Having lived, traveled and built a hospitality empire across the Caribbean over the last several decades, the Stewart family periodically discovered the most spectacular pieces of real estate the islands have hidden. Expanding upon their revolutionary concept of the flawless Caribbean vacation, the family ultimately formed these scattered jewels of land into the Royal Plantation Collection, a brand of intimate boutique resorts in unparalleled locales, offering unparalleled service. Currently consisting of the flagship Royal Plantation Ocho Rios, Jamaica; the new Royal Plantation Island, Exumas, Bahamas; and Royal Plantation Private Villas in Jamaica; development continues on additional resort properties in Bloody Bay and Dragon Bay, Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos.

Each property within the Collection envelops guests in a sense of place, infusing each rich, local culture into every element of the experience, while offering the utmost in impeccable service that defines Royal Plantation. Design features adopt each destination's respective aesthetic, under the tasteful mark of Sandals Resorts Chairman Gordon "Butch" Stewart's daughter, Royal Plantation Collection Brand Director Jaime Stewart-McConnell.

Over the course of his illustrious, thirty-year career in hospitality, Sandals Resorts Chairman Gordon "Butch" Stewart has stocked shelves with industry awards from professionals, peers and guests. Craving a new challenge, Stewart leaped at the opportunity to purchase the aging, but legendary Plantation Inn in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in 2000. An intimate, elegant boutique was born, and over the last eight years, the formula for authentic character and impeccable, personal service was perfected to give way to Royal Plantation Collection. The Collection has expanded with the Stewart family's intrepid exploration of the Caribbean, and the formula now applies to the new Royal Plantation Island, located in the Exumas, Bahamas and the converted private beach estates, Royal Plantation Private Villas.

Royal Plantation Ocho Rios prides itself on its high number of repeat guests. "For us, service is an avocation, not a career," says, Managing Director Jaime Stewart-McConnell. They have turned Royal Plantation into an award-winning, luxury-market darling, citing the highly trained, familial staff as the secret to their success. "We call it a Jamaican je ne sais quoi, from the heart. It's passion and spirit that make guests feel special."

A few hundred miles to the east, the largely untouched, barefoot-casual 50-acre Royal Plantation Island, offers a completely distinct experience from that of the British colonial-style Royal Plantation Ocho Rios, but what remains consistent is the high standard of excellence.

Despite its remote privacy, the Royal Plantation credo is perfectly echoed at Royal Plantation Island, according to Jaime: "The simplest answer to any guest request is yes -- no matter what. We do somersaults to fulfill our guests' desires ... even the most outrageous requests are executed to perfection, so long as we're given a little notice to prepare!"

The newest entree into the Royal Plantation Portfolio consists of Royal Plantation Private Villas. Each of the villas come fresh off a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2008 and provides supreme privacy and luxe comfort set against the beauty of Jamaica's verdant land- and seascapes. Originally hand-selected as private residences by the discerning Chairman, requirements included the most pristine private beaches and views to send the heart soaring. Says Jaime, "My dad is Jamaican born and bred. Being raised on a beach himself naturally instilled in him a passion for crystal waters and perfect beaches. He has the most discerning standards when it comes to looking for flawless beaches located on only the best properties to invest in."

In Jaime Stewart's words, the evolution by which Royal Plantation came to be is simple: "Whenever we come across the most incredible real estate, when we find the most magical location, immediately it becomes a Royal Plantation, and what was once my family's best-kept secret becomes our personal invitation to travelers to come experience the real Caribbean, in the real Royal Plantation way."