Re: Live from Royal Hideaway

[flopnfly]

Hola
 
 Well we made it here safe and sound.  Arrived around 9:30 last night.
 
 there is no internet in the room, so the laptop was a waste of time.  We're on the computer in the business center and it is very very slow.  It took 10 minutes to log in here and at $10 CUC per hour I don't think we'll get much posting done, and definitely no photos will be uploaded.  
 
 The resort is absolutely beautiful.  We are in room 4125 which is beachfront, second floor with a King Sized bed.  Gorgeous!!!
 
 Occupancy is very low, only 35 people on the whole resort with only 6 from Toronto and the rest from Montreal.  All but 2 arrived last night.
 
 Tonight we are doing the Japaneese restaurant, and tomorrow night the Italian.  They only have certain restaurants open on certain nights and the bufeet will only be open for 2 nights this week.
 
 A few little hiccups, our safe doesn't work, the TV doesn't work, no coffee makers in the room and no internet.  Coffee makers and internet were advertised but they said no they will not have them.
 
 Service from the staff is wonderful, they can't do enough for you and we are being treated like royalty.  
 
 We've only had breakfast so far, but the bacon was good and lots of it.  
 
 We hit the lobby bar last night as it was the only thing open.  No Baileys but lots of Millwood.
 
 We have orientation at 11:30, and then we will hit the pool and the beach.  
 
 We'll try to post again tonight and let you know how the Japaneese was.
 
 Dress code is strictly enforced at all times in the main building.  No beach attire.
 
 Gorgeous resort, food seems to be good so far and I'm sure it's going to be great once we get settled in.
 
 cya

[bellagio]

Thanks Heather for posting.  Only 35 people on the resort, that is incredible!!!
 
 Why on earth build this, plus the new Melia, which apparently has over 900 rooms?
 
 I can see plenty of last minute deals going for these resorts just to increase their occupancy rate.  They cannot continue going on like this.
 
 Surprised about no coffee makers and the TV and safe not working though in such a high class resort.  Also pleased to hear that the bacon is edible - that DOES make a change!!!!
 
 Anyway the resort does sounds fabulous I must say.  Try and drink them dry of Millwood if you can!!!!!

[millybess]

Thanks Heather.  Looking forward to hearing more.  :)

[FredTracie]

So far it sounds just like Club Amigo.. No coffee makers in the room, no Internet in the room and No Bailey's!!!   :rof:    :rof:    :rof:
 
   Glad to see your safe and sound! Will be interested to get your take on a resort of this size with only 35 guests???
 
     Enjoy....F&T

[bellagio]

Originally posted by FredTracie:
  So far it sounds just like Club Amigo.. No coffee makers in the room, no Internet in the room and No Bailey's!!!  

:rof:    :rof:    :rof:

[FredTracie]

When we were there last year, Dr. Jorge suggested they were planning on building another causeway from Cayo Coco as that airport could support an increase in traffic and would cut the travel time down! Obviously it isn't happening yet! Who knows?
 
                 Cheers...F&T

[bellagio]

That would be a very good idea.  Of course there is a small airport on Cayo Santa Maria, maybe it would be less costly to develop that.

[FredTracie]

Bellagio
  Apparently the Airport on Santa Maria is not able to handle "Heavy Jets" as the runway is not up to standards!!! But who knows what our Cuban friends will do???

[bellagio]

That's true Fred, but it still maybe cheaper to build one that is capable of taking today's heavier aircraft rather than build a new causeway between the two Cayos.
 
 However, as you say, who knows what the Cubans will do!!

[Tuss]

I think a new causeway would be an environmental nightmare and that might be part of the holdup.  Developing the airport on Cayo Santa MAria is a much better idea.
 
 I'm thinking of booking CSM if i can get a good last minutes special in the spring.  I seee they just started offereing it from Calgary this year.

[FredTracie]

Tuss: I don't disagree as far as the environmental side of this issue is concerned, unfortunately this is Cuba and the environment is not always a top priority!!!Fingers are always crossed!!!
 
           Cheers...F&T  (How are you enjoying Calgary?)

[flopnfly]

Hola
 
 The resort is still fantastic!!!
 
 Yes only 35 people on the resort built to hold 1200.  There are presently 300 staff for 35 people, can you believe it_
 
 We walked along the beach to the suite section yesterday, it is a good half hour walk from our room, and we have the better beach area here.  Today we will walk in the opposite direction.
 
 Everything in our room was fixed and is operating fine.  Still no coffee maker, but they said that they are on order and will be here in a few weeks.  
 
 I questioned the internet access in the rooms and asked why they are advertising it but not delivering.  They had no idea, but made a note of it.
 
 We had dinner at the Japanese restaurant last night, and it was amazing.  The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the food was great.  
 
 We then hit the disco and I found some Baileys.    :D  
 
 Next stop was the lobby bar, and one of the guests from Montreal starting playing the piano to entertain us.  He was very good.  The staff at the lobby bar and cigar bar are a lot of fun and do their best to keep us entertained with little games.  
 
 There is virtually no entertainment at the resort yet.  Only the lobby bar and cigar bar, and the disco are open at night.  The disco was empty.  It is an older crowd here this week.
 
 The mosquitos and no seeums are horrible here.  Thousands of them and even with bug spray we are covered in bites.  They are around all day, not just at night.
 
 There are 2 main pools here, both with swim up bars and restaurants although only one restaurant is open this week.  The pool is directly across from our room, and we have the beach in front.  Can´t complain about that.  The lobby is about a 5 minute walk from our room, or a 2 minute run to get away from the mosquitos.  
 
 Water temp in the pool is about 32 degrees, and the ocean is probably about 30.  
 
 We toured the spa yesterday, and it has everything you could possibly ask for.  Prices are reasonable, and everything is new and clean.  There is another pool at the spa, but no bar there.  It is for gentle relaxing.
 
 The beach is amazing, and there was only 5 people on it yesterday.  virgin white sand and lots of chairs and palapas.  There is also a beach bar with hot dogs, hamburgers etc, and they will bring your drinks and lunch to your chair.  
 
 Today we are doing some snorkelling and just hanging out.
 
 Tomorrow we´re off to Santa Clara for the day, and Wed we are doing the all day catameran ride.
 
 John is diving on Thursday.  Diving is only available on Tues and Thurs so he will only get one day of diving in.
 
 Well, the beach is calling our name.
 
 cya

[Milli]

:cool:  It sounds like a beautiful resort.  It must seem so strange to not have lots of other guests milling around and to be outnumbered by staff ~ a real tropical paradise and a great place to chill out.  I can't wait to see the pictures.  Enjoy your week!

[laurat]

Heather, that sounds like heaven!  It must be hard to imagine what the place would be like if the resort was filled to capacity.  
 
 Enjoy your week, and thanks for posting!  
 
 Oh, and if you get the chance, have a drink for me!
    :33:

[bellagio]

Thanks for updating us Heather.   I had read that the mosquitos were very bad there, but didn't want to tell you that before you went. lol
 
 Also heard the bacon was inedible (as seems to be the case everywhere in Cuba, that I've been to)though you said yesterday it was ok.
 
 Glad you found the Baileys anyway.   If you come back on just check for me if YadaY (not sure of the spelling but pronouced something like Jedi) is working there.  She used to be on the animacion staff at the Melia and I understood from Faye that she had gone there to work.
 
 Sounds like a super resort, and you sure have struck lucky with your room.