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Have any of you ever stayed at a Sandals resort?
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:05 am
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:05 am
If so, what did you think? The wife and I started looking at Caribbean cruises but the all-inclusive resort appealed to us more. Sandals seems pretty legit and though it costs a little more than a cruise, I think you get more.
For around $189 a night per person you get unlimited food from any of 20 restaurants, alcohol (including top shelf drinks), entertainment, golf, all land sports, private beaches, swimming pools, scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling and transport around the island you're staying. And the rooms are much larger than a cruise line, for obvious reasons. They have resorts in the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Grenada. Our feeling is that by the time you include excursions, alcohol costs, tips, etc during a cruise, you've paid that extra $200-$400 you saved. Sandals seems completely all-inclusive.
Have any of you gone the Sandals route before? If so, did you enjoy it more than a cruise?
For around $189 a night per person you get unlimited food from any of 20 restaurants, alcohol (including top shelf drinks), entertainment, golf, all land sports, private beaches, swimming pools, scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling and transport around the island you're staying. And the rooms are much larger than a cruise line, for obvious reasons. They have resorts in the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Grenada. Our feeling is that by the time you include excursions, alcohol costs, tips, etc during a cruise, you've paid that extra $200-$400 you saved. Sandals seems completely all-inclusive.
Have any of you gone the Sandals route before? If so, did you enjoy it more than a cruise?
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Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:10 am to ClientNumber9
Yes. Grand Bahamian. It was awesome. Snorkel, scuba diving, food/drinks-- all completely included. No tipping allowed. I would do it again in a heartbeat
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:12 am to ClientNumber9
It's a decent middle of the road all inclusive
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:17 am to ClientNumber9
I have, we went to the one in Antigua last year for a wedding. It was ok, but I wouldn't go back. The food isn't any better than a cruise ship. What you have to understand about the restaurants is they take reservations and fill up quick. It can take a couple of days to get in the ones you want and you will probably be eating buffet the first night. Night life is almost nill.
I would take a good cruise over an all inclusive.
How old are you what do you like to do?
I would take a good cruise over an all inclusive.
How old are you what do you like to do?
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:23 am to wickowick
Thanks for the input. Very good feedback. And yeah, forgot to mention our age. We are mid-30s. While we do want night life like shows and live music, we aren't "party at da club til 6 am" people.
The free golf, drinks, and sailing appealed to me but I don't like the idea of fighting for a decent meal for dinner every night.
The free golf, drinks, and sailing appealed to me but I don't like the idea of fighting for a decent meal for dinner every night.
This post was edited on 11/3/13 at 7:25 am
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:25 am to Coater
quote:Went there for our honeymoon.
Yes. Grand Bahamian. It was awesome. Snorkel, scuba diving, food/drinks-- all completely included. No tipping allowed. I would do it again in a heartbeat
Hands down one of the best vacations I've ever been on. It was kind of pricey, but definitely worth it.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:32 am to ClientNumber9
We took a Royal Caribbean cruise a couple of years ago out of San Juan to the south Caribbean and really liked it. The thing is all the ports start looking the same. Airfare was more expensive and took much longer to travel down there. In addition hotels were very expensive. If I wanted to do the Caribbean again I would leave from Miami or Fort Lauderdale on a good ship and take a longer cruise if needed...
Look hard at Cabo and Playa for other options...
Look hard at Cabo and Playa for other options...
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:33 am to Coater
Coater, the no tipping allowed policy, along with the more complete all-inclusive nature definitely appeals to us. It's not that I'm against tipping, I just don't like the idea of wondering "Was I just supposed to give that guy money? And how much?" every time I have an interaction with the staff.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:35 am to ClientNumber9
I've been twice and enjoyed it. I find it relaxing, in that you don't have to plan a lot, just go and enjoy everything. Not much nightlife, but we were so tired from being at the pool/beach all day, excursions, etc., so we would be in bed by midnight.
Just go in with the expectations that the food will be about Olive Garden quality. The breakfast is solid. I find that the people who don't like it have unrealistically high expectations.
Just go in with the expectations that the food will be about Olive Garden quality. The breakfast is solid. I find that the people who don't like it have unrealistically high expectations.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:41 am to ClientNumber9
Check out Hard Rock hotel Punta Cana. It's nice and cheaper than sandals. It's all inclusive too!
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:42 am to ClientNumber9
Damn, these threads come in groups.
I've been to Sandals St. Lucia and Excellence Punta Cana.
For the Sandals, we had full Butler service (honeymoon). It was much more expensive, but eliminated the problem of reservations. The butler would take car of just about everything for you. Room service, bringing you beers by the pool/beach, having your room ready when you get back (bath water, food waiting, champagne, etc.). It was great, but too expensive for that service. If I went back it'd be without the butler service.
Excellence was much cheaper. Alcohol was just as free, there was a little more expectation of a tip (not required, but not specifically mentioned unnecessary). The food wasn't quite as good as Sandals, but the restaurants were much easier to get into. Only problem was it closed down early (ie pool closed at 6, only 1 restaurant open past 9). There were a few shows late as well.
An all-inclusive is much, much better than a cruise. I used to love cruises, but after going to a resort, then a cruise 3 weeks later, you realize how much nicer and enjoyable the resort is.
I've been to Sandals St. Lucia and Excellence Punta Cana.
For the Sandals, we had full Butler service (honeymoon). It was much more expensive, but eliminated the problem of reservations. The butler would take car of just about everything for you. Room service, bringing you beers by the pool/beach, having your room ready when you get back (bath water, food waiting, champagne, etc.). It was great, but too expensive for that service. If I went back it'd be without the butler service.
Excellence was much cheaper. Alcohol was just as free, there was a little more expectation of a tip (not required, but not specifically mentioned unnecessary). The food wasn't quite as good as Sandals, but the restaurants were much easier to get into. Only problem was it closed down early (ie pool closed at 6, only 1 restaurant open past 9). There were a few shows late as well.
An all-inclusive is much, much better than a cruise. I used to love cruises, but after going to a resort, then a cruise 3 weeks later, you realize how much nicer and enjoyable the resort is.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 7:43 am to ClientNumber9
I booked the sandals grande st Lucia resort for our honeymoon in June. I'm hoping it is as good as everyone says it is
Posted on 11/3/13 at 8:16 am to ClientNumber9
I stayed at excellence punts Cana. It was legit
Posted on 11/3/13 at 8:29 am to Civildawg
quote:
I booked the sandals grande st Lucia resort for our honeymoon in June. I'm hoping it is as good as everyone says it is
It is if you get out and see the Island. If you like good food, you need to get out and sample some of the food the Island has to offer. Most of the food on the resort is meh, and we got tired of it pretty quickly.
I haven't been in 3 years, but do yourself a favor and check out a resturant called the Coal Pot. It's not far from the resorts and the food is awesome.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 8:52 am to BIGDAB
We went to the Sandals Royal Bahamian as well and had a wonderful honeymoon. Great beach, boat ride to private Sandals Island, unlimited food and cocktails, and all the activities you could want. I thought the food was pretty good. We generally had champagne and a light breakfast brought to the room in the morning, tons of lunch options, dinner at a hibachi, French, and Italian place, and late night bar food from the pub. If you wanted to get out, there is a bus that stops right outside the resort and takes you into Nassau. We definitely plan to go back someday.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 9:12 am to RollDatRoll
Royal Bahamian for our honeymoon. Skip the bad restaurants and just eat at the hibachi and French place every night for dinner. Lunch there is all ok. Nothing spectacular but you're just eating something to soak up all the free booze.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 9:30 am to TU Rob
The wife and I went to Sandal's Whitehouse in July. It is a haul from the airport but worth it. FWIW, you can take a helicopter flight cutting the time down to about 25 minutes. The resort is basically on a peninsula that is surrounded by a mountainous ridge line. European architecture is the theme complete with plazas and fountains. Really quite beautiful. The food was average to excellent. Keep in mind though, you can't compare food anywhere to here at home. The good thing about Whitehouse...no lines or reservations for food. We got the concierge service which was nice. With them, you are also booked in a room at the top. the view is best from there (beach on one side, mountain on the other). Call them and they reserve diving etc for you. It is an older crowd here vs the other Sandals we have visited (6 all together), but this is the only one we have visited more than once (3 times). It is a great place to chill, unwind, and visit pound town with regularity. I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. Enjoy wherever you go. Stay away from the Dom. Rep. though. I was not happy with the resorts we visited in Punta Cana.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 9:56 am to Civildawg
quote:
I booked the sandals grande st Lucia resort for our honeymoon in June. I'm hoping it is as good as everyone says it is
You will be approached by a tall black dude named Charlie. He will try to sell you on a tour around the island. DO IT. You and a few other couples get on a speed boat and go do cool shite for a day.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 9:57 am to ClientNumber9
Never been on a cruise but the SO and I really enjoyed our time at Sandals Ocho Rios.
Posted on 11/3/13 at 10:00 am to ClientNumber9
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