Have any of you been to a Sandals resort?
- Thread starter jdoll
- Start date
FitnessGoddess
Cathlete
We did Beaches Boscobel (Ocho Rios Jamaica), the family resort owned by Sandals, this past July. We found that they falsely represented a lot of their ammenties. For example, they told us the resort was an hour from the airport on an air conditioned bus. WRONG! It was really 3 hours on a bus with NO A/C! They said 24 hour food, the food was only available from 7 AM until 10 AM, 12PM to 2PM, 5PM to 7PM. The bar didn't open until 10AM (ok, I wanted a bloody mary & couldn't have one!). I also did not like what food they did serve. It was "local" and I just didn't find it very tastey.
On the other hand, my 18 year old daughter & 16 year old niece had the time of their lives! They had full run of the resort. They were the oldest kids there & the staff was mostly their age so after the children's (little kids) things were done, the entertainment staff entertained the girls. They weren't supposed to go into the disco but they were allowed & had a blast.
The rooms were beautiful. The beach was small & dirty.
All in all, we had a good trip but we won't do a Sandals/Beaches vacation again.
On the other hand, my 18 year old daughter & 16 year old niece had the time of their lives! They had full run of the resort. They were the oldest kids there & the staff was mostly their age so after the children's (little kids) things were done, the entertainment staff entertained the girls. They weren't supposed to go into the disco but they were allowed & had a blast.
The rooms were beautiful. The beach was small & dirty.
All in all, we had a good trip but we won't do a Sandals/Beaches vacation again.
WD
Cathlete
Now that you mention it meals were not all day. They did have scheduled times. We flew in and went out in a cab. not a really good experience. I thought the plane was going to fall apart. The cab was because they wanted us to be at their little strip way early. We were still early, they just did not want to fly us out.
Diane Sue
Diane Sue
lorrayne
Cathlete
I have been to the resort on St. Lucia. I've had friends that have stayed at this one and two others on St. Lucia as well (there are 3 Sandals resorts on this island). I don't know of anyone who has stayed on the resort on Paradise Island. I believe it's near the Atlantis?
Regardless, you will have fun at the Sandals resort. It's a ton of fun and Paradise Island is a nice place to vacation.
Have fun!
Lorrayne
Regardless, you will have fun at the Sandals resort. It's a ton of fun and Paradise Island is a nice place to vacation.
Have fun!
Lorrayne
Hi Jes,
I just wanted to put in a Honeymoon plug. I was married six months ago and we took our Honeymoon to Playa del Carmen Mexico and stayed at the Royal Hideaway.
At first, I wasn't crazy about going to Mexico (we live in Texas so it's not that big of a "destination") but The Royal Hideaway is the greatest place I have ever been and I wouldn't change a thing.
24 hour everything (food, drinks, room service), AMAZING food, beautiful beach and pools, georgeous rooms (housekeeping comes twice a day!), perfect staff - PERFECT EVERYTHING! Plus, it was adults only but not in a "kinky" way! There was one kid (about 13) with his parents but other than that it was almost all people on their honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary.
Plus, the city of Playa del Carmen is very clean and the people were all so kind - not just at the resort but even in town.
If you want some great travel information, go to www.Fodors.com. They have chat forums and the people there know everything.
Have a great Honeymoon!
Mikie
I just wanted to put in a Honeymoon plug. I was married six months ago and we took our Honeymoon to Playa del Carmen Mexico and stayed at the Royal Hideaway.
At first, I wasn't crazy about going to Mexico (we live in Texas so it's not that big of a "destination") but The Royal Hideaway is the greatest place I have ever been and I wouldn't change a thing.
24 hour everything (food, drinks, room service), AMAZING food, beautiful beach and pools, georgeous rooms (housekeeping comes twice a day!), perfect staff - PERFECT EVERYTHING! Plus, it was adults only but not in a "kinky" way! There was one kid (about 13) with his parents but other than that it was almost all people on their honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary.
Plus, the city of Playa del Carmen is very clean and the people were all so kind - not just at the resort but even in town.
If you want some great travel information, go to www.Fodors.com. They have chat forums and the people there know everything.
Have a great Honeymoon!
Mikie
I'll second Mikie's plug for www.fodors.com. I've used their "Rants and Raves" section when looking for hotels and restaurants, and found the reviews left by other travelers to be very useful.
Just wanted to second the recommendation of Royal Hideaway in Playa Del Carmen. It is the best all-inclusive resort I've experienced. Oh...this is making me want to take a trip to Mexico! I absolutely LOVE Mexico.
I've never been to a Sandals resort. I've been to Couples Negril (in Jamaica) and we had a great time, but some other couples were having problems with their rooms. I was disappointed by the beaches in Jamaica compared to Mexico. And, it seems that an actual ocean-view room is scarce in Jamaica. We were lucky to get one (and it still wasn't as "ocean-view" as I like). The staff was great to us -- but a little "fake friendly" at first. I think almost any property in Jamaica is a little questionable (beach, room quality, drive to get there from the airport, etc).
Anyway...I know this doesn't really apply to the original post. I just got caught up in my Royal Hideaway memories....
Shonie
I've never been to a Sandals resort. I've been to Couples Negril (in Jamaica) and we had a great time, but some other couples were having problems with their rooms. I was disappointed by the beaches in Jamaica compared to Mexico. And, it seems that an actual ocean-view room is scarce in Jamaica. We were lucky to get one (and it still wasn't as "ocean-view" as I like). The staff was great to us -- but a little "fake friendly" at first. I think almost any property in Jamaica is a little questionable (beach, room quality, drive to get there from the airport, etc).
Anyway...I know this doesn't really apply to the original post. I just got caught up in my Royal Hideaway memories....
Shonie
Shelbygirl
Cathlete
A couple other resorts to consider...
1) The Hyatt Cerromar or Dorado in Puerto Rico. They are sister resorts so if you stay at one, you have access to the other. They have four golf course between them, one all along the ocean. They have a great all inclusive program, and I mean everything (but golf fees) is included. I think I had champangne and lobster 4 out of 7 nights! Cerromar has a really cool river pool, which is situated right next to beach. It's really easy to get to other areas of interest too (like San Juan, a rainforest, etc). (Hmm. Perhaps I'll go back there in 2005!).
2) Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. Another all inclusive, golf/beach resort. This one has two golf course, the famous one being Teeth of the Dog, along the ocean. There's a cool midieval-like town that they built as part of the resort. I wouldn't recommend leaving this resort however. Of course, there's the required beach and pool areas.
Never been to a Sandals, but when we were researching resorts, on paper, the two listed above beat out Sandals.
Have fun wherever you decide to go.
SHelbygirl
1) The Hyatt Cerromar or Dorado in Puerto Rico. They are sister resorts so if you stay at one, you have access to the other. They have four golf course between them, one all along the ocean. They have a great all inclusive program, and I mean everything (but golf fees) is included. I think I had champangne and lobster 4 out of 7 nights! Cerromar has a really cool river pool, which is situated right next to beach. It's really easy to get to other areas of interest too (like San Juan, a rainforest, etc). (Hmm. Perhaps I'll go back there in 2005!).
2) Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. Another all inclusive, golf/beach resort. This one has two golf course, the famous one being Teeth of the Dog, along the ocean. There's a cool midieval-like town that they built as part of the resort. I wouldn't recommend leaving this resort however. Of course, there's the required beach and pool areas.
Never been to a Sandals, but when we were researching resorts, on paper, the two listed above beat out Sandals.
Have fun wherever you decide to go.
SHelbygirl
Hi Jes -
I've never lived in Beaumont but my two friends were born and raised there. One moved back after graduation (Texas A&M) and the other has moved here to Dallas.
They are both 27 and went to Kelly high school. Any chance you might know them?
To me, Beaumont is a small town with a really high population - I feel like everyone knows each other!!!
I've never lived in Beaumont but my two friends were born and raised there. One moved back after graduation (Texas A&M) and the other has moved here to Dallas.
They are both 27 and went to Kelly high school. Any chance you might know them?
To me, Beaumont is a small town with a really high population - I feel like everyone knows each other!!!
Hi Shonie!
You're SO right about this weather - I have been denying the heater so far but tonight I may just have to indulge!
I grew up in Colleyville and went to high school at Grapevine. I live in Dallas now but will hopefully move back to the Mid Cities when we decide to kave kids.
Bedford - have you ever had Milwaukie Joe's Ice Cream? If you have a sweet tooth it is the BEST! Of course, since this is the Cathe site I will mention that they also have sorbets and gellatos to save on calories...but the ice cream and custards are so good too!
Stay warm tonight!
Mikie
You're SO right about this weather - I have been denying the heater so far but tonight I may just have to indulge!
I grew up in Colleyville and went to high school at Grapevine. I live in Dallas now but will hopefully move back to the Mid Cities when we decide to kave kids.
Bedford - have you ever had Milwaukie Joe's Ice Cream? If you have a sweet tooth it is the BEST! Of course, since this is the Cathe site I will mention that they also have sorbets and gellatos to save on calories...but the ice cream and custards are so good too!
Stay warm tonight!
Mikie
Mikie --
I just had lunch over in Colleyville today. They've opened a new Lifetime Fitness over there and the cafe serves some great sandwiches.
Yep, I've had Milwaukie Joe's a few times
None of that sorbet for me. Pile on the good stuff! But not today -- need...warm...soup.
Anyhoo...have a great day!
Shonie
I just had lunch over in Colleyville today. They've opened a new Lifetime Fitness over there and the cafe serves some great sandwiches.
Yep, I've had Milwaukie Joe's a few times
None of that sorbet for me. Pile on the good stuff! But not today -- need...warm...soup.Anyhoo...have a great day!
Shonie
Shelbygirl
Cathlete
I should have mentioned that the resorts I described in a previous post aren't necessarily couples only resorts, so depending on the time of year, you can have a bunch of children there (I don't know if that is a factor for you).
SHelbygirl
SHelbygirl
My husband and I went to the sandals spa and golf resort in St. Lucia in September of 2001. We had a wonderful time, but I have to admit that I was disappointed in the facilities. The pool and hot tub seemed to be really dirty and none of the amenities were nearly as wonderful as described in the brochures. I just feel that we should have gotten more for our money because it was quite expensive (I think we paid around $7000 for a 6-night stay!!) I just know that we've stayed at nicer all-inclusive resorts in Mexico for half of that. The beach was also really small and we couldn't go on it without getting harrassed by locals trying to sell us drugs!! I think we should have at least been provided with a private beach!LOL Just my .02----we wanted to go all-out on our honeymoon and pay a lot for the perfect vacation and that's not what we got!