We traveled to Sandals Royal Bahamian, and to say we had a blast would be an understatement! I’ll be sharing with you all the new things that have happened here since the resort’s multi-million dollar renovation! Anthony and I visited in 2009, and so much has changed since then. I hope you’re ready for all the details because I’ll be holding nothing back about this incredible adults-only all-inclusive resort!
CUISINE
As you know, Anthony and I are big foodies, so it’s only right to start things off with the food offered at the resort. Sandals Royal Bahamian has tons of options including the buffet, Kanoo, the French restaurant, La Plume, and the Italian buffet, Tesoro.
LA PLUME
La Plume is what I would call a five-star breakfast restaurant. The smoothies here are absolutely incredible! As a matter of fact, La Plume has the best smoothies I’ve ever tasted. I make smoothies all the time so I can confidently say that theirs are on another level!
Along with a smoothie, Anthony had the steak with eggs and hashbrowns which were all wonderful! La Plume also has remarkable service with an ambiance to match. You would definitely love it! It felt to me like I was in a little French bistro. There’s a gorgeous layout of pink and green decor, and it’s simply perfect!
TESORO, CALICO AND KANOO
The other breakfast location is Tesoro. It’s a buffet and has more options than Kanoo which serves Caribbean cuisine. I'm not a huge fan of buffets because I prefer customized meals over mass produced food. However, in my opinion, La Plume is the number one option in my book.
I could go on and on about the lunch options. When you come in, there’s Kanoo, the food trucks, and a casual beachside grill on the private island called Calico. It’s right on the water! There, you can order food such as the famous Calico burger, French fries, loaded nachos, and grilled snapper fillet. All in all, the food for lunch is decent, but I definitely think this resort does its best at breakfast and dinner.
Kanoo offers a normal à la carte lunch menu where you can have the chargrilled beef burger, their ranch-style chili bowl, penne pasta, and more. Tesoro has pizza and food trucks with delicious eats like conch fritters and choices for dessert too.
ARALIA HOUSE
Another noteworthy spot to eat at Sandals Royal Bahamian is Aralia House. It’s an offshore grill on the resort’s private island. Initially, we thought the food there would be similar to Calico but Aralia House actually has a different variety with choices like jerk chicken, steakhouse fries, corn on the cob, chicken quesadillas, shrimp tiradito, seafood risotto, and quinoa salad. Not to mention, the views are incredible.
ACCOMMODATION, SPA & PRIVATE ISLAND
Sandals Royal Bahamian has an east side and a west side. What’s worth noting as well is that even though the property has been renovated, the west side has a more modern appearance, so I’d definitely recommend taking that into consideration when booking this resort.
I cannot write about this property without mentioning the water. The water is so pretty and clear that I felt like somebody played around on photoshop or I was in a dream. Either way, as I stared at the water I thought to myself, "Bahamas is so underrated." It's absolutely gorgeous!
I know the spa service can make or break the hotel experience for so many people, so the great news is that the spa at Royal Bahamian is fantastic! While it is surprisingly small, you have the option of enjoying your massage session outside, right on the beach, or on the inside as is normally offered.
Sandals Royal Bahamian also has a private island called Barefoot Cay! I love that a boat is available for you to travel across from the main property as many times as you want, at no additional cost! To make this private island even more appealing, there’s a restaurant, pools, and jacuzzis. Plus, you can relax on the beach which has more of a natural ambiance in comparison to the main beach area.
ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES
Most of Sandals’ hotels are known for having a tranquil and intimate vibe. Royal Bahamian, on the other hand, is perfect for you if you prefer a mixture, with a more high-energy and lively atmosphere while on vacation. At night time, you can expect to see the dancers come out to get you moving and in the mood to have a really good time!
I took joy in jamming to some native Bahamian tunes being performed in a lounge area of the hotel that was beautifully lit by the natural sunlight. Beyond that, in the daytime, you can play volleyball and tennis, and in the evening, there’s fire dancing and great vibes all night long!
I must say as well that we fell in love with tennis while being at this resort. It’s always a bonus when a hotel includes activities that keep you engaged and on the move so you can receive the most value on your trip! That said, I do believe the gym could’ve been a bit brighter and more vibrant considering it’s the Bahamas. Still, their outside sporting activities are great alternatives, especially if you don’t want to compromise on keeping fit.
Nonetheless, I haven’t even exhausted all that you can explore at the resort! If you're interested in activities that are more relaxing, you can swim with the pigs, become awe-struck by the beauty of Atlantis, or go cruising on a catamaran! What more can I say? This resort is totally worth it! From the food to the rooms, the entertainment, and the private island, chances are that you won’t want to leave!
So, our thoughts on the newly-renovated Sandals Royal Bahamian summed up in one word? Unforgettable!
Email lisa@icantwaittotravel.com to book your next trip.