FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

So, we're finally planning our HM! DH graduated from the Police Academy last night and has his precinct assignment and schedule now. We're planning to go the second week in June. DH has been impressed with what he has read about the Sandals'. I was wondering if those of you who HM'ed at a Sandals if you could share your experiences. We're leaning towards the Royal Bahamian but I'm interested in hearing about all of them.

Thanks!!

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

We went to the Regency (st lucia) and LOVED it!

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

So exciting!

We went to Sandals Halcyon and spent a day at the Grande. Both were very nice, with amazing grounds, but different.

Halcyon was very quiet and low-key. It was a bit of an older crowd compared to what I saw during my short time at the Grande, which was bigger. The Grande had the bigger and better beach, but I loved the beach at the Halcyon- though it was small we almost felt like we were the only ones there. Plus we tend to be pool people anyway. There were two pools at Halcyon- one with lots of music and then the quieter one, which we preferred. We were very happy to lay poolside all day and read and have afternoon tea at 4 o'clock. We also did a sunset party cruise and a dolphin cruise, which were great. And the restaurants were excellent at Halcyon. We also ate at the London Pub at the Grande, which was casual but good.

We are thinking about the Royal Bahamian for our next trip as we loved Sandals. Try tripadvisor.com too- every Sandals resort is reviewed there. You can FM me too if you like.

ETA- Halcyon was perfect for us as we're not big partiers and wanted someplace more intimate. The atmosphere at the Grande was more party-ish, it seemed. So that's something to consider, espcially with St. Lucia and Jamaica, as both have multiple resorts.

Message edited 3/2/2005 10:05:07 PM.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

we stayed at Sandals Negril in Jamaica...

the resort was amazing and we had a wonderful experience in Jamaica!

There was so much planned to do everyday and the staff was so friendly.

We had a wide variety of tours you could take and the views were amaing! We got great pics of the sunset.

FM me w/ any additional ques!

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

Jeannie, if you are looking for an all inclusive, look into Secrets Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. There are no children or singles allowed (sandals allows singles, singles = drunk young people partying and being loud and obnoxious). It was quite affordable, a short plane ride, and a wonderful experience!

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

We honeymooned at the Dunn's River Falls Sandals and loved it. The service is impeccible and everyone is so nice. They upgraded our room too. Most of the activities are included. I would definately go again. The food was okay but I am really picky. I had a friend that got married at the Royal Bahamian and she raves about it.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

we went to sandals st. lucia. i have to disagree with Shana because Sandals was not a singles place we met couples married, unmarried and honeymooners. we did not experience single people getting drunk. its a couples resort and the activities arent a drunken brawl. i cannot speak for the other sandals resorts but if youve never been there you shouldnt say stuff thats untrue.

Message edited 3/3/2005 9:19:01 AM.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

We HM'd at Sandals Ocho Rios. It was all couples, except for some people who were there for a wedding, but it was hardly a singles scene. I had heard you couldn't go as singles there. I don't know.
But we loved it! We would def. do a Sandals trip again.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

We went to Sandals Bahamas last June - Absolutely loved it. Wish I could go back again this year.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

We stayed at the Grande in St Lucia. It was unbelievable. Here are some pictures - honeymoon
We had a swim up room, it was great! Service was great! I really can't say anything bad about it. We traveled over to the other Sandals resorts and they were really nice as well!

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

---

Posted by Marcie

We stayed at the Grande in St Lucia. It was unbelievable. Here are some pictures - honeymoon
We had a swim up room, it was great! Service was great! I really can't say anything bad about it. We traveled over to the other Sandals resorts and they were really nice as well!

---

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

---

Posted by drewsgirl

We went to Sandals Bahamas last June - Absolutely loved it. Wish I could go back again this year.

---

Message edited 3/3/2005 12:08:43 PM.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

---

Posted by halloweenbride04

---

Posted by Marcie

We stayed at the Grande in St Lucia. It was unbelievable. Here are some pictures - honeymoon
We had a swim up room, it was great! Service was great! I really can't say anything bad about it. We traveled over to the other Sandals resorts and they were really nice as well!

---

The Grande St. Lucia is our second choice right now and we're looking at the swim-up room. How did you like that? I was thinking maybe you loose the privacy of using your balcony, did you feel that at all?

---

Message edited 3/3/2005 12:37:44 PM.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

We stayed at the Grande for our Honeymoon and booked a standard oceanview..the next year we went back and they upgraded us to a suite! Now that was worth the price of admission!

The next year we stayed at the Royal Bahamian and I found it to be run down possibly because of some hurricanes? Half the place was closed down. They also upgraded us to a suite but the room was in bad shape. I don't want to talk bad about the resort because I've had some great experiences with Sandals, but I am not going back any time soon to the Royal Bahamian. Things may have changed since we were there in 2001 (that is a while ago)

We have also been to Royal Plantation which used to be a Sandals resort in Ocho Rios. I think technically it still is but it has some all inclusive exceptions, it's not an ultra all inclusive. Some things are extra like the bus ride to the resort...but we absolutley thought it was the best resort we have ever been to. It is 5 star all the way. It's a little more money but I think it's worth it. Every room is a suite and has room service. Our suite was one level off the beach. We would walk down some steps and sit on the beach. They would come around and give us fruit and drinks. We never had to move. Because we were returning to Sandals they had a dinner for us with all other Sandals returnees which included lobster and filet!

All in all, you can't go wrong with Sandals..couples only and a diverse group at that. We plan on going back soon.

Message edited 3/3/2005 3:21:41 PM.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

We HMed at the Grande as well! and I would go back in a heartbeat! There were no singles there, only couples. Everyone was either honeymooning, having a weddingmoon, renewing vows, or celebrating an anniversary.
It was a fun beach/ party atmosphere, but NEVER out of hand. People enjoyed getting together to meet other couples at night and drinking at the outdoor bar. It was SO MUCH FUN!
We had the basic oceanview room which was small, but honestly we were never in our room unless it was night time or we were changing to go to dinner.
The swim up rooms seemed cool & very secluded. No one went into that pool unless you had a room attached.
We enjoyed the big main pool where everyone hung out during the day... They had the swim up bar, a DJ, a jacuzzi, and a restaurant all in the same area. There was also a more secluded jacuzzi that DH and I went to every night. We were the only ones in it!
The beach was amazing! DH and I would alternate between the pool and beach, which are right next to each other.
WE never really left our resort to visit other ones, because we were so satisfied with what the Grande had to offer. But they have shuttle buses to bounce you between all three resorts if you want a change of atmosphere.

ETA - By the way, Congrats to your DH!!! What a great accomplishment!

Message edited 3/3/2005 3:43:06 PM.

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

oh, and we did go to Halcyon for dinner one night which was great...

Re: FINALLY planning our HM....Calling all Sandals girls

ETA: sorry - i did a search for this resport and didnt realize i posted in newlyweds. my apologies!!


I just got back from royal bahamain for a
weekend trip. fh and i had an amazing time- it was super fun and lots to do for everyone's taste. the food was GREAT and i am a food snob.
fm me if u want to see my online album.

Message edited 3/3/2005 5:48:45 PM.