Sandals Resorts - Would you ever?
 

Hi,<BR><BR>I've been seeing these commercials for Sandals Resorts lately. The ads are so incredibly cheesy. But I was thinking today: &quot;Maybe they're not so bad?&quot; Maybe they just have a bad marketing program?<BR><BR>Anyway - has anyone ever been? Are they nice? Cheesy? I'm the kind of gal that doesn't like real mainstream resorts, but hey, if it's nice, I'm game...<BR><BR>-darvy

No. I wouldn't stay there and they have been getting horrible reviews lately.

Sorry, meant to add, check out the caribbean boards. Tons and tons of negative reports. Plus, they are very expensive.

We stayed at Sandals in Ochos Rios. It was a very fun time, but we were with a group of very fun people. The rooms were average, the liquor was not premium, but its all you can drink, so we had extra shots. The food was average. But the price was reasonable. And Jamaica was beautiful. Our companions had been to the Bahamas Sandals and said it was much better.

DO NOT go. Speaking from personal experience, I can tell you that what you see in the commercials is not what you get. It's all slick marketing with little follow through. <BR><BR>My husband and I had never seen their commercials before going. A couple of months after we got back from their property in Negril, we happened to catch one on TV. We watched it in complete silence. When it was over, we both looked at each other and started laughing. It would have been nice if we could have gone to the imaginary Sandals resort advertised on TV, but it was not to be, and we were stuck with mediocre rooms, food, drinks, service, beach, you name it. It was nice to spend some time together, but we could have gotten much better somewhere else at a lower price. <BR><BR>Don't fall for the advertising, save your money.

Sandals and Beaches and their ilk are for 1) novice travellers who don't know any better, 2) people who simply can't muster the ambition to actually plan a trip on their own, 3) people who would be happy on a Carnival cruise (don't mind very mediocre accommodations, food, service etc as long as it's one price and unlimited quantities).

Mike,<BR><BR>your attempt at a condescending response suffers just one little problem:<BR><BR>You have either been to a Sandals or Beaches or you have not.<BR><BR>If you have been, in which of your categories (1, 2, or 3) do you belong.<BR><BR>If you have not been, upon what basis are you giving advice to others about these resorts?

oooooooooooooo Mike is busted. A thinking man like Chuck on this board? Wow.

Me, no, personally I wouldn't go near the place, I like laid back and low key, and that place looks like anything but.<BR><BR>On the other hand, it looks like a great spot for kids or a family trip. That I might go for.

I'll readily admit I've never been to a Sandals Resort,but good friends went to the one in Jamaica because they got a very special deal and could sneak away for an extra week. They left after three days, saying it was worth the lost money not to have to stay there. Fortunately they could change their air tickets for only $ 50 each. They said and I quote, &quot;It was like being trapped in a Jerry Springer show.&quot; They thought it was the lowest class place they'd ever been -- and to make it clear, they really don't travel all that much or that expensively.

Darvy:<BR><BR>Sandals resorts are discriminatory: end of story. They are the 21st century equivalent of &quot;members only&quot; clubs from the fifties and sixties (ever see the movie 'Gentleman's Agreement'?).<BR><BR>Although many people don't know it, anybody spending money at these &quot;resorts&quot; is inadvertantly supporting discrimination.<BR><BR>Tom

I have been seriously considering the Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos, which I believe is a Sandals property. It looks so nice for kids, but I guess I could be fooled by the ads like you say. Anyone been there?<BR><BR>I'm curious who they discriminate against. They look like they'll take money from anyone ...??? What's the scoop?

Nice attempt, chucksplawn, but you've struck out.<BR>I went to Sandals once, over 10 years ago when I was just beginning to get enough money to travel outside of the US. I learned my lesson. Never again will I be fooled by these places.<BR>So, I'm in 'group 1', and proud to say I've learned from my experiences.

They definitely discriminate against same sex couples. I know a couple of men who had reservations at a Sandals in Jamaica and were turned away when they tried to check in. Their travel agent had assured them there would be no problem but there was. Instead they were transferred to another Sandals property...

Yes. My partner and I made reservations there. We received a letter from them asking if we were same sex. One of us has a name that could be male or female. When we said we were two females, we were told we were not welcome. For all they knew we were just friends, except we did have the same address which they required to know.

I find that pretty hard to believe that they would tell two same sex people they are not welcome. So what if it's the same address, room mates travel together? How about sisters? etc.? Crazy.<BR><BR>I think the person who asked about who was being discriminated against was asking for more info to substantiate the claim, rather than just a vague accusation.

It says right on their website that same-sex couples are not allowed at Sandals, but can go to the family resort, Beaches. When I read that I decided that I would NEVER patronize them, and would tell everyone I know about their shameful policy.

What a lot of people don't know is that gay men are treated very badly in Jamaica. I have a good friend from Jamaica and he has told me stories. Most Jamaicans (from what I understand) are very anti-gay. He also said that gay men are treated a lot worse than gay women. <BR><BR>It all goes back to guys thinking it's cool for two chicks to be together but it's gross when two men are. How stupid is that.

I am a travel agent and a gay woman and I assure you that Sandals properties do NOT allow same sex couples, period. Regardless of being &quot;just friends&quot; or not. Those properties allow man/woman couples only. Believe it would be doubters, discrimination is alive and well in the world.

Kath,<BR><BR>My wife happens to be a travel agent. She is the one who has always informed me of Sandal's policies regarding who they will or will not allow to stay on their properties (no matter what country they're in). Whether they discriminate against whites, blacks, hispanics, jews or gay people should not matter to anyone: the fact is they DO discriminate and, personally, I will not patronize ANY establishment that discriminates against a person based on their race, sex, religion, etc.<BR><BR>Whether or not you choose to do so is up to you.<BR><BR>Tom

Actually Tom all I was saying is that it might be nice to make an informed decision before you started boycotting a company. That's just me though.

I don't think they police the policy that hard. When I was at Breezes Runaway Bay, there was an openly gay male couple that hung out with my husband and myself. When I was at the Wyndham Rose Hall, we had two male gay couples go with us. No one said a thing.

Is this true,<BR>Though you and I would like to think otherwise, I'll bet Sandal's &quot;discrimination&quot; has nothing to do with morality. Sandal's target market is couples, the vast majority of whom are hetero, and most of those aren't comfortable mixing with gays. The fact that they allow gay couples at Beaches evidences that the Sandal's policy is just a marketing strategy. <BR><BR>You can call it discrimination if you want, and boycott if it makes you feel good about yourself. But you have no right to claim a moral high ground. You may just as well be boycotting a place with a sign that says &quot;No shoes, No shirt, No service&quot;.

Breezes and the Wyndam do not have the &quot;no same sex couples&quot; policy that Sandals has.

To Jess, Can you tell me where on their website you found this policy? I took a quick look and didn't see anything.

Kath, I assume that your last statement about making an &quot;informed decision&quot; was aimed at me. I am a travel agent (and have been for 22 years) and am very informed about Sandals and their policies. Look before you leap...

I went to one in August with my boyfriend. We were terrified that it would be very cheesey, but we were pleasantly surprised. BUT, that is not a recomendation. It isn't as bad as the others have been saying it is--but if you have all that cash to blow, blow it at a classier place.

Well, I can't find the info on the site either. But it definitely WAS there this summer, because when I read the fine print I was shocked. I was planning a group trip for this winter, and was considering Sandals for a large group of 20-somethings, one couple of whom is gay. So I dropped Sandals off my list of places I might someday try out. <BR>I tried calling them to ask about the policy, but I couldn't get through. I am not making this up. I wish I were.

Maybe the threat of a law suite prompted them to change their website. But it doesn't take much reading between the lines to tell that it is strictly for &quot;couples&quot; only, and it leaves little doubt what they would determine as couples. Especially since they now offer Beaches where &quot;everyone is welcome&quot;.

Agreed sandy, and well said. But tolerance goes both ways, and there's a difference between opinion and judgment. <BR><BR>And as it relates to Sandals, a marketing strategy of discrimination may be stupid, but it's not necessarily indicative of prejudice.<BR>

I could not find that &quot;clause&quot; on there web site also. But they do have it in there brochure. I am not saying I agree with it. But they do have the right accept who stays their and who dont. Just like the resort Couples. They only accept couples. I personaly would not give them my buisness. I can find alot of ways to spend my money at other wonderful vacation places.

Since the Sandals properties are all in the Carribbean, they're not subject to US laws. Therefore, they can get away with discriminatory practices that would be prohibited in the states. But you better believe that if they were located here, they wouldn't be so free as to accept who stays there and who doesn't any more than a US restaurant can decide who it will serve and who it won't.

My husband and I have traveled quite a bit. We generally stay at only 4 or 5 star resorts. We spent 5 days at a Sandals property in Jamaica in 1998. WE LOVED IT!!!!!! I'm not sure what all the complaints are about.

Here's an easy way to put an end to the doubters questions. Call 1-800-SANDALS and ask a Res. agent if same sex couples are allowed to stay at their resorts.

Stay away from these places - we have had wonderful holidays all over the world by arranging them ourselves - you can do the same!