I am looking to rent a unit for April 2018. My choices are: La Cabana ocean front 2 bdrm, Playa Linda unit 424 or the Royal Lanai Suite 60, or Divi Phoenix OF (unit to be assigned) in either the towers or the old section. I'm torn about which one to book. All are within a few hundred bucks of each other, so that's not an issue.
Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. The Royal Lanai intrigues me but I'm not sure that I'd like being on the ground floor. And I can't seem to figure out where it is on the resort.[/QUO
Hi Lisa, I actually own at all 3 resorts and love them for very different and specific reasons. The choice will be tough. What is most important to you? Location (no need for a car)? Beach (crowds, water clarity)? Tranquility?
The Playa Linda is a beautiful, centrally located resort and Lanai 60 is one of its most coveted suites. It's literally on the beach, just steps from the water. You will need to get up very, very early to reserve a palapa and as the beach is pretty narrow it tends to be very crowded. Due to extensive water sport activities/traffic, water clarity is not optimal as it's constantly being churned up. There is 1 fine dining restaurant (Azzurros) on site with gorgeous water, sunset views and 3 casual beach bars/restaurants. Carlitos is my favorite. In addition, there is a fresh fruit smoothie shack that is very popular. There are also several restaurants flanking the entrance of the PL.
The Divi Phoenix is also a beautiful resort and the towers/villas is the older original part, albeit recently renovated last year. I own a ground floor unit and absolutely love it. The Phoenix has a more low-key, relaxed feel, plenty of palapas, more room to spread out, a beautiful pool with swim-up bar and super friendly bartenders, 2 great restaurants; one casual pool side, one fine dining ocean side with tables on the sand, music some nights. Although not exactly centrally located like the Playa Linda, you can still easily access any restaurant/casino on Palm Beach by walking on the beach and cutting thru the lobby of its neighboring resort (Riu). The Phoenix is one of the last remaining resorts to still host a weekly welcome party (Mondays at 5:00) with drinks, games and music. Lots of fun, don't miss it. I have to admit, my week at the Phoenix follows the week at the Playa Linda, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I check in because I get to sleep late and always get a palapa. The water is clear (no boat traffic), ideal for floating on a raft as it's very calm and not too deep.
This leaves LaCabana on Eagle Beach. Another beautiful, well kept resort, also recently renovated. If I understand your description, you scored an E unit which are the ocean front units and the very best accommodations at LaCabana. I stayed in one of those a few years and loved it. LaCabana is shaped like a U and the 2 bedroom E units are at the ends of the U, 2 per floor, 4 floors. So if you do the math there are only 16 of those units and nearly impossible to rent.
LaCabana is a fun resort, happy hour twice a day, music most days (4:00pm, pool side), friendly staff, clean rooms, not crowded, nice pool with lots and lots of lounges, within walking distance to some really great restaurants and supermarket, convenient bus stop to easily access Palm Beach. 2 restaurants on site; Island Grill for casual breakfast, lunch and dinner and Las Ramblas for outdoor fine dining. It is also flanked by two other resorts, each with their own great restaurants. Oops, almost forgot to mention the Cinnabon in the lobby and the on site casino.
LaCabana is across the street from the beach but don't let that deter you. It's a small price to pay to enjoy one of the top ten best beaches in the world. Eagle beach is stunningly beautiful with its clear cool water and miles of white sand. The beach is very wide so lots of palapas to be had even late morning. If you want waterfront, you can rent chairs and umbrellas.
Let us know which resort you'll choose and if you need additional information, feel free to ask or contact me.