Anyone here been on a Sandals resort?

[Boarcephus]

We've toyed with the idea of going on one of the all inclusive Sandals trips but have not quite been able to pull the trigger yet.  Cruises are nice but we've been on several and want to try something different.  I understand there are Sandals and then there are "Grand" Sandals which I suppose are a step up plus the fact they are in the Caribbean which means there are close.    Can anyone share experiences about these and help a fellow Hogvillian out?  Thanks!

[pikehog]

Sandals is a cruise ship on an island. It was not my favorite vacation. They are nice and we had a good time, would probably not go back though.

WHich one are you looking at?

[Boarcephus]

Appreciate the response.  Sandals has a couple of "Signature" resorts we're looking at.  One is on St. Lucia and the other on Antigua.  A girl I work with heads out Friday for the Whitehouse on Jamaca.  We want one with zero kids. 

We've been on a half dozen cruises and want to try something different.  What makes you say you probably would not go back?  I know all the drinks are included but I question what type of drinks are they?  Do they serve the premium stuff like Jack Daniels or is it Fighting Cock?  Any and all info would be appreciated.  Thanks!

[pikehog]

All of the Sandals are kid free, Sandals also operates Beaches which have kids.

I have not been to the St. Lucia one, but some friends have and loved it. I went to the Sandals Royal Caribbean which was the premire signature resort at the time,I think Whitehouse upgraded since then.

The food was good and the drinks were good, but I did not like the atmosphere of the "playmakers". They are basically cruise directors that are trying to get you to get involved in as many games and activities as possible. Each thing you do gets you points and you can win a leather sandal, or a bottle of rum or some shrit or some other stuff based on how many points you get over the course of the stay. My friends are more into that sort of stuff for a vacation where I would rather relax and unwind.

The staff was wonderful and ready to serve anyway possible, and the hotel was great. I have no complaints about that, however I just did not like the seemingly constant pleas to "come'on and play mon". There were 3 other pools on teh property but the main pool is where the bar and snack shop where. SO if you wanted a drink you would have to walk (a short way) to get it.

If there are other Sandals on the island you are at, you can go back and forth between them and Sandals offered a shuttle service where we were.

A couple of tips: the portion sizes are small and most of the "nice" resturants offer many courses, if you like one thing order a couple of them. (if the appetizer is some form of shrimp you may get two for the appetizer), upgrade to a concerige service room, this gets you room service at anytime, the lower levels don't get room service and have to go to the snack bar which is closed at times, finally if possible get a private plunge pool.

They do have premium at the main bars but you have to ask for it. They have some base wines but if you want a really nice bottle you have to pay for it.

All in all it was a great trip and I had a good time. I did not care for Jamacia because if you weren't at a Sandals you were in a 3rd world country, no shopping, no outside dining etc.

I prefer The Bahamas or Cancun or Cozymuel because there is more to do than just stay at the resort.

Not sure what your age is so not sure if you are looking for the same things I look to do. I am in my early 30's.Guests ran the gamut in ages, and there were  alot of Europeans some I talked to were spending 3 weeks there, must be nice!

If you have other  questions, please feel free to post here or pm me, I will be happy to answer.

[HOGMINI]

I have been to both Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals White House in Jamaica.  I preferred White House, however I had a great time at both.  If you are looking for a place to just relax and unwind then Sandals is the right place for you.  You do not have to participate in any of the games if you do not want to.  As posted earlier they they do have premium liquor but you must ask for it, and if you get a concierge room you get a small bar and you can ask the concierge for the premium liquor of your choice for your room.  Nothing to outside of the resort, and I would not recommend leaving the resort unless you are on a Sandals sponsored tour (costs extra).  White house is new and has wonderful views, it on the west coast surrounded by ocean on one side and mountains on the other.  Greatest thing about is you can leave your wallet at home since you have already paid for everything.  You are "not"allowed to tip the servers, and they face losing their job if they accept tips.  If you are interested in going and live in NWA contact Airways Travel Agency on Weddington Dr. in Fayetteville.  The are a Sandals authorized travel agent, and they have Sandals meetings you can attend and learn more about the resort.  If you attend the meeting and then book a trip you will get around $200 off.  Hope this info helps

[Boarcephus]

Fellas, I appreciate your responses.  One of the girls I work with will be in Monday and has been at the Sandals White House in Jamaca this week.  Sounds like this is something we'd like to try.  I'll run Missy at Airways Travel down, who is at the new one in either St. Lucia or Antiqua as we speak, and book one for next year.  She handled our Hawaii trip in October of last year and we were quite pleased with everything. 

Appears we definitely want to upgrade to the concierge room for sure.   Can't be that much of an upcharge and seems well worth it.  Once again, appreciate your help

[Cornhogio]

We've been eyeing the Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos for some time now.  Any feedback on that one is appreciated it.  Thanks! 

[ConcreteHog]

I went to a Sandals in Nassau about 6 yrs ago...it was great...if you scuba dive then you will love it...we went to Atlantis for dinner and casino one night...other than that we never left the resort...

[vol_in_ar]

We went to Sandal's St Lucia and it was the best vacation ever.
Once you pay for the trip, everything's included.  Food, Drinks, Golf, Diving.  It was awesome.

If you didn't like the first meal you ordered, just pick another one..and did I mention the golf was included.

[Hawg_Heaven]

We went to Sandal's St Lucia and it was the best vacation ever.
Once you pay for the trip, everything's included.  Food, Drinks, Golf, Diving.  It was awesome.

If you didn't like the first meal you ordered, just pick another one..and did I mention the golf was included.

So, in essence, these resorts are just like a Cruise ship except that you are on the beach the whole time and not sailing the sea? Also, it looks as though unlimited drinks are free with purchase? Am I right about this? If so, I wasted my money on a cruise. It looks to be around the same price with more stuff I like doing. 

[vol_in_ar]

We went to Sandal's St Lucia and it was the best vacation ever.
Once you pay for the trip, everything's included.  Food, Drinks, Golf, Diving.  It was awesome.

If you didn't like the first meal you ordered, just pick another one..and did I mention the golf was included.

So, in essence, these resorts are just like a Cruise ship except that you are on the beach the whole time and not sailing the sea? Also, it looks as though unlimited drinks are free with purchase? Am I right about this? If so, I wasted my money on a cruise. It looks to be around the same price with more stuff I like doing. 

Yes, drinks are free, that's why I don't want to go on a cruise.  I know folks who's bar bill at the end was as much as there ticket..

Check out Sandal's..It seems like alot of money upfront, but once your there and everything's free, it's a great deal...

[Hawg_Heaven]

We went to Sandal's St Lucia and it was the best vacation ever.
Once you pay for the trip, everything's included.  Food, Drinks, Golf, Diving.  It was awesome.

If you didn't like the first meal you ordered, just pick another one..and did I mention the golf was included.

So, in essence, these resorts are just like a Cruise ship except that you are on the beach the whole time and not sailing the sea? Also, it looks as though unlimited drinks are free with purchase? Am I right about this? If so, I wasted my money on a cruise. It looks to be around the same price with more stuff I like doing. 

Yes, drinks are free, that's why I don't want to go on a cruise.  I know folks who's bar bill at the end was as much as there ticket..

Check out Sandal's..It seems like alot of money upfront, but once your there and everything's free, it's a great deal...

Looking at their site, it didn't seem too bad. Then again, I didn't add airline tickets into it. It still looks like a great deal.

[vol_in_ar]

You can't beat it, and you don't need to get the top of the line room, your really not in it that often..

Another thing to think about when your deciding on which one to visit, is if there's multiple Sandal's locations on the Island.

Like St. Lucia has two resorts, so you could take a shuttle between the two and try different restraunts.  Regardless of which resort you book, you can use the facilities at both..

[djgaston]

I went to the one in Nassau about 5 years ago, the "Royal Bahamian."  It is a nice place but I was expecting something very different.  I actually had a talk with my travel agent when I got back and let her know that I thought Sandals advertising was pretty deceiving.  I was expecting to be able to spend time alone with my wife on our honeymoon, and just enjoy paradise.  It was more like spring break the entire time we were there.  Long lines for everything (we went in late June) including rafts for the pool.  It was just a big pain in the ass.  I also went to scuba dive but when I arrived and tried to sign up, they were all booked up until after I was leaving, 7 days later.  I was pissed. 

There were some celebrities there and the resort itself is very nice, but I hated how crowded it was, and I hated that the waitstaff didn't give two shits about you since they don't get tips, and I hated the cafeteria style restaurants where you just stand in line around a crowded buffet, hoping you get some food before it all runs out again. 

I might go back to Nassau but I won't stay at Sandals.  I had just as much fun at a Holiday Inn Sunspree in Jamaica, and it was about half the cost.  Just find somewhere all-inclusive and I think you can't really go wrong.

[jkelly107]

I had a bad experience I was booked at one in Jamaica don't remember which one but it was by the water falls any way when the plane arrived they said they were over booked and I had to go to another one after raising hell they upgraded me to a suite in negril which was founded by hippies way back when we got there it was ok but there policy of overbooking is kinda crappy