Escaping to a sun-drenched island is on most of us bucket list, of things to do. But for a once in a life time experience how do you choose the right location for that perfect romantic getaway? Maybe you want to recharge your batteries, or perhaps you fancy some personal training in a state-of-the-art-gym, followed by a rejuvenating spa treatment and dinner at a fabulous restaurant boasting international haute cuisine.
Whatever your preference, the Caribbean is hard to beat. So, too, is family-run holiday company Sandals, founded by Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart. Its all-inclusive resorts have been voted world leaders for the past 20 years at the World Travel Awards and it is devoted to providing the ultimate Luxury Included experience.
There are 15 Sandals resorts at exotic destinations, including Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua the Bahamas, Grenada and Barbados. And with everything included in the price – from gourmet meals and premium brand drinks and cocktails, to exciting water activities such as water-skiing and kayaking, gyms, world-class spas and even top-of-the-range golf courses – there’s no need to spoil your holiday by worrying about costly currency exchange rates or breaking the budget. Even tips and taxes are included.
The resorts are designed for couples in love and offer unparalleled indulgence – from a wedding package to endless water sports, including the Caribbean’s most comprehensive scuba diving programme (free for certified divers), unlimited rounds of golf (selected resorts) and up to 16 gourmet restaurants per resort featuring culinary concepts and chefs from around the globe.
If it’s tennis you want, you can choose from Har-tru or clay courts, all lit for evening play. Sandals Emerald Bay even offers stadium seating for professional matches.
When it comes to food, Sandals menus are unbeatable, bringing international cuisine and 5-star Global Gourmet Dining to you, quite literally, on a plate. At Sandals LaSource in Grenada, you can enjoy world-class steak at Butch’s Clophouse, while Sandals Barbados now has Sandals’ first Indian restaurant, Bombay Club, where diners have a vast selection of authentic and aromatic Indian fare.
Or maybe you’d prefer Kimonos Japanese restaurants at Sandals Regency La Toc, St Lucia, where the mid-1940s Teppanyaki cooking style has been perfected to guarantee guests an exotic and memorable evening.
Best of all, there are no set times for your meals – you can have lunch or dinner where and when you desire. And if you want to push the boat out and have two main courses, or puddings, for example, no one’s going to bat an eyelid.
There are 11 bars at each Sandals resort, with everything from piano bars and swim-up pool bars to authentic British pubs and lavish beachside bars with a view of the ocean – so you have plenty of choice as to where to sip that evening sundowner.
And now, at Sandals’ largest resort in Jamaica, Sandals Ochi Beach, the doors have been unlocked to the Caribbean’s first speakeasy, Rabbit Hole, which offers old-fashioned cocktails in an ambiance evocative of America in the 1920s.
Then there are the extravagantly appointed suites. Nowhere else will you find such exceptional choice, from a Millionaire Bluff-Top suite with 180 degree ocean views, private pool and three-storey sundeck, to a Swim-Up Suite that allows you to float up to your own private patio. The beachfront suites put you quite literally at the water’s edge.
In Grenada, for example, you will be perched atop the Italian Village in magnificent oversized suites, which come with a personal butler service. The full living room with double doors opens to a luxurious bedroom with access to a private plunge pool with an infinity edge. The suite also has an oversized balcony with double lounge chairs, a dining table and soaking tub. Bliss. Red Lane Spas and over-the-top indulgence are hallmarks of Sandals Resorts, inspired by the beautiful tradition and majestic natural backdrop of the Caribbean. Indulge in a romantic couples’ massage, for example, or make use of the complimentary hot and cold plunge pools.
And if you’re up for getting out and about, remember that nobody throws a party or puts on a show like Sandals Resorts – whether it’s a performance in a state-of-the-art amphitheatre or traditional Caribbean steel drums at the lively weekly beach parties.
At Sandals, you can do absolutely everything – or nothing at all. Many people have even chosen to wed at one of the elegant resorts, opting for free Beautiful Beginnings wedding to celebrate their special day. At Sandals you’ll be spoilt for choice. No wonder those that have visited have choosen to return, again and again.
Your Wish is my Command
Ever fancied having your own personal butler? Well, if you’ve booked a top tier suite at Sandals, you will have one.
Trained by the prestigious Guild Of Professional English Butlers, Sandals’ Butler Elite Service ensures you have a man – or woman – dedicated to catering for your every whim, from handling check-in, unpacking your luggage and taking your room service requests for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
They will also, of course, offer to draw a scented, flower-petal bubble bath, bring you snacks and drinks wherever you are in the resort, reserve beach and poolside chairs, co-ordinate activities, special tours and excursions and arrange for special spa services.
Indeed, it is the quality of Sandals’ staff that encourages clients to return again and again. The people of the Caribbean are particularly warm and welcoming, but Sandals has established a Corporate University – the first of its kind in the Caribbean – to train staff and help them reach their full potential. So your wish is truly their command. Your only responsibility is to enjoy.
Why Not go Island Hopping
THE Caribbean is so much more than a beach – in Jamaica you’ll find reggae music, rum and the spirit that inspired musicians such as Bob Marley and James Bond creator Ian Fleming.
But you don’t have to struggle with the dilemma of which island to choose – with Sandals’ new Island Hopping programme you can now combine two or more of the six stunning islands into one dream holiday.
Why not experience a mix of the Eastern Caribbean by spending five nights in Barbados, five nights in Grenada and then fly to Saint Lucia to complete your magical, memorable island getaway.
Or if you’re looking for a destination wedding, the options at Sandals are endless. Get married in Saint Lucia (the Beautiful Beginnings wedding is included) and then honeymoon in Antigua, voted the world’s most romantic resort.
And that’s not all – you can also choose a range of luxury accommodation from 23 different choices. Why not check into a Swim-Up Suite, where you will enjoy your own spacious patio with access to a sparkling Crystal Lagoon pool and a personal butler. Or step up to the Millionaire Suite where you’ll have 180 degree views over the Caribbean Sea.
All Sandals resorts are located on the calm side of the island, so you can bask and swim in the most tranquil warm seas. But it’s not just the choice of resorts that sets Sandals apart. Its luxury ‘all-inclusive’ options take the holiday experience to an entirely new level.