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Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions #253361
04/19/2021 03:59 PM
04/19/2021 03:59 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 193
Compskier Offline OP
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Compskier  Offline OP
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Posts: 193
On our last few visits to SXM, we have split our time staying on both the French and Dutch sides. We've tried various places on both sides and found things we like at all of them, but we are still experimenting with new places to stay on the Dutch side. We're considering trying Royal Palms Beach Resort for our October trip and have a few of quick questions that we'd appreciate input from those who have stayed there:

1. Should we ask for a ground floor unit or an upper floor?
2. I see the rock jetties in the photos. Is there any decent snorkling there?
3. We are considering this location due it's close proximity to restaurants, etc. Are there other considerations regarding this property or others?

Thanks,
Ed

SXM Sponsors
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253362
04/19/2021 04:04 PM
04/19/2021 04:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Massachusetts
My opinion....decent resort. Recently renovated totally

Definitely within walking distance of many places to eat.

Beach leaves a tad to be desired with history of contamination from the boats moored there. Not sure what the situation is presently

All rooms have a great Simpson Bay view. I would go for an upper level room to enhance that view.

No clue about snorkeling but the potential is there..usually calm water

Last edited by boucharda; 04/19/2021 04:06 PM.
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253363
04/19/2021 04:15 PM
04/19/2021 04:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Ohio
The rock jetties are man-made and to protect the man-made beach. No idea on snorkeling but I would not spend a lot of time in the water there, due to what was stated above.

Great location. I have stayed there many times over many years.

I would personally go for a higher floor as you will have less chance of insects/mosquitoes as there will not be foliage outside your door if on the ground floor.

Another constant downside has been the restaurant, bars and pool bar. All the same owner. The restaurant is usually dead and last I heard, they were not up and fully running yet. This is a major weak spot of the resort. Service can be hit or miss at the pool bar.


J.D.
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253365
04/19/2021 04:30 PM
04/19/2021 04:30 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 102
Virginia
dfmsml Offline
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dfmsml  Offline
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Virginia
Will be hopefully there first two weeks in May on Interval exchange.....just received welcome email....they will be charging $25 per day “activity fee” for all non owners.....seems excessive


dfmsml
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: dfmsml] #253367
04/19/2021 04:42 PM
04/19/2021 04:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Wow! I didn't know that...almost went with an exchange there but decided to wait. What freaking "activities" do they have worth 25 bucks? WIFI?

Edit:

Well better than booking direct with the resort...one week in May

Resort Fees: $174.65

Eliminates THAT one from my possibilities

In STT there was (is) a tax of $25/day but that is for any resort....and also for owners

Last edited by boucharda; 04/19/2021 04:50 PM.
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: boucharda] #253371
04/19/2021 05:17 PM
04/19/2021 05:17 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Owners pay an island timeshare use fee of 50.00 per week. No tax or Resort Fees. Renters or II/RCI trades pay a daily room tax and resort fees but no 50.00 island timeshare use fee. Same at Flamingo.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253374
04/19/2021 05:44 PM
04/19/2021 05:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Massachusetts
Interesting.....I just did a fake exchange with SBR through II and, as I remembered, exchanges, like the owners (me) only pay the TS tax of $50/week

Quote
Government occupancy tax: USD 50 per unit, per week.


So Flamingo and Royal Palm add a resort fee to exchanges where SBR does not

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253378
04/19/2021 07:26 PM
04/19/2021 07:26 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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The resort has a great location with regard to being able to walk to many places to eat. ALL units have full ocean view and balconies. Ground level units have more issues with mosquitoes, because of vegetation, which also blocks the view partially from the ground level. To me, the better views are on the 4th and 5th floors. The 6th floor is basically the penthouses, which are the best units in the building. Not sure what they look like now, after the renovation. The beach is large, and allows you to spread out, but due to all the sailboats who overnight in the bay there, I personally don't go in the water there, and most who stay there don't either. The onsite restaurant and bar are a definite weak point, but there are MANY great places you can walk to from there.


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253450
04/20/2021 02:42 PM
04/20/2021 02:42 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 193
Compskier Offline OP
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Compskier  Offline OP
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Thanks to everyone for your responses! Per your recommendations, we will try for an upper floor and we appreciate your heads up on the water there.
Can't wait to get back to SXM!

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253452
04/20/2021 02:47 PM
04/20/2021 02:47 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Enjoy your stay!


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253454
04/20/2021 03:03 PM
04/20/2021 03:03 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Enjoy....I am looking at an II exchange for a cancelled covid STT week and RP is available....might go for it if I can deal with the testing issues again....needs more thought

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253467
04/20/2021 03:31 PM
04/20/2021 03:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by Compskier
Thanks to everyone for your responses! Per your recommendations, we will try for an upper floor and we appreciate your heads up on the water there.
Can't wait to get back to SXM!

Keep in mind that Flamingo is their sister resort and Royal Palm guests have free access to Pool and all Flamingo amenities. Great swim beach there.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: SXMScubaman] #253471
04/20/2021 03:45 PM
04/20/2021 03:45 PM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 193
Compskier Offline OP
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Compskier  Offline OP
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Posts: 193
Thanks that is great info!
We were considering Flamingo (still are) and we will definately go there and check it out if we don't actually end up staying there.
We are leaning towards Royal Palm because it looks closer to everything, but Flamingo looks nice.
Have you stayed at both? If so, can you share pros and cons?

Thanks...

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253472
04/20/2021 03:50 PM
04/20/2021 03:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,481
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Compskier--Scubaman is a t/s owner at Flamingo, so he will always point you toward Flamingo!! laugh I don't know whether he's stayed at RP or not, but I have stayed at both. For walkability to many places, Royal Palm is probably about the best place on the entire island. The beach at RP is bad, but all rooms have full ocean view, as compared to Flamingo, where roughly half are not. Both places were just recently gutted and renovated, so both should be clean and new.


Carol Hill
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: SXMScubaman] #253473
04/20/2021 03:50 PM
04/20/2021 03:50 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Excellent point....Beach is small but really decent at the Flamingo...and the pool is top notch

Last edited by boucharda; 04/20/2021 03:50 PM.
Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253488
04/20/2021 05:20 PM
04/20/2021 05:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
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Auburn, WA
I have stayed at both and I regard them as equally good. Beach and pool are better at Flamingo. Used to be RP had the Gym that both would share. Now Flamingo has it's own Gym along with covered outside BBQ areas with washing sink and tables. Also an outside gas fire pit with seating in park like setting. All new amenity. Flamingo also put in two new hot tub/spas with corner umbrellas by infinity pool.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253508
04/20/2021 09:21 PM
04/20/2021 09:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 168
Allentown, Pa
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bobbarb Offline
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I have stayed at Royal Palm many times and while many say how bad the water is I snorkel there. I find the fish there easier to find along the rocks and will go around almost to the bridge. You are not supposed to snorkel in the channel and if the coast guard sees you they will get you to leave. Depending on the tide it can be somewhat churned up. I have seen most fish there i.e. Queen,French and grey Angels, school of blue tang, squid, butterfly fish, lobster,lion fish, octapus,Sgt.majors,and damsel fish to name most. If you do snorkel stay close to the rocks especially in the channel.
I also stay at Simpson Bay Villas and snorkel there and see the same fish but moe spread out. I have also seen eagle rays, nurse sharks, turtles and queen triggerfish but not as often as the others.
I have snorkeled along the rocks at Flamingo but a lot less to see so I don't spent much time there.
I hope this helps.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: bobbarb] #253509
04/20/2021 09:31 PM
04/20/2021 09:31 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Flamingo Beach shares pretty much the same Beach as SSBR. Just snorkel across to the breakwater rocks. Lots to see.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: SXMScubaman] #253608
04/21/2021 10:05 PM
04/21/2021 10:05 PM
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 168
Allentown, Pa
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bobbarb Offline
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I have snorkeled over to Flamingo around the boulders. My polnt was that the rocks around SBR and beyond offers singnifantly more to see. I spend approx 2 hours a day snorkeling that area during our 2 week stay and will then go to Royal Palm for 1/2 hour of snorkeling.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: Compskier] #253615
04/21/2021 11:06 PM
04/21/2021 11:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 166
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gracie5 Offline
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No one has mentioned the incredibly loud music that comes from the Roxy Bar/Restaurant right next to Royal Palm. I am an owner at Simpson Bay Resort & the music is maddening especially at night. Having said that, due to pandemic we have not been there since the pandemic started. Perhaps the situation has been remedied. If not, I would suggest bringing ear plugs.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: gracie5] #253616
04/21/2021 11:18 PM
04/21/2021 11:18 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,567
Auburn, WA
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A recent review here stated it wasn't that bad. I remember staying there where music from Lee's was an issue. Once doors where closed wasn't bad.

Re: Royal Palm Beach Resort Questions [Re: gracie5] #253702
04/22/2021 04:19 PM
04/22/2021 04:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 228
South Jersey USA
eilandmens Online content
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eilandmens  Online Content
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South Jersey USA
Was at Royal Palm in late March. Music from Roxxy was not a problem for us. We were in the wing near bridge channel. No music during the week some on Saturday and Sunday but not late in night. Never hear it after 10:00pm


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