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Sandals Resorts FAQ

Sandals Resorts FAQ

Sandals Resorts FAQ | InterStays

Sandals Resorts FAQ
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

Every question answered by Caribbean travel experts. Book Sandals through InterStays and get the best rates, a fully planned itinerary, and a real person in your corner.

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17Sandals Resorts
8Caribbean Islands
3Saint Lucia Properties
#1Grande St. Lucian · 2026
27+Restaurants · St. Lucia

About Sandals Resorts

The foundations — what Sandals is, how it works, and what's included.

What are Sandals Resorts?
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Sandals Resorts is the Caribbean's leading luxury all-inclusive resort brand, with 17 adults-only properties across 8 islands — Jamaica, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua, Grenada, Curaçao, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Founded over 40 years ago, Sandals pioneered the all-inclusive model in the region and is recognized globally for premium accommodations, gourmet dining, unlimited top-shelf drinks, and world-class water sports — all included in one price.

Sandals resorts are adults-only (18+). For families with children, the sister brand Beaches Resorts offers the same quality with kids clubs and water parks. InterStays books both.
How many Sandals Resorts are there and where are they located?
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There are currently 17 Sandals Resorts across 8 Caribbean islands:

Jamaica (7): Sandals Montego Bay · Sandals Royal Caribbean · Sandals Dunn's River · Sandals Ochi · Sandals Royal Plantation · Sandals Negril · Sandals South Coast

Saint Lucia (3): Sandals Grande St. Lucian · Sandals Halcyon Beach · Sandals Regency La Toc

Barbados (2): Sandals Barbados · Sandals Royal Barbados

The Bahamas (1): Sandals Royal Bahamian  ·  Antigua (1): Sandals Grande Antigua  ·  Grenada (1): Sandals Grenada  ·  Curaçao (1): Sandals Royal Curaçao  ·  Saint Vincent (1): Sandals Saint Vincent

⚠️ Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sandals South Coast are currently closed for the $200M "Sandals 2.0" renovation, reopening late 2026. InterStays can advise on the best alternatives.
What is included in a Sandals all-inclusive package?
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Every Sandals all-inclusive package covers:

✅ Luxury accommodations
✅ All meals at every on-property restaurant
✅ Unlimited premium spirits, wines, craft cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks
✅ Most land and water sports: snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, tennis, beach volleyball
✅ Scuba diving for certified divers (PADI certification courses available at extra cost)
✅ Nightly entertainment and live music
✅ Access to sister resorts on the same island (Stay At One, Play At More)

Not included: Spa treatments, golf at most properties, off-resort excursions, scuba certification, and premium room upgrades at check-in. InterStays can bundle many extras into your package at better pricing.
Are Sandals Resorts only for couples?
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No. Sandals Resorts are adults-only (18+) but welcome all adult travelers — couples, friends, solo travelers, groups, and adult families. InterStays serves honeymooners, friend groups, LGBTQ+ couples, solo travelers, and everyone in between. For families with children, Sandals' sister brand Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos offers the same luxury with full kids clubs, Sesame Street characters, and water parks.
What is the "Stay At One, Play At More" program?
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The Stay At One, Play At More program lets you access sister Sandals resorts on the same island — dine at their restaurants, use their beaches, and enjoy their pools at no extra cost, with complimentary shuttle service. In Saint Lucia this means access to all three Sandals properties combined: 27+ restaurants, 11+ pools, and multiple beaches. This is one of the most compelling reasons to choose Saint Lucia, and InterStays builds this into every Saint Lucia itinerary.
What is Butler Service at Sandals and is it worth it?
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Butler Service (branded as "Butler Elite" at the top tier) is available with select premium room categories — suites, overwater bungalows, and villas. Your personal butler handles everything: restaurant reservations, in-room dining, arranging beach chairs, coordinating activities, and anticipating your needs throughout the stay. Overwater Bungalows at properties like Sandals Saint Vincent and Sandals Grande St. Lucian come with Butler Elite included. Many guests who experience it once won't book without it. InterStays can advise whether it's right for your travel style and budget.
What room categories does Sandals offer?
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Sandals room categories from entry to top tier:

Garden/Courtyard Rooms — Great value; full resort access, no ocean view
Beachfront Rooms — Direct beach access; standard configuration
Ocean-View Suites — Elevated views and more space
Swim-Up Suites — Step directly from your patio into a pool
Butler Suites — Premium rooms with dedicated personal butler
Overwater Bungalows — Rooms on stilts above the Caribbean Sea; Butler Elite included; most romantic category in the portfolio
Two-Story Overwater Villas — Available only at Sandals Saint Vincent; glass floors, private plunge pool, rooftop terrace

InterStays will walk you through every category at your chosen property and find the best match for your budget.

Sandals in Saint Lucia — Our Specialty

InterStays is Saint Lucia's dedicated travel authority. We know every property, every room, every excursion.

🌟 InterStays is your Saint Lucia specialist. All three Sandals Saint Lucia properties, every room category, and the island's best excursions — we know them inside and out. Book now through our Sandals referral link →
#1 Ranked · 2026
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
📍 Gros Islet, Saint Lucia
The flagship. Perched on the Rodney Bay peninsula with 360-degree water views. Ranked #1 Sandals Resort for 2026. Overwater bungalows, swim-up suites, and multiple gourmet restaurants.
Overwater Bungalows360° ViewsSwim-Up SuitesHoneymooners
Sandals Halcyon Beach
📍 Castries, Saint Lucia
An intimate, low-rise boutique resort bordered by tropical gardens and white-sand beach. Quieter and more personal — ideal for couples who prefer a smaller, relaxed setting.
Boutique & IntimateSwim-Up SuitesBest Value SLU
Sandals Regency La Toc
📍 Castries, Saint Lucia
Spanning 220 lush acres with sweeping Piton views and a golf course on-site. The grandest terrain of the three — hills meeting beach for a dramatic, unforgettable landscape.
220 AcresGolf On-SitePiton ViewsMost Dramatic
Which Sandals Saint Lucia resort is best for a honeymoon?
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All three are exceptional for honeymooners, but each offers a different experience:

Sandals Grande St. Lucian — The #1 ranked Sandals for 2026. Overwater bungalows, 360-degree ocean views, multiple upscale dining venues. Water on three sides — sunsets are genuinely unforgettable. Best overall honeymoon pick.

Sandals Regency La Toc — For couples who want drama: Piton views, a golf course, and sweeping hillside terrain with a grand sense of scale.

Sandals Halcyon Beach — Best for couples who want intimacy and peace without a large resort crowd. Smaller, quieter, deeply relaxed in pace.

InterStays specializes in Saint Lucia honeymoon planning. See our St. Lucia Honeymoon Guide →
What is the "Stay At One, Play At Three" benefit in Saint Lucia?
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When you stay at any of the three Sandals Saint Lucia properties, you get complimentary shuttle access to all three — including all restaurants, pools, and beaches across each resort. Combined: 27+ restaurants, 11+ pools, and multiple beaches.

In practice: breakfast at your resort, afternoon beach at another, dinner at a third — all included. One of the best values in the Sandals portfolio and a key reason InterStays recommends Saint Lucia as the top all-inclusive destination in the Caribbean.
Does Sandals Grande St. Lucian have overwater bungalows?
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Yes. Sandals Grande St. Lucian features over-the-water bungalows — among the most sought-after room categories in the entire Sandals portfolio. These rooms sit on stilts above the Caribbean Sea with direct water access, glass floors in select units, private decks, and Butler Elite service included. They sell out months in advance, particularly for peak season (December–March).

Contact InterStays early — we'll lock in availability before it's gone.
What activities and excursions are available in Saint Lucia?
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Saint Lucia is one of the most activity-rich islands in the Caribbean. Top InterStays-recommended excursions:

⛵ Catamaran Cruise to the Pitons — Sail the coast, snorkel the reefs, rum punch included. A non-negotiable must-do.
🏔️ Piton Hike — Summit Gros Piton for dramatic Caribbean views. Guided hikes available.
🌋 Sulphur Springs — The world's only drive-in volcano, with natural volcanic mud baths nearby.
🌿 Rainforest Zip-Lining — Aerial trams and zip lines through lush jungle canopy.
🌺 Diamond Botanical Gardens — Waterfalls, mineral baths, and spectacular tropical flora.
🤿 Scuba Diving — World-class reef diving around the Pitons Marine Reserve, on-site at Sandals.
🏍️ ATV and Jeep Tours — Off-road exploration of the island's rugged interior.

InterStays builds all excursions into your itinerary and handles all logistics. See our St. Lucia Tours page →
How do I get from the airport to Sandals Saint Lucia?
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Most international flights land at Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) on the southern tip of the island. Drive times from UVF:

• Sandals Grande St. Lucian (Gros Islet) — approx. 1 hour 40 minutes
• Sandals Regency La Toc (Castries) — approx. 1 hour
• Sandals Halcyon Beach (Castries) — approx. 1 hour

Some charters use George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU) near Castries — much shorter transfers for La Toc and Halcyon. InterStays arranges all ground transportation. See our Airport Transfer guide →
Can I do a destination wedding at Sandals Saint Lucia?
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Absolutely — Saint Lucia is one of the most popular destination wedding locations in the Caribbean. Sandals offers wedding packages at all three Saint Lucia properties through their WeddingMoons program: ceremonies on the beach, in tropical gardens, or at dedicated event venues. The program includes a minister, flowers, wedding cake, champagne, and photography options. Sandals also offers complimentary wedding packages for qualifying stay lengths.

InterStays specializes in destination weddings — guest room blocks, rehearsal dinners, group excursions, and full coordination. See our Destination Wedding page →
InterStays Books All 17 Sandals Properties Across the Caribbean

From Saint Lucia to Curaçao, Jamaica to Saint Vincent — full itineraries, best rates, and real expert guidance on every booking.

Get a Quote →

Sandals in Jamaica

Jamaica has 7 Sandals properties — the most of any Caribbean island.

⚠️ 2026 Update: Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sandals South Coast are closed for the Sandals 2.0 renovation, reopening late 2026. InterStays recommends Sandals Dunn's River, Sandals Negril, Sandals Ochi, or Sandals Royal Plantation for Jamaica travel now.
Which Sandals Jamaica resort is best for first-timers in 2026?
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Sandals Dunn's River in Ocho Rios is the top recommendation for first-timers in 2026. It's the newest full-scale Sandals resort in Jamaica, completely rebuilt and reopened in 2023 — modern rooms, excellent dining, and the world-famous Dunn's River Falls right next door. For guests who prioritize pure beach, Sandals Negril on the famous Seven Mile Beach is a perennial favorite. InterStays will match you to the right property based on your priorities.
What is the Sandals 2.0 renovation in Jamaica?
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Following Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, Sandals invested $200 million in a complete reimagining of three Jamaica properties under the "Sandals 2.0" design philosophy — the same vision behind the celebrated Sandals Saint Vincent. This brings redesigned pools, new restaurant concepts, opened-up lobbies, and fully modernized rooms.

• Sandals South Coast — Expected to reopen November 18, 2026
• Sandals Montego Bay — Expected to reopen December 18, 2026
• Sandals Royal Caribbean — Expected to reopen December 18, 2026

Bookings for post-reopening dates are open now. Contact InterStays to secure preferred room categories early.
What is Sandals Ochi like?
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Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios is the largest Sandals Resort and one of the most affordable. It sits on 100+ acres with two distinct personalities: a lively beachfront club on one end, and serene Butler Villas nestled in tropical gardens on the other. Maximum variety — multiple beach areas, pools, restaurants, and entertainment zones. Ideal for guests who want energy and options without premium prices. Sandals Ochi reopened December 6, 2025 after Hurricane Melissa repairs.
How far are Sandals Jamaica resorts from the airport?
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From Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay:

• Sandals Montego Bay — 5–10 minutes (most convenient airport proximity in the Caribbean)
• Sandals Royal Caribbean — 15 minutes
• Sandals Negril — 45 minutes
• Sandals Ochi / Dunn's River / Royal Plantation — 1.5–2 hours

InterStays arranges all ground transportation so transfer time is never a logistical headache.

Other Sandals Destinations

Barbados, The Bahamas, Antigua, Grenada, Curaçao, Saint Vincent — InterStays books them all.

What is Sandals Saint Vincent like?
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Sandals Saint Vincent is the newest and most modern property in the portfolio, setting the standard for what Sandals can be. It spans 50 oceanfront acres with 301 rooms, 12 restaurants, and 9 bars. The signature Two-Story Overwater Villas with glass floor panels, private plunge pools, and rooftop terraces are in a category of their own — nothing like them exists at any other Sandals property. The Parisol Pool (infinity pool directly on the beach) and farm-to-table dining at The Greenhouse are guest favorites. It earned a 4.5/5 TripAdvisor rating in its first year.
What makes Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados unique?
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These two properties sit side by side in St. Lawrence Gap, and staying at either gives you exchange access to both — effectively doubling your dining and amenity options. Combined they offer 3 pools and 11 restaurants. Sandals Barbados features Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Suites and lush gardens. Sandals Royal Barbados leans more upscale. Barbados itself has excellent food culture, British colonial charm, and vibrant nightlife just outside the resort gates.
What is Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau like?
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Sandals Royal Bahamian is one of the most exclusive Sandals properties, featuring a private island (Barefoot Cay) accessible by boat. It offers overwater bungalows and some of the most upscale room categories in the portfolio. Nassau is one of the easiest Caribbean destinations to reach from the US East Coast — flights are often just 1–2 hours. Great for couples who want Bahamas luxury with the Sandals all-inclusive structure. Note: the beach at Royal Bahamian is smaller than other Sandals properties — beach lovers should factor this in.
What is Sandals Grande Antigua like?
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Sandals Grande Antigua sits on Dickenson Bay — consistently rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Caribbean. Long, wide, powdery white sand with calm turquoise water. Mid-sized resort with a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. For guests who prioritize the beach above all else, Grande Antigua is often cited as having the best beach in the Sandals portfolio. Also an excellent first-timer choice. InterStays can book this alongside Saint Lucia for a multi-island trip.
What is Sandals Royal Curaçao like?
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Sandals Royal Curaçao opened in 2022 and is one of the newest properties in the portfolio. It features Butler Bungalows over crystal-clear water — Curaçao has some of the clearest ocean in the Caribbean. The island has a distinctive Dutch Caribbean culture, colorful colonial architecture in Willemstad (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and exceptional diving. The desert island climate means less rainfall and consistent sunshine year-round.
What is Sandals Grenada like?
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Sandals Grenada is an intimate resort on Pink Gin Beach — one of Grenada's most beautiful stretches of coastline. Known as "The Spice Isle" for its nutmeg and chocolate production, Grenada has lush volcanic terrain similar to Saint Lucia. The resort has swim-up suites, multiple restaurants, and access to exceptional scuba diving including the famous Underwater Sculpture Park. Great for couples who want a luxury resort with genuine island discovery beyond the gates.