Jen849

Has anyone visited Sandals Halcyon? Considering a trip to St. Lucia or possible Barbados in November. Would like to hear from someone whose been there or some other recommendations? This will be an anniversary trip. Thanks in advance.

Knowing

We didn't stay at the Halcyon, but there was a couple on our plane on the way down there (and back) that did and we saw quite a bit of them during our stay in St Lucia at the Sandals Regency. They really disliked Sandals Halcyon. Apparently it was just too small, they weren't impressed with the vegetation, their room or anything else. So, they mostly slept there and that was it. We heard a number of negative things about the property from others at the airport on the return flight home. So, I would recommend Barbados instead. There is so much natural beauty there, a rich culture and friendly locals. I think you would have a much better experience.

brenandg

I haven't been to St Lucia since 2004, so you can take this info with a grain of salt. We stayed at The Sandal Regency twice but visited all three properties. The Halycon was our least favorite. Small and rather tired looking.

At the time, we had stars in our eyes and loved The Regency, but in hindsight, the food was only fair to good and I think you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere (than Sandal's). St Lucia is still worth a visit though, beautiful island.

KVR

I agree with Brenandg, we stayed at the Sandals Grande with a day visit to the Regency in Nov. 2005. We didn't like the Grande. For the money we paid it was not worth it. The food was pretty bad and the service was snotty. We have been to Sandals Royal Bahamain prior and enjoyed it, so our expectations for the Grande was not met. We loved St. Lucia. It's gorgeus. Just pick another hotel.

We've been looking at Barbados, but not all that thrilled with the AI hotel selection there. If you are looking for AI be careful as many hotels advertise AI, but if you look closer alcohol is not included.

Jen849

Thanks for the responses. Very helpful. To KVR I noticed the same thing with the Barbados AIs. The search continues. Again, if anyone else has some suggestions...

KVR

Yes, my comment about the alcohol was regarding Barbados. Never found that before on any other Island.

It would be helpful for someone to suggest alternatives if you specify what you are looking for in your trip. If you want AI Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic have many. We love Mexico and have been several times. You'll get more for your money there. Really nice upscale AI resorts with good service, good food and many amenities included in the base price. Lots of things to see and do off the resort. Jamaica's topogrpahy is a lot like St. Lucia. Also easier to get to and cheaper. Hire a private driver or tour company to show you the Island. We have booked our 10th wedding anniversary at Sandals Dunn River for next July.

TwoDrsVaCa

I am pretty easy going, but I have to blow the whistle on this place. My wife and I have been married for 6 years, both in our early 30's and easy to please. We go to the Caribbean two times per year, for the last 8 years, and have Secrets, Barcelo, Hilton, many more- to compare to. This place was extremely disappointing and so were the other Sandals locations on the island; there is a free shuttle to the other two resorts. We spent $6,000 (most of our great vacations have been around $4,000) for the worst food and only a pool to sit by....you cannot enter the ocean, it is so rough that one woman had to be rescued from almost drowning. My wife had a "garage sale" from a wave while trying to get off a jetskii and lost her glasses and headband and spent the next few hours getting out water and sand, which is a little funny, but none the less-dangerous. It was a scary moment because we are talking about an instant 8 foot break on top of you.
Sandals is a powerful brand with a good marketing campaign in the USA, and I have to say that I was saddened to see all the newlyweds spending the money from wedding gifts at a resort that only has a few kinds of fruit, and labels itself "all inclusive." I eat more fresh fruit in -20F in Northern Wisconsin than this place had to offer. Apparently all inclusive means guests pay for your snacks, most activities, your wine, your Internet, your hygiene products, your beer (in most rooms), and there is no "top shelf as advertised. No Capt'n, no Grey Goose, no Grand M, nothing.
I did complain and one front desk woman laughed in my face, I guess that is because I did not yell and scream like the other guest I saw who were having similar experiences.
I got home today and I have a Sandals vacation booked in Jamaica for May, after this review next on my agenda is to change it to a different resort chain.
Most of the resort patrons were newlyweds, many out of the USA for the first time and spending up to two weeks in this dump, please vote with your wallet, the resorts are nothing like the Ads they place on TV. St Lucia is a beautiful island and if you go a few pages into google there are so many beautiful resorts and sandy beaches (we took a private, local sailboat, nothing to do with Sandals, so I saw what I missed) that if you look around a bit you will get a great deal in paradise. Just not at Sandals.