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RFI: Sandals Vacation Experiences?

USACS

USACS

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Apr 2, 2010
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Looking at an all-inclusive resort experience in the Caribbean for the wifey and me. I'm specifically looking at Sandals Grand Bahamian in Nassau or Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma. Anyone been to either of the two?

I have been looking at the other Sandals in Jamaica, St Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and Antigua. Not really digging the super long-distance locales like Grenada, St Lucia and Barbados, but we're considering Antigua and Jamaica. Problem is that we've heard that Jamaica is a no-go with a lot of crime off the resort. So, not so sure.

Looking for a place in the Caribbean with free booze and no kids. Maybe a place to sneak away for part of a day to do some saltwater fly fishing when the wife gets drunk enough to not care...
 
Went to Jamaica on a missions trip 4 years ago. We stayed 3 blocks inland from Sandals and it is GHETTO !!!! The only beauty in Jamaica is the coast, no joke.
Crime? There are armed military every, even at the door as you walk into McDonalds !!! Our driver was armed and had been with the pastor for 20+ years....he was gunned down last year coming out of a restaurant.
 
It really depends what type of traveling you like to do. If you like the exotic locations but aren't one to go out and explore, then an all-inclusive is probably a good bet, especially in a vanilla place like the Bahamas. Those islands and resorts are specifically designed to cater to Western tastes so you're going to have a great time, though don't expect to feel like you're immersed in Caribbean/Islands culture.

Now, if you and the wife really enjoy exploring local cultures and cuisines, then a place like Sandals is not going to be great for you. In that case, a place like St Lucia is fantastic. While it's got the all-inclusive resorts, there are also numerous opportunities to get out and experience a truly foreign place. My wife and I love St Lucia: the food is excellent, the diving solid, and it's quite safe. If money isn't an object, this resort is one of the best in the Caribbean, especially if you're a scuba diver: ANSE CHASTANET RESORT St Lucia, Caribbean's most romantic resort . There's a marine reserve 20 yards off the beach so you literally pick up your diving gear and walk into a fantastic diving environment, especially if either of you aren't experienced with deep dives, heavy currents, etc. You can explore the reef to your hearts content and never get very deep or very technical with the dive.

I've been to Jamaica and truly enjoyed it, but that was back in the 1990s. If you do your research, you can probably find a great place to go, but pay for the higher end resorts where you can get a trusted driver.

Don't discount the British Virgin Islands. There are some excellent resorts there. However, if it were my money, I'd head to either Costa Rica or Belize. Pretty safe, fairly inexpensive, authentic foreign experience, and lots of unique things to do. But if you're just looking to chill on the beach with crisp gin and tonic, then Sandals in the Bahamas will suit your needs.
 
Just crossed the equator a few days ago coming home myself. I haven't been to the Caribbean much, but I'll echoe what ZLbubba said about Costa Rica, it is a great place to go if you are looking for a nice foreign experience with moderate cost yet safe and beautiful. I hear Panama is another good choice. I too have heard bad news about Jamaica from those who've been there.
 
A sandals resort is great, just don't leave the resort grounds because then you are in a third world shithole, at least in Jamaica... Did my honeymoon at a sandals and loved it, except when we left the grounds...
 
My wife and I did sandals Jamaica five years ago. Like everyone else has said the area outside the resort is ghetto as hell. If you are just staying on the resort there are better places to go. The price we paid was not worth the unlimited booze and mostly good food.

Unfortunately I got very sick on the trip. Tried to kill off whatever it was by drinking a ton of bourbon. Didn't work.
 
The wife and I were at the St. Lucia sandals (Halcyon) about 10 years ago and we had a good experience. The only deal is that the beaches are public property and there were a few locals trying to sell you shit as soon as you stepped on the beach. But after a day of sayin "no" they left us alone the rest of our stay. Nice resort, great food......and rum.

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My wife and I stayed in the Sandals resort on St. Lucia for our honeymoon 3 years ago. Everything there was top notch. I would not hesitate to go there again. They treat you great there. At St. Lucia there are 3 Sandals there and they will take you to what ever one you want for the day and everything is still all inclusive.
 
My daughter got married on the beach at Sandals in Negril, Jamaica. I knew every bartenders first name, I had a blast, bloody Mary's for breakfast, beer (RED STRIPE) all day, Romeo and Juliet Cuban cigars. Snorkeling, clear water, sailing, and I went deep sea fishing, caught a barracuda..

I took a cab into Negril, walked around bought several bottles of rum, tried many free samples of rum and food. Every body was very friendly and I never felt uneasy.

I'd say go for it in Jamaica,skip buying the rum anywhere but at the duty free shop in the airport though, right before you leave,I had to lug those damn bottles around for to many days
 
My wife and I have been to several Sandals. We have had nothing but great experiences. We always do a butler suite and just booked for Turks and Caiocs
 
I have been to sandals in Jamacia with my wife. Like said above, if you go, stay on the resort or go out in large groups. It is not a very good area.

Also, my wife and I don't drink, but I still thought we would enjoy the food and everything else. As far as beverages go, the only thing not alcoholic is coke or sprite. There is no coffee or tea or anything else. Also, the entertainment is probably good if you are slightly drunk, but not if you are sober. The food was great. We especially loved the jerk chicken! Price was great and I am glad we had the experience, but I don't intend to go back. I would much rather spend the money taking the family to the grand canyon, or florida.
 
Jamaica isn't very nice to be honest. Negril has some nice beaches but you won't leave the resort and it's all a bit low end. Of all the ones you've suggested I would recommend Barbados, the west coast and if you can stretch to Sandy Lane it is lovely. The guys are right on Grand Cayman and I can recommend the Ritz Carlton. It isn't a "free drinks" kind of place but it is lovely.

If you want an all-in package deal I would go to one of the higher rated Club Med resorts. The food is better, the French girls love to get their kit off and they have some with no kids. The Dutch/French Islands are terrific.
 
Lived in Barbados couple years, 1978-1980, liked Grenada best of islands in southern part of Caribbean. Volcanic island, tropical rain forest and the people I thought were interesting. Probably has something to do with their history, first the English than French, than back to English etc.... Controlled the island at different times. They have some nice beaches too.
 
Sandals resorts are just fine if you want to kick back and not worry about anything. On a recent trip to Hawaii (Kauai) we took a different approach. We booked a resort on the East Shore for a week then a condo on the North Shore for another week. We liked the flexibility that afforded us. We were able to see all of the island that way.

So if we were to do it again we would plan our own trip. It was less expensive, and much nicer than staying at Sandals. The key is research. Figure out where you want to go, then plan your outings. Finally figure out what location would be best for those purposes.

Chip
 
We have been to the Barcelo Maya twice just south of Playa Del Carmen. All inclusive, great food and drink, private beaches. Safe to travel into Playa or over to Cozumel.
Substantially cheaper than Sandals as well, we could have stayed at the Barcelo for 5 weeks compared to what Sandals wanted for a week.
 
I enjoyed Sandals at St. Lucia when I stayed there a few years ago. it was our honeymoon and it was very enjoyable. My biggest complaint was that although the drinks are free... They are watered down. I am pretty sure even the beer was because i could drink all day and never feel any effects from it. Since that time, my wife and i have been several different places including St. Thomas. I felt 1000 times safer on St. Thomas than St. Lucia. the beaches were prettier, people nicer and the whole place was much cleaner. It is also kind of the shopping hub of the Caribbean if you or your wife is into that. Most importantly though, we booked our place through VRBO.com. We have used this site several times and booked in Florida, Gulf Shores, Hawaii and St. Thomas and so far have had only great experiences. A number of people we have stayed with have really gone above and beyond to take care of us. Most of the time you can find really good deals (no matter where you end up going) and most of the owners we have dealt with will work with you on price as well.
 
Good point on alternate accommodations, I have used www.airbnb.com the last two trips I took to DC and San Francisco this year. Might be worth a look for places in the Caribbean.
 
Nate O. said:
The wife and I were at the St. Lucia sandals (Halcyon) about 10 years ago and we had a good experience. The only deal is that the beaches are public property and there were a few locals trying to sell you shit as soon as you stepped on the beach. But after a day of sayin "no" they left us alone the rest of our stay. Nice resort, great food......and rum.

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My wife and I also took our honeymoon vacation at that resort 5 years ago. I liked it and have no problems going back. The locals were nice and yes they tried to sell you things but were not pushy about it and understand no. A good portion of the beach is closed off to resort people only. One guy named Rasta Charlie scored my wife and I some conch shells that I could not find at any of the " souviner stores " The food was great and plentifull as was the copius amounts of alcohol. The only thing was all the Europeans wearing next to nothing or nothing. In some cases not bad others, well you get the idea. As for Jamacia, I have not been there and no desire to go just like anywhere nowadays watch your ass when out in town if your not with the group.
 
I would throw out there a couple of other places to consider. Look at Tobago (by way of trinidad), its an island and its pretty much all resorts on the coast and nature preserve on the interior. Great for anything water related, deep sea fishing, drift diving, snorkel etc. The resorts are nice, not posh but not dives. The place I stayed at had no phones,TV or internet on purpose. I thought it an inconvenience at first but it actually made the stay better by not having those interruptions. Tobago also has some of the largest brain coral formations in the world and are worth seeing.

Another less heard of place is San Andreas island. It is actually part of Colombia and you might have to fly into Bogota first to catch a flight there as I have never flown there from anywhere except Bogota. San Andreas island is actually right off the coast from Panama strangely enough. The have resort facilities there that are self contained but you can walk off of them and its relatively safe to walk around and shop as tourism is the islands largest if not sole source of income. Spanish is prevalent as expected but some places english is spoken,more so on the resort than in public though.

I've been to both of these locations and they are places I'd go back to in a heart beat. As mentioned, Costa Rica is a fantastic place to go as well and is also relatively safe as there are a lot of foreign expats and most places will speak and understand english as well.
 
Check out the Maldives. Went once as a teen when I was lucky enough to have parents who did very well. I will make financial sacrifices that surpass typical vacation savings to go back again. It was incredible. No comment on the booze as I was a teen with my parents when I went but the beauty of the place, unbelievable.
 
Just returned from an all inclusive resort in Montego Bay. I have stayed at the Sandals in Ocho Rios but it was a long, long time ago. I do not care for Jamaica as a vacation destination but when someone else is paying, I generally go. The Jamaican people at the resorts are all wonderful people and they are proud of their country. However, most of them will tell you that Jamaica is a poverty stricken, 'third world' country. I would never venture into any city unless I was escorted or was with a large group. I had friends robbed at knife point during a port call on a cruise. Once during a port call a small group of us negotiated for a private bus to take us somewhere and after we left the driver and his buddy tried to take us to a different place. That got a little tense but we outnumbered them.
 
I'm a little more low key. I surf, fish and like to go up to the cloud forest and see things like the Quetzl. Check out Costa Rica.

Thhis is where I stay it makes a great base camp.

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Pura Vida




There are plenty of high end full service resorts also if that is your thing.

Be safe have fun.

Wait, PM and I will share some of the places From the Pacific shores to the volcanoes and water parks and nature preserves I have seen.



 
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Sandals Montego Bay Jamaica was nice but Jamaica is a shithole off the resort, as others have said go to grand cayman, beautiful ass island, white sands, clear waters, not afraid of being mugged everywhere ya go, best place I think I've ever been minus not getting to shoot while there
 
All of the various negative comments regarding Jamaica have one thing in common...bad experience in the cities surrounding the resorts. Stay away from Negril, Montego Bay and god forbid Kingston and you will have a much different experience. Go to "the country" as the Jamaicans call it. Find the small town, out of the way places and you will fall in love with both the island and the wonderful folks who call it home.

Another phenomenal little known island worthy of visiting is Vieques off of mainland Puerto Rico. Truly a minimally developed island paradise. Much more rustic than the developed resort locations, but fantastic for those with a sense of adventure. Plus, no passport required for US citizens.

Also, vjj, you must not have looked hard enough... www.cissa.ky
 
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I've been to Playa del Carmen a couple times at Riu resorts and have been very pleased. If you choose the higher end ones you won't have to deal with too many kids, and the food and service has always been stellar. My daughter and boy friend just went to the Barcelo Maya right before Christmas and were very pleased (my daughter does not give high praise unless it is well deserved). I've been to the Riu resort at Ocho Rios and it was fine. We taxied into town and didn't feel threatened, but we had been given guidelines by the hotel staff, and stayed in the touristy places. It was OK, but I would not go back there, not because of a bad experience, but it just didn't really excite us. And yes, out of hte resort, it was pretty poverty stricken. Playa del Carmen was much more fun, we felt safe and the prices were right.

My 2 cents. Good luck.

ET
 
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Try a cruise. Great scenery and plenty to do, or you can do nothing at all. Food is great. Booze isn't all that cheap but you get to go to 3 islands or so and the service is great.
I know some people would rather go to just one place and stay and there is something to be said for that but cruises take some of the problems out of travel and the people watching on deck is very much worth the price of admission. :)
 
what is nice about the royal in playa is you can walk right out the front door and walk down 5th street in playa... tons of stuff to do outside of the resort... we even took a bus out of playa down to akumal to go snorkeling with sea turtles, and then another bus down to Tulum to check out the mayan ruins.... awesome vaca.

just a few tips tho about going out at night in playa...... stay off the beach at night, stay on 5th street ONLY, do not expose any expensive items like camera too much, keep wallet and important info in your hotel room safe and only take cash with you / or the amount you think you will need for the night.....


dakota_goon said:
Concur. Playa rocks and exploring away from the resort isn't frowned upon. Diving the reef is worth the trip all by itself.
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A cruise is out of the question. I get ridiculously motion sick extremely easily. That, and I also don't want to be around any children.

Having talked to some people, the Bahamas is out. I'm looking at other places now like Iberostar resorts. The front runner is Iberostar Grand Bavaro in Punta Cana, DR. Excellent reviews, all-inclusive, relaxing, private restricted beach section, and in cigar country so I can get me some cigars and do cigar factory tours.

Otherwise, I'm looking at Sandals St. Lucia, or else considering something in the St. Thomas or St. Martin area.

Whatever we choose, all-inclusive was a decree from the wifey. She doesn't want to have to worry about carrying money around or tipping. We both plan to be semi-permanently shitfaced the entire time, so a non-inclusive would likely carry a pretty hefty liquor bill. Especially with my propensity to order expensive scotch or tequila when I'm drunk.
 
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I have stayed at the Iberostar Bavaro Beach which is adjacent to the Grand Bavaro. I believe they have three related resorts in a row, and you can eat and drink at any of them. When I went, like 15 years ago it was a great experience. Food was very good, but skip the bufets and atick to the ala carte restaurants, but make sure you make rervervations at the restaurants as soon as you arrive. People at the resort are great, beacjes immaculate. No drugsor scumbags on the beaches, but the dr outside of town is a typical poor island. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER! Chances are you will shit your brains out anyway, but limit risks. Brush your teeth with bottled water. When I went it was a way more european crown, than american.
 
19Scout77 said:
I have stayed at the Iberostar Bavaro Beach which is adjacent to the Grand Bavaro. I believe they have three related resorts in a row, and you can eat and drink at any of them. When I went, like 15 years ago it was a great experience. Food was very good, but skip the bufets and atick to the ala carte restaurants, but make sure you make rervervations at the restaurants as soon as you arrive. People at the resort are great, beacjes immaculate. No drugsor scumbags on the beaches, but the dr outside of town is a typical poor island. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER! Chances are you will shit your brains out anyway, but limit risks. Brush your teeth with bottled water. When I went it was a way more european crown, than american.
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It's exactly the same now. I went last year.
 
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