Twenty-seven-year-old marketing specialist Christane Njatcha recently experienced an epic girls’ trip in Jamaica with five of her girlfriends.
“One of my friends was celebrating her 30th birthday, and the goal was to do it in luxury,” she told Travel Noire. “Jamaica was the perfect destination for that. We booked a stay at the Royalton Blue Waters for five days and four nights.”
“We stayed in the Luxury Chairman Suite Ocean View Diamond Club, which comes with butler services. It was an all-inclusive stay, so we had limitless access to gourmet à la carte dining options without reservations required, as well as unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits and unlimited natural fruit juices and soft drinks.”
“The suite came with 24-hour room and concierge services, pool and beach waiter service, and daily refreshed mini-bar with soft drinks, juice, bottled water, and beer. Additionally, as VIP Silver Members, we received 20% spa services.”
Christane says the girls enjoyed multiple private dinners to celebrate their good friend, and that the dinners did not disappoint.
“On one night, we had a three-course dinner by the ocean gazebo. On another night, we had the Royalton Blue Waters Culinary experience, a six-course dinner experience with a private chef.”
As for the butler services, Christane says they are absolutely unmatched.
“We never had to worry about a single request; they were available for our every need. The hotel set up all our excursions at our request, and all we had to do was show up. They coordinated all our off-site activities and made the experience seamless.”
“We visited Dunn’s River Falls and went rafting on the Martha Brae River. We also went on an off-road ATV adventure tour in Sandy Bay. We had a boat tour to Rick’s Café and Margaritaville scheduled, but ended up canceling due to bad weather.”
With new COVID-19 requirements in place, Christane and her friends needed to get tested in the 72-hours prior to their flight home. Christane says she was impressed by how the hotel made it so convenient for them to fulfill these requirements.
“The hotel had a free testing site right on the property. We scheduled an appointment upon our arrival. Our results came back the following day, and we were good to go! It was so convenient. I can’t imagine the hassle of trying to schedule a test while on vacation.”
“Additionally, Royalton Blue Waters did a great job of enforcing the social distancing protocol to ensure everyone’s safety. Our temperatures were checked upon arrival and before entering all the restaurants. Our luggage was sanitized.”
“Masks were implemented in all common areas, and the six feet protocol was maintained throughout the resort. The level of cleanliness was impressive and there were sanitizer stations throughout the resort.”
Christane began traveling six years ago and has since traveled to 20 countries: Jamaica, Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, Egypt, Austria, Germany, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, France, England, Spain, Italy, Iceland, Canada, Cuba, Greece, Mexico, and Cameroon.
After her first trip in 2015, a solo trip to Thailand, she felt like she had found a piece of herself and knew that travel would forever be an integral part of her life.
“It was the happiest I had been in a long time. I realized that there was freedom in stepping out of my world to appreciate others’.”
“Travel has allowed me to gain perspective,” she explained. “It is so easy to complain about one’s life until you see someone else’s. It has made me more grateful for all that I have and can do. It allows me to learn and discover so much. Travel keeps me young. I am serious; I laugh a lot when I am away. There’s no stress when I am traveling. I can live in the present and worry less about the future.”
Although she’s unsure where her next trip will take her, Christane is certain she wants to travel again this year.
“Traveling in a pandemic can be scary, but hotels and resorts are doing their best to ensure their guests’ utmost safety. I can testify to that.”
Christane has curated a Travel Guide to a Luxury Experience in Jamaica packed with gems and insights to help you plan a luxury experience on your own. Check it out at www.journeyswithkris.com and follow her at @journeyswithkris.
Related: This Couple Shares A First-Hand Account Of Traveling To Jamaica After Its Reopening
