January / February 2009 Royal Hideaway Review
As Yolie, our butler came to the back Patio to tell
me that Coqui had arrived for our luggage the tears
welled up in my eyes and started flowing as I tried
to capture on video the sunrise that morning and the
sound of the waves crashing against the cliff. I could
not believe that my long anticipated holiday in my
'PARADISE' was over. I don't think I will ever be ready
to leave there when ever I visit. That morning it seemed
as if just yesterday Gabriel was giving a very short
synopsis of the important facts in the Front Office,
while some of us sipped on our crisp champagne that
was offered on arrival. That day was the only blemish
of what I considered a two-week return trip to our
home away from home. Thanks to Transat Holidays, instead
of being at the hotel at 11:00 a.m., we were there
at approximately 11:20 p.m.. I think the hotel should
get their own plane so that the Royal Treatment can
start in Toronto Airport.
As we left with our room assignments you could not
have scripted this any better, there waiting to shuttle
guest to their rooms was our friend from last year
Roberto, we hugged and kissed. Last year we vacationed
at the resort with family and while there we met another
couple who happen to live 25 minutes from us and have
now become very dear friends, so the 6 of us had returned
and Roberto knew us all and quickly we were shuttled
off to our bungalows. As promised by Gabriel there
was a plate of refreshments waiting in the room which
was exactly what was needed at this time of night.
The
next day was memorable, we walked through the grounds
full of abundant greenery and beautiful flowering
plants, meeting and greeting our old friends and making
new friendships with the warm welcoming Cuban staff.
Most of our days were spent lying on the idyllic Megano
Beach, enjoying the sun and walks on the beach. This
year the sandbar was more prominent once the tide went
out so we would walk through the crystal clear waters
escorted by these beautiful fish to the sand bar. We
would then rest in the warm waters, looking at the
beautiful Star Fish, but not removing them from the
water ashore as most people know they do not live for
long then and will not be there in future for guests
to enjoy. We would then head back to once again take
up residence on our sunbeds. The new sunbeds are alot
more comfortable than the plastic ones last year.
As we were staying in Bungalow 41, next to it we used
the walkway to the Beach, and sat nearer to that end.
Later on we were upgraded to the Royal Villa, from
there we used the golf cart service and/or walked to
Megano Beach. (Read about our review at Royal Villas
here) There are more Palapas this year and we only
had a problem in our last week with people reserving
chairs. The new mini bar at this end of the beach is
a welcomed addition and kudos to the person who had
this brilliant idea and made it happen. We loved it.
There was no waiting and Mario and Rogelio were fabulous
bartenders. Yoel (Joe Pesci), Angel and the others
are still there and as cute and attentive as ever but
they are usually at the other end though they make
lunch deliveries from the beach grill and have not
lost the skill of finding you with your order on the
beach. On the days that we had food from the grill
we would divide and conquer. Two would order lunch
from the Beach Grill, two would go to the Pool Bar
order French fries to go and then we would get our
drinks from Mario and Rogelio.
Snorkelling was new to me this year. my husband insisted
that I try it again and I loved it. We snorkelled from
the coral area of Megano Beach across Point Nautico
out to the rocks over by the Gazebo where the marriages
take place and had a fantastic time. We had brought
some bread in a bag and the fish were everywhere when
we fed them. We had an underwater camera so if the
pictures come out well we will post them.
The last week we were there even though there is a
rule about not reserving sunbeds and there's even a
sign up at the bar, people still did. We were there
at 8:30 a.m. and there were over 20 chairs reserved,
two chairs were reserved under one of the prime Palapa's
and the people did not come until 10:30 a.m. I think
that these rules need to be enforced as it creates
ill will between the guests. One lady at the beach
had reserved 10 chairs and the people did not saunter
down until an hour later. I know the hotel does the
best they can but it really is unfair to those who
are following the rules. I really think that when people
do this they are putting the staff in a difficult position
as all they want to do is please you and help you and
I am sure they would prefer not to have to upset anyone.
There are many sunbeds and no matter what time you
get to the beach I am sure there will be one waiting
for you.
Two friends that we met last year but spent more time
with this year I must mention as we are still laughing
at all the enjoyment they brought to our holiday are
Yoniel and Yandi, the Beach Boys. What tireless workers.
They are part of the entertainment team and start from
early, they do yoga classes at the Spa and work till
night. Most days they came and took the guys away for
Volleyball which was a welcomed relief as my husband
always has to be on the go, then in the afternoon they
would play soccer. These two have a fantastic sense
of humour and are now official members of our Cuban
family. If you meet them ask them how much they lost
to Espania when they played with the Canadian guys.
It was so embarrassing I had to leave.
As usual most nights we all converged at the main
lobby where we would go to end another wonderful day
with a drink and the show. If you like Cappucino try
it from the lobby bar with Kahlua, yum! The Singing,
The Live Music and the Dance pieces were fabulous.
This year there was dancing in the main lobby before
the show some evenings, which was great fun as they
got the guests involved and people mingling. As usual
they had the orchestra one night, these people are
so extremely talented. The last night we were there
they had a live band in the disco and the dancers went
down and danced with the guests. Now I have to share
this because it really touched my heart, in all the
years of traveling I have never been asked on stage
or anything and though people do not believe it, I
am extremely shy. We felt so at home at RHE that not
only was I surprised when Yandi sought me out for a
dance this night but that I felt comfortable enough
to go and it was Magical. I want to thank him so much
as this was the crowning jewel of my dreamlike vacation
in Paradise.
Our
last few days were cool as a cold front was creeping
in further south from Canada, and when Gabriel, the
Assistant Manager, asked our friend Sebastian how
everything was and he said everything was perfect
except for the weather, Gabriel responded, "I have our mechanics
working on it." :-) We still enjoyed these days
though as there was still sun, great food, lovely people
and no snow. We only saw Agnes, the Manager, for a
few days first week as she was going home to visit
her family but she looked fantastic. In all my travels
I have never met a management team that is so present
and approachable, not hidden behind layers of doors.
We also want to say what a amazing job that Lisardo
and Oreste do, trying to make sure that everyone is
happy with their rooms. I think that they all see this
hotel as a reflection of themselves and try their best
to make sure that everyone has a good time while on
their shift.
A
song that I love and associate with RHE is "A Pocket
Full of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield, I hear it
and I am back there again, the sun on my face and the
sea salt in the air. In closing it took me a while
to sit down and write this as I felt what more can
I say that has not been said and then I wanted to write
something profound, but that did not happen either.
I decided I would just write from the heart. I really
do love this place and I really have to say that though
everything is luxurious it is the Cuban people that
work here that make me call it my home away from home.
I come home and think about them and wonder how they
are doing. I told my mother that I think in my last
life I was a Cuban as I feel a connection. All these
people are as Special to me as they make me feel when
I am there. Therefore as we always wanted to marry
on the Beach this will be our Tenth Anniversary in
August and we want to return at this time to renew
our vows. This will be our 4th return trip to Santa
Clara and we know it will be a scorcher but we want
to experience a Cuban summer. Maybe we will see you
there but for now as our Cuban friends taught us...
Hasta Pronto...See you soon.
Danielle & Rafal
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