Sandal's St Lucia - Stay Away!
 

We recently spent 7 nights at the Sandal's St Lucia property. In 13 years of traveling to the Caribbean, this is absolutely the most disappointing experience we've ever had. Sandal's St Lucia is definitely a poor imitation of a class operation. Water sports fans beware, the beach here was closed every day but one. We experienced power outages no less than 6 times! These were not just momentary blips either. Service was not up to par and the "all-inclusive...no surprises" ads are definitely misleading. There are many other options available on St Lucia that offer a much better value and are a lot more fun.

Hi Neil; I am interested in finding out more as to why your holiday was so bad. Was it just the weather (you mentioned beach closed) and power outages? or was there particular other features to this resort that you weren't satisfied with? <BR> <BR>We stayed at Sandals Halcyon and had a wonderful, worth every penny trip... we didn't experience poor beach conditions or even one power outage (& this was when hurricane georges was nearby). I'd like to hear more about your problem... it is a lot to spend to come away disappointed. Have you informed your travel agent, your tour company, and Sandals inparticular as to your experience? <BR>

"Disappointing experience" and "poor imitation of a class operation" are exactly the way I would describe our trip to Sandals Dunn's River. <BR> <BR>Don't bother writing Sandals--they will not respond and apparently do not care about repeat customers. They have a constant influx of first-time travelers/American honeymooners coming in who don't know any better.

We are getting the cold shoulder from Sandals and had the worst experience ever (it was our honeymoon). Neil and Lara...I feel like I know you already....e-mail me...Mark

Sorry to hear about your experience at Sandals's St. Lucia. We just returned from Sandal's Negril and had the time for our lives. Definitely a first class trip well worth more than we paid for it. We are making plans to go back next year.

Again, our trip to Sandals Halcyon was all we were promised and more.....but, <BR>after reading many complaints not on the experience... BUT HOW SANDALS HANDLES THESE PROBLEMS, I think they definetly need to work on this! I know it is not nice to pay for a holiday and have a bad time.... its even worse when it costs AS MUCH $ AS SANDALS DOES... <BR>and then, it is even WORSE when you put forth your legitimate complaints to the management and they simply IGNORE YOU! I've read these same sort of complaints about Sandals on many different forums, and I admit that it puts a SOUR TASTE IN MY MOUTH. We loved our stay there and had top notch service... but it certainly does make you leary to return anyway. <BR>Sandals needs to learn that there are more FISH IN THE SEA - and if they don't treat there clients well, ... <BR>someone else will. <BR> <BR>& i hope Sandals realizes the power of the internet.... the message does seem to be getting out to us first timers.

I couldn't agree more with Mark, Lara and Neil. Our experience at Sandals Negril was dreadful- dreadful food, horrid swimming beach and bad management. <BR>I went to the desk to complain about the dirty room we'd been checked into and there was a guest there complaining about her husband cutting his foot open due to broken glass on the beach that she'd told them about earlier and hours later they still hadn't fixed. The whole week was like this. (I finally called the Grand Lido and bought us day passes for a day so we could salvage the vacation.) <BR> I've been to the Caribbean many times over the past 15 years and Sandals-Negrilwas the absolute worst place ever. <BR>Complaints to Sandals by me and the travel agent produced a form letter as a response. Well, maybe you need a form letter when you run this sort of operation.

We just returned from Sandals St. Lucia after a 7 day stay. It was absolutely perfect. The food was terrific, the staff was wonderful. We talked to a lot of people there, and didn't hear a single complaint about anything. A few had been upgraded to better accomodations without asking. We were in a one bedroom oceanview suite which was fantastic. The main pool was busy, but we enjoyed sitting back and watching the activity. If you like it quieter, there is a second pool (The Pitons) which is very peaceful with a beautiful view out onto the ocean. The beach is only so-so, but we spent most of our time at the pool. The beach was closed for one day due to heavy surf. I wouldn't hesitate to go back. As far as Sandals management is concerned, we were originally booked into a "Beaches" resort in Cuba(a Sandals for singles and families) but the hotel wasn't finished so

I just returned from Sandals St. Lucia and am very surprised to see this review. <BR>Anyone thinking of going here should definitely go, in my opinion. <BR>The people at Sandals were so friendly, the food was terrific and I would go back for sure. I sympathize with the people who had these unusual problems. However, I also encountered some people who complained - but, I figured these people are the types that complain about EVERYTHING and nothing in this world of ours can please them... So, in all, I had a wonderful holiday and recommend Sandals St. Lucia to anyone. As for complaints and Sandals, I cannot comment on that. <BR>

In response to Doug and especially Jim, I'm really glad you guys had a good experience. Maybe my e-mail to Sandals on Feb 2 got them on their toes! I certainly hope so. All I've gotten back is a form letter. <BR> I just have to say this was the first experience I've had that actually caused me to write a formal complaint. I travel quite a bit and am pretty savvy. I've run the gammut from small inns to luxury resorts and Windjammer Barefoot cruises (a personal favorite) to a suite on a major cruise line. Most of my past bad experiences were my own fault - trying to go too cheap or not doing my homework. This time was different. I'm not being totally negative either, I gave Sandals a detailed critique highlighting the good as well as the bad. <BR> However, when all is said and done, I think my characterization "poor imitation of a class operation" is right on. I've seen first class operations and this definitely isn't it!

I would reccommend staying away from this resort. Definately pick another resort for you wedding if you are planning one. They ruined our Day, my pictures, my video, etc. There were cockroaches in out room, bugs in the pool. etc. Food was nothing great. Never were acknowledged by the CONCIERGE during our entire 8 day stay - so don't pay extra for the upgrade. They cut-off our phone (they though we were checking out half way through our stay) They double charged my credit card and over-charged on many items. There is only ONE restaurant that is world class (LaToc) the rest are like the equivalent of an Olive Garden. email me for more info. Our trip was a nightmare and has left very bead memroies for a very important day.

We agree. Sandals St. Lucia is the only vacation that has ever disappointed us. We never saw any white sandy beaches as the beach was closed every day. My husband had been just enchanted with the pictures and after having been to Sandals Mo Bay, Sandals Bahamas and Sandals Antigua, we expected Sandals St. Lucia to be comparable. We wrote a letter to the manager after getting back home and complained about a number of issues and stating that we had spent a great deal of money and were not happy and he just wrote back and said how expensive that part of the Carribbean is. That wasn't the point! Everyone around us was complaining all week, so we know it wasn't just us. The pictures in their ads of Sandals St. Lucia are dazzling. The reality is different. We haven't been back to any of the Sandals due to what we ended up settling with.

I think all you guys visited someplace other then we did. It was wonderful we had the time of our lives. We are Sandals people and have never had a bad experience. Maybe your exspections were to high next time stay home.

Here is a great web sight for complaint directly to the CEO of Sandals and yes you will get results. www.planetfeedback.com

I am so sorry to hear so many had negative experiences at Sandals - that sucks! Know it is so disappointing when you are so excited for a vacation and it jsut does not go right or what you expected.<BR><BR>We have been to many Sandals and did too have a major problem in Turks with overbooking, right room category not given, poor service and management, etc... It was aweful and rather a horrible first few days. We have found, hoever, when dealing wtih Sandals, you need to be VERY LOUD when there in order to get results. Those that went home and wrtoe letters got little but an "I'm sorry" letter back but those of us that ran a muck there, got results.<BR><BR>When we do like Sandals and are in fact returning next month, I do agree that unless you have a very loud voice, little is done to ssettle negative experiences and complaints.

<BR>Sandals--the resort for people who do no research at all and end up with a cruise-ship style vacation. What did you expect? FYI, those glossy advertising pics are fabricated.

Dear Ugghh!<BR><BR>If you are going to make unsubstantiated criticisms of others vacation choices, at least have the guts to put your name on your post. As it stands, your witless commentary shows you to be little more than an egomaniacal twit who has nothing better to do than criticize others in their spare time.<BR><BR>I am sure those of us who "do no research at all" would 'love' to hear your opinions on why there are better vacation options than Sandals.

I could not agree with you more Terry - <BR>Ugghh is flip with the tongue and cutting on others choices but not too brave to attach his/her name.<BR><BR>People come here for opinions and first hand knowledge of resorts and islands. We could all do without the flip statements.

Sandal St. Lucia was the best vacation in years and we have travelled extensively through the Caribbean, Mexico and South Pacific on dive and island trips. The brochures portrayed exactly what we saw. Food and Service were fabulous, concierge was exceptional, beach was beautiful. We even had fun on their dinky golf course with a local caddy. Never had bad service, never saw bugs, meet tons of people that we hung out with for the entire week. As for the jerk with the attitude - I research everything and I got A+ vacation. Does anyone else see the same handful of people on EVERY question - I think they are "plants" for and against the topic. I'd go back to Sandals any day. Jamaica, on the other hand I would never go to - Sandals or no Scandals - nothing but crime, drugs, hoes everywhere.

Neil- I have been all over the world, most of my vacations have been significantly more expensive than my stay at Sandals St. Lucia. I would put it at a mid level resort with good food, but not great food. I believe the service is much like I would get at a Marriott or Hyatt, but not better. I certainly did not pay the equivalent of a high price five star resort for a weeks vacation with just about everything included except for souvenirs and tours. I am amazed at people when they look at a brochure and believe it is a great representation of what they will see. The beach was small, but we preferred the pool. St Lucia is not a place with great beaches, there are many other Islands with better beaches and surely nicer golf courses, but I felt that it was a good value for what I received and would return if I was looking for that type of vacation. I am sure it was Sandals' fault that the beach was closed and you didn't describe what the power outages had to do with having a great time. Please give an extensive discussion of what service was not up to par if you want people to believe your venom. It is also an island and bugs may be seen depending on the time of year. I have also seen them at five star resorts in the Islands and Hawaii. When I chose St. Lucia I felt it was one of the two top Sandals resorts. I still believe this, but it is not a World Class Resort like others I have visited and I didn't pay that kind of price either! I would never go to Jamaica for any vacation as the people are aggressive and the place had little beauty. The place was disgusting and the people are rude, obnoxious and aggressive, but this is my opinion as many love the place.