Sandals Resorts Overview and St. Lucia Site Visits

Sandals Resorts across the world all differ in their style and aesthetic, but they all share common amenities that frequent Sandals guests know and expect. First and foremost, all Sandals properties are adults-only, specifically designed for couples, as all rooms are priced at double occupancy. Other shared amenities across their properties include the Red Lane Spa for beauty treatments and pampering and Snap Shots photographers that offer private sessions and walk around taking pictures of guests for purchase. There are also water sports activities off of their beaches, like snorkeling and kayaking. The various restaurant cuisine options include American, Asian and Italian. Nightly entertainment includes live shows and karaoke, and you can find Island Routes Caribbean Adventures on site to help book excursions at your destination.

All resorts also have three room levels starting with the basic luxury level that includes only wine and beer in your room and often no room service included. Then there is club level, which offers guests access to a 24-hour Club Sandals Lounge on property as well as concierge service, in-room liquor along with beer and wine and room service. Finally, you have the butler elite level, which offers the best rooms on property with a trained butler who will help with services like reserving lounge chairs, making dinner reservations and unpacking your suitcase. Within these three room levels, there are also upwards of 15 different types of room categories that are mostly differentiated by where they are located on property as well as the amenities offered on the balcony/outdoor patio area.

I toured all three Sandals properties on the island, but stayed at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian for the duration of my stay. This resort is the furthest North, at the top of the island, in Gros Islet. A really convenient amenity that all Sandals properties offer is the inclusion of roundtrip airport transfers. The international St. Lucia airport happens to be an hour and a half (sometimes up to two hours, depending on traffic) from the majority of hotels on the island, including all of the Sandals properties. The roads are very windy since St. Lucia has pretty mountainous terrain. If you are prone to motion sickness, it may be a good idea to take a Dramamine before your ride. While I did take advantage of the shuttle ride for my arrival, I opted to pay extra for a helicopter ride to the airport when I left. There is also a ferry option that others in my group took and, while it doesn't save as much time, it is very scenic and offers more of a tour plus drinks. Sandals can arrange any of these transportation options for you, as they did with my helicopter ride.

The Grande St. Lucian did live up to its name, as it certainly had the most "Grand" feeling of the three resorts. You experience it when you walk into the open-air lobby that has tall, sweeping ceilings with large hanging round chandeliers above you, and a view of the ocean in the distance. When I stepped out of the car, I was greeted with a fun little welcome song, a cold towel and an even colder adult beverage — that mango-mosa hit the spot for sure. My room wasn't quite ready, so they had a staff member walk me down to the restaurants that were still open for lunch so I could grab a bite while I waited. It was around 2:30 pm and the main pool was definitely a lively scene with the DJ playing guess that tune, and a packed crowd of guests hanging by the swim-up bar. If a rowdy pool isn't your cup of tea, all Sandals properties have a quiet pool as well. The standout features of this property are definitely the overwater bungalows (think Bora Bora or Tahiti) and the stretch of beautiful beach that faces the green mountain of Pigeon Island in the distance. The sunset views on this beach are truly stunning. For anyone seeking a wedding or even a vow renewal, there is also a beautiful overwater wedding chapel with glass windows on the floor to see the ocean below. There are 12 restaurants on site, including the popular walk-up pizza window by the pool and creperie for some sweet treats.

I spent a full day touring the other two Sandals properties, starting with the Sandals Halcyon, which is about twenty minutes south of the Grande St. Lucian, in the country’s capital city, Castries. This is the smallest resort of the three, with 194 rooms and six restaurants. While the property still has all the Sandals amenities you would expect, it definitely has the most “boutique” feel, which would be a great fit for those travelers who might feel overwhelmed by a larger resort. It has a more “hideaway” feel to it with lush tropical plants and flowers throughout the grounds and quiet areas to sit and relax. The standout feature is the 540-foot-long meandering crystal lagoon pool, which they advertise as the “Caribbean’s longest pool.” This is similar to the idea of a lazy river, except without a current. It is also worth noting that this hotel has the most accessibility for those who are physically challenged as it has low-rise architecture and most things are all on the ground level.

The last resort, the Sandals Regency La Toc, was my personal favorite. Also located in Castries, this resort is located on 220 acres of land, within a bluff. So naturally, it is known for its majestic cliffside views, which can be seen from several of the Butler Villa rooms and the Sunset Bluff pool area. Something to keep in mind for those travelers with mobility issues is that this property is very hilly and rather spread out. However, there is a complimentary shuttle to take you up and down the hill, and Butler level guests also have the option of being driven in a private golf cart upon their request. You can also take in the beautiful beach views from the main pool, which is at ground level. Another standout feature of La Toc is that it has a nine-hole golf course and green fees are included. It also has nine restaurant options, including The Pitons that offers ocean views within a grand circular dining room underneath a cone-shaped wooden dome to resemble the island’s twin natural wonders. Overall, this Sandals property felt the most glamorous and if budget allows for a butler-level room, this would be the resort I would recommend as the views and amenities in this category cannot be beat.

Sandals resorts have a strong loyalty of guests who continue to follow the brand on their travels around the Caribbean. Their properties offer so much that they can truly be whatever their guests make of them. There is relaxation for those who want some quiet time, a party for travelers who need a little fun by the pool or nightlife and adventure for those seeking some excitement. There are accommodations that can fit several budget ranges, cuisine for all palates and top-notch service from staff. St. Lucia is a gorgeous island and each of these three properties would be perfect for any kind of romantic celebration such as a honeymoon or anniversary. There were also several groups there traveling together for birthdays or a parents getaway. Reach out and let me help you plan your St. Lucia getaway!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Saint Lucia. In need of further inspiration? Check out Fora's guide, Saint Lucia: A Fusion of Beauty, Flavor and Tradition.