Sandals Resorts: Tell Me Your Experiences

[MIGrandma]

I'm starting to research our next vacation (January 2014) and we're thinking of doing an all-inclusive. We have done several cruises, with another coming up this January out of New Orleans so it's time to try something else.

I sent for the Sandals brochures and there are so many choices, so I'd love to hear about which one you stayed at. What did you like about it? Didn't like? The more details about the resort the better.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'm starting to research our next vacation (January 2014) and we're thinking of doing an all-inclusive. We have done several cruises, with another coming up this January out of New Orleans so it's time to try something else.

I sent for the Sandals brochures and there are so many choices, so I'd love to hear about which one you stayed at. What did you like about it? Didn't like? The more details about the resort the better.

DH and I have been to many of the Sandals (couples only) and Beaches (families) resorts.
We are actually vacationing at Sandals Emerald Bay on Great Exuma in November.

We have been to Jamaica, St. Lucia, the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.
There are Sandals resorts we have been to and will go back to again and have gone back to again. There are a couple we have been to and will never return.
I think the Sandals we didn't like had more to do with the location than the actual resort.

We haven't been to a Sandals in a couple years due to us going places with the kids and deciding to vacation where there aren't Sandals resorts.
Some people like them some don't. There are resorts out there you can definetly get more bang for your buck, but for some reason we like the atmosphere of Sandals.

We've also tried Couples, Secrets, Breezes, so we have gone to other places other than Sandals.
Is there anything specific you would like to know?

 

[NY Disney fan]

I stayed at one of the Sandals in St. Lucia on my honeymoon and it was good to do once. I didn't particularly enjoy it. Everyone there is a honeymooner or maybe they have been there 20 times and are a regular. Plus, everyone there was from a 20 mile radius from where I lived back home. I didn't like the "coulple thing". But I didn't like it because it wasn't my cup of tea. The resorts are beautiful and there is plenty to do (or not do) but I like other types of vacations. Food is great. Atmosphere is gorgeous. If that is your thing I would recommend it for sure. Best part of my honeymoon was going off the resort to explore the area.

 

[mom2travel]

We went to Sandals Montego Bay for our honeymoon - many years ago! We loved it! When we were there, at least 90% of the couples there seemed to be on their honeymoon (all ages). We liked that we could do lots of activities or nothing at all. Most of the time we sat on the beach with a drink in our hands. We enjoy all-inclusive

We've also been as a family to Beaches Turks & Caicos. Loved that as well! Were there about 5 years ago.

We feel like these resorts are well-run and offer a good variety of activities. Would definitely go back again if there's a resort in a location we pick for vacation. For us it depends on what we want out of a particular trip. If we just want to relax, enjoy some beach time & water sports, and not need to venture off, we go AI. Other times, like traveling to Hawaii or diff Caribbean islands, there's too much to explore and we'd rather not be committed/restricted to AI where we'd want to take advantage of all the AI offers)

 

[N&B'smom]

We have been to Sandals Royal Bahamian, Sandals Whitehouse (twice), Sandals Grande St Lucian & Sandals La Toc (twice). We've also been to Beaches Turks and Caicos A LOT (like 7 times). We have loved EVERY vacation spent at a Sandals or Beaches. The only one I didn't absolutely LOVE was Whitehouse, I felt like it was just too big. BUT some people really like that!

Our next trip will be to Sandals Emerald Bay because we know the general manager there and he is wonderful!! No clue when we'll be able to afford it, but hopefully sometime in the next few years.

If you have any specific questions let me know!!

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

DH and I went to Sandals Grande in St. Lucia for our 30th anniversary. We loved the resort, food/drinks were great, lots of activities.
However, we would not go back only because we felt very out of place. Literally every other couple was early 20's to 30's in age and we felt like the babysitters! Really no one else our age.
We both remarked that Sandals needs a nice resort for the over 40 crowd!

 

[SaraJayne]

I stayed at one of the Sandals in St. Lucia on my honeymoon and it was good to do once. I didn't particularly enjoy it. Everyone there is a honeymooner or maybe they have been there 20 times and are a regular. Plus, everyone there was from a 20 mile radius from where I lived back home. I didn't like the "coulple thing". But I didn't like it because it wasn't my cup of tea. The resorts are beautiful and there is plenty to do (or not do) but I like other types of vacations. Food is great. Atmosphere is gorgeous. If that is your thing I would recommend it for sure. Best part of my honeymoon was going off the resort to explore the area.

Isn't that the whole point of going on vacation with your partner ~ the "couple thing"?

 

[mjkacmom]

I stayed at one of the Sandals in St. Lucia on my honeymoon and it was good to do once. I didn't particularly enjoy it. Everyone there is a honeymooner or maybe they have been there 20 times and are a regular. Plus, everyone there was from a 20 mile radius from where I lived back home. I didn't like the "coulple thing". But I didn't like it because it wasn't my cup of tea. The resorts are beautiful and there is plenty to do (or not do) but I like other types of vacations. Food is great. Atmosphere is gorgeous. If that is your thing I would recommend it for sure. Best part of my honeymoon was going off the resort to explore the area.

Lol - we went their for our honeymoon, too, and really liked it. HOWEVER, I made a mental note to myself that I wouldn't enjoy it later on in life. Everyone (including us) seemed to be in their 20's/early 30's, tanned, thin, with new wedding bands and french manicures.

That said, it wasn't nearly as cheesy as I thought it would be, and the food was good, and it was VERY clean. It was very Disney in it's fakeness.

 

[mjkacmom]

Isn't that the whole point of going on vacation with your partner ~ the "couple thing"?

I think she means that the only people there are couples - no kids, no friends, everyone is a party of two.

 

[brookmey]

We went to Sandals Antigua for our honeymoon. This was before their expansion and it was very small. I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the food and drinks, the accommodations and I really liked how small and intimate the whole resort was.

We also went to Whitehouse (Jamaica) a few years later and I really liked it there, too. It's on the other side of the island than the main tourist areas, which was nice, but the drive from the airport to the resort was kind of long.

I'm a huge fan of Sandals and even though it is geared for couples, you don't have to spend every waking moment together. When we were at Whitehouse, DH went snorkeling one day while I had a massage.

In Antigua, we went deep sea fishing one day and DH caught a bunch of fish. They let us bring back the biggest one to the resort and cooked it up for DH for dinner. That was a major highlight for him.

The travel agent who planned both of our trips told us to pick the resort that best fit the kind of experience we wanted. Antigua was small, intimate and quiet, which were exactly the things we wanted after the stress of a wedding. There was some nightlife, but it was pretty low-key. When we went to Whitehouse, we had been married for 3 years and had a daughter, so we wanted to relax but yet have some nighttime excitement. Whitehouse was a perfect mix of both. We also learned that in May-September the guests were mainly honeymooners. The winter months tend to have couples a little older who have been married longer.

 

[SaraJayne]

I think she means that the only people there are couples - no kids, no friends, everyone is a party of two.

Yes, I understand that.

 

[MIGrandma]

Thanks for the replies so far. Most are saying people there are in their 20's and 30's, not many older ones so maybe Sandals wouldn't be for us as we are both 55! In the brochure it does show mostly younger people, but I do see a few older ones in some photos too so I don't know...

Let's see, specific questions...I see at some of the resorts they also have a small "private island" to go to, how does that work? Do you have to sign up to go on a certain day? Are just a certain number of guests allowed to go? We always enjoy the cruise ship private islands, but I'm sure the Sandals private islands have many fewer people so it would even be more enjoyable.

Is there a dress code at dinner? Is there a limit on the number of alcholic drinks you can have per day?

Did you do any excursions? I know those cost extra but the river rafting sounds like something we would enjoy, and possibly zip lining as well.

What time of year did you go, and how far in advance did you make your reservation?

Also, I see some of you have been to other all-inclusives, would there be any where there are more "older" folks rather than the "younger set?"

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What about Atlantis? I do know it is expensive.

Thanks for the thread. Sounds like Sandals is not for us either we are both close to 50 here as well.

 

[shoney]

20 years ago we honeymooned at Sandal's Dunns River (they no longer own that property) I was very young, very thin, a little tan, french manicure and big hair down to my butt! LOL It was mostly young couples.

Fast forward 15 years...we went to Secrets Capri in Mexico. It is adults only...not couples only, although the majority seem to be. We were 35/39 at the time and were in the minority. It was mostly 20's or late 40's and 50's. I guess the 30 somethings were vacationing with the kiddos!

Present day...20 years older, 20lbs heavier, shoulder length shag, (still will get the french manicure, but on natural nails not fakies!) we are headed to Secrets Wild Orchid in Jamaica to celebrate our 20th.

A friend of mine told me that Sandals is a bit more of "party place". From what I read online, one of the private islands at Sandals is clothing optional which for me is NOT an option!

Don't limit yourself to Sandals. There are other chains out there with great AI resorts. I like Secrets because there are not bracelets or restaurant ressies, as compared to say, Iberostar. There are people that don't mind that....

From all the time I've spent on the Mexico trip boards on tripadvisor.com, I will say that the resorts there are visited by all different age groups...some that come to mind...
Secrets Capri
Secrets Silversands
Secrets Maroma
Iberostar Grand
Valentin
Excellence

There is also Secrets Wild Orchid/st james, Iberostar Grand in Jamaica.

I'm sure there are tons of other ones as well.

Sandals are usually priced higher but do include motorized water sports and diving. If you weren't going to do those anyway, then it really doesn't matter.

We love AI's with and without the kids. It is pure relaxation!

You also don't have to do adults only....the Dreams and Now resorts are nice as well, but some people do not like to be around kids if they aren't bringing their own!

Have fun planning!!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

Yes, I understand that.

It's a little weird - kind of like an expensive camp for newlyweds. It reminded me very much of pre-cana, everyone talking about their weddings, how he proposed, etc (we did overnight pre-cana). Of course, pre-cana was not as fancy (in nun housing).

 

[SaraJayne]

It's a little weird - kind of like an expensive camp for newlyweds. It reminded me very much of pre-cana, everyone talking about their weddings, how he proposed, etc (we did overnight pre-cana). Of course, pre-cana was not as fancy (in nun housing).

I don't know what pre-cana is, so I don't understand the comparison.

 

[MissMet]

We went to Sandals Grande Antigua in May for our honeymoon. We loved it. We splurged & got the 1 bedroom villa with our own private pool & hot tub. It was amazing. Felt just like a cruise. Dress code depending on which restaurant, themed nights, entertainment staff, etc. It was 60% young couples I'd say. There were plenty of 50 somethings as well. You wouldn't feel out of place, IMO. The butler service was awesome. Most nights we came "home" to candlelit bedroom, indoor jacuzzi or outdoor jacuzzi with rose petals, music & champagne. Every night was a different surprise.

Outdoor jacuzzi

bedroom jacuzzi

 

[brookmey]

I don't know what pre-cana is, so I don't understand the comparison.

Preparations Catholics are required to go through before marriage. Most are done as a weekend retreat, so there's a lot of time to socialize with other couples and talk about the proposal, wedding details, etc.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Isn't that the whole point of going on vacation with your partner ~ the "couple thing"?

The original point I was trying to make was that if you wanted an "adventure" type of vacation, this would not be it.

 

[MIGrandma]

What about Atlantis? I do know it is expensive.

Thanks for the thread. Sounds like Sandals is not for us either we are both close to 50 here as well.

Looking for either couples or adults only, no kids. Plus so many people from the cruise ships go there so it would be extra crowded I'm sure.

We went to Sandals Grande Antigua in May for our honeymoon. We loved it. We splurged & got the 1 bedroom villa with our own private pool & hot tub. It was amazing. Felt just like a cruise. Dress code depending on which restaurant, themed nights, entertainment staff, etc. It was 60% young couples I'd say. There were plenty of 50 somethings as well. You wouldn't feel out of place, IMO. The butler service was awesome. Most nights we came "home" to candlelit bedroom, indoor jacuzzi or outdoor jacuzzi with rose petals, music & champagne. Every night was a different surprise.

That sounds wonderful! Loved the pictures you shared too! Not sure we'd want to splurge that much, I imagine it would be extremely expensive to have your own private butler. The private pool/hot tub sounds great tho!