With seventeen Sandals resorts, choosing the right one for you and your vacation needs can be difficult. Everyone has their own idea of what a spectacular vacation looks like, and Sandals understands that. This may leave you asking, “Which Sandals resort is best for me?”
Sandals resorts thought of it all when you think of the word “Vacation.” Do you want to get away from the daily grind and relax? Or do you want to immerse yourself in the culture and fill your vacation with action? Even though you can fulfill both of these vacation dreams at a single Sandals resort, each one has some unique features that make them better for different types of vacationers.
How to Choose the Right Sandals Resort for You
There are a few factors that you should consider before choosing which Sandals resort is best for you. Below I will go over some of the most critical factors to ensure you make the right choice before clicking book.
Where do You Want to Vacation?
There are Sandals resorts all over the Caribbean, and each island has its own unique characteristics. Some islands are known for their beaches, scuba diving, or impressive landscapes. Unless you plan to spend your entire vacation on the resort and not explore the island, you’ll want to decide on the top islands you want to visit first.
What Do You Like to Do on Vacation?
Sandals resorts are known for having many different activities included in your nightly rate. Still, some are better at some activities than others. This is partially due to their location and what’s available. However, some Sandals resorts also focus on certain things like relaxation, scuba diving, golf, or luxury accommodations.
What is Your Budget for a Sandals Vacation?
Even though Sandals resorts are all owned by the same company, the prices for each resort do vary. The prices change based on that specific resort’s facilities, the location, and how big the resort is. Although, a lower price does not mean you’ll get subpar services and accommodations. Sandals resorts stay pretty consistent in that compartment.
Which Sandals Resort is Best for Me?
Based on some of the most popular desires for vacation goers, I have hand-picked the best Sandals resort for each want. Whether you love to spend your vacation in the best pools overlooking the ocean or want to spend all of your time snuggling up in an over-water bungalow, there is something for you.
Best Sandals Resort with Over-the-Water Bungalows: Royal Caribbean
Located just outside of Montego Bay in Jamaica is Sandals Royal Caribbean. There are only three Sandals resorts with over-the-water bungalows, and this one takes the cake. Mainly because their bungalows have a private plunge pool on the terrace, as well as the standard tranquility tub that comes with all Sandals over-the-water bungalows.
You can choose between the bungalows with a plunge pool or their standard over-the-water bungalow. Each one comes with butler service, allowing you to never leave your room if your wish. You can jump into the ocean right from your deck, have a romantic dinner overlooking the Caribbean, or cuddle up in bed with your doors open to create an indoor-outdoor feel.
Sandals Resort with the Best Beach: Grande Antigua
The Grande Antigua is situated right on one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, Dickenson Bay. Clear turquoise waters fade into soft white sand that looks so pristine that you won’t believe your eyes. I like to compare the sands at this beach to moon sand, so silky that it’s more comfortable to lay directly on it than one of the provider lounge chairs.
Each room has either an ocean view or is beachfront. It all depends on which village your suite is in. Antigua is also one of the best Caribbean islands to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving because of the clear waters and reefs that surround the island. If you decide to venture off of the beach a bit into the ocean, you will not be disappointed.
Best Sandals Resort with a Golf Course: Regency La Toc
All Sandals resorts include tee times in their rates, so there is always a golf course nearby. However, not all Sandals resorts have a golf course on-site, and they are all different. Regency La Toc has one of the best golf courses out of all the Sandals resorts right there. You can walk to the executive-style golf course from your room.
Regency La Toc’s golf course is situated on rolling hills and surrounded by lush greenery. If you feel like changing it up a bit, you can visit the gold course at Cap Estate outside of the Grande St. Lucian resort. Sandals provide your green fees and transfer to both golf courses, so you can golf till you drop.
Easiest Sandals Resort to Get To: Montego Bay
Sandals Montego Bay is where it all started. This is the original Sandals resort, and it’s a mere five minutes from Sangster International Airport. You can also get a direct flight to this airport from most major cities in the United States. It is quite literally one of the easiest resorts to get to in the Caribbean.
On top of it being easy to get to, it is in the perfect location to get to all the major tourist attractions in Jamaica. Dunn’s River Falls, Seven Mile Beach, Rose Hall Great House, Cool Blue Hole, and more are all within two hours of Sandals Montego Bay. It is also located on the largest exclusive beach in Jamaica, which is rare to come by.
Best Sandals Resort for Pool Lovers: Royal Curacao
Royal Curacao is Sandals’ newest resort and the only resort with a double infinity pool. The double infinity pool looks like a pool terrace, making you feel like you’re floating over water throughout the pool. Other than that, they have three more pools and two whirlpools available to all guests.
The best part about this new Sandals resort is they have a remarkable number of rooms with a swim-up pool or private pools. You can choose between a standard swim-up room or private swim-up bungalows. There are also five seaside bungalows with giant private infinity pools. In fact, these private pools are so big that they make your room feel like an over-the-water bungalow.
Most Relaxing Sandals Resort: Emerald Bay
Located in some of the most relaxing islands in the Caribbean is Sandals Emerald Bay. It’s inside the Baham Exumas, a cluster of tranquil islands known for boating to secluded sand bars for the day. What sounds more relaxing than spending the day on your own little sandbar?
This Sandals resort only offers Club Level suites and Butler suites. These two room categories offer a little more to help you relax than standard rooms at other Sandal resorts. Spend the day in your enormous room by ordering room service and having your concierge or butler take care of the rest.
Best Sandals Resort with an Over-the-Water Wedding Chapel: South Coast
Sandals South Coast is set along 2 miles of coastline in Jamaica. With that much coastline, Sandals has endless opportunities for waterfront and over-the-water facilities. Not only do they have an over-the-water bar and over-the-water bungalows. They also have an over-the-water wedding chapel.
This wedding chapel brings you about as close as you can get to being married in the ocean without being on a boat. The chapel feels open on all sides, letting the cool sea breeze in. There are even glass floors that the bride walks over on her way to say, “I do.” This chapel will have you feeling like you’re walking on water, making your special day even more magical.
Most Affordable Sandals Resort: Ochi
Sandals may seem like a place that people with a lot of money can enjoy, but that’s not always the case. Sandals Ochi has rooms starting at just $233 per night. With everything that is included at all Sandals resorts, that is a steal! You can even get a butler suite for as low as $343 per night. Luxury is not as far out of reach as you may think.
Sandals also have many deals you can use during certain times of the year to make your stay at Sandals Ochi even cheaper. Their best deal is up to 65% off the rack rate. That means the butler suite I mentioned above could cost as little as $120 a night! If that isn’t affordable, I don’t know what is.
Best Sandals Resort for Activities: Negril
There are only a few Sandals resorts that include knee boarding, tubing, and skiing in their available water sports. Sandals Negril is one of them. It might have something to do with the fact that it is located on one of the longest beaches in the world, Seven Mile Beach. It also has some of the best snorkeling in Jamaica right offshore.
You can also enjoy a plethora of land sports, such as tennis and croquet, at Sandals Negril. If you decide to leave the resort, the best adventure is simply walking down the beach. Reggae music, dancing, jerk chicken, and many boat excursions are all things you can find right outside your room door.
