By Guy Britton
PICTURE THIS It’s the third day of your vacation. You’re on a private island, set just offshore, surrounded by nature and coddled with luxury service.
You haven’t seen your wallet in three days and today you forgot your phone back in the room and don’t even care.
This is Sandals’ private island just offshore of Montego Bay, Jamaica at the Sandals Royal Caribbean resort.
It’s more than an island — it’s a tropical theme park for adults.
There’s a Red Lane Escape spa on the island, a pool, jacuzzi and then there’s that beach bar and the guy with all the rum drinks and, yes, the massage table.
Spa treatments followed by a nap in the Gazebo are a prescription to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and enhance well being. Or at least it feels like that.
It’s therapy without a doctor.
This private island is a portal to another world, one where you won’t need a virtual reality headset. The paradise here is right in front of you, all around you, a world where your every whim is anticipated and served.
And then there’s, you know. Very discrete and hidden on the back-side of the island.
While you do have to share this private island with other guests, the gazebos are completely private and fully serviced by attentive staff. It’s like your own waterfront hut with staff, spa, restaurant and bar. Does it get any better than this? Maybe, but not by much.
The Royal Tai restaurant is open for dinner. You don’t need reservations, dress is casual and there’s a short boat ride back to the resort after dinner. You’ll be back at the dock before the disco opens.
As we write there is some construction nearby on the new overwater bungalows. We’ve been told the island is fully operational and not affected.
Some islands are just better than others. And even though this island is real, it’s far, far from reality.
And that’s exactly the point.