Trip planned finally
 

After lots of help from KVR, Knowing, my college roommate, and others on this board, I came up with a long list of fabulous mostly AI resorts, and told my wonderful husband to choose any and I would be happy. This list was an attempt to stop him from booking Antigua again because he simply loves it there yet I feel there are so many other places we have not tried.
Well, he DID try to book 2 places in Antigua, but they were both full, so he surprised me with Sandals Royal Bahamian.
This is funny because I did not put any Bahamas spots on the list because I was there quite some time ago and it rained every day, leaving a bad impression...August though.
Now I am quite excited, reading mostly great reviews.

DOES anyone have any tips about this resort such as making dinner reservations, or anything at all??? Are there any special themes we should know about? Favorite restaurants, favorite pools....etc.
Thanks everyone.

KVR I read all your reports and saw your pictures. I am glad to hear you rank it as one of your favorites even though you generally do not choose Sandals.

Well, I'm glad I could help. Now, I just hope that my expectations of SRB will meet yours.

Since we haven't been there since 2003, I would definitely go to

http://www.tropictravelonline.com/ub...s.php/ubb/cfrm

That board has everything you need to know about at Sandals resort. Also Trip Advisor is good with info and pictures.

We planned out the day of the resturant we wanted to eat at, so the first day, we just went to the reservation desk and booked for the entire week. We loved the Kimonos, the Japanese resturant and ate there twice. The Crystal room and Casanovas was good. We had a good time at the piano bar and late night snacks at the Pub.

We preferred the Manor pool over the Windsor pool. Less crowded and the set-up was nicer. I didn't care for the Spa. Thought is was way over priced for the services offered.

When are you going? I will be very interested in hearing how you liked it.... or not.

Thanks for the tips Kelly. We are going May 23rd to 30th. Yes I have checked those sites....for the most part Royal Bahamian sounds like a good time.

I'm glad your trip is finally planned. I bet you're relieved. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from, and like all Sandals, the sooner you book, the better. My favorite thing about this resort was the island and that included dining out there. The pub was also cool. I think you will be inspired as people dress up more at this resort and as I recall that was something you enjoyed, correct? Personally, I think this particualr resort had some downsides: lack of chairs around the pool (although we were there in the month of Feb, maybe there will be fewer people when you visit), people all went to the casino's so the poor playmakers really had their jobs cut out for them, and it just felt really secluded at night and one of the things that we always enjoyed about the AI'S was meeting other people. Like KVR, I didn't much care for unwinding in the $$$$ spa either. It was rejuvenating to be able to snorkle from the island rather than a boat, too. We were there the year before we first visited Sandals Antigua, which is my favorite of all the Sandals, so it's hard for me to not compare. Please do a trip report when you return. I hope the trip will be everything you want it to be.

Thanks Knowing...and all your other suggestions are still on the list for next time I hope.
We both love Sandals Antigua but I am glad to be trying another. And the Royal Bahamian seems to boast more restaurants and better food.
Yes you are right, we do not mind dressing for dinner....I mean sundresses and small heels are not difficult to manage, or even capris and colorful tops and the heels. (It is amazing how a pair of strappy heels can dress up a casual outfit.) And men have it easy.... So long as they do not mind long pants and closed toed shoes. To us that is not really dressy. My husband always wears a sport jacket on the plane because he likes to have all his documents in the side pockets, so he might even don a jacket for dinner if needed. I think at a resort, women can get away with long peasant type skirts too or slacks, so long as you add nicer shoes.

Yes from everyone's suggestions, I think we will make our way to the reservation desk right away.
I will let you know how it goes.
But hey...it's the caribbean. Just give me a chair, a pina colada, some Jimmy Buffet (or similar), and sunshine.
But add some great food, romance, champagne, and I am in heaven.