Tiffy321

Alright. I'm not a big fan of all inclusives...we did happen to have a nice time at Aventura Spa Palace...however, I'd rather go somewhere entirely different for my honeymoon...europe..but anyway...

How do I make the best of Sandals Antigua...do you recommend a different all inclusive. I decided a long time ago that seeing the wedding is all about ME ME ME that I would hand over the honeymoon to him, picking my battles and he works super hard and I want him to be happy...so I'm wiling to do all inclusive and know I will have a good time no matter where we go...

But does anyone have any Sandals advice...other all inclusive recommendations that will please both hubby-to-be and I...we plan to head out for our honeymoon on May 1st or 2nd after our Apr. 30th wedding...

Thank you so much!

zachsarbean1

My friends got married last year and went to The Sandals resort on Antigua. They said that it was very nice, but were disappointed with the the lack of younger couples. I don't know how old you and your "Hubby-to-be" are. We are all in our mid 20's. While we are not huge partiers or anything, I think they were hoping to meet some younger, more adventurous type people. Who knows, though....you might want to be all by yourself while you're there From my experiences in the caribbean, you'll enjoy it no matter what. When my husband and I honeymooned in St.John 2 years ago, I don't think it would have mattered where we were as long as it was relaxing after the big hooplah of a wedding!! Good Luck and just relax

rubia2605

I've never been to Sandals Antigua but it doesn't get very good reviews on tripadvisor. Friends of mine also went there last July and while they said the resort was ok they said it wasn't really romantic or anything. They really liked the island of antigua though. Maybe you could try another all inclusive. I read a lot of good stuff about Blue Waters. If you want to stick with a Sandals resort I've heard that Sandals St. Lucia is much nicer. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and good luck wherever you decide to go!

cdt

Do you both enjoy sailing? That's one of the best things about Antigua. There are sailboat trips that circumnavigate the island; shorter ones that go to good snorkeling spots. It's not a great island for snorkeling from shore.

For lots of good Antigua tips, I recommend tha Antigua newsgroup at www.geographia.com.

Tiffy321

Thank you for your responses...see, I too have no heard many WONDERFUL things about Sandals...they just remind me of the Sybaris of All-Inclusives (if you're all familar w/ the Sybaris hotel chain, lol)

I will say we had a great time at Aventura Spa Palace... I've never heard of Blue Waters?

I'll be 25 on Monday and my fiance is 29...younger or older crowd doesn't really matter, we seem to get along just fine in any situation, in fact...seems I'm always hanging out with people twice my age on vacations, lol...

Ahhhh...wedding is just over 40days away and I'm getting ready to say screw it and pitch a tent on my patio...

Thanks all! You're the best!

kfusto

I have stayed there twice and it's a pretty place on a nice stretch of beach. IME it did attract a bit younger crowd that the other Sandals I have stayed in and was more laid back, but this was not a problem.

I really like Antigua and the island is easy to explore.

Sandals Antigua will be a great place to kick back and relax and you will have a great time. After all, you will be with your new hubby and will surely need some downtime.

ejcrowe

Sandals Antigua is the only one of the chain I have personal experience with. I've not stayed there, but I had an acquaintance who was married there, and I happened to be vacationing in Antigua at the same time, so I happened to go to her wedding there. The property is large anda nicely landscaped and on a very nice beach. That's about where the positives end for me, but be aware that I'm not a Sandals fan AT ALL. The food was barely mediocre, the wedding was horribly rushed because there were more weddings to get to that day, and many of the other guests were obnoxious, to put it kindly.

Antigua is a wonderful island that offers historical sites, some shopping, great watersports, some cultural sites, a variety of landscapes, some very good restaurants, and beautiful beaches--all in a size that is very easy to see in one day and with roads that are easy to drive on. It's one of my favorite places in the Caribbean and I think you could have a fabulous honeymoon there. However, if you really are dead set against Sandals, why not try to talk your honey into a different resort there? Blue Waters is much more elegant with MUCH better food and service. Galley Bay is a much more upscale all inclusive if he definitely wants to do an AI route. Long Bay Hotel is my personal favorite, but it is not upscale at all--just very comfortable, genuine and charming.
I understand that you want him to have his say, especially since your wedding revolved mostly around you, but remember it is YOUR honeymoon, too. You should at least have a small say in it. THat said, even if you do end up at Sandals, I'm sure you can find enough reasons to have a wonderful time--after all, it IS your honeymoon!

ilovetulips

Is there any reason why your fiancee is hung on this particular all-inclusive? Sorry, I haven't been a Sandals resort. It seems that agreement on the destination and hotel should be mutual to me. My husband and I did the all-inclusive hotel on our honeymoon in Playa del Carmen. Everyone has their own expectations, but I was very pleased with our stay. Mostly we wanted to relax on a pretty beach and not break our budget and we got just that. If you guys are set on Antigua maybe check out some other hotels and look them up on trip advisor.

Knowing

There's nothing quite like your honeymoon. Since you planned the wedding, learn now that marriage is a compromise, and let him plan the honeymoon. You can always do Rome or London another time. Sandals Antigua has a very nice beach and a nice pool area. We met some very nice people when we were there. The island of Antigua is fascinating and I highly recommend you take a tour via taxi. You could also do a catamaran, which would be romantic. There is so much to experience there. Enjoy!

diann

As with other comments, I have neighbors who were married there last year. They did the entire wedding there, just family, and they seemed quite happy with it. I have been to Dickensons Bay and it does sit on a wonderful stretch of beach. It is gorgeous. There is also a nice little bar restaurant at one end of the beach. I have not really explored the Island. It would just seem you BOTH should, talk about the honeymoon and be happy with the outcome. Europe, and the Caribbean are way opposite of one another. For relaxing after the wedding, this place is very relaxing. The property looked nice to me. I was just on a cruise and on the beach where Sandals is located. Congrats and Good luck.

Tiffy321

Thanks everyone! I'm going to check out the other suggestions some have mentioned.

As far as why I'm letting him have say...typically not something I would do, but this seems important to him and like I mentioned, lol..I'm picking my battles, and when we get there I'm sure he'll be right on, I won't want to be running around on exploring overload, espeically after a crazy wedding that will be stressful on many levels, lol!

I appreciate it your thoughts on me being involved with the planning, obviously I am if I'm seeking other options, etc.

Annabel

A very nice compromise would be to go to Jumby Bay, which is Antigua, but on a private island off Antigua. It is also all inclusive, but an upscale all inclusive. The price may be about the same, maybe a little more but JB is definately a honeymoon destination...very romantic, without all the commercialism. www.jumbybayresort.com They do offer specials, it is worth checking out. JB is also rated much higher than Sandals, so you are getting much better quality and better value for your money.

bosoco

My husband planned our honeymoon, it wouldn't have been my choice but nevertheless...

In terms of Antigua, even if Sandals doesn't live up to your expectations, just remember that the island is very beautiful, you will be on a terrific stretch of beach, you can take trips off the resort, and you will still have a great time!

Tiffy321

Yes! Jumby Bay, exactly where we were very interested in going there unfortunatley they have no availablity

Thanks again everyone, you've been so helpful!

Annabel

Another suggestion, it's not Antigua, but the resorts are much better than Sandals (the resort is more important than the island anyway)!

Biras Creek BVI and Peter Island BVI,
both are upscale all inclusives. I have ben to Biras, and are going to PI in November. I know Biras is very romantic and private, onl;y 60 mguests at a time. The food and service are spectacular, as is the resort. There are great reports on both resorts here on fodors. Scubamom has the best reports and pictures.

Tiffy321

Ooooh Annabell, thank you, I'm going to check those both out, I appreciate it!

ejcrowe

If you're not already set on Antigua, then I absolutely agree with the Biras Creek and Peter Island suggestions, and would further add Guana Island to the mix. Scubamom has excellent reviews on her website, as does her daughter on www.scubatreks.com. Worth it to check out both websites for all of the beautiful photos.

FYI, PI and BC are not exactly all-inclusives. More like mostly-inclusive. All meals are included in cost of the stay, and if you get a week long package you get free transfers and some extras like a sunset sail or private picnic. But you do have to pay extra for beverages, both alcoholic and some non-alcholic (juice, bottled water) ones.

If you definitely want an intimate, far-from-it-all experience, definitely consider Guana Island, also in the BVI, and Palm Island and Petit St. Vincent, both in the Grenadines. Palm is AI, PSV follows the FAP plan. I honeymooned at GUana a couple of years ago when it was FAP and wines were included with meals, but other beverages were a la carte. I think it now may be truly AI.