Hideaway at Royalton St Lucia

We booked with Tui and what tipped us to pick this resort over Sandals was the fact we could pay and reserve a specific room. We did this a year in advance requesting room 1001 as it has a huge private patio and sun lounging area. We arrived in a helicopter to the hideaway lounge and weren’t greeted despite lots of people standing around outside. We walked in and I guess people then realised we were checking in. I was offered a drink which I asked did it contain alcohol ( I don’t drink ) to be told it did. When I refused as I said I didn’t drink the young girl laughed and didn’t offer me anything else. A few minutes later a gentleman noticed I didn’t have a drink and rescued me with providing a sprite. Our first hour of our check in was spent being told they had given our room a few days before to someone else and we had to have another room. We were furious and after an hour rowing were shown to our room and basically just dumped off. We were diamond club , no one helped us unpack ( this says it’s a facility butlers provide ) no one showed us around resort, we were literally shown where plug sockets and the toilet was? Like we didn’t know what those looked like ! We went to check out our swim up so we could wind down and try and enjoy our first afternoon and it was filthy. We rang and complained to reception twice, then someone came to see had we settled in and were okay - complained to them, someone rang - complained to them , all in all no one came and cleaned the swim up until this next afternoon after we went to speak to Abdulla at the main concierge who got this sorted ( but two days no use). •resort This resort is lively, not many corners to hide in to get away from activities that were going on. If you’re wanting a quiet romantic resort - this isn’t for you •hideaway Not so much a hideaway. On the same ground, not a separate hotel , literally just an area overlooking the main pool and very loud. Originally housed two blocks of holiday makers but now houses three hideaway blocks ( which you can tell as the sun loungers are literally touching where they’ve had to accommodate more guests ). You don’t get the hideaway bag advertised, the massages on beach and pool, the cold water spritzers, cold towels - check what is supposed to be offered to you because you won’t get half of it. ( some of it comes out on tui Tuesday ! Lol ) The beach hideaway bar thou was fantastic and Bryan and Tony are assets to this team! Genelle the hideaway manager was lovely and sweet but this hotel has to be providing the facilities is advertises •butler service If you’ve been to sandals - don’t expect butler service like that! I don’t really know what butler service is supposed to do at this resort? I know what the Royalton website states but you will be lucky to get a quarter of this. Booking reservations for a non reservation resort? Services massively lacking. Our butlers were polite, don’t think that they weren’t but the list of services the Royalton website says butlers provide - doesn’t happen on this resort . Unpacking of luggage? Ironing one outfit? One bottle of spirits a week? •diamond club Our favourite pool. This is the only area where anyone comes around to see if you want a drink! Sari - omg this woman is completely amazing. Kenny the barman was super too. This area is a lot quieter, towels are placed out in the morning. •diamond club services Upgraded mini bar? To what? Upgraded robes and slippers? Didn’t see any slippers despite asking for them for two weeks •food Wow the food on this resort was absolutely outstanding! At every point. The staff are so friendly and kind too, always wanting to engage. Cannot fault this resort at any restaurant including the buffet. •block one Staying in room 1002 - so so noisy! Everyone in the whole block has to walk past rooms 1001-1006 to get to the lift. People were banging on our doors early hours, shouting as the came past. Really bad layout of what should be a romantic quiet couples block ( in fact houses friends and groups who have no respect for other guests ). Put a security guard out there at night! Did enjoy my holiday? Yes I did but the frustrations of the resort not delivering the advertised amenities/services really put what could have been an amazing holiday to an okay holiday. Several bars running out of alcohol isn’t good enough! In essence - don’t waste your money upgrading to butler service or hideaway unless you have low expectations. Some of the rooms could do with re plastering the holes in walls and ceilings from water damage Turn down service in our room and housekeeper was amazing ! Would I return? If there was an offer for 35% off - yes and I got a quiet room so I could sleep for two weeks. Didn’t think it was worth the money, have had a better more relaxing time in Mexico Last but not least what awesome men chris in the sorts bar and Jasun in hunters! Super customer service and engaging on a personal level Beach vendors quite pushy - wish the resort wouldn’t let them up by sun loungers and made them stay near the waters edge Tips : •Feed the fish on the beach in front of hideaway bar ( bread cereal bananas ) •must eat coconut shrimp at diamond grill •ribs and wraps at hideaway grill - amazing •order two petit filet in hunters and get them medium rare! To die for! •ask for a do not disturb sign for your door •keep reminding if you are celebrating something - we did but they forgot my birthday •don’t take books as towel huts usually have left overs •visit the coffee shop! •bring a plug in air freshener if you have a swim up ( damp smell ) •don’t get conned into going to the meeting to become a member! •bring thin post it notes cause there’s seriously about 15 light switches in the room •give the security guards bottles of water. They stand round all day in the heat with no facilities!

The MOST relaxing vacation ever. Saint Lucia is gorgeous. Royalton staff was excellent. I do thing that the beach area could be a little nicer and kept cleaner but the overall resort was beautiful and very well laid out. The Spa was beautiful and actually so inviting. I went twice and have never liked massages too much but loved the atmosphere and the staff were all so accommodating and professional.