Have you dreamed of a romantic honeymoon sipping mai tais on a gorgeous white-sand beach? Perhaps you prefer to relax in your private pool while your butler sees to your every wish? Maybe you want both? A Sandals resort might answer your prayers if you wish for a luxury honeymoon where you can do as little or as much as you like. But with 18 luxury resorts, which is the right one for you? This blog is part 2 of my deep dive into the Sandals brand. I will differentiate each resort. What makes each resort unique? And what negatives do you need to be aware of before choosing your resort?
Jamaica
Honeymooning in Jamaica is both intricate and straightforward. There's so much to do on the island that you could never see it all in one trip. Every day is full of adventure. If your dream honeymoon is sitting on the beach all day soaking up the rays, don't worry; Jamaica is a beautiful choice for you, too. Jamaica is home to seven Sandals resorts. (Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios was in Part 1 of this blog)
Sandals Dunn's River
Best for Adventure Lovers
Sandals Dunn’s River is a reimagined all-inclusive resort set on the lush northern coast of Jamaica, known for its connection to the iconic Dunn’s River Falls. This luxurious retreat offers couples an enchanting blend of modern elegance and natural beauty. The resort features stunning oceanfront suites, many with private pools or swim-up access, and unparalleled views of the Caribbean Sea. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining, relax on pristine white-sand beaches, or embark on adventures like exploring the nearby waterfalls. With its intimate atmosphere, personalized butler service, and exquisite amenities, Sandals Dunn’s River is the perfect escape for couples seeking romance, adventure, and unforgettable experiences in paradise.
The cons are that the restaurants are hit or miss and the entertainment is not varied or all that good. If you want a pool chair or umbrella, you must get out there by 5 a.m. or stay in a butler room so they can reserve one for you.
Sandals Montego Bay
Best for Couples Who Want to Party
Sandals Montego Bay is the liveliest resort in the chain and the first resort for the brand. Its fun and easy-going ambiance best defines it. Featuring the best talent in Jamaica and a friendly and energetic staff, guests will have a spirited vacation. It's so much fun that it has the highest customer return rate throughout the brand. This resort delivers a party atmosphere regardless of the time of day.
Cons: It is minutes from Montego Bay Airport and is one of only a few Sandals resorts that don't require a lengthy car ride. But that convenience is offset by the fact that you will see and hear planes taking off and landing often.
Sandals Royal Caribbean
Best for Destination Weddings
Located five minutes from Sandals Montego Bay, Royal Caribbean offers a more elegant atmosphere. It has a private offshore island featuring a Thai restaurant, another pool, and the resort's best beach. The resort has excellent swim-up and beachfront suites, but the standout room categories are exceptional over-water bungalows. The location, price point, and various activities make Royal Caribbean a superb choice for large groups. Everyone will find something to love at this resort.
Cons: While the overwater bungalows are gorgeous, they are incredibly pricey. Royal Caribbean has some of the worst food reviews of the entire brand, and like Sandals Montego Bay, there is a lot of noise from the airport.
Sandals Negril
Best for Beach Lovers
Sandals Negril is among the highest-demanded of all Sandals resorts due to its prime location on Negril's world-famous 7-mile beach. It has unique accommodations like luxury beachfront swim-up and 2-story butler loft suites. Sandals Negril characterizes the laid-back. The central focus of Sandals Negril is the beach, where you can expect tons of fun watersports. It tends to attract a younger, more relaxed crowd.
Cons: Sandals Negril is trendy, meaning that the beach can get crowded, and unless you enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn, you will be unlikely to get a beach chair. The beach is also full of people trying to sell you baubles.
Sandals South Coast
Best for Nature Lovers
Located 90 minutes from the airport on the isolated Jamaican southern shore, Sandals South Coast is worth the drive for anyone who enjoys being active outdoors. The resort's major strengths are its broad span of secluded beach stretching over 2 miles, vast and attractive pools, a modern luxury design, and excellent service and dining. You will love the incredible variety of outdoor adventures. You can plan on spending your days snorkeling, sailing, hiking, kayaking, riding water bikes, and diving. It is also the only resort to offer ocean views from every suite. The standout area of the resort is the overwater features. The overwater bungalows and chapel are stunning, and the overwater bar, Latitudes, is exceptional. South Coast features in my Sexiest Honeymoon Resorts in Jamaica.
Cons: Sandals South Coast is far from everything. Luckily, the resort has many things to do on-site because you will not leave until it is time to head back to the airport. The beach can be rocky, and the resort is hilly, so it's not an excellent choice for anyone with mobility issues.
Sandals Ochi
Best for Lovers of Nightlife
Located an hour and a half from the airport, Sandals Ochi is the largest Sandals resort with 529 rooms. The resort has two resorts: the Riviera beachfront section and the Hillside Great House. Ochi Beach is a fun resort with plenty of activities and recreation. Many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs exist for people who want to dance the night away. My favorite is the 1920s-inspired speakeasy, the Rabbithole. You have to know the secret password for admission.
Cons: Ochi is wedge-shaped, and the beach is small in terms of the number of rooms at the resort. Are you staying in a butler village? You won't be on the beach; you must take a shuttle to get down, but that area has better pools than the beachfront section.
St Lucia
Lush rainforest, secluded coves, towering peaks, and lively local communities make the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia a permanent draw for honeymooners. It is the ultimate Caribbean Island for people in love who want to do more than lay on a beach. Don't despair, sun worshipers; lovely St. Lucian beaches await you to soak up the rays on their pristine shores! There are three Sandals resorts in St Lucia.
Sandals Grande St Lucian
Best for Awe-Inspiring Views
The most extravagant of the three St Lucia Sandals resorts is also home to the best beach of any St. Lucia Resort. The imposing pool sits on the beach overlooking glittering Rodney Bay; the resort lies on a peninsula between the bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Picture-perfect views surround you no matter where you are at the resort. The sunsets are spectacular. The stand-out rooms are the overwater bungalows (the only overwater suites in St Lucia) and the Rondoval suites. Both categories provide privacy and romance amid a bustling resort. Grande St Lucian features in my Sexiest Honeymoon Resorts in St Lucia.
Cons: Grande St Lucian is the most "Americanized" resort in St Lucia Sandals. It would not be the resort if you want a local experience. The ride to and from the airport is long and winding. I suggest doing the helicopter transfers. And there are tons of vendors on the beach.
Sandals Regency La Toc
Best for Glitz and Glamour
A novel resort that runs along the beach and up to the cliffside offers numerous accommodation choices, but the Millionaire Villa Suite with a private pool is the best. It serves a more adventurous crowd seeking an authentic rustic St Lucian environment. If you want to up the glitz factor, stay in the Sunset Bluff Village; it is a resort inside of a resort. And they will treat you like an A-list celebrity there.
The cons: The resort is incredibly hilly and inappropriate for anyone with mobility issues. There are also a lot of steps, and the beach tends to be rocky.
Sandals Halcyon Beach
Perfect for Relaxing
Halcyon Beach is the tiniest and most intimate of the three Sandals resorts in St Lucia. Tranquil and straightforward, the resort is famous for its exceptional personal service and well-maintained verdant gardens. The suites are more unaffected but very in tune with the environment. It is home to the longest pool in St Lucia. Halcyon Beach might be for you looking for lush landscapes and seclusion.
Cons: It does tend to attract an older, more sedate crowd. Unlike the other Sandals resorts, Halcyon Beach offers no real wow factor. It's a quiet resort, but nothing makes it feel special.
St Vincent & the Grenadines
St. Vincent, the main island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, is a hidden Caribbean treasure known for its lush landscapes, pristine beaches, and vibrant culture. This island offers a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility, making it ideal for couples seeking an off-the-beaten-path romantic escape. Explore the island’s dramatic volcanic terrain, including the majestic La Soufrière volcano, or dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, teeming with colorful marine life. St. Vincent’s charming capital, Kingstown, features colonial architecture and vibrant markets, adding to the island’s allure. Whether lounging on secluded beaches, hiking through tropical rainforests, or sailing to nearby Grenadines, St. Vincent offers an authentic Caribbean experience rich in natural beauty and romance.
Sandals St Vincent
Best for Ultra-Luxe Couples
Sandals St. Vincent, nestled on the lush island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean, is a luxurious all-inclusive resort offering couples an intimate and exclusive escape. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, including pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and verdant rainforests, this resort is designed for romance and relaxation. Guests can indulge in world-class dining, unwind in elegant beachfront suites, and enjoy personalized butler service. The resort offers unique experiences like sailing to nearby Grenadine islands or exploring the vibrant underwater world. Sandals St. Vincent is the perfect destination for couples seeking a secluded and unforgettable Caribbean getaway, where every moment is crafted for romance and adventure.
The cons are that three mountains surround you, so there is little breeze to cool the resort down. The bathrooms do not have outlets, so bring an extension cord. It isn't easy to get to the resort. Consider upgrading to a charter flight, and if you get a butler room, you can take the Jilly Bean catamaran, which will be more comfortable than the other transfers.
Three Sandals resorts with overwater bungalows feature in my Romantic Caribbean Resorts with Overwater Bungalows. There you have it: the good, bad, and ugly about every Sandals resort. My favorites are Sandals Grenada and Grande St Lucian. What are yours?
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