My wife and I just returned from a week’s stay at the Royal Islander. Normally, I do not prepare a trip report because we never have much to report. This trip was even more low key than our regular December and March trips in that it was a last minute type thing thanks to RCI’s “Last Call” program. We snagged a 2 bedroom for just $199 and just couldn’t pass up that deal. One bedrooms, if available, are $149 and studios are $99 for a week.

We picked up car from Michael at Unity and as always no problem, no hassle. I guess that describes our entire trip, no problems, no hassles, just a great time. The weather was near perfect; sunny, hot days (really hot days) with some rain at night that had no effect on us. The Royal Islander was in great shape as usual. This was the first time we were in a 2 bedroom (3105). It was laid out like a 1 bedroom unit except that it had an extremely large master bedroom with its own balcony (there is another balcony off the living area). Due to the heat, the pool water was really warm, but I have no complaints about that. At times, the pool area was nearly empty as most guests were on the beach, which was as large as I have even seen in years. Last March, there was hardly any beach to speak of in front of the Royal Islander. This trip the beach was wide and the water relatively calm. I was told the sand came from the beach in front of the runway and closer to Sunset Beach Bar where there was very little beach left.

Prior to our leaving for SXM, someone, I think it was Sandy and Bill, expressed some concern about the noise at the Royal Islander due to loud music coming from the Sunset Beach Bar area. Cherries was closed most of the week, but there was a lot of loud music coming from the Sunset Beach Bar area late at night. We heard it as we were walking back from the casino or parking lot, but once we entered our room, we heard no noise at all. We were on the street side (as opposed to the hotel side) and not directly facing SSBB, so maybe that made a difference.

Now that we are home, it seems that most of our week was spent either at the Royal Islander pool during the day or at the Hollywood or Royale casinos at night. We never stepped foot on the French side this trip since Baywatch (our favorite lunch spot) was reportedly closed. We did enjoy some good dinners at Peg Leg Pub, Bavaria, LaRosa II, and Pizza Pasta. All four are regular stops for us and we always enjoy their food. For all the times we ate at Pizza Pasta, we never tried their pizza. While we were having dinner there one night, a young couple from Boston remarked that the pizza was as good as anything back home. Based on that recommendation, how could we not give it a try. We ordered take-out a few nights later and, although we are not from Boston, I can say the pizza was as good as any I had in South Jersey. We also had good breakfasts at Spinnakers (eggs benedict and corn beef hash) and the RI’s own Tortuga Bar; and good lunches at Spinnakers, Talulu Mango, and the Buccaneer Beach Bar. I saved the Buccaneer Beach Bar for last because it is probably our favorite spot on the island to relax and enjoy a cold drink, a tasty hamburger and a great view.

We will be back on SXM after Thanksgiving. We know the Royal Islander will be great. We just hope their beach is as good as what we saw last week.

Tom