Esmeralda vs Palm Court vs Alamanda vs Hotel la Plantation planning 7 nights in July any input pro or can appreciated. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

We have only stayed at the Alamanda. We stayed there for four years and when we decided to increase our vacation time, opted for a villa in the hills above Orient, since the price was less than the Alamanda. The Alamanda is conveniently located with Orient Village right next door. The beach is directly in front of you. You could stay at the Alamanda and never need to rent a car. We always did since we enjoy exploring the island, but if all you wanted was a beach and dining experience, you could do that at the Alamanda without a car.

Twice have stayed at Palm Court and can definitely recommend. Stay includes a simple continental breakfast and complimentary beach chairs at Waikiki and maybe one other place. Nice pool that was never crowded. Safe secured parking inside a gate, walking distant to village restaurants.

I also recommend Palm Court. A lovely secure place to stay close to everything in Orient Village.

It used to be you could go to either La Playa or Wikiki for chairs/umbrella, however, it is now only Wikiki. We stayed for a couple of nights there a couple of years ago.

Have stayed at all. Esmeralda would be my first choice. But LaPlantation is the best value usually. Stayed at Alamanda last year. This year be at La Plantation for a whole lot less. Can't go wrong with any of your choices. We struggle every year with this also

I like both Alamanda and Palm Court. Having stayed at Palm Court more recent than Alamanda I would have been more inclined to recommend Palm but I believe a lot of the Palm rooms are now privately owned. Both are a very short walk to the beach with Alamanda closer to beach and the village with bars and restaurants. I don't think you'd be disappointed in either.

We prefer to stay at La Playa or Waikiki beach rather than where Alamanda has free chairs.

Good Post - we may be in this same situation next winter.

Waikiki chairs - noticed this winter, two lounge locations for Waikiki - area closest to the resto, nice loungers with red/brown cushions nicely spread out and just to the north another section with blue mesh loungers - these were generally put out for a crowd. I called it the cruisers compound - chairs close together, all drinking the same drink. If the free chairs at Waikiki were in that section I would not be happy
Don't know if that is the case, but I would ask the question in advance maybe
J&B

Hotel guest are kept separate from the cruisers.

Maybe one other consideration, some have very basic kitchens ie small fridge, micro and kettle, others have more. I think ... Palm Court says no cooking? Alamanda seems to have bit more of a kitchen
Other might know more
J&B

We were able to cook when we stayed at Palm Court. The kitchen is small but functional.

Have stayed at both Palm Court and Alamanda and both are good. Alamanda is more of a hotel with a front desk. Palm Court does have privately owned rooms and we stayed in one. We could cook. Palm does have a front desk per say but it did not seem to be 24/7 like Alamanda. Can't go wrong with either.