Sandals: An Inside View
We have all seen the dreamy TV adverts… couples in matching white linen walking hand in hand on deserted beaches, floating around infinity pools then clinking cocktail glasses by candlelight…
When you think of Caribbean Adults Only Luxury holidays Sandals will almost certainly come to mind, but does the marketing and hype live up to the reality?
Our team recently booked a Sandals getaway for Katie and Andy and they have kindly agreed to share their thoughts and some photos with us for our latest blog!
By way of background, they had a pair of open Virgin flights that they needed to use after covid put a stop to a long-awaited big birthday trip to Las Vegas in 2020!! Time was ticking to rebook the flights before the 48 month extension window expired and as the celebration the original trip was organised for was now but a distant memory, they decided to use their Virgin flight credit to book a much-needed relaxing escape instead.
The only criteria Edston were given when organising the hotel was preferably somewhere that was adults only in a location that they could get to using Virgin Airlines… they were in need of some rest and recuperation after a stressful few years and had a unique opportunity for some child free time while their children were away with grandparents.
We knew we had to suggest Sandals as an option… every resort is completely tailored to couples or small groups with no children so we felt confident it would match their requirements and hopefully offer the relaxation they craved.
The new Barbados resort seemed perfect and they agreed… Virgin fly directly into Bridgetown every day of the week giving ultimate flexibility on dates. So, we were able to link up the flights and hotel and booked them a Crystal Lagoon Suite at Sandals Barbados which for those familiar with the island is set on beautiful Maxwell Beach in St Lawrence Gap.
So both, tell us… what was your Sandals hotel like?
"In a word: sensational… and enormous! It is set on the shore of the powder white sands of Maxwell Beach and then stretches back from there. It is a quick transfer from the airport which was handy after an 8 hour flight. The resort is technically two Sandals hotels… Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados… but we quickly realised they were all one of the same. Apparently, it started out as just Sandals Barbados when they took over an old hotel in 2015 and gave it a much-needed Sandals makeover. After a few years they bought the complex next door and created one super resort. This work was completed over lockdown. The Royal side rooms and pools are therefore a little newer and have slightly more modern décor but essentially it is one huge, luxury resort.
The landscaping was impressive, and they have a large team of gardeners, mowing, pruning and tending to every flower bed, water feature and border all day. The exotic tropical plants, trees and colourful flowers attract lots of fascinating local wildlife, we saw hummingbirds, parakeets and even a family of monkeys one evening!
Turquoise blue, immaculately clean and sparkling pools weave their way around the resort. Nearly all the ground floor rooms have swim up access and there are 5 large standalone pools too, plus a huge beach area, so there really was no shortage of sun loungers. There was even a glorious rooftop pool with the most incredible view across Barbados. This quickly became our favourite afternoon spot after a morning on the beach. Each pool had a different vibe… we were there for a few days of child free relaxation so we tended towards the quiet pools and secluded spots on the beach but at the main infinity pool the rum and cocktails flowed and they had DJs and entertainment and a pool bar if you wanted something more lively. There were also hammocks, gazebos, etc.. conveniently placed around the resort so you could always find somewhere to sit with a morning coffee or afternoon rum punch to soak up the sunshine.
So, although the resort is busy and has hundreds of rooms it never felt too chaotic and there was always a sun lounger in a peaceful corner to be found.
By night there were various bars dotted around the resort, some were more lively than others.. there is also a bowling alley, a sports bar and even an ‘English Tavern’ so we enjoyed a quick game of pool and the Caribbean take on British pub life one evening… expect many chats about which ‘soccer’ team you support!
There is a large, Sandals branded Red Lane Spa on site, which we didn’t use but looked fabulous from what we could view… it was like a rainforest paradise in the middle of the resort where you could have open air treatments in little palm huts.
And it truly was adults only… we would estimate at a third of the resort being honeymooners, a third retired couples who returned regularly to Sandals resorts and a third couples like us, just looking a child free escape or wanting some R&R for a few days."
Tell us about the famous Luxury Included Package?
"Once you are booked in everything is included. This starts with your transfer from the airport… there is a large Sandals stand you go to once you have collected your baggage and they run regular shuttles to the hotel.
There were 21 restaurants and eateries across the resort which were all included… some you need to book others you could just turn up to.
As we were slightly jet lagged and struggling to get off British time for the entire trip we found we were up with the larks every morning so often first into restaurants for breakfast and likewise, first in line for dinner at 6pm so we walked straight into every restaurant we wanted to… I think if you do arrive later to dine you can struggle to get into some of the more popular restaurants as the resorts are sometimes busy, but you could leave your name and sit in one of the many bars for a drink then they come to collect you once a table was free.
There was one buffet style restaurant that operated at breakfast and lunchtime but also plenty of places open you could order from a menu too… in the evening every restaurant offers a menu service.
Among the options was a rooftop silver service French restaurant which was smart dress, a casual American Diner, various Caribbean restaurants, a beachfront seafood restaurant, an organic offering called Greens, a Hibachi show cooking restaurant, a sushi bar, an Asian fusion and an Italian and the Sandals signature restaurant you will find in every resort, ‘Butch’s Chop House’, named after the founder and famed for its huge steaks! There were casual eateries for lunch on the beach and at the pools, plus snack bars and two coffee houses too, you will never be hungry!
The Luxury Included package extended to drinks with a fantastic all inclusive house wine selection, freshly mixed cocktails, branded spirits, fizz, Blue Mountain coffee, anything you could desire really! There was a paid wine list should you want a specific wine, but we were quite content with the extensive inclusive options!
But it goes beyond food and drink… all service charges and tips are included, which is great for clueless Brits like us who never quite know the etiquette with tipping whilst abroad!
There was scuba diving tuition available in a dedicated pool…. And if you were a seasoned pro you could use the equipment and join daily boat trips out to reefs and shipwrecks, plus regular boat trips to swim with the turtles and snorkel plus water sports equipment you could take out from the beach… hobby cats, SUP boards, canoes, etc… There were also the usual games of pool volleyball and aqua aerobics if you wanted them in an activity pool… and tennis courts and a gym but we can’t comment on any of these more energetic facilities!
There were various levels of concierge available too from Butlers for the highest level of suite who would take care of everything… including unpacking your case, bringing you drinks, running your bath and reserving your desired sun lounger daily! Through to a dedicated room in reception to book trips and take reservations."
Had you ever stayed at a Sandals resort before?
We have, albeit a long time ago, so did know roughly what to expect… it was a pre children trip to the Royal Jamaica resort in 2010 and we were there for a balmy 2 week holiday rather than a short break. Barbados felt much larger and more modern – but then again it is brand new and at the time the Jamaican resort was ready for refresh which we understand it has now had. But it was the same concept… luxury included, set on a lovely beach, huge choice of restaurants, including one on an island you had to take a boat ride to! The far side of this island even had a nudist beach if that was your thing… as prudish Brits we never ventured round…!
Sandals does attract a lot of repeat business and it is easy to see why… it is a great brand, where you know what you are getting: every resort has similar restaurants, bars, pools, is beach side, same entertainment programme, etc… but each set in their own beautiful and unique location. There is a big push while you are there to rebook either at the same resort or another Sandals and get a discount… then once you have booked your 5th, 10th, etc… trips you get special offers and returning customers get ‘welcome home’ packages too! We noted on various occasions that the hotel management and long serving staff have hospitality down to a fine art and knew returning guests and greeted them like old friends on first name terms.
When we were in Jamaica, we found there were many returning American couples.. some proud to state it was their 20th time plus at that resort… but I think Sandals Barbados, as it is a much newer addition to the overall estate and seemingly attracts more honeymooners, had not yet built up such a large returning fan base."
Does Sandals live up to its reputation?
So I can't promise how many perfectly tanned, linen clad couples you might find and the resorts are certainly much busier and more bustling than the famed TV adverts suggest… but if you want an adults only, relaxing break, to be treated to Caribbean hospitality and be spoilt with extensive entertainment and facilities you can dip in and out of, all in beautiful locations and the luxury of an ultra all-inclusive package you genuinely cannot go wrong.
While we were in the resort we saw lots of images and advertising for the other Sandals offerings around the Caribbean... some of the new resorts they are opening look truly incredible, our eye was particularly drawn to the new Sandals St Vincent and Grenadines resort… it has over water, Maldives style accommodation… maybe one day we can dream!
They also have a sister brand of resorts called ‘Beaches’, which are all action, luxury included family hotels. This was a unique trip for us and we only ventured to the Caribbean as we had flights to use, any child free short break we were lucky enough to make in future would be closer to home but as soon as we know our children could manage the longer flight we will be tasking Edston with booking us a family holiday to a Beaches resort to enjoy all of the Sandals luxury touches but with entertainment a plenty for our children too…… or perhaps we will just get the Grandparents lined up again and book into that new St Vincent resort after all………!"
If you would like to book a Sandals escape like Katie and Andy, please contact us to discuss your next holiday.