I Stayed There: Round Hill Hotel and Villas

Dr. Terika L. Haynes

Dr. Terika L. Haynes Published March 11, 2024

The Vibe

Round Hill is quiet and very peaceful. Although there are activities throughout the day, the layout of the property allows space which makes each area still feel like an oasis. What stands out is the design of the resort which feels like classic luxury. The property is a historic landmark in the Hanover community, having been open for 71 years. When you are a guest at Round Hill, you can feel the iconic aura. Guests ranged from Gen Z up to Baby Boomer age groups. There were couples, families (including some with kids) and groups. The resort is also very welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers.

How I Felt

At home. When I arrived, the front desk staff, bellmen and members from the leadership team were all standing at the lobby front door waiting to welcome me. I truly felt like I was returning home and family members were greeting me even though this was a place that I'd never been to. The warm welcome immediately made me feel relaxed, and I quickly entered vacation mode based on the arrival experience.

The Digs

I had an oceanfront balcony room which placed me steps away from the pool and the beach. The room included a large terrace area which was great for having breakfast and watching the spectacular sunsets. In addition to the bedroom area, there was also a large seating area which led to the terrace. The bathroom included a shower and a large bathtub complete with a bathtub caddy inviting me to truly relax.

The Agenda

Even though Round Hill is a boutique property, they have a variety of offerings for guests to enjoy. I had fun in the sun on the glass bottom boat ride. I also enjoyed my Round Hill Signature Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap spa treatment. There were various pools onsite that I explored and of course, I spent time at the beach each day. I visited the gym where there are complimentary yoga and stretch classes. There are also weight training courses, and there is a personal trainer available. I was hoping to make it to the tennis and pickleball courts but unfortunately ran out of time. Each day there was an afternoon tea, and there was live entertainment each night. I was offered to take shuttles to the nearby Tryall golf course and the straw market for shopping, but I decided to stay on property and enjoy the resort.

The Eats

Each night there is a different theme for dinner. Some themes included Jamaican night, farm-to-table night and beach barbecue night. The cuisine served varied and aligned with the theme for each night. There was also nightly live entertainment at dinner for the guests to enjoy. I found the food to be very fresh and filled with flavor. Many of the ingredients used for meals are grown onsite, and I could taste the freshness with each meal that I had. There were also a few times that I made special dietary requests and the resort handled them with ease. The menus also had options for vegetarian and vegan diets. Some of my favorites were the fresh juice bar at breakfast, lobster and truffle mashed potatoes.

Why I Would Go Back

Round Hill felt very comfortable and cozy. Many times I forgot that I was at a resort and felt like I was at home. The level of comfort that I felt would be the reason that I would return. The tranquility that I experienced was just what I needed to relax and feel pampered. Each staff member treated me like I was the only one at the resort, and by the end of the stay, I truly felt like a family member.

To learn more about this resort, visit www.roundhill.com.

About the Author

Dr. Terika L. Haynes is the CEO and Founder of Dynamite Travel, an award-winning, five-star rated, luxury travel and media consultancy that has been providing travel planning service excellence to clients for 15 years. Dr. Haynes, a savvy business professional, sought out to create a company that would not only assist clients with curating customized vacations, but would also assist clients with creating unforgettable travel experiences.

Breaking glass ceilings and creating unique opportunities is a specialty of Dr. Haynes. She is the recent recipient of the 2023 ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year Award. In addition to superb travel planning execution, Dr. Haynes has utilized the opportunity to engage the masses of travel enthusiasts by extending her services as a travel expert and contributing to notable media outlets. As such, her knowledge and expertise have been featured in leading media publications such as: Travel+Leisure, The Washington Post, USA Today, TripSavvy, Fodor’s, BRIDES, CNN, Real Simple, BBC, Reader’s Digest, Travel Noire and more.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a strong passion for Dr. Haynes Under her leadership, Dynamite Travel is certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), and U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce (USBC). Dr. Haynes serves as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Central Florida chapter of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Additionally, she is a member of IGLTA, The Pride Chamber (Central Florida’s local LGBT Chamber of Commerce), the ForbesBLK community.