Anyone ever been to a Sandals resort?

Luckie519 · April 2012

DH and I have not been on a real vacation (a cruise) since 2008 (outside of weekends at friend's house). We also did not go on a real honeymoon when we got married, because we were expected DS. We spent two nights in a friend's condo in St. Augustine. It was nice, don't get me wrong, but we have been talking about doing a real vacation.

We really want to do something special next year. I was thinking Sandals. Has anyone been to one? Can you tell me about your experience? Was it worth the money? Is everything included at the resort? I am on the website now and we are in the beginning stages of planning.

[Deleted User] · April 2012

I make every resort I go to a flip flops resort. Was that helpful? LMK.

Gingersnap_mama · April 2012

We stayed at Ocho Rios in Jamaica back in Sept. 2008 and it was ah-mazing! Alcohol and food is included, but tours and such are extra. It was totally worth it. I want to say our airfare and a 7 day trip for 2 was around $3500. It sounds like a lot, but when you divide it out and you think about how much you would pay for food 3x a day and all the alcohol you could want, it ends up being worth it!

mrsjengle · April 2012

DH and I went to Sandals Ochos Rios, Jamaica. It was wonderful. I was worried about the dress code crap, but it really wasn't a big deal. The only time you have to look "nice" is for dinner, and even then it's just what most people would wear for a date any how.

Luckie519 · April 2012

sofamonkey:
I make every resort I go to a flip flops resort. Was that helpful? LMK.

Yup!

pattipu · April 2012

I've been to one in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was great. Everything (meals, activites, top shelf drinks, etc.) was included except for scuba diving and the spa services. We did do a lot of excursions which did costs extra but they were all reasonable.

[Deleted User] · April 2012

Luckie519:
sofamonkey:

I make every resort I go to a flip flops resort. Was that helpful? LMK.

Yup!

LOL!

For realsies. We've never stayed in one, but we did stay right by the one in Ocho Rios Jamaica. It was nice, clean, and everyone we talked to from there LOVED it. I've also had close family members stay at several different ones & they all loved it. I think it will be well worth the $. I hope your vacation is awesome!

autumnmichele · April 2012

I cannot say enough good things about the Sandals resorts. We have been to Royal Bahamian twice, Grande St. Lucian once and the one in Antigua once. Our favorite resort was Antigua...just overall the nicest and best room. But, Bahamas is close. St. Lucia was nice but a long flight (but a great place to go in Feb. when its cooler at the other islands). We paid between $3500 and $5500 and they were all definitely worth the money. We never spent the money on any of the really upscale rooms because we didn't spend that much time in the room. Check out the tripadvisor website for review and pictures.

mrskelly731 · April 2012

DH and I went to the Grande Antigua for our honeymoon in Aug 2010 and absolutely LOVED it. Our friends had just been to Jamaica about 6 months before and the dress code didn't seem too strict there. We ended up having to buy DH closed toed dress shoes in their store because one restuarant wouldn't let us in. We are planning on going to Beaches for our 5 year anniversary and take our DD.

Luckie519 · April 2012

Thanks. I am thinking if we plan for next year, it will give us plenty of time to save. $3500-$5000 will be the most I have ever spent on a vacation by far.

I think at this point, we are going to see how much we can save up in the next 6 months. If it seems like we won't be able to come up with it all for Sandals, we may do a plan B. Really hoping we can go though! Especially now with all the awesome comments about it. Thanks!

kkfeb04 · April 2012

We stayed 2 weeks at Sandals Grande St. Lucian (it may have changed names since then) for our honeymoon 8+ years ago. It was fantastic! Well worth the $13K we spent on it (that included our airfare, excursions, and the concierge suite (there was one suite that was priced higher than ours). All food, drink, and resort activities are covered. We played golf three times at The Regency (has since changed names) we just paid for the caddy. We had one guy twice and he was awesome, I actually beat my earlier scores and I beat DH two of three times. We did at least 8 excursions including going to St. Vincent's for a day.

For us, we went all out because we figured that was the time to do it. We have fantastic memoriesfrom our honeymoon. We would absolutely do it all over again including spending that much. I think when we booked they were running 30-35% off, I would love to have the funds to take advantage of the 65% off. We do hope to take the kids to Beaches for our 10th but it probably won't be until our 15th.

RobinSparkles214 · April 2012

We went to the Sandals resort in the Bahamas for our honeymoon and it was so amazing! Everything was all inclusive. There were tons of different places to eat, with all different types of food on the actual resort. Great pools, great beach, a private island, spa treatments, water sports, snorkeling (sp?).

We stayed in a really great room that came with two 24hour butlers, they made all of our reservations and saved lounge chairs at the pool for us. They were so great and really helpful. I think it was absolutely worth the money. Good luck!

https://www.sandals.com/main/bahamian/ba-home.cfm

eSynergy · April 2012

We went to Montego Bay in march for a friend's wedding (arrived early Saturday morning, and stayed until late Tuesday afternoon --- so 3 nights, 4 full days). It cost us about $2000 including nonstop flights from Philadelphia. I can't say enough good things about it. We're usually the type of people to rent a car, book our own hotel, do our own thing...but not having to do a THING and having it all paid for upfront was amazing. I was impressed by the food too.

I also liked that it was only 15 mins from the airport, so we didn't have far to travel once we got off the plane. Next time I'd like to go to the Grand Bahamian just b/c it's close and looks pretty online.

stephmt528 · April 2012

We honeymooned at Ocho Rios, Jamaica one as well in May 2007. We LOVED it, especially for the affordability. We paid some extra to go on excursions, but it was all very reasonable. We opted to stay in the more "hotel" like section instead of doing an individual suite. We paid around $3500 with flights included.

We wanted to go to the one in St. Lucia, but the cost was double, because it's just more expensive to travel there. Our travel agent suggested Jamaica as a more affordable option. We would love to go back and go to the Negril one. The nice thing about being in Ocho was there was another sandals you could shuttle to if you wanted to go to a different beach, restaurants, etc.

I locked my purse in the safe and didn't remove it the entire time I was there. It was fantastic to not have to worry about $ while we were there!

LaylaPartDeux · April 2012

We've been to Sandals St. Luica (Regency La Toc) twice & it was wonderful! Sidenote: my avitar picture is from there.

We aren't very active (no water sports, no hiking, etc), so Regency La Toc was just up our alley. We hung out at the pool all day & occasionally (ok...more than occasionally) made it to the swim-up bar. I might have known the bartender by name by the end of our stay...

Everything was pretty much included. They had a bar in the room that had all free booze & it was refilled daily. Food was also included & I think there were a couple of restaurants that were "extra," but the vast majority of anything you'd want to do is included.

With St. Luica, you can stay at one of the resorts & travel by Sandals-provided bus to the other two resorts for free as well (free food/drinks there too).

It was pricey both times, but I think it was worth it. Both DH & I left our wallets in the room safe the entire time we were there. We only used money to purchase souvenirs.

kcl22 · April 2012

We stayed at a Sandals in St Lucia and enjoyed it. They had day trips you could go on; we did a booze cruise, a snorkeling trip and some sightseeing. It was all inclusive (although the activities cost extra). The food was decent, not great. The rooms and the resort itself were clean. Overall it was a nice trip and we had fantastic weather which made it that much better. We got a great deal through AAA.

matthew24 · April 2012

We stayed at the Sandal's in Jamaica years ago and would never go back. We travel quite often and really didn't think for the price it was worth it. Was it nice, yes, could you get equal if not better all-inclusive for 1/2 the price, yes. I would highly recommend looking at other places besides Sandals and price them out. You will be able to find something cheaper and more than likely a higher star rating.

For example, after a little research, I just booked a 5 day all-inclusive with the kid at a 4 star in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for 320 bucks total and with airfare will cost us under $1000. I only say this for you to look else and probably will be amazed with what you can get with your money. I think you can do better than a Sandals IMHO. Regardless you will have a blast.

jandy09 · April 2012

Never stayed at a Sandals but we have stayed at Couples. They have 2 in Ocho Rios and 2 in Negril. Absolutely everything is included, no tipping allowed. Many of the excursions are also included (such as Dunn's River Falls, catamaran cruises, downtown shopping trips) and watersports and scuba are also included. A plus that I didn't think I would like, they have separate areas for Au Naturel sunbathing.

We loved it so much that we are going back next year. They just ran a special where we were able to get 7 nights in a premier room and a $300 resort credit (to use in the gift shop and spa) for $2100. This doesn't include airline tickets though, as they aren't available for our dates yet.

I had initially looked at Sandals and stumbled across Couples when I was price comparing. I picked Couples over Sandals because of all the extra activities that were included, they are eco friendly (on-site gardens, EarthCheck certified,etc), and all of their awards for service.

Hope you enjoy your vaca!

meganandchase · April 2012

I haven't been to Sandals, but did go to Couples Ocho Rios for my honeymoon. I think they are pretty much the same, but Couples was running a deal. We had a fantastic time. My advice is to think about what you enjoy doing. DH and I are very active. We enjoyed kayaking, windsurfing, the catamaran ride, pool volleyball, etc etc. A couple of our friends went there for their honeymoon and didn't like it nearly as much, because they just wanted to lay on the beach all day. It would have been better for them to go to a different resort with a bigger beach.

kaydee77 · April 2012

We did Ocho Rios as well. The best parts: the weather, the all-inclusiveness, and snorkeling. The worst: we were bored out of our gourd by day 3. The resort seemed tiny to me, and the beach, you could walk up and down in 5 minutes. The catamarans were fun, but you could only go so far in them, so going back and forth got old. We went in to town once, but the only place they'd take us was a small shopping plaza with a million souvenir stores selling the exact same things. We did pay extra for ziplining and the booze cruise, which was fun....but I guess DH and I are more active people who like to sightsee, sitting on a beach all day doing nothing got old for us quick. I don't like to pay that much money to lay around when I can do that for free at home. And our travel agent promised us that resort had a great nightlife - NOT, everyone was back in their rooms by 9-10pm.

lifesthebeach · April 2012

Another vote for Couples here. I've never been to Sandals, but when I was comparing them for our trip, Couples was less expensive and included more. We stayed at Sans Souchi in Ocho Rios and were married there in 2009. I absolutely loved it and don't have a single complaint. We also did the trip to Dunn's River Falls and had a blast. https://couples.com/sans-souci/ I found their message board really helpful when we were planning our trip.

Rebekah720 · April 2012

matthew24:

We stayed at the Sandal's in Jamaica years ago and would never go back. We travel quite often and really didn't think for the price it was worth it. Was it nice, yes, could you get equal if not better all-inclusive for 1/2 the price, yes. I would highly recommend looking at other places besides Sandals and price them out. You will be able to find something cheaper and more than likely a higher star rating.

For example, after a little research, I just booked a 5 day all-inclusive with the kid at a 4 star in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for 320 bucks total and with airfare will cost us under $1000. I only say this for you to look else and probably will be amazed with what you can get with your money. I think you can do better than a Sandals IMHO. Regardless you will have a blast.

Can you tell me where to find this vacation info??? I would be interested. Looking for something similar this summer. Sounds great. Is it a reliable resort? Have you known anyone to go there?

matthew24 · April 2012

Rebekah720:
matthew24:

We stayed at the Sandal's in Jamaica years ago and would never go back. We travel quite often and really didn't think for the price it was worth it. Was it nice, yes, could you get equal if not better all-inclusive for 1/2 the price, yes. I would highly recommend looking at other places besides Sandals and price them out. You will be able to find something cheaper and more than likely a higher star rating.

For example, after a little research, I just booked a 5 day all-inclusive with the kid at a 4 star in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for 320 bucks total and with airfare will cost us under $1000. I only say this for you to look else and probably will be amazed with what you can get with your money. I think you can do better than a Sandals IMHO. Regardless you will have a blast.

Can you tell me where to find this vacation info??? I would be interested. Looking for something similar this summer. Sounds great. Is it a reliable resort? Have you known anyone to go there?

I booked the resort though www.skyauction.com. I don't know if you are familiar but it is an auction site where you can get amazing deals but you really need to read the fine print. We are staying at the Grand Sunset Princess in Playa del Carmen (yes, we have been there before though the Royal PDC is my favorite in the area but it is adults only). I bid 2 dollars and won but the resorts charges a 39 dollar per night per person fee on top of your bid so you need to really pay attention. So we received it for 82 dollars per night and all children are free at the resort. For four (sorry I said 5 nights in my other post) nights it is a little over 320 bucks which is a great deal and it is completely all inclusive.

For airfare, I use kayak which will search all sites for the best airfare price and will alert you if there is a drop in price. Overall, I can usually find really good deals but taking my time and searching multiple places. GL!

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