Sandals vacations
 

Wife & I were initially going to try for Hawaii, but long story short, not sure that we are going to do that now. So, we've been looking into the Sandals all inclusive vacations. I've got a few questions for those that have been:

#1 - What are your resort recommendations? We have looked at Sandals Grande St. Lucian & Sandals Royal Bahamian. Pricing is roughly the same. They have a $450 credit per person for airfare & 30% discount if booked before 9/4....so it's kind of a "rush" decision.

#2 - Neither my wife or I have been to any Sandals location, but my understanding is it is "all inclusive" - meaning room, all food, all drinks (alcoholic as well) are included. Is that right? Anything else included that I should be aware of?

#3 - Any hidden costs that we should be aware of? Other than any shopping, etc that we decide to do.

#4 - Anything in general that we should be aware of? We are looking to go in May 2009 - is that a good time or do you recommend any "good weather" times? Not going during hurricane season, that's for sure.

I know that this has been discussed in some other threads, but searching didn't really give me much....so repost me all you want.....this thread is here to say.

Thanks in advance for any help.

repost




lol

Have fun on the vaca... Seriously beware of hidden fees and tips. I have not been but have had a friend who has. Not sure if his was Sandals but he ended up spending about 300 more than expected.

My niece goes to Jamacia every year and loves it.

HTH

My wife and I went to the Sandals, Royal Bahamian in Nassau and it was AWESOME!

Free everything anytime, anywhere and NO KIDS!

Be aware that "all inclusive" somewhat chains you to the resort. If you hear about a good resturant, you will be hesitant to try it, since you've already paid for your dinner in your package deal. Are you going to be content being at the resort for every meal? Do you enjoy getting out and exploring a new place? Will the enjoyment of your vacation be curtailed by your conflicting obligations to get your money's worth of your package deal and to fully explore this new exciting part of the world?

Didn't some of the islands in the Bahamas just get slammed by the hurricane?

sandals? who are you? michael scott?

I tried Iberostar a year and a half ago. It was wonderful and from Sept-Dec they had kids under 12 free back then.

Ya, I thought of that. As for the resorts go.....I assume there is enough to do that you don't get bored. We enjoy just relaxing on the beach, but there are times that we'll want to do something.

I went to Sandals Negril on my honeymoon, and I would definately go back. You really don't have to spend a cent if you choose not to (assuming transportation from airport to resort is covered). We did venture outside the resort a few times, but in hindsight we would have been fine staying put.

The food is a little hit or miss. The key is to target the places that cook ordered items rather than hitting the buffets. We had some excellent meals. The drinks are free, but the selection may be slightly limited (only Red Stripe beer).

The best part of it for us was the variety. Sea-kayaking one day, laying on the beach the next, Scuba on day 3, etc.

Sandals didn't get their name by being shitty. But you do pay for the name.

Are you taking Jan?

we went to an all inclusive in the mayan riviera. I had been to Europe with some people who had lived there and were fluent...worldly travelers. It was fine, but not something I'd have been comfortable doing alone. I'm not ready for a bRainman- Madagascar spear fishing expedition.

We did the all inclusive and I liked it. There were hands out for tips, even though there weren't supposed to be, the extra tours like snorkeling(sucked for us...like an ironman swim, not snorkeling) Mayan ruins and things like that cost $50-$100 each.

I had some family recently return from some island off Beliz that swear its the way to go.

Drinks were free, but a lot of them were screwed up....green maruarita mix in a bloody mary....stuff like that.

Another vote in favor of Sandals. Did one of the Sandals in Jamaica for our honeymoon, and can't imagine anywhere else would have been better. If you go off the resort, be prepared to tip for everything. On the resort, no funds necessary. Red Stripe in a frosty mug all day while lying on the beach....there are worse ways to spend a week.

Have heard great reviews of Sandals. I'm thinking about going to a Sandals vacation in Jamaica for my honeymoon next May.

We honeymooned at Sandals St. Lucia. There's so little to do off the resort you'll get good value for your "all-inclusive" price. The only hidden charges are if you choose to upgrade to a bottle of wine, choose a really high-end meal, or participate in some 3rd-party excursion. Everything else is included. We had a good time.

Whatever flyboy - just stick that doe you always get every year instead of the big boy. Know you ain't got nothin - you still eatin sweet corn and thinkin about going to Scheels for doe urine and maybe some hunter orange camoflage.

Thats true. New fletched arrows, kick ass 100 grain bone crushing broadheads and a new farm with 4 interior alfalfa and corn fields to hunt. Besides, you're totally wrong. I spend more money at Sportsmans in Ankeny than Scheels now. From hidden elevated positions from 18-22' feet above the ground, I can sometimes smell the ocean breeze.

That said, I just got this photo from your last vacation, and I'm pretty sure I've figured out why people think you're a d ickhead.?

ROFL

http://www.sandals.com/main/royal/rj-home.cfm

The wife and I were just here, loved it and plan to go back again in a few months.

From the looks of how empty that sparklin cement pond is, It didn't take the other folks at that resort long to figure out YOU'RE the one peeing in the pool.

I peed in the pool all of the rat bastard, annoying French Canadians swam in.

LMAO @ Burrito Neck

his brother did call him a dick with ears at the tailgate...

You guys have got me curious about the drinks......is there a variety of drinks or 1 beer, 1 wine, etc. that is included?

That, and you can't find your dick with both hands.

You don't seem to remember his ears

Hookers too, if you ask right.

you can get ANYTHING you want, from top shelf to just about any beer and as much as you want.

Well, I don't think the wife will........oh hell......what she doesn't know doesn't hurt her.

I meant for her

Not at Sandals - there were about 2 beers from which to choose.

Oh...in that case.

Does anyone know of anything I can do while the wife is with her hooker?

That might be because you two scoundrels were wearing those elmer fudd, Canadian McKenzie brothers caps with ear flaps.

Good to see Iowanian get in a little practice.

WHATEVA Red...

Watch. Hands tied down preferrably...

"Shhhhhhhh, be vewwwy, vewwwy quiet; I'm hunting wabbits, heheheheheheh."

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Elmer_Fudd.png

Quiet down Pops. Hope you don't have another stroke reading all this. I can handle Shorty...

there has GOT to be a weiner joke hiding in THAT nugget. Maybe I'll get one of the noob hounds out and put them on that scent.

Am I n00b enough?

Only we know the intent of it, my fair buddy

Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica Christmas 2006. Outstanding. No hidden cost. Will definetely return. Brought cheap Chiefs hats for the locals. Bring your own cups.

Yeah take the wiener out. Must have the tude since you are from iowa.

Guess you need a team and are a dick because iowa has so many teams.

ROFL

It's all-inclusive.

Went to Sandals Ocho Rios for my honeymoon. Was a good time. Most of the people there were pretty young, if you research you can find the way some of the resorts break down by age.

The rooms are nice for what they are, and you even have your own little pool outside of your villa for massive orgies.

In Nassau we had a huge selction from Kalik to Budwesier. All kinds of liquors too. Didn't drink much wine though so can't say.

Remembr Nassau is the closest of the Sandals so the selection is great. Also there is plenty to do off-property like, Stuart's Cove, Atlantis Hotel and Casino and the "Straw Market" which is where all the cruiseliners dock and people shop.

Tons of fun. 5 days was not enough!

Skip the Sandals and go with Iberostar. Trust me, you won't regret it.

let me guess... you're a really big fan of Lou Bega

Agreed, This is where we went. Fabulous

http://www.iberostar.com/EN/Cancun-h...-Mar_3_71.html#

I went there last month, but we stayed at the Grand Paraiso. Very nice... like the Bellagio on the beach. heh, the Mexican Bellagio, if you will. :D

The wife and I did Sandals Grande St. Lucia and loved it. It is all included and we never had any problems. Their "mini bar" is a couple bottles of booze in your room and they had no problem switching out for whatever we wanted. If they had it we could get it. They only have two beers on tap, Heineken and a local brew called Piton. Piton is fine and gets the job done. The restaurants were good and because there were 3 Sandals on the island you could go to any of the restaurants at any of them for free.

As for "hidden fees" that was mostly just the services we contracted with. Sandals had a concierge service where they would book whatever you wanted to do on whatever day you wanted to do it and put the bill on your tab because they were working with local merchants. We did a wonderful snorkeling tour around the island, had a blast on zip lines through the jungle, scuba diving was fun as well. Other than that no problems, their employees are strictly prohibited from taking tips.

The locals in St. Lucia are great people, poor but very nice. They recognize the value you, as a tourist, bring to their island. They do a weekly street party in the capitol city and it's a blast. You can pay a local cab driver about $50 bucks to take you down, give you the tour, and hang out. I thought it was great. If anyone even looks like they might mess with you the local dude will straighten them right the f out. I didn't feel like it was necessary but it was the same dude that gave us another tour of the island and we got along great so I had no problem throwing the guy a little work to support his family.

You can strictly be-bop between the three resorts on the island and have a fine time that way simply relaxing.

If you have the means reserve a room with the swim up option to your deck and concierge service. It costs a little more but they swing off your nuts a little bit and that's nice. And waking up to a little morning tumble, shower, and dropping straight into the pool for a quick swim is awesome.

The airport in St. Lucia is a little rustic but customs was quick enough. They'll have shuttle service ready to take you to the resort. Be warned: they drive on the left side of the road. The island is a volcano and has steep inclines and switch backs. If you or your wife has a propencity for motion sickness pop a dramamine. :D Once you get to the resort it's an open air lobby where they greet you with champagne and cold towels and you just relax while they get you checked in. They take your bags straight to your room and you're free to unwind during the check in process. Again, the locals are very nice people and friendly to deal with and happy to oblige you if they can.

That's what I got for you. Happy to answer questions if you have them.

PS. I have a new political ambition, set up a US Embassy in St. Lucia. Get assigned there. My wife and I will be going back.

Just got back from a vacation at Sandals Whitehouse and was easily the best couples vacation I have ever been on. Would highly recommend it and will absolutely be going back.

ONe word of caution though, on the ride to the resorts, just bury yourself in a book and pay no attention to the driving.

My wife and I went to a Couples All inclusive in Jamaica (Couples Tower Isle) All inclusive is amazing. We choose Couples over Sandals because Couples does not allow kids and seemed less like a less Spring break Party style vibe that we got from Sandals.

Overall though, Id wage any All inclusive resort is going to be a great time.

Sandals does not allow children either. I didn't find it to be a spring break part style at all. Very laid back and relaxing. I'm sure each resort is different but Whitehouse was just great. The nice thing about Sandals is you don't have to pay a dime once you get there. I don't know if Couples is the same way or not.

So it really includes everything?

Yes even tips are frowned on.

Wow. I guess I think of them like I think of cruises. It's all the food and stuff, but you have to pay for soda or alcohol.

When we went, we kind of thought the same thing. They explained pretty quickly that the employees won't accept tips and that you could eat or drink anything on property at anytime without paying. Basically, once you get to the property, you can lock your wallet up until you leave.

They had like 5 or 6 restaurants on property that served a variety of foods from like 6am-3am. The "mini bar" in our room had 6 different kinds of alcohol from vodka, rum, etc - all included in the cost.

We had so much fun while we were there. We are likely going to pick a different location and go next year.

Our first night we were leaving dinner I dropped a 20 on the table and swear it didn't even hit the table before the server snatched it up. On the way out a staff member pulled us aside saying 'while we appreciate your generosity tipping is highly discouraged here". I still tipped our dive captain (who on our final day took the wife and I out for a private tour of the island) and a few of the other staff members.

I felt odd not tipping because most of the staff was overly helpful & basically bent over backwards to make sure our stay was great.

We had a candlelit dinner on the beach one evening and the waitress that was taking care of us went the extra mile to make sure the dinner was awesome. I would have loved to tip her because she deserved it for all she did for us.

I'm sure these are fun vacations but I'd rather make my own plans, explore an area, go where the locals go, etc.

That sounds fun, too, but sometimes it would be nice to just get away, have a little bit of luxury, and not have to worry about a single thing.

Don't know about Sandals but we go to Dominican Republic. Great beaches and Spanish hospitality. Best coffee in the world.

You must not work hard enough. Planning our next vacation, my fiance mentioned all kinds of touristy spots and I said no way. Between all the stress at work the last year(big projects) and home(16yr old girl, 2.5yr old boy) I ain't walking around and stressing to see shit. I'm putting my feet up on a beach and getting everything I want at the wave of a hand. Preferably Sandals Jamaica, so I can get lit up and really let the stress melt away.

I also endorse going all the way and getting the big ballet suites that come with butler service. When you show up, you get a cell phone and they bring you whatever you need from the morning until about 8 or 9 in the evening. My suite also had a bar that my guy kept fully stocked all the time.

There was one suite that was a level above ours, known locally as the Bill Clinton Suite.

Next time I'm getting that one.

Not according to the show "The Lookout" that was on ABC last night. They did an expose on the Dun Juan Resort. It was pretty crazy.

This. On our honeymoon, we had the ultimate relaxation and still got whatever we wanted, whenever. We were free to use whatever resources (snorkling, parasailing, etc.) we wanted and were able to visit all the best restaraunts since quite a few of the hotels, including our own, had their restaraunts right on the beach.

You don't have to have an all inclusive to get drinks delivered to you while laying on the beach. It also helped that where we went there are no private beaches allowed so you can go whereever you please. We wouldn't have had nearly as much fun if we just went there in stayed in a resort the entire time to ensure we got our monies worth. We really got to experience the entire island as if we lived there.

Eh... I work very hard. Travel is one of my biggest passions so I enjoy researching, planning, and then visiting places all over the world. It also doesn't hurt that nearly any week of the year I can drive 15 minutes to a white sandy beach and relax.

Looks like I will be heading back in a little over a year. Can't wait.

feelin hot hot hot

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...6547759ac7.jpg

Which resort? I'm lazy & don't want to dig through the thread.

I've done St Lucia. You can spend money on premium drinks and at least one of their restaurants is an upcharge. But it's not outrageous.

We loved Whitehouse so we will probably do that again.