Sandals Resorts is a resort that offers romantic getaways with a capital R”. Starting in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with the first property, Sandals now has more than a dozen (and growing) spread out over several other islands, including St Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas. The resort company’s all-inclusive, couples only concept continues to score a “Ten” with honeymooners for a number of reasons. For starters, their ultra-inclusive plan, whereby you pay one price up front for virtually everything, is a real winner. Accommodations, meals, snacks, bar beverages including name-brand liquors, water sports, tennis, golf, tips, and just about anything else you can think of are all rolled into the package. Since many young couples have a set amount to spend, knowing there will be no surprises when they check out provides a high level of emotional comfort.
The resorts themselves are romantic and special. Guided by its dynamic founder and chairman, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Sandals have a reputation for consistently delivering what it promises: a “no problem” romantic holiday. Sandal’s standards are king-size beds, beautiful décor, a whole range of sports and fitness facilities, every water sport you can think of including scuba diving and staffs that radiate as much good cheer as kids on their first day of summer vacation.
The fact that you can walk up to any of the bars and order the drink or food at will without having to sign a chit or pull out your wallet is a big plus. This also goes for the restaurants. You can eat at the same one every night or eat around. You can order anything on the menu, wine, beer, mixed drinks, whatever you’re in the mood for, and it’s all part of the package.
There is huge list of activities available to guests, all complimentary. On hand to keep the mood upbeat and arrange special activities and parties are the energetic Playmakers. If you like to be on the go from dawn to dusk water skiing, hiking, or playing tennis or golf at the Sandals Golf and Country Club, you can pick out at the vast array of activities on tap on any of the Sandals properties. And if you tire of the scenery where you’re staying, you can hop on a shuttle and spend the evening at one of the other Sandals resorts as part of their “Keep at 1, Play at 6, Enjoy It All” concept.
You’ll find many other young newlyweds to exchange wedding stories with on your honeymoon at Sandals, and since the resorts operate exclusively for couples, you won’t have to share your pool space with any kids. Many couples marry here and go on to make friendship that may last a lifetime.
The restaurants in Sandals are wonderful. Dinners feature a la carte menus, and couples can dine alone or with other couples. Breakfast and lunch are buffets, but a nice Sandals touch is the “The white glove” service, where a waiter carries your tray to your table. Each resort averages four restaurants, and all offer a distinctly different dining experience, ranging from informal to elegantly casual. Most of the restaurants are oriented to the sea, and the Bali Hai restaurant at Sandals Royal Jamaican is actually on its own island.
If you like Italian food, you can head to Cucina Romana, at Sandals Montego Bay, where you can dine on freshly made pasta of your choice while enjoying the sunset view from your table on the open-air deck. Next door, at Sandals Royal Jamaican, the Courtyard treats its diners to fresh-grilled specialties. And if you like Japanese food, you can try Kimonos at Sandals Negril. Here you’ll dine on exotic Oriental food prepared right in front of you.
Sandals went all the way to Holland to find an authentic Indonesian chef for Bali Hai. Since the restaurant is located just offshore from Sandals Royal Jamaican, getting there via the resort’s private launch is part of the fun. Once you arrive at the entrance of the restaurant, a hostess wraps a colorful silk scarf around you, your “costume” for the evening. Diners sit at long tables where hot and spicy as well as mild dishes are placed in the center for everyone to sample.
In the elegant category, Sandals Montego Bay’s Oleander Room, brainchild of Horace Peterkin, the resort’s enterprising general manager, has stenciling on the ceiling and warm décor accented with brass lamps, chandeliers and Palladian windows overlooking the sea. This is your chance to try some tasty Jamaican specialties.If you get hungry between meals, each Sandals resort has an “Anytime Grill” remains open until the early hours of the morning, serving snacks and made-to order meals. Every Sandals property offers the same high quality services and amenities. Depending on what you value most, where you decide to go will determine the type of accommodation you prefer. Every place is unique.