When I am asked which All-Inclusive offers the best amenities and inclusions, without a doubt, I always answer with Sandals Resorts. This luxurious group of adult-only resorts revolutionized the all-inclusive world with their white sandy beaches, gorgeous tropical settings, luxury transportation, and unlimited access to their gourmet restaurants and bars. Not to mention, gratuity, top shelf liquor, stocked mini fridges, scuba diving, and even golf (at select resorts) are included in your price! They are known in the travel world as the best of the best.
But there are 16 locations! How do you choose which location is right for you? As of August 2021 all of their locations have been re-opened from the pandemic, with the exception of the brand new Sandals Royal Curacao, which (at the time of this post) is set to open its doors on June 1, 2022.
Spoiler alert: I don’t pick a favorite in this list! This is because Sandals Resorts offer so much, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. However, the list below are the 7(ish) locations that stand out, in my opinion.
All Sandals Resort Locations
Before I talk about my favorites, lets look at all of your options:
Jamaica
- Sandals Montego Bay
- Sandals Royal Caribbean
- Sandals Negril
- Sandals South Coast
- Sandals Ochi
- Sandals Royal Plantation
Bahamas
- Sandals Royal Bahamian (now open)
- Sandals Emerald Bay
Saint Lucia
Antigua
Grenada
Barbados
Curacao
- Sandals Royal Curacao (coming soon)
Top 7 Sandals Resort Locations
Sandals Royal Barbados
Sandals Royal Barbados is one of the newest additions to the collection, and located on the beautiful St. Lawrence Gap. The 222 all-suite location is split in to 3 villages and offers something for everyone. Plus, they offer an exchange program, which gives you full access to their neighbor, Sandals Barbados, giving you 20 gourmet restaurants to choose from!
This new resort also comes with many Sandal’s firsts, including a roof top swimming pool, a roof top restaurant and bar, a four lane bowling alley, a gourmet donut shop, a barbershop, and two new restaurant concepts- American Tavern and Chi Asian Fusion.
Rooms start at $345 per person/per night, and Butler Suites and Love Nests are available.
Sandals Royal Bahamian
The newly reimagined Sandals Royal Bahamian continues to make my recommendation list because of its true royal history. This Sandals location was once a famous escape for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in the 1940s, and has kept details of that time in its architecture and art. Located on the beautiful beaches of Nassau, this location has even put its Spa on its own private island that is accessed by a complimentary boat!
With the modernization came 10 brand new 5-star restaurants, 3 food trucks, and many bars stocked with top shelf liquors. You also have unlimited access to 2 very large pools, land and water activities, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and local adventure tours.
Rooms start at $360 pp/pn, and Club Level rooms, Butler Suites, and Love Nests are available. With certain levels, you can also request VIP Rolls Royce or Mercedes airport transfers.
Sandals Negril
The Sandals staff call this “chill Negril,” and there is no better word to describe this location. It sits right on Jamaica’s famous seven mile beach, and offers a blissful and laid-back vacation experience. With a list of activities on land and sea, you can choose to do as much or as little at Sandals Negril as you would like.
The resort is organized in to 4 Beachfront Villages: Millionaire Suites, Caribbean Beach, Paradise, Honeymoon, and Crystal Lagoon. Each of these villages put you closer to the water than anywhere else in Negril. You will also find 4 pools, 3 spas, and 7 5-star gourmet restaurants including Barefoot by the Sea which serves up Seafood as you dig your toes in the sand.
Rooms start at $227 pp/pn and include beachfront suites, butler suites, and oceanview rooms.
Sandals Emerald Bay
Sandals Emerald Bay is one of the best locations for golf enthusiasts. The 18-hole championship course was designed by the champion himself, Greg Norman. The views of Exuma plus the challenge of the course are sure to make your vacation memorable.
Emerald Bay is built to feel secluded within 500 tropical acres along their beautiful mile-long beach. There are three impressive pools, including a half-acre, zero-entry pool with a dramatic fire pit in the middle, and you can dine at 11 exceptional gourmet restaurants including afternoon tea, and an English pub.
Rooms start at $377 and all available rooms are either Butler Suites or Club Level.
Sandals Grand Antigua
Sandals Grand Antigua has been voted “The Most Romantic Resort” 15 years in a row. This beautiful resort is located on Dickenson Bay, which is Antigua’s most famous beach. It is split in to two villages, Caribbean Beachfront and Mediterranean Oceanview, and the walk between the two is lined with lush greenery and colorful flora.
Grand Antigua is home to 11 different gourmet cuisine concepts including a Bayside restaurant, and Barefoot by the Sea. You will also find your Red Lane Spa, Water Sports, and if scuba diving is on your list, you can find some amazing reefs, walls and wrecks. Just keep in mind that certification is a separate fee.
Rooms start at $297 pp/pn and offer more Love Nest Suites than most other Sandals Resorts.
Sandals South Coast
If your goal is to be on the water as much as possible, Sandals South Coast in Jamaica is your destination. From all-new Over-the-Water Bungalows, an overwater bar, and the exquisite Over-the-Water Chapel, this resort brings you closer than ever to the water. South Coast sits on a 2-mile stretch of white-sand beach and hugs a 500-acre nature preserve.
South Coast is broken up in to 6 villages including, Venetian Piazza, Italian Village, Dutch Village, South Seas Rondoval, French Village, and Over-the-Water Bungalows. Each village has its own charm and its own amazing reasons to stay there. Especially the brand new Rondoval Village, which features suites that include a private deck that descends in to a river pool that takes you around the village.
Rooms start at $255 and include many styles of suites and services. But if you are eyeing those Over-the-Water Bungalows, book as early as possible. They do sell out fast!
**TIE** Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Regency La Toc, and Sandals Halcyon Beach
I choose not to pick a favorite in St. Lucia because Sandals offers the amazing benefit of “Stay at 1, Play at 3.” This means that if you stay at either the Grande St. Lucian, Regency La Toc, or Halcyon Beach, you will have complimentary transportation to the other two locations. That gives you 2 golf courses, 27 restaurants, 3x the pools, and 3x the activities and amenities! Plus, you can’t go wrong with the stunningly green Volcanic mountains and the white-sand beaches of St. Lucia.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian is the most lively resort option on the island. With so much to do, there are activities happening around the clock. Stretching across a mile-long beach, Grande St. Lucian is known for having the calmest waters on the island, those romantic Over-the-Water-Bungalows, and it’s golf course with incredible views.
Rooms start at $345 pp/pn.
Sandals Regency La Toc is the largest of the three resorts with 331 rooms, however, it is designed to give you and your partner that feeling of space and seclusion. It includes 9 gourmet restaurants, a gorgeous golf course, and those sought-after private cabanas.
Rooms start at $274 pp/pn, but I would highly recommend a Butler Suite at this location. The beach is smaller than the other 3 resorts and you will want help reserving your beach setup.
Sandals Halcyon Beach is the more secluded option. At only 161 rooms and suites, it is by far the smaller resort out of the three. However it is known around the island for its personal service and experiences. This resort was recently renovated and now offers those beautiful swim-up suites at great prices. I highly recommend it to couples looking for rest and relaxation.
Rooms start at $305.
More Inclusions
There you have it! My list of favorite Sandals Resorts. But, we can get so much more specific and personal to you. I didn’t even scratch the surface with activities, their partnership with Robert Mondavi, and their amazing destination wedding program. If you are still curious, or have decided on the location for you and your loved one, contact me. I would love to help you plan your most relaxing and romantic Sandals vacation.