djt

If your interest is in high-end, then you will be disappointed with the cliche offerings of Sandals. It pretends to be sophisticated, but you can expect a bunch of yahoos with beer bellies who think they're at the Ritz. I suggest you give it a wide berth and aim for a well-known resort with some history behind it.
We aren't aficianados of Antigua or St. Lucia, preferring the low-key atmosphere of Virgin Gorda or Tortola, but you can do better than Sandals any day of the week. Sandals is tacky. Forget the ads.

kim

I also have stayed at the Jaloise Hilton and i felt this resort was very over priced. I did not think it was worth the money we spent.

Gia

Steve -- Why does your fiance push for Sandals? Is it the "all inclusive" experience of having all meals & activities included without having to leave, or buy dinner? If so, there are plenty of high end places that have all-inclusive options without the extreme cheesiness of Sandals. Since you mentioned Antigua and St. Lucia, Jumby Bay on Antigua and Ladera (very romantic) on St. Lucia come to mind. Also, Caneel Bay, Little Dix Bay, Biras Creek, Petit St. Vincent (that last one is in the Grenadines) Take your fiance to one of those resorts and you will never hear the word 'Sandals' out of her again.

ramjet

Travel Professional: Correct me if I am wrong but I thought Sandals offered more incentives such as free stays and other spiffs? Thank you for I am sure you take your job seriously and with respect toward your clients but I have met a lot of travel agents otherwise...

Gwen

I think what Travel Professional is saying is that he/she has a broad perspective on things, sees that Sandals is perfect for some people but not for people looking for a higher end experience. Thus, if the client isn't happy with the first trip he/she books, they won't be back for a second try.
A good travel pro looks for what makes the client happy. More important than making one sale, even if the commission is big, is having repeat clients, which assures many future sales. Plus, once you know a client's tastes, it's easier to book a trip they'll be happy with.

Given Travel Pro's comments, I'd bet he/she wouldn't be all that interested in the comps from Sandals. I'm sure they're not the only comps available.

kris

If I were you I would look into going to Casa de campo in the Dominican Republic. The web site is www.casadcampo.com. My husband and I went for our two year anniversary and had a fabulous time. Beautiful beach, two golf course, tennis facility, horseback riding facility, spa and skeet shooting. It is an all inclusive but very high end. We went at the beginning of December and our travel agent got us a great deal including air fare for $1500 each including everything from airfare to room to food and drinks and golf for seven days. There are also nine resturants ranging from Mexican to Italian to French. Hope this may help.

Antoinette

Sandals is owned by thesame personwho owns the Beaches chain. Can't speak for Sandals but I sure do wish I had listened to all the negative comments about the place before I went there. It's ALL TRUE!! Medicore service, average liquor (Absolute rather than true top shelf Grey Goose), so-so food with lots of buffet style dining, surly service, limited equipment for snorkeling, floats, etc., scuba is a joke (9 to 18 slots available for a resort that holds thousands), the plunge pools in Turks and Caicos is filthy with green slime growing in it (worse than a bird bath). The list can go on and on. If by what I am reading Sandals has comparable problems, I certainly would book elsewhere. Check out the Fodors Rants and Raves-Hotels for opinions about Sandals/Beaches. Sure wish I had before I spent by hard earned $$$$$ on such a place.

tony

Just returned on the 10th from beaches negril. before I went i had read all these post on jamaica,negril,ocha rios etc. I was actually worried walking out the door with some of the stuff i had read. We had a wonderful time,scuba diving we got 4 dives in after our certification and 3 were fantastic dives, the first was ok but because of some idiots it was cut short for safety. The food was great,may not meet some peoples expectations though these same people would be hard to satisfy anywhere. it is jamaica! The pool (they were two) was 150' length (had to swim it 6 laps from end to end for certification)and 90-120' in width w/nice swim up bar.over 30 floaters and never was a problem getting one. The rooms were all we needed, no they were not 5 star but that was the reason for going to jamaica which is not over influenced by commercialization. It was worth the money for us. If you are looking for 5 star hotels with the ritz then cancun may be what you are after. your vacation/honeymoon will be what you make of it. Seen 4 wedding while there and they all seemed very happy to be where they were. good luck

Just

But other than that, dtour, how did you like it?

dtour

Those were the good points

ttt

ttt

Patty

"The rooms were all we needed, no they were not 5 star but that was the reason for going to jamaica which is not over influenced by commercialization"

tony,
I find that statement really ironic as you picked what is probably the most commercialized chain in Jamaica to stay in. If you really wanted something not overly influenced by commercialization wouldn't a small hotel or possibly locally owned inn be more appropriate?

anon

Patty: You hit the nail on the head with that one. What the hell was he thinking?

DUMB BROAD PUKES ME

Stupid broad says that
"The food overall was very mediocre, and all had a Jamaican feel to it, which I did not care for. " Well, Jeez, you dumb broad you WERE IN JAMAICA weren't you eh? God you people are so asinine it hurts my eyes to read this crap.

ohno

Yes it is so funny to read these nit picking posts....these people should just vacation at the local Motel 6 and shut up their cry baby mouths....this really pisses me off