hoteldiva2009
20 Απρίλιος 2025
Stopped by the new St. Regis to have lunch and check it out before we stay as guests next week. An extensive hotel review will follow then. This is just for their tiki beach bar, The Monkey Bar, but of course no shorter than any of my other reviews. Outside winding entrance road and gate area kind of bare, perhaps because of the devastation from last fall’s hurricane which forced them to close right after opening. Could see lots of new plants, but no palm trees or trees of any kind so looks stark. Hard to tell ballroom entrance you see first vs the lobby entrance further up. Both understated in appearance. Resort offers valet parking only, immediate service upon driving up. Told charge is $10 with a validated ticket from a restaurant, otherwise I think it would have been $37. Asked at reception how much parking is as a guest, almost $60 a night including the tax. Beautiful huge lobby, 3 reception desks to the right. Entrance to CW Prime on the left. Two gas fire places burning even though it was almost 90° out. Gorgeous view of the gulf visible looking straight through lobby to expansive wall of windows. Gorgeous lobby bar in the middle with elaborate stained glass lighted structure overhead (can be seen on line, will post photo next review). Found our way outside past Riva, down steep stairs to another open air restaurant. Got directions to Monkey Bar which was still mobbed at 2 pm. Every table taken, some chair hogs holding seats (with no one sitting there for an hour I noticed). Mentioned it to the waitress who replied not her job to monitor it, and they must be in the restroom. Finally got two seats at the bar. Excellent service. Extremely limited food menu-four entree items? Tropical drinks $25 each. Didn’t care for my grouper sandwich but husband liked it, and they had nicely cut it in half plated onto two plates when we said we were going to share it. Fries crispy, tasty, pirate rum drink yummy. Met several people, none of whom were staying there. All had walked up the beach to check it out. Pool area absolutely mobbed, and actually smaller than it looks on line. Loud music playing. Lazy river looks inviting. Beach much quieter and looks beautiful. Told all seating is first come first served. We walked past an adults only pool to get to the beach area. Smaller with a pretty waterfall feature. Our female server (the only woman) very good. Only negative was the guy bartender in front of us. Ignored us when we sat down, ignored us the entire meal, and looked miserable. Snapped at guests asking questions. Maybe unhappy working during spring break. Very grumpy to anyone who tried to speak to him. Fortunately didn’t have to deal with him. Note that we happened to stop at the Aura restaurant at first to ask was this the Monkey Bar, but was snootily told by hostess that “Aura is only for guests and members”. We must have looked kind of scruffy to her I guess. But I smiled and replied then I guess we’ll see you next week when we stay here. Su
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