Sandals

[Barmaid]

Has anyone been to a sandals resort? Are they as good as they seem?

Thinking of St Lucia for a honeymoon.

[237SJ]

I`ve been to the one in Nassau. Very glitzy and geared up to the American market. Depends what you want really

[Barmaid]

We want utter relaxation in luxurious and beautiful surroundings. Not sure I like glitz tho!

[ummmm]

I was gonna recommend Croc flip flops...So comfy :-D

[LadyCG]

I went to Sandals St Lucia in 1997. I think there are now 3 Sandals resorts on the Island. I've also been to Beaches (part of the Sandals family) Turks & Caicos.

You do get ripped off on the rooms. A beachfront honeymoon suite would be set so far back from the beach you'd need a pair of binoculars to see it and the sand isn't as white as as it looks in the brochures.

Look for a Sensatori instead, would be my advice.

[237SJ]

Maybe the one in St Lucia is Ok - I don't know. My friend went on honeymoon to Anse Chastanet and loved it. I stayed at Windjammer and didn't like the beach so I won't be going back there any time soon

[237SJ]

Does it have to be St Lucia - what time are you going?

[237SJ]

Sorry, I meant what time of year are you going

[237SJ]

To be honest, you are not really going to get luxurious in the Caribbean. The sea is wonderful and the vibe is good but they don't really do luxurious.

[Barmaid]

End of June. We don't really mind where.

Sensatori looks q nice, nom. We quite like tui as well.

Ummm.....you numpty

[Barmaid]

Thats worth knowing, 237. We might re-think.

[Prudie]

I've not stayed but have read many reviews and have been to the beach where the Antigua one is (Sandals Grande). It seems to depend on what you want - quite noisy, very crowded, lots of organised entertainment, you need to book everything from meals to sunbeds. Plus the beach it's on is packed and heavily frequented by vendors. However if you like that buzz you may love it. Alternatively I'd look at an adults only boutique hotel if you really just want to chill.

[LadyCG]

You want luxury, Google Ikos Aria. They're opening that one in Kos this May another one in Estepona next year.

I went to the Ikos Oceania in 2014 and it's superb.

There's also the Ikos Dassia in Corfu.

I'm booking to go to Ikos Aria once the 2020 prices are out.

[237SJ]

Grenada is a lovely island. I went there a couple of years ago. It hasn't been too touched by tourism, unlike the mainstream Caribbean islands. Spice Island Resort and Calabash are supposed to be good.

[Prudie]

237 is way more travelled than me so don't like to disagree but have a look at Jumby Bay Antigua and tell me that's not luxurious - and incredibly expensive.

[Peter Pedant]

pleased you are getting hitched Barmaid
people I know liked St Lucia

but the americans pay a premium for security ( so you dont get shot and you know you arent gonna get splatted ) which you may not feel that endangered
in which case you may be able to get the same luggzury at less cost.... ( speaking to an anguillan who had a condo )

[Peter Pedant]

you know what about Kingston Jamaica or Luxor ( which I know is not in Jamaica)

[237SJ]

I suppose again, it depends what you want. My sister stays at the Hermitage in Antigua. Costs a fortune though. You can always drop a star in the Caribbean though. A four star in that area would be a three star elsewhere.

[rockyracoon]

I too went to the one in The Bahamas (1997) and found it quite Americanised, and largely empty in the evening, as they all went to the casino a few doors down. That being said, I really enjoyed it, lovely food and surroundings. My friends went to the one on St Lucia last year, and thought it wasn’t anywhere near worth the money that they paid for it.

[rockyracoon]

Another friend goes to Mexico quite a lot and I think she stays in a Rui, they look quite luxurious

[Barmaid]

Thank you all very much. You have all been v helpful and given us loads to look at or think about.

Ab at its best x