Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Sandals Resorts

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Which is the best of the Sandals resorts for a honeymoon? I'm looking for info on any/all of them. Are the resorts nice? is the food good? are the sports accessible? etc.?

Try this link for info on Sandals: http://www.sandals.com/ We have stayed at Sandals Royal Jamaican and Sandals Negril. Visited Sandals MoBay a couple times. The 'royal' tends to be an older group (mostly 35 -55) and is much more laid back. Although all the sports are readily available MoBay is a younger crowd and much more active. One drawback to MoBay is that it is DIRECTLY at the end of the runway of Sangster airport. Planes taking off are only about 100 ft. up when they pass over. Negril Sandals is heaven! Laid back and active all at the same time. I wouldn't recommend Sandals Inn, while nice and food is good, it is a very small hotel right in MoBay and the beach is across the street from the hotel. Food and liquor is excellent at all the Sandals and the staff is terrific. The service at the Royal tends to be a little bit more personal than at Negril (probably due to the smaller size of the Royal) and you get to know the staff better. We are having a difficult time deciding whether to go back to the Royal (trip #5), Negril ( for the third time) or try Sandals Halcyon (never been) If you have any specific questions. let me know.

Elizabeth - I went to Sandals in St Lucia several yrs ago - 1992? It was fabulous! I would be surprised if I ever enjoyed a vacation so much. Not a care in the world. The beach isnt too long - but long enough and nice white sand. The pools/jacuzzi/swim-up pool bar are incredible. There is even steps from the pool directly into the main lobby dining area. Food was great, drinks were great, tons of activities, or do nothing. I'm not sure how much privacy there is - I wouldnt classify it as a romantic, secluded getaway. Its romantic, but its very lively and fun. Hope this helps!

I agree. Sandals St. Lucia was fabulous. The food was very good (the french restaurant was the best). Try breakfast at the side restaurant as opposed to the main restaurant (more relaxing). We went for a suite room which was worth the money. In fact, there is very little difference in rates since Sandals gives you a greater discount when you book a suite through them then if you book only a regular room (700+ dollars off vs. 400+ dollars off per couple).

My husband and I went to Sandal's Halcyon St. Lucia last year. We had a wonderful time. The food and drinks were great and the staff was excellent. The grounds were beautiful and our room was really nice. We never had a problem snorkeling or using a boat when we wanted too.

Sandals Antigua has been called the "Top Honeymoon Destination in the Caribbean" several times. It's a BIG resort! We stayed next door to it, and everyone over there seemed to be having a good time! I've read wonderful reviews of the food and activities, too. Antigua is a very safe island, and is quite different from Jamaica. We chose Antigua because of the British influence and the history of the island. We had a wonderful time!!

Elizabeth, We spent a week at Sandal's St. Lucia last January and have to say it was the most disappinting experience we've had in 15 years traveling the Caribbean! The best description I can give is that Sandal's is a cheap imitation of a class operation. I think Sandals preys on young honeymooners who don't know any better. The more travel experience you have, the more you'll recognize Sandal's shortcomings. The beach is man made and has a severe erosion problem. It is also closed a lot because of hazardous surf conditions. It's not really all-inclusive if you can't use the facilities, is it? The pool was also very cold - due to the waterfall - even the water aerobics instructor didn't want to get in. While the food was very good, service was extremely disappointing, as was the evening entertainment. There are so many other great resorts out there - I would encourage you to avoid Sandal's altogether. Good Luck and good hunting!

I've stayed at both the Sandals in Ochos Rios, Jamaica, and in the Bahamas (for my honeymoon). Unlike the last poster's assumption, I am young but have travelled quite extensively (my last trip was to 2 of the top 20 resorts in the world in Hawaii) but I still really enjoyed these resorts. I think it depends on what you are looking for- they are certainly not for everyone. The one in Ochos Rios had a little bit more nightlife and there were more activities during the day and people definitely got more into them. The Royal Bahamian was somewhat more subdued. It has a private island which was wonderful. The main pool area was often crowded but the island would have very few people on it. They had a pool and a pool bar out there as well. The food was very good, the drinks were great, and I thought the all inclusive concept was perfect for a honeymoon. It was also fun to meet so many other honeymooners and discuss your recent weddings! Its also very relaxing after such a hectic time in your life. Have a great time. If you do select the Bahamas resort definitely do the Dolphin Encounter- it was a highlight of our trip!

We just got back from Sandals St. Lucia Golf and Spa. We loved it! I've heard it's the best of all the sandals. Its a huge complex with a huge main pool and a smaller private pool. It has 3 large hot tubs on the grounds. The beach did have a red flag up a few days, but that didn't keep people from swimming. But most of the days were fine. The water is clear and the sand is golden. The beach isn't very deep, but it's long and they have chaise lounges you can sit on to get away from the crowds at the pool. You can keep very busy doing many activities, or you can find private spots to be alone. We stayed in a one bedroom honeymoon suite villa. It was located pretty close to the main hotel so it was convenient, but was nice cuz it was set away from everything. We even had a view of the ocean. All the restaurants were good, the french one was my favorite. We did go to Halycon one evening for dinner at Marios. We were not impressed at all with that resort and not impressed with the italian food there either. We were very happy with our choice of sandals. We did a 1/2 day of snorkeling from sandals which was included which was great.. They also offer many other tours you can do. We wud recommend the Trail Trekkers where you take a Jeep thru the jungle and thru the island, see hidden waterfalls, banana plantations, etc. Highly recommened leaving the resort sometimes to see other areas, esp the soufriere area which is quite beautiful. The water sports center was right there and easy to use. We did not find the pool too cold, it always had plenty of people in it, and was a relief from the heat and humidity! We have many pictures right under the waterfall! The swim up bar was great with a great drink menu posted above, although service there was slow. Our only gripe was the AC at the place cud've been cooler, we were hot and sweaty alot! The st. lucians are extremely friendly and helpful, we thought the island was great and so lush and beautiful!

my fiancee and I went to Sandals Antigua a couple of years ago. We had a great time! The beach was beautiful, the weather was great (we went in April) and it's all inclusinve (a positive and negative in my opinion) ...my only issue with Antigua was that there didn't seem to be much to do outside of the resort (which is fine if you have no intentions of leaving Sandals while you're there). I prefer Barbados as an island and I think they're opening a sandals there...although there is so much to do in Barbados in terms of dining and entertainment, I wouldn't want to go to an all-inclusive and stay on the resort the whole time.

HI!! Sandals Negril is the place to Go!!! Stayed there last Feb. and had the greatest time of our lives. Will return there again soon.