I need help, we have decided to do an all-inclusive vacation next year, and have decided tht we will be going with Sandals. Problem is we can't decide which one. We are leaning towards St. Lucia, but can't decide between the Grande or the Regency. I need help, if any of you have stayed at either one of these (or both), please give me your opinions. I know if you stay at one you can "play" at the others, but I more concerned about the "staying" part. Thanks!

ttt

I'm not a big fan of the Sandals chain, but there's a poster here named Kimberly who is the local expert. If she doesn't respond to your post quickly she's probably on vacation. Do a search for her posts and you will see which of the St. Lucia resorts she likes and why.

Also, do a search for brenandg, who has stayed at a Sandals in St. Lucia and done trip reports here for it.

Thanks!

The Grande is by far the best of the Sandals on the island. My wife and I spend a week there a few years ago and went to visit the other two resorts for dinners.

We have stayed at both the Regency (March 05) and at the Grande (Feb 06). They both are great hotels/resorts. If you golf I would stay at the Regency. The Grande is smaller in layout and on the bay with a very nice breeze. While its only 20-30 minutes by the shuttle to each and very easy it really depends on what you want out of your vacation. Lots of walking at the Regency due to hills and the layout of the resort (there are shuttles too). We found the food good at all the resorts (loved Armondos at the Regency and we liked the Pitons too). We booked the Regency again for Feb 06 and were bumped to the Grande due to overbooking-we would have just visited the Grande if we stayed again at the Regency. You can't go wrong with either - but the Regency is less expensive and you probably will get a similar feel and can have the benefits of visiting the Grande but saving money in the process. (can put towards your next vacation!!)

We've stayed at the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau in Sept. '03 and Sandal Grande in St. Lucia in Nov. '05 with a day trip to the Regency. Of the 3 we preferred the Royal Bahamian.

We have stayed at many AI properties and thought the Grande was the most disappointing when it came to the food. There was plenty to choose from, but it was not tasty. Less expensive AI properties in Mexico presented better tasting food. Also didn't care for the staff at either the Grande or Regency. Not very friendly. We felt that the Royal Bahamian has better rooms, pools, beach, on-site dining options, better evening entertainment and friendly staff.

The Grande is smaller than the Regency and set in a Bay, so the beach is much nicer. The Regency has better pool options as their beach gets "red flagged" often due to high waves. The Regency has the better on-site dining choices, but the property is huge and spread out. Lots of walking to get from point A to point B or having to take the shuttle.

There is scheduled shuttle service from each resort. From the Grande it's approx. 15-20 to the Halycon and 30 minutes to the Regency.

St. Lucia is a gorgeus Island and we areso glad we had the opportunity to see it. We probably wouldn't go back due to the expense and extensive travel time to get there. We didn't care for Nassau at all.

Many rooms at the Regency has recent;y been updated. There was construction going on when we were there in Nov. The room catagories at theGrande can be decieving. Unless you book a true suite, all of therooms have the same layout and furnshings. What makes the price difference is the view and whether you have in-room bar/concierge service or a butler. Some of the higher catagory rooms face the Atlantic side of the Resort which looks across the parking lot and street in front of the Resort.

Also look at Sandals Antigua. They are in the process of adding a new block of rooms and an infinity pool, which should be completed in Nov. They are supposed to be located on a great beach. We haven't been to Antigua yet, but if we go, we would stay at the Jolly Beach Resort instead. They have a fab pool and great beach.

Here's the link to our pic site if interested. It has pictures of Sandals in Nassau and St. Lucia.

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

This web-site is a great resource for all Sandals properties and includes trip reports and pics:

http://www.tropictravelonline.com/cg...ultimatebb.cgi

Also check reviews on tripadvisor.com

Thanks so much for the info! I kinda like the looks of the Ocho Rios Snadals, but when we went to Jamaica on our 1st cruise, it left a bad taste in my mouth. What are your thoughts on Jamaica, if in fact you've been there?
I figured we'd get a better value in Mexico, but my hubby wants to go somewhere we've never been.

I'm not a Sandals fan anymore, but Sandals MoBay in Jamaica is our second favorite of the Sandals. They have a great beach, you won't find better bartenders anywhere, we would rate it as the best chill-out vacation we've ever taken and the nightlife was better than most of the other Sandals. The property is their flagship, but I believe someone told me they had just done some remodeling. The staff is always singing and are very friendly. We liked it better than Ocho Rios.

Which is your favorite and why aren't you a fan of Sandals anymore? My hubby and I aren't one's for uppity fancy schmancy places and people. We are also going to be travelling with another couple, we love to have a good time.Are all of the Sandals place uppity? or not?

KVR-
I'm loving your pictures (wow do you guys travel alot!-That's my dream!)Question-
The Jungle Tour and Botanical Gardens tour and the other tours-are they included in the price?

We have not been to Jamaica, but it is on our "to-go" list. It's been put on the bottom because we have some of the same concerns about Jamaica as you do. I have been researching Jamaica for years. We actually booked in 2003 for Beaches Grande Sport in Ocho Rios, but Air Jamaica cancelled our flight and we decided to go to Nassau instead. We booked again in May, 2005 for the Wyndham Rose Hall in Montego Bay, and again Air Jamaica cancelled our flight so we went to USVI instead.

After staying at 2 Sandals, if we ever get to Jamaica, we would probably stay at Couples Negril. Couples offers more for the money, includes some excursions and does not have the many, confusing room catagories that Sandals has.

The Bontanical Gardens was part of the Land and Sea Tour, which was $105 p/p. The Jeep Jungle Tour was $68 p/p. Excursions off property are usually not included in the overall price. One exception I've seen is Couples in Jamaica.

I agree Mexico is a better value. We want to return again. We are going to Turks and Caicos in May and Aruba in September. Both are non-AI trips and then looking at Jamaica or Antigua for November. Right now the Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua is pulling ahead. Their sort is considered a 3*, so much less expensive than Sandals and Couples. We like the lower priced AI resorts because are expectations are not high, so we don't get easily disappointed plus we feel like we are getting more of our monies worth.

Feel free to e-mail me. My e-mail address is apart of my sign-in name.

mrsd2fan,
Our favorite of the Sandals is Antigua. We just think that Sandals is different than it used to be. The consistency is not the same. For instance, the bartenders are the very best in MoBay and they are good in Antigua but in the Bahamas they act like they are doing you a favor that they even show up at work. Actually all the staff in the Bahamas isn't that great, except the Playmakers who try really hard and most of the guests are more interested in the casino's. We experienced our only theft ever in St. Lucia and many of their staff are clueless about so many things. So you may like one property and expect the same at the next and be VERY disappointed. I would not say they are uppity at all.
Are you and this other couple interested in an AI because you want to stay in an enclosed area and enjoy some nightlife and numerous cocktails without worrying about your tab and then be able to walk to your room and not think about getting a cab? If so, you may be very happy at a Sandals as a first timer. If, however, you enjoy getting out and seeing the island and eating and drinking at local spots and have lots of energy, you may find a more traditional vacation will provide a better time for you. In the end, this is your call. It's what you dream about.

We do love to explore new places, and that's a reason why we love to cruise, however, I hate having to rush back to the ship. One of our ports of call was Belize (Beach Day) we had a ball and hated to leave, also the drinks are so expensive and we like our drinks, so the tab was pretty high. Can you go off the proerties on your own in Antigua or St. Lucia? Or are they not safe?

We didn't have any problems leaving the Sandals resort in St. Lucia. We did do Sandals provided excursions, but many people just hired a taxi for the day for Island tours. A few will rent cars and explore on their own.

During the shopping trip, we explored the fresh fruit/veggie/spice market and the craft area. I walked along the street in front and to both sides taking pictures. Thought the people were friendly.

Down the road from from Sandals Grande is Pidgeon Point National Park. We walked there from the resort and then up the mountian. Didn't have any problems. There were a few locals set up with crafts on the side of the road.
Many people recommend having dinner at the Coal Pot for great lobster.

I don't think I would have any problems exploring Antigua. Again, we would take sponsored tours. We don't much care for driving in an area we are not familiar with. Through my research it was advised, that due to the bad road conditions to not rent a car, but some people still do.

You may want to check out Aruba or Grand Cayman if you concerned about saftey. We loved Grand Cayman and would like to return. Aruba has AI options, but not recommendable since there are many dining options. Grand Cayman has 2 AI properties, which are not considered the greatest. Many people book condo units with kitchens.

We've been to Grand Cayman via crusing,loved it there, however, like I've said, my hubby wants to go somewhere we've never been. Why do you say AI not recommendable on Aruba? Wouldn't you spend more eating out than with the AI plan? or do you mean because the food is much better off the AI? I honestly appreciate all the advice and I'm sorry if I'm a pain.

Here's a link to an Aruba restaurants posting.

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...mp;tid=1345594

There are so many fantastic places to eat!!!

We are booked at the Holiday Inn in Aruba for the first week of Sept. I took everyone's advise on several message boards and decided AI was not the way to go there. Many reasonable priced resturants. The cost difference between AI and non-AI at the Holiday Inn was around $1,000 for 2 people. The food gets really bad reviews on Trip Advisor. I think we can come under or close to that for our stay and get to try some really good places.

We really prefer AI. Researching resturants and prices can be a pain. I'm going through that right now with our T & C trip in May. We like the convenience of not having to find/get/pay for transportation to resturants and not having to worry about a high food bill or bar tab. I get the feeling though that Aruba is a lot like Las Vegas (which we love), where you can walk everywhere and there are plenty of dining choices close. We picked the High Rise area specifically for that reason.

KVR- You do alot of travelling...will you adopt me please? lol

If I could, I would. I'm already responsible for one adult - my husband. That's about all I can handle.

Knowing I have vacations planned is the sole reason I get out of bed every morning and go to work. Otherwise, I would probably just stay there.