Sandals Royal Bahamian Reviews
Sandals Royal Bahamian is ranked number 15 on our Travel’s list of the 15 Top Sandals Resorts for 2023. This resort was the Balmoral Club before Sandals claimed it as their own in 2012. “The property is known for hosting the cream of society in the 1940s.” – The Guardian of Nassau. There are 404 rooms and suites, 11 restaurants and bars, seven pools, 2 of which are huge, and three whirlpools in this historic locale.
Pros of Sandals Royal Bahamian
- Location Close to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
One of the first things to look for in a Sandals Resort is its closeness to the nearest airport. The shuttle ride from Lynden Pindling International Airport, previously Nassau International Airport, to stunning beachside serenity takes only ten minutes.
Customs is on the Nassau side of the border on the way back to the United States. This makes returning home much easier. All of it is taken care of prior to your arrival in the United States. There’s no need to stress about missing your flight because your suitcase was flagged or went missing. This was a substantial advantage for a tourist.
- Island Off the Coast
Sandals Royal Bahamian offers an all-inclusive package that includes Sandals Cay, an offshore island. Two beaches, snorkeling, a pool, a whirlpool, a swim-up bar, and Schooners, a seafood restaurant, are all accessible.
The island transit runs on a regular schedule, with the last trip returning to the mainland, leaving at 4:45 p.m. Following that, only people who have made restaurant reservations at Schooners are permitted to visit the island. Heads up: Bring a sweater or light jacket for the boat ride back and forth to your dinner reservations. Because the mainland resort is relatively tiny, the private island provides couples with much-needed fresh air.
- From United States,a Short Flight to Nassau
Another excellent characteristic of this Nassau Sandals Resort is the number and duration of flights arriving from the United States. JetBlue, for example, provides a direct flight from Boston that departs at 8:50 a.m. and arrives in Nassau at 12:17 p.m. You can come to the facility for an afternoon lunch or a poolside nap!
- Customs at Lynden Pindling International Airport
Customs are the one aspects of traveling that some people despise and dread. It has the potential to derail your entire holiday. Why go to such lengths to relax and de-stress? Customs are on the Nassau side when traveling to the United States. Complete your checks, check your luggage and sleep the entire flight home.
- Fitness Center
The fitness center at the Sandals Royal Bahamian boasts the most beautiful views. It is placed on the Balmoral building’s top floor. Tourists can run on cutting-edge treadmills with views of the ocean and a private island. If getting to the gym first thing in the morning is difficult for you, that view should help!
- Hotdog and Nacho Bar
The Royal Cafe and Grill is directly across from the Main Pool. It was great for afternoon snacks because it was close to the lounge chairs of the resort. At the Loaded Nacho display, you can enjoy gluten-free nachos that you can create ourselves.
However, they do not have gluten-free hotdog buns. The outfit code is resort casual ,therefore, you can wear whatever you want as long as you cover your swimwear! Even better, have your significant other prepare a plate of cheesy delight and serve it to your pool chair.
- Ambience of the Room
If you are looking for a suite with an Oceanview, you can choose the Balmoral Oceanview Grande Luxe category. These accommodations are on the upper levels of the Balmoral Oceanfront Village and come with their own balcony with ocean views. Wine, water, juice, and soda are also available in the room.
This room type is one of the recommendations because it is quiet, with a private bathroom and an additional sink near the spacious closet. You can also feel that it provides you with a lot of privacy and a gorgeous sunrise from the balcony.
- Misting Pool
The misting pool was a unique element of Sandals Royal Bahamian. The weatherproof patio seats inside a shallow pool are created for Instagram-worthy pictures and a nice place to cool off while basking in the sun.
Cons of Sandals Royal Bahamian
- Ask about the Rainy Season
Mid-December to late April is the best time to visit the Bahamas. The rainy season lasts for the rest of the year. If you are planning for a Sandals holiday in the middle to late November, you will probably get lower accommodation rates and a slight chance of rain. Bit of advice: Prior to actually booking your Sandals holiday, do some research on normal rainfall.
- Sandals Cay, an Offshore Island
All transportation to the exclusive, offshore island was canceled due to bad weather if it happens that you stayed in Sandals resort during rainy seasons. When planning your trip to this particular resort, keep this in mind.
- Small Resort Location
All of Sandals Royal Bahamian’s flaws were magnified by the inclement weather. All tourists were on the mainland after all boat trips to the offshore island were canceled.
The two whirlpools were always full, and the few indoor billiard tables just were never accessible. All pool and water sports activities have been rescheduled or canceled. There was nothing to occupy one’s time. This resort is simply too tiny to accommodate all of the guests during inclement weather.
- Small Beach
This resort is unsuitable for you if you desire a couples-only, all-inclusive resort with walkable beaches. If that is what you are looking for, consider going to Sandals Grande Antigua instead. It’s a shared beach that’s great for lengthy beach walks. The water is better for swimming. However, the sea was too rough, the water was full of seaweed, and the waves were too strong.
- Java is never enough
Not really sure why this was a problem, but all of the resort’s coffee machines were out of caffeinated coffee beans! For those of you who like decaf, there was enough on hand. The coffee machine was empty no matter what time of day. Half of the reason why people visit Sandals Resorts is for the blue mountain coffee. You don’t want to struggle for a cup of coffee when you are on an all-inclusive vacation.
- Lounge Chairs without Shade
According to customer reports, the absence of covered lounge chairs is a concern at every Sandals Resort. It is considerably more challenging because of the resort’s modest size. If you are prone to sunburn, for sure, locating shade is crucial.
- Other Sandals Resorts have better choices of Restaurant
Every other Sandals Resort’s eateries were considerably superior to Sandals Royal Bahamian. This includes both service and meal quality.
It is not advisable to make bookings in the Crystal Room unless it has been upgraded. It’s billed as the “most sophisticated Mediterranean dining experience in the Caribbean.” The restaurant is housed in a structure with no windows. It’s gloomy and musty, and the quality of the entrees didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Sandals Royal Bahamian offers a variety of tours and excursions.
Buggy Adventure on the Island
In an off-road buggy, prepare for the excellent island experience! Your day will begin at Cable Beach, in which you will receive a quick introduction before heading out with your knowledgeable guide! The first destination will be Fort Charlotte, where you may visit the ancient fortress and grounds. The Caves, a collection of enormous limestone tunnels formed ages ago by the strength of the seas, are a short drive away.
After that, it’s time for a bite and refreshments at the famed Aquafire restaurant. Your final destination, Clifton Heritage Park, the Bahamas’ largest historical and ecological park, is just a short drive away. Then it’s back in the buggy for the last leg of the journey back to Cable Beach!
SUB Getaway in Nassau
Experience a one-of-a-kind and thrilling underwater adventure. The SUB is similar to an underwater motorcycle with a giant bubble that is constantly filled with air. Your body will be soaked, and your head will be dry. On your submarine adventure, you’ll see brightly colored fish, beautiful coral reefs, and other unique marine life. In one exhilarating and memorable tour, a SUB adventure combines the finest of snorkeling and scuba diving.
Beach Break & Reggae Catamaran Cruise
The state-of-the-art “Sol-Mate” catamaran will take you along the beautiful turquoise waters of Nassau’s shoreline. Your voyage begins as we make our way to the Nassau harbor after you leave the pier and receive our safety briefing. You’ll view many historical buildings, celebrity mansions, enormous yachts, and the Nassau Cruise Port as you cruise into the port.
Then, just off Athol’s Island, you will head to one of Nassau’s top snorkeling places; take the plunge and snorkel a coral-filled with unusual marine life. Following that, the bar opens for you to enjoy wonderful snacks and endless exotic cocktails while taking in one of the most panoramic vistas you’ll ever see.
Before returning to the ship, there is a stop at an outer island where you can swim or rest on the beach. The music gets louder on the way back; enjoy this ‘club on water,’ where you’ll dance to the latest worldwide sounds from the onboard DJ before heading to the dock.
