Understanding Sandals and Beaches resorts

Sandals, a brand synonymous with couples only, ultra all inclusive, stunning beaches, luxury and fun, began its life in Montego Bay in Jamaica in 1981, and is still owned by the same Jamaican family today, but now boasts 7 resorts in Jamaica, 3 in St Lucia, 2 in Bahamas, 2 in Barbados, 1 in Antigua and 1 in Grenada, as well as sister brand Beaches which is aimed at families having 2 resorts in Jamaica, and 1 in Turks and Caicos. The brand offers luxury included, claiming to offer more quality inclusions than any other resorts on the planet. But what does that actually mean? For every Sandals and Beaches package you get:

• Round trip airport transfers
• All taxes, tips and gratuities (the brand has a no tipping policy with a few exceptions – butlers, drivers and Spa)
• All meals, snacks with anytime dining in a wide choice of restaurants.
• Unlimited drinks in a wide choice of bars (up to 9 per resort) including local and imported beers, Robert Mondavi wines, and premium brand spirits and liqueurs and a huge selection of cocktails.
• Nightly entertainment (in most resorts)
• Unlimited land sports including tennis, basketball, table tennis, shuffleboard, beach volleyball, fitness centres and fitness classes.
• Unlimited watersports, with instruction including kayaks, paddle boards, windsurf, sailing and waterskiing (not available at every resort)

• Scuba diving – certified divers can take 2 dives per day, non-certified divers must pay fee locally to take the resort certification ($100)
• Golf – Some resorts in Jamaica, St Lucia and Bahamas also include golf with free green fees and PGA certified golf clinics. Emerald Bay in Bahamas – only first 2 rounds are complimentary unless staying in Butler Suite and t&c’s apply. Complimentary shuttles are available to take you to Sandals Golf and Country Club from Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Sandals Royal Plantation, Beaches Ochi Rios in Jamaica and Sandals Grande St Lucian and Halcyon to Regency Le Toc course in St Lucia.

• Free weddings (T&Cs apply) and weddingmoons

• Access to Red Lane Spa
• Shuttle services between nearby resorts in Jamaica and St Lucia meaning you can stay at 1 resort but use all the facilities, bars and restaurants of up to 3 resorts in the vicinity.
• Stay at 1 play at 3 privileges including shuttle is available when staying in Jamaica at Sandals Inn, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean. Also in St. Lucia at  Sandals Regency Le Toc, Sandals Grande St Lucian and Sandals Halcyon. Guests staying at Sandals Royal Plantation in Jamaica are also free to use the facilities at neighbouring Ochi Beach Resort, however the privileges are not reversed.

All Beaches resorts offer Pirate Island waterparks, infant programme with certified nannies to look after your precious cargo from 9am to 6pm (also later for a fee), unique kids camps with Sesame Street characters for toddlers, pre-teens, trench town, X-box lounge, DJ Academy and club liquid for teenagers. You can even have one of the Sesame Street Characters tuck your kids up in bed and read them a bedtime story. Sandals and Beaches offer many different room types and categories which can often be confusing, however, there are actually only 3 different levels of accommodation:

• Deluxe rooms are the lead in category and give access to all resort facilities and include the same in room amenities as all rooms including bathrobes, pillow menu’s etc. They are usually in the least desirable locations in the resort with no views, some resorts even no balconies. They do not offer any extras such as room service or in room minibar.
• Club rooms (concierge in Beaches Resorts). These are found in various locations throughout the resorts, and come with access to a club lounge and concierge service (where check in is done), an in room full bar which is restocked daily and offers in room dining/room service between hours of 7am and 10pm.
• Butler Elite rooms. These are in the best locations on resort and offer English butler service, private in suite check in, unpacking and packing service, 24 hour room service, fully stocked bar with your choice of top shelf spirits, and much more.

The newest type of accommodation offered by Sandals is their overwater bungalows at Royal Caribbean and South Coast in Jamaica. A luxury overwater haven, some with private infinity pools, and of course all are butler elite category so you needn’t ever leave your private slice of heaven. I hope this helps make choosing your Sandals or Beaches holiday a little easier. Kim Robertson is Director at Your Way (Travel) Ltd. Your Way (Travel) Ltd. specialises in long haul, tailor-made, cruise and luxury travel to the USA, Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Far East. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blogin order to raise your profile, please contact us.