Honeymoon ideas? Anyone ever tried Sandals? Which is the best Sandals?

[IHeartTink04]

Hi all! As I reported on December 23rd I am getting married! We set a date and we are getting married on October 11, 2008! I am so excited! Now it is time to start thinking about the honeymoon! We were possibly thining Sandals but have no idea which one is the best. Anyone have any ideas about which one is the best or reviews about the resorts?

Any other ideas of great places? We are definitely wanting something tropical!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

[IHeartTink04]

Giving this a bump! I need help!

 

[alliecats]

We "weddingmooned" (were married on property) at Sandals and had a great time. We chose the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau. It was very over-the-top in decor, think a tropical Caesars Palace and you'll have the atmosphere. That one has the tiniest beach of all the Sandals, so if that is important to you then choose another one. It had everything we needed, two big pools, two swim up bars (or float-up bars, as I didn't do much swimming, LOL, I parked myself on a float and DH would drag it up to the stools).

There are lots of activities you can sign up for (extra fee) with outside companies. We snorkeled and DH had a great time. I don't snorkel but I went too and just paddled around and dodged the 5ft barracuda they found! I also fed some Rory (is that the blue tang's name?) fish but I never saw Nemo.

A friend of ours chose one of the St. Lucia Sandals and her pics were really really nice.

Alcohol is good, though not usually top shelf, food was just ok, but it was cool not to have to worry about toting a credit card around. Lots of chocolate-covered strawberries.

We had a great time. It's not an elegant atmosphere, but it's fun and we'd do it again.

Hope that helps!

 

[Pakey]

Our DS and DDIL recently honeymooned at the Namale Resort in Fiji. They absolutely loved it. They stayed in a honeymoon bure which is a private little cabin on the water.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have stayed at Sandals Montego Bay, Superclubs Grand Lido Braco, a resort called San Souci, I think it is now a couples. All in Jamaica. I love Jamaica I really do but I would have to say Sandals Royal Plantaion would probably be the nicest sandals or the one in Antiqua. The beach there looks fantastic.

Another option that I liked better then the resorts in Jamaica is Beaches Turks and Caicos. We went twice last year. THey do take kids so that might be an issue. I went once with kids and once without. Both times were very enjoyalbe. The beach it sits on Grase Bay beach is constistently ranked as one of the tops in the world. It is the stuff dreams are made of. I have been to alot of islands, Jamaica, Bahams, St. Thomas, St. John Dominican republice and Grace Bay Beach is the best.

There is also a nice tropical but medditeranean feeling resort near Cancun called Royal Hideaway Playacar. It is the only all inclusive I belibe to be a part of the leading hotels of the world. It is very posh, great food , great service, very romantic. Not alot of nightlife at the resort but you could go into cancun for that. Very good drinks, more top shelf liquor then Sandals and very relazing. It would be a toss up for me betweent Beaches and Royal Hideaway.

I would love to do Tahiti but the costs are insane for those overwater bures. I have looked into it though and may end up doing that someday. I have been all over Hawaii but still like Beaches best.

 

[IHeartTink04]

Thanks for your help! Any others?

 

[mommasita]

Congratulations once again!!


I have honeymooned at Sandals Ocho Rios. I have only great things to say about it. It is going on 13 years, so there are things that are blurry, but in general it was the best 2 week holiday ever. Very romantic, great location (near Dunns river falls), and we had no complaints at all..

 

[cruiserkaren]

I think the best honeymoon is a cruise!

Get a balcony cabin so you can watch the world go by just the 2 of you. Visit a new tropical island almost daily. Getting dressed up for dinner and a show. Waste some money having fun in the casino. Snuggle up in bed to watch a movie. Climb a waterfall, zipline thru the mountains or kayak thru a bay.

The options are endless! Congrats!

 

[Sandy321]

I think you get so much for the money in Jamaica -

I stayed by reccomendation of a travel agent at Starfish Trelawny Resort - its also close to Dunn River Falls - honestly now that the cruise ships are stopping at these ports, its much more crowded, but it is so beautiful -

(google Trelawny Resort Jamaica - its an all inclusive resort, drinks, food, and boats etc! They also have day trips that are cheap into town, etc)

and if you're set on the Sandals, the Ocho Rios one gets good reviews!

 

[Anne34]

We didn't stay at Sandals, but at Couples in Ocho Rios. It was very nice and -- for couples only. This was 15 years ago, but we know people who have been there since and say its still very nice.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

My wife and I honeymooned at the Moon Palace resort in Cancun, Mexico and we loved it. With our package, we got 2 tours to local Myan ruins. Here's the link: http://www.palaceresorts.com/. Might I also try tripadvisor.com, this site will give you unbiased reviews of resorts. These reviews are written by people who stayed at the resort, so you know you're getting a good review.

 

[ckret01]

We "weddingmooned" (were married on property) at Sandals and had a great time. We chose the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau. It was very over-the-top in decor, think a tropical Caesars Palace and you'll have the atmosphere. That one has the tiniest beach of all the Sandals, so if that is important to you then choose another one. It had everything we needed, two big pools, two swim up bars (or float-up bars, as I didn't do much swimming, LOL, I parked myself on a float and DH would drag it up to the stools).

There are lots of activities you can sign up for (extra fee) with outside companies. We snorkeled and DH had a great time. I don't snorkel but I went too and just paddled around and dodged the 5ft barracuda they found! I also fed some Rory (is that the blue tang's name?) fish but I never saw Nemo.

A friend of ours chose one of the St. Lucia Sandals and her pics were really really nice.

Alcohol is good, though not usually top shelf, food was just ok, but it was cool not to have to worry about toting a credit card around. Lots of chocolate-covered strawberries.

We had a great time. It's not an elegant atmosphere, but it's fun and we'd do it again.

Hope that helps!

I went here on a vacation not a honeymoon and while the resort was great I have to agree that the beach was dissapointingly small. I am a beach lover and when I went here I was shocked and disappointed as to how small the beach was. No one was even hanging there becasue it fit like 10 chairs on the beach if that. Everyone was at the pools but then they seemed to be crowded at times. They do have a 2nd beach that you take a boat over to that is only for Sandals guests which was nice but I found the water there to be very very rocky so I didn;t like that too much either.
The room we had was just a standard room and it was huge with a mini bar always stocked in it. That was great.

If you have any questions about this place I would be happy to help you.

Oh I just want to mention that at this resprt and I'm sure other Sandal resort if you want to scuba dive you usually have to fill out a quick form and answer some questions. One question on there asks if you ever had bronchitis....well we answered it as a yes since when my husband and I as kids had it.....but b/c we answered that as a yes we weren;t allowed to scuba dive. Just to give you a heads up.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Was not a honeymoon, but in 2006 DH and I celebrated our 30th anniversary at Sandals Regency in St. Lucia. Wonderful! There are 3 Sandals near each other, and you get to use the facilities at all 3. That gives you a total of something like 15 restaurants to choose from! We loved it.

 

[mjkacmom]

We went to Sandals in St. Lucia, for our honeymoon, and loved it. DH had to be talked into it - he thinks all-inclusives are a bit cheesy - but everything was so nice, and the food was actually good! We also went to Beaches Turks and Caicos, but I liked Sandals better. We had a 1 bedroom suite, and it needed updating, although the rooms in the French Quarter were nicer. The food was also better at Sandals, and I don't think I would want a bunch of kids around on my honeymoon - most of the couples at Sandals were on their honeymoon, with their french manicures and sparkeling rings!

 

[fltwinmom]

We didn't stay at Sandals, but at Couples in Ocho Rios. It was very nice and -- for couples only. This was 15 years ago, but we know people who have been there since and say its still very nice.

We go there EVERY year....

It's our second HOME.

Last year, we split 10 days between Couples Ocho Rios and Couples Negril.

BUT if you want a REALLY romantic getaway, try Couples Swept Away.

You really can't go wrong with any of the couples resorts.

I don't know if I am allowed to do this, but check them out at www.couples.com

They also have a message board so you can talk to people who have actually stayed there.

OP - PM me if you would like photos of COR or CN. I took LOTS




Jamaica's Slogan: "Once you go, you know". So true....so true

 

[Mkrop]

well I guess I am in the minority here but we HATED our Sandals honeymoon in St Lucia. This was 12 years ago.

We are not the type who wants to join activities and make "friends", we were looking for somewhere we could just be alone, just the two of us.

Our first night we were so dog dead tired that alls we wanted was to get something to eat and chill in our room. Well no room service! We had to walk all the way to the restaurant and when we asked if we could take it back to the room they looked at us like we were aliens and then had to scramlbe for styrofoam containers. They must of asked us a million times if we wanted to sit down and eat and we kept saying no.

I dont know I thought the point of a honeymoon was to spend some time in your room

Congrats on your engagement!

 

[nataliela]

I do suggest all-inclusive, but not at a large resort chain such as Sandals or Beaches. There are many other AI resorts on the islands that are just as beautiful and have great rates and food, but are low key. We did Blue Water in Antigua and loved it. We traveled around the island by boat and passed by the Sandal’s resort, it looked like spring break was going on.

But then again, if you are looking for a party atmosphere or lots of socializing, those resorts will be your best bet. We just prefer seclusion.

 

[fltwinmom]

I do suggest all-inclusive, but not at a large resort chain such as Sandals or Beaches. There are many other AI resorts on the islands that are just as beautiful and have great rates and food, but are low key. We did Blue Water in Antigua and loved it. We traveled around the island by boat and passed by the Sandal’s resort, it looked like spring break was going on.

But then again, if you are looking for a party atmosphere or lots of socializing, those resorts will be your best bet. We just prefer seclusion.

I couldn't agree more. While staying at Couples Negril (very secluded. NOT crowded at all) we were next to RIU Negril and Grand Lido. SPRING BREAK CENTRAL.

We love Couples Ocho Rios because it is set in a private cove (which means, absolutely no beach walkers walking by from other resorts) and it is never crowded.

I have heard things about Sandals (like they try to force you to play games and it's super crowded) but I have honestly never stayed there.

 

[Honeibee]

We spent out honeymoon at "Scandals" in Antigua. It was so awful I will never every go to another Sandals. I'll see if I still have a copy of the letter I sent them outlining the complaints and issues I had. It was rather lengthy.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We went to Sandals in St. Lucia for our honeymoon. We stayed at the big resort but did eat at the other one one night. It was alot of fun and it was very tropical which was nice. We ate alot and drank alot and did some tours etc. We took a helicopter ride, a private island tour, went snorkeling etc. (all at extra cost). Overall we think it was very overpriced. It was a very pretty resort but we have traveled some and there are better deals out there. Would we go back? Probably not. Did we have a great time? Absolutely. We are happy we got to go to St. Lucia but we still think it was outrageously priced for what you get. JMHO.