Can someone compare the 3 Sandals Resorts in St. Lucia including the good and bad points of each? Beach? Dining? Ambiance? Rooms? Room locations? I am inquiring for my son who would like to honeymoon there next June - ages mid to late 20s. They are golfers, but I don't think the location of the course matters. Thanks.

We have stayed at The Regency twice and visited the other properties only briefly, but can give you a synopsis of what they are like.
Halycon, older, smaller resort. Looked a bit "tired" and the beach was murky.

Regency, largest of the properties in terms of size, but possibly not capacity of guests. Property is large enough that room are private. Lush and tropical and shuttles are available to get from one end to the other. Golf was so-so. The course was always wet from the rain showers, but it was very pretty. Beach is small and the surf can get rough enough to be red flagged.

Grand reportedly has the best beach of the 3 and the most watersports, but has more of a "hotel" feel than the Regency the way the rooms are laid out. The beachfront rooms are said to be better than the oceanview for views. Beachfront rooms overlook the beach and Rodney Bay.

We only ate at The Regency and the food is good, but not the great gourmet food that they advertise. Don't personally think any of the high end rooms are worth the money. Just don't think it is worth the extra money (and it will be alot) to pay for room service and a butler when you are at an all inclusive property. Check out the reviews on trip advisor for more descriptions of the properties. Each does have their pros and cons.

We stayed at Grande a couple of years ago, and visited the other 2. I thought Grande was the nicest of the 3, but a larger pool, and larger place appeals to me. All the rooms are the same inside, and the views are all of some ocean. I agree, Halcyon looked a bit tired. Regency looked really nice, if you're looking for a cozier place.

The golf won't matter. If they do decide that they have time to play, it's just a short trip.

Beaches at the Halcyon (H) and Grande (G) were poor - didn't try out the Regency (R). Actually, the G beach was poor - all rocks on the beach and in the water. The H beach is ok, but the water was all seaweed. (August, '05)

Ate at the H and R. The Pier (H) was nice - rotating menu. Get there early - better seating and views before it gets dark. At the R, the Piton was good, Armando's was incredible. Heard both wonderful and horrible reviews of the Japanese restaurant there as well.

Only room I saw the interior of was ours at the H - pretty basic, but located near everything. At the H, you can pretty much walk from one end to the other within 5 minutes. The G did seem very "hotel-ish." The R is built on a huge hill - don't plan on walking much, but there are shuttles every 10 minutes or so.

Ambiance - just from the brief impressions I got, I'd say the R is "country club," the H is "get away from it all," and the G is "spring break." Ages ranged from early 20's to probably late 60's at each place. The R seemed private, the H secluded, and the G a party zone - so many people in the main pool that it wasn't possible to get to the other side. Their H-shaped, more secluded pool, was almost empty.

We're a long-term couple in our mid 20's. We had a week at the H. I'd return there and certainly give the R a chance, but even being as young as we are, the G isn't the atmosphere for us.

Go to www.tropictravelonline.com you will a ton of info on any Sandals Resorts.

We stayed at the Regency in Mar 05 and we are returning there Feb 06. We stayed in a deluxe room and it was fine (no balcony) and this time we booked a luxury oceanview. If you are a repeat Sandals customer they upgrade you from what you book if the room is available.
We enjoy the Regency, one for the price and because of its location. You can sit and have champagne and orange juice at breakfast and look over the water to see the island of Martinque off into the distance.
We went to the Halcyon only to eat the Pier, which we thought was fine. We went to the Grande one afternoon and enjoyed it there. Much newer resort, much smaller than the Regency. More of a "hotel" feel. The other review is correct in saying the Regency is more like a Country club feel.
We didn't golf at the Regency but friends did quite often and they enjoyed it. I would have to say that if money wasn't an issue, I would stay at the Grande. If you want the Sandals experience and want to spend less, then the Regency fits the bill.
The food is decent at all resorts and the alcohol is top notch. The snorkelling tours are also great too.

The shuttle to the resorts take about 30 minutes from the Regency to the Grande and they stop at the Halcyon in which is in between (and mighty close to the road). So if your son and his new wife are really into golfing, they may want to, just for convenience, want to stay at the Regency.