Based on previous reviews, I was not sure what we were in for. I had read that others had issues while visiting, so I had my fingers crossed.

My wife had some questions prior to our visit, and on one attempt, talked to someone who didn't have much patience or was having a bad day, but on a second attempt, she found someone much more helpful. Upon our arrival, we were met at the door by a manager who welcomed us, and we quickly checked in to our room on one of the newly renovated floors.

Once in the room, I was quite impressed with the decor, very tasteful in a contemporary style, with platform beds and a wall-to-wall headboard with built-in lighting, done with light browns and greys, and lots of white. The bathroom was nicely done with glass tiles and a modern feel. We'd stayed at the Loews Hotel right next door a few years before, and I would say the room was as nice if not a little nicer at the Royal Palms.

We didn't spend much time at the pool, as the weather didn't cooperate, but I did notice that with the strong winds blowing off the ocean, the trees has lost their leaves and had blown into the pool, making it look like it needed cleaning. In comparison to the Loews, if I wanted a great pool, I'd say Loews wins easily.

I would probably return to this hotel, and if they do the rest of their renovations as nice as they did their rooms, I'd definitely return...

We stayed at the Royal Palm hotel on December 29th, using a whopping 94,000 American Airlines rewards points for only two night stay. What a terrible experience.
We were allowed to check in at 530 because we were told there were no clean rooms.
When we were getting ready for bed, we found we did not have hand towels or wash cloths, so we called for some and waited a half hour to have them delivered.
Next morning I ordered a continental breakfast from room service and the didn't deliver the coffee. Had to wait a half hour till it arrived. Then after I showered I discovered there was no hair dryer in the room. I called for one three times, and after an hour I left the room with wet hair because it did not arrive. I also had to call for service because the in-room safe did not work, and as the engineer who repaired it left, the guest from the room next to ours also called the engineer over because their safe did not work either.
Before leaving the room I called the front desk and requested to speak to a manager and was refused by a rude clerk, who told me the manager was taking care of guests. I guess I was not considered a guest.
Then when we returned to the room about 6pm that evening, we found:
1. The room had not been cleaned
2. A housekeeper had dropped off a hair dryer and towels and then left the room dirty
3. The safe was not attached to anything. We were litterally able to pick up the small metal box and remove it from the closet

We again called the front desk and demanded to speak to a a manager. We were again told that he was busy taking care of customers. We told them either a manager came to us immediately or we would go find him and loudly complain to everyone within earshot. Within minutes he as in our room and pretended to agree that what we experienced was unacceptable.

We told him we were leaving and expected to refund our stay and he agreed. He also said he would give us a free future stay and apologized because our beach vacation had been ruined. I videotaped the entire encounter and will be posting it to Facebook shortly with the title ROYAL PALM HOTEL WAS DISGUSTING

Oh, did I mention yet that this $300+ per night hotel also charges a resort fee AND a $39 per night parking fee?

The manager did clear our bill, but after we filed our complaint with American Airlines, he refunded only one night' stay (the night we did not stay, apparently). So everyone from the housekeeper, the front desk personnel and up to management are liars and incompetent at their jobs.

I am here now good location is the only thing I can say. No air conditioning still. Broken elevators. Soiled linens and towels found on chech in. Pool so filthy that parents won't let children swim. A resort fee that you can't avoid for umbrella on Beach and Internet. Fitness equipment all broken and rusted relics restaurant only open for lunch and breakfast. Managers at front desk indifferent and demeaning. Renovation work still continuing. Here with a large group room rate was 299 last night online 119 if you have to stay here book at hotel tonight on day of arrival after 12 noon so you won't feel so ripped off. It is really sad to say all this stuff I thought the james hotel group was a quality Organization but based on what I have seen with my own eyes if you want to enjoy your vacation avoid like the plague.

The Royal Palms Hotel has a wonderful staff but the facility is not consistently maintained. The hotel is in the process of remodeling one floor at a time and we were uhfortunate to stay in floor (12) that was scheduled to be remodeled. The carpets were filthy in the room and hallways and this made a very unconfomfortable stay even when the staff made every effort to welcome us. Regular maintanance is extremely important! Remember cleanliness is next to Godliness.