the day is also a BLAST. It never gets old!! As far as the a/c, it has already been repaired! Same with the hot water. If you need anything done there, maintenance will take care of it, usually within ten minutes. Also has the friendliest staff on the island. In my opinion, and loads of other people's opinion also, this one is a no brainer. Royal islander all the way.
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#318035
04/16/2024 02:06 PM
04/16/2024 02:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,913 Portland, OR
jazzgal
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,913
Portland, OR
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I also own at Divi and agree with the comments above. It has my favorite beach on the Dutch side: long sand stretch, calm water. When staying there, I don't eat there. Driving someplace for dinner is not an issue for me as I drive elsewhere when I stay in Simpson Bay also. Three pools, one of which is arguably the best on the island. All that said, I likely am going to sell my three weeks because the older I get, the less I want to drive at night up the hill. But it's a great resort with lots to offer.
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#318125
04/17/2024 07:22 PM
04/17/2024 07:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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BSer--If you're talking about Divi, no good restaurants within walking distance. Some good restaurants in P'burg.
Carol Hill
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#318127
04/17/2024 07:33 PM
04/17/2024 07:33 PM
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 327 Rhode Island
eightzerobits
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 327
Rhode Island
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Do buses come by that can take you to the French side?
Not Divi. You’d need to take a taxi or rent a car.
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#318153
04/18/2024 10:22 AM
04/18/2024 10:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,323 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,323
Vancouver, WA
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I rarely eat at the resort I am staying at so Divi on that not an issue for me. If you wish to go to town or go over to Orient during your trip Divi is a better location. It has nice rooms with a nice beach right on site, but it is certainly a location you need a car. First place on island we ever stayed was at Divi. Divi is a quieter place, and watching the cruise ships and activity in the bay there is entertaining.
We however prefer to be closer to the Cupecoy area down to Simpson Bay, it is where we tend to like to eat and spend time in the evenings and then prefer not to have to drive up and over the hill towards town/Divi. RI La Plage is nice, old and slightly updated but it is I guess you could say "classic" design especially the bathrooms. If you are on the road side it can get noisy, but the advantage is it is close to a lot of places to eat and drink, a lot more activity in the area including watching jets which is still something to see after 20 years of visits.
For MJ and I, we would pick Royal Islander. Very different experiences between the two options so depends upon what you like.
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#318180
04/18/2024 03:12 PM
04/18/2024 03:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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If you are a 'group', it's kind of odd for you to be in those two different locations, as they are nowhere near each other.
Carol Hill
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: lcote]
#318183
04/18/2024 03:18 PM
04/18/2024 03:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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I stand by the statement. If people are a group, I would think they would want to stay in the same resort, or at least one pretty close by.
Carol Hill
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#318245
04/19/2024 03:58 PM
04/19/2024 03:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,422 Rhode Island
RonDon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,422
Rhode Island
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BSer--If you're talking about Divi, no good restaurants within walking distance. Some good restaurants in P'burg. The Cafe at Belair was very good and they had theme nights. It's a short walk along the beach from Divi. Haven't been there is a couple of years though so not sure if it too has gone downhill.
Last edited by RonDon; 04/19/2024 03:59 PM.
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: BSer]
#318336
04/21/2024 06:45 AM
04/21/2024 06:45 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,037 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,037
Westchester /NYC
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We've stayed at both, funny thing Divi was our very first trip. I said to my wife when we were discussing where to stay. I said (Stupid me) "OH I don't want to stay anywhere near the airport!" Little that I didn't know, how much fun I was missing out on watching the planes come in and out! As far as noise goes, there are heavier days than others, mostly from 1pm to 4pm-ish! It really is a "Happening" to watch! We stayed at "R I" back on 2016. Even back then, everything worked great! NOW?? It's a brand new hotel after Irma ripped her to shreds!! Stay at "R I" The location IMHO is far better. You won't need a car!!! If you don't want too!!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: Colour1]
#318341
04/21/2024 08:44 AM
04/21/2024 08:44 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,422 Rhode Island
RonDon
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,422
Rhode Island
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We've stayed at both, funny thing Divi was our very first trip. I said to my wife when we were discussing where to stay. I said (Stupid me) "OH I don't want to stay anywhere near the airport!" Little that I didn't know, how much fun I was missing out on watching the planes come in and out! As far as noise goes, there are heavier days than others, mostly from 1pm to 4pm-ish! It really is a "Happening" to watch! ... Same thing for us in that our first stay was Little Bay; however it was Little Bay Beach and Racquet Club, not Divi then. Loved it even though it seemed isolated. Back then when I was young I used to walk to back street where there was a little grocery store. Now that hill back would be a killer! When the property was sold and Divi took over we stayed several times. But, like you I love the plane watching at BSV.
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Re: Royal Islander, Divi Little Bay resorts
[Re: SMB]
#318395
04/21/2024 07:16 PM
04/21/2024 07:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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It was posted here that the a/c was fixed and then broke again. However, I didn't realize that the hot water situation was still going on. For sure, I would be out of there!! No way I stay where there is no a/c and no hot water!!
Carol Hill
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