Royal Islander Club La Plage

Royal Islander Club La Plage has a lively and popular pool, beach, and restaurant area. Although there are a ton of loungers around pool, it can be difficult to get a seat in the afternoon in the high season. While there's not necessarily a party atmosphere, the Royal Islander does not offer the peaceful, relaxing resort that some people crave on a tropical vacation. For something more low-key, the Westin Dawn Beach or a smaller property like Hotel L’Esplanade near Grand Case are good choices.

This is a time-share property and most guests, especially during the high season, are owners. Guests tend to be older or retired folks who have been coming to the resort for years, and the pool, beach, and bar are lively and fun.

The hotel is a large, modern, six-story building. It doesn’t have a clear entrance from the road and can be hard to find. Parking is located next door at the hotel’s sister property, La Terrasse, for a charge. The rooms above the third floor provide beautiful views of the beach and pool.

The lobby is large with high ceilings and modern decor -- expect globe lighting, blue chairs and couches, accent pillows, and a large lobby bar (although no one was manning the bar during our visit).

The hotel’s location is one of the most convenient in St. Maarten. The street-side view from the hotel looks like a popular strip in a large city, with restaurants, casinos, bars, shops, and even a grocery store in walking distance. A car rental is not an absolute necessity here as it is at some more remote resorts on the island.

The hotel is directly located on Maho Beach, one of the most beautiful and popular beaches on the island. A two-minute walk from the hotel’s beach is where tourists gather to experience the takeoff and landings of planes. A chain-link fence separates the airport from the shore and planes fly defyingly low, blowing hot air and sand onto those waiting on the beach. As weird as this is, it is a popular (and quirky) St. Maarten attraction.  

The hotel’s location right next to the airport means that there is some plane traffic noise, although many guests report not being bothered by it after a day or two. The airport closes at night.

Royal Islander Club La Plage’s 128 units include Studios, One-bedroom Suites, Two-Bedroom Suites, and Penthouses. While the rooms are big (especially the living rooms), the decor and design is dated, tired, and in need of an upgrade.

The living rooms have glass dining tables and light wicker furniture with neutral blue cushions. The couches and chairs are hard and uncomfortable, and feel cheap. The bedrooms have wicker end tables and dressers along with motel-style lamps. The comforter on the bedspread is reminiscent of a motel as well -- thin with a bright green and blue pattern. Colorful, tropical art hangs on the walls. The bathrooms are particularly ugly with 80s pink wall tile, a cheap pink marble vanity, faded white cabinets, and an unattractive beige shower curtain. The tub sticks out in the middle of the room like it’s out of place. The rooms are very spacious, however, and each room in the Two-Bedroom Suite has its own bathroom, along with a half-bath in the hallway. All units have a balcony that faces the ocean.

The units have full kitchens with large fridges, four-burner stoves, dishwashers, microwaves, and small appliances like blenders, toaster ovens, and coffeemakers. The kitchens also have pots, pans, glasses, plates, bowls, and cooking and eating utensils.

The rooms at Simpson Bay Beach Resort, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, and Divi Little Bay Resort are more updated. The suites at all of these resorts have full kitchens, as well.

The pool is very popular and has an attractive two-circle design with a narrow space in the middle. There are lounge chairs around the perimeter, with most being on the ocean side of the pool. There is also a sandy strip near the beach with a very small children’s pool (more like a large bathtub) and a playset with swings and a slide.

Off of the pool is Tortuga Beach Café, a casual spot with wood tables and plastic chairs. Open for breakfast, lunch, and some nights for a theme dinner, the restaurant is an open-air space that looks out on the ocean. It also has a popular bar that is open all day. 

Royal Islander Club La Plage has a prime piece of real estate on Maho Beach, one of the best beaches on the island. The water is turquoise, the sand is white, and the area is almost a tropical paradise. The strip of sand is narrow and the two rows of crowded lounge chairs detract from ambience. The airport is quite close and planes fly incredibly low right next to the resort. The beach is a prime spot for viewing the planes.

The Good Life Spa is located across the street at the hotel’s sister property, La Terrasse. The spa is large with a pool, steam room, sauna, lighted walkway, and multiple treatment rooms. The spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, nail services, and waxing.