Mike

Just got back from 8 days in Sandals ---questions....<BR><BR>Pros-<BR>The resort is very nice, food is above average, Good service.<BR>All inclusive- to stay at Atlantis and pay for food and drinks would cost a fortune!!<BR><BR>Cons---<BR><BR>Service can be slow at times.<BR>No night life or things to do at resort at night.<BR>Too many honeymooners!<BR>SLightly expensive --$4000 for 2 for 7 nights including airfare.

Fran

To help us know how to put your comments in perspective, Mike, would you mind telling us what the best and worst places you've stayed are, just for reference?<BR>Thanks.<BR>And thanks for taking the time to share your opinion.

Lisa

Welcome Back!!!<BR><BR>How were the conditions of the rooms. What room category did you stay in, and, did you see any weddings taking place? <BR>Thank you.

Mike

We were in the manor block which is older, but has nice views. We asked to upgrade to a honeymoon junior sweet in windsor block and they didit for us. It was larger and much nicer.<BR><BR>The rroms in general there are not the best. I stayed in some large hotel rooms on business and also at the El San Juan in Puerto Rico - beatutiful sweet there.

Kevin

So for $4000 you stayed at a hotel with rooms that "aren't the best"?<BR>But you still classify the resort as "very nice" overall?<BR>Hmmmmm.<BR>I'm wondering about value here compared to what you get at nice non-AI resorts in the Caribbean.

Mike

The rooms at Sandals are quite nice - my point is that I stayed at better. Let's look at the $4000 for 7 nights this way----<BR><BR>To stay at Atlantis with airfare would cost $3500 for 7 nights. I guarantee you will spend anoth $2000-$3000 for 8 days there on food and drinks.<BR><BR>So for $4000, it is worth it to stay at Sandals, at least in the Bahamas. Oh and by the way, I went to Atlantis 2 days and used their all their faciliites. It is easy to just walk in and use their pools.<BR><BR>MC

Kevin

I guess my point was that for a similar amount of money you could stay at one of the top rated resorts in the Caribbean but have a super nice room, better beach, better scenery and better local surroundings. True, you wouldn't get all you can drink liquor. But is that what makes a vacation great?<BR><BR>I don't mean to sound argumentative. I just have never understood the all inclusive philosophy. Maybe because I'm not a big drinker.

Teresa

Further question, Mike, if I may. My husband and I will be honeymooning there next week. Did you use the free snorkeling and diving at Sandals? If so, how was it? What quality of equipment do they have? Should we take our own? THanks!!

Mike

I went snorkeling twice and it was wonderful- they have a nice reef they take you to. The equipment is fine. <BR><BR>Go to Atlantis at least for a day trip - take the bus and ferry. At night at Sandals there is not too much to do, but I guess it's your honeymoon - but how much time can you stay in the room...lol

Teresa

Thanks Mike!! I can't wait, except that we have to leave our house at 3:30 am tomorrow for a 6 am flight. I suppose we might venture out of our room occassionally. But only because we are at the beach!! ;-) I'll report when I get back.

Sammy Sixpack

Since I can drink aboiut $3000 worth ov boozie a week then the ai is the oinle way fer me to go fer sure. where do I sine up???h

Teresa

Well, Mike, you were right! Great place! A few random comments..the only time service was slow for us was when we showed up to eat at a nice place in the middle of serving time. If you're there within the first 30 minutes of opening, you are seated right away. True the night life is quiet at SRB, but we walked on the beach, sat on the dock, got snacks and went back to the room (honeymoon, ya know). Yes, there are lots of honeymooners, sorry. But it's an adult only resort. Atlantis doesn't have many honeymooners maybe? Expense? we bought one lunch at Atlantis off property the whole time we were there....$40. The aquarium at Atlantis was cool. Some unusual critters. We checked out the Crystal Palace casino and the one at Atlantis. Neither come close to Vegas, but actually we enjoyed the Crystal Palace one more. We did the city tour and zoo, which was interesting once, but wouldn't do again. The scuba diving and snorkeling were good at Sandals. You can't use their snorkeling gear at their beach though (which I didn't know), it's only for their snorkeling tour out a ways. We did a Robinson Crusoe tour that took you to a private island way east. You could go exploring around the island. We ended up with our own private beach for 2 hrs!! We were supposed to do a sail on a catamaran, but we were the only ones signed up for the day, so they switched us to a Stuart Cove snorkel tour. It was 3 stops, one including Carribean Reef Sharks!! We did the semi submarine, which was very good. Then we spent a day at Atlantis looking around. I know I'm leaving out lots of stuff, but the main theme is...the people are friendly, helpful, and it's an incredibly beautiful place. We will go back. Any questions, let me know.

valerie

My husband and I also recently returned from Sandals Royal Bahamian. We were there for a long weekend and had a great time! I've posted our thoughts and pictures at http://www.barkeater.ws/srb/<BR>

Mike

Your website, www.barkeater.ws/srb/<BR>is excellent for anyone interested in Sandals.<BR><BR>Great posting - and great pictures!!!<BR><BR>Mike