Are Sandals Resorts Worth the Price?
A stay at Sandals can be quite expensive depending on when you visit, which room level you choose, and the resort you stay at. So many people wonder, are Sandals resorts worth the price?
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at what you get for your money and explain why we feel like they are–as long as you’re looking for the kind of experience they deliver.
Where we see value in Sandals Resorts
Overall, there is a ton of value at Sandals Resorts, but whether they are worth it to you depends on if what they offer aligns with what you are looking for in a vacation.
While there are tons of all-inclusive resorts, Sandals has the most inclusions and the least amount of upsells. They have more activities included like daily snorkeling and scuba diving, the food tends to be better than other all-inclusive resorts, transfers from the airport are included and a big one for me are the tips. The only people you need to tip are the butlers, spa attendants, and outside vendors.
Sandals Resorts also has excellent service and some truly incredible rooms and suites. While it can be pricey, the rooms at Sandals Resorts are more unique. You can get a basic room or get ones with private pools, swim up suites or even overwater bungalows.
While they can be pricy, there are always ways to save to get the most value. (especially if you work with a Sandals travel agent who knows all the best ways to save money, like us!).
Each Sandals resort sits on a gorgeous beach and has a ton of amenities, including complimentary watersports, land activities, multiple pools and hot tubs, fitness centers, nightly entertainment, and a wide variety of restaurants and bars–at which all meals and drinks are included, even premium liquors and Robert Mondavi wines.
We aren’t golfers but several locations also offer complimentary golf and you can even get a free wedding if you meet the requirements.
Plus, some Sandals resorts offer you access to neighboring Sandals locations, so you have even more options.
What isn’t included at Sandals is excursions, spa services, and some extras like candlelight dinners on the beach.
Because of all these inclusions, many people feel like Sandals gives you much better bang for your buck than a regular resort, or even other all-inclusive brands that don’t offer as much. This offsets the higher per-night price of a Sandals resort.
However, you’ll need to consider what you plan to do on your honeymoon or vacation to decide if it’s worth it for you.
Are Sandals Resorts Worth It–What Is Included?
Like we said above, Sandals resorts have some of the most comprehensive inclusions you’ll find at any all-inclusive resort.
Here’s a quick overview:
- all meals and snacks at every dining option
- unlimited nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages including premium spirits and Robert Mondavi wine
- unlimited nonmotorized watersports
- unlimited land activities
- scuba diving for certified divers
- golf where available
- nightly entertainment
- WiFi
- tips and taxes
- airport transfers
All of the food and snacks are included, and it’s unlimited. Each Sandals resort has all sorts of dining options serving gourmet meals and casual fare depending on the venue. You can choose from fine dining restaurants serving haute cuisine to casual cafes and everything in between. Can’t decide which entree or dessert to get? Get several! Want to try a different cuisine every night? No problem!
Restaurants at Sandals are beautifully designed and often have fabulous views; many are water- or beachfront, and some are even over the water. A wide variety of food types is available and varies by resort but includes French, Italian, Asian, steak, seafood, Caribbean, Mediterranean, sushi, and more. Room service is also available if you are staying in a club or butler-level room or suite.
Every meal at every restaurant is included, unlike some resorts which only give you a buffet-style restaurant for free but charge for the a la carte restaurants.
Every Sandals has multiple bars, including beach bars, swim-up bars, piano bars, English pubs, upscale lounges, and overwater bars with double hammocks over the water. There are also some unique options like a rum club at Sandals Dunn’s River, a rooftop bar with an infinity-edge swimming pool at Sandals Royal Barbados; and bars on private islands.
You also get a minibar in your room that is stocked and refreshed daily with water, soda, juice, and local beers. Higher level rooms have more extensive bars, some of which include premium liquor. A coffeemaker in every room comes with Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.
The complimentary activities are where Sandals really shines. At every resort you’ll be able to take part in a wide variety of watersports and land activities, and most are unlimited. Unlimited nonmotorized watersports include equipment and instruction. They vary by resort but generally include snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and Hobie Cat sailing; there can also be waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, glass-bottom boat rides, windsurfing, and even SNUBA which combines snorkeling and scuba.
Speaking of scuba diving, certified divers get two dives a day with equipment. That’s a huge value right there, and it’s available at every Sandals resort.
On land, each Sandals has a full fitness center with classes. You can also take part in a variety of sports that vary by location but include day and night tennis, beach volleyball, pool, basketball, croquet, bocce ball, pickleball, and more. Some Sandals resorts even offer free golf! You’ll get complimentary greens fees, and transportation if the course isn’t onsite.
Every night you’ll enjoy complimentary entertainment including live music, beach parties, karaoke, live shows, and theme nights.
Plus, you can get a free wedding at Sandals if you stay for 7 or more nights in a club or butler room! The Sweetheart Package, which usually costs $1000, is good for up to 10 people and also gives you a 15% discount at the spa as well as credits toward photography and videography packages. Free ceremonies are limited to Monday through Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
And if you get married there or visit within 30 days of your wedding, you get a free honeymoon package. It includes a chilled bottle of sparkling wine, turndown service on the first night, breakfast in bed one morning, and fresh flowers.
If you stay at certain Sandals resorts in Jamaica, St. Lucia, or Barbados, you can also get access to all the restaurants, bars, and amenities at neighboring or nearby Sandals resorts, with complimentary transfers where needed.
Something that is pretty unique about Sandals is that all taxes and tips are also included in your rate, so you don’t have to worry about tipping staff members during your stay (in fact, it’s prohibited). The only exceptions are your butler if you are staying in a butler-level suite; spa staff if you get spa services; and drivers for airport transfers and excursions.
Speaking of airport transfers, those are also included. Depending on the resort you choose and the level of room you book, they can be private or group transfers. Some can even be via Rolls Royce or BMW!
Why Are Sandals Resorts Worth It?
In addition to all the amazing inclusions, the facilities at Sandals resorts are next-level. They are constantly raising the bar at new locations and renovating existing resorts to keep them fresh and exciting. And don’t forget the breathtaking beaches, which feature shaded loungers and spectacular views.
You’ll find jaw-dropping luxury suites like the Skypool Suites with elevated private infinity-edge pools, overwater bungalows, swim-up suites, and thatched-roof Rondovals, including some with private outdoor oversized soaking tubs for two and/or private plunge pools; unique pools like a two-level glass-fronted infinity pool as well as beachfront, lagoon, and river pools; a wide selection of special bars including rooftop bars, swim-up bars, beach bars, cocktail lounges, piano bars, and English pubs; and a huge variety of restaurants and cafes serving all sorts of cuisines in a range of styles from fine dining to toes-in-the-sand.
Butler-level rooms and suites come with the 24-hour services of a team of private butlers, who handle everything from greeting you with a welcome cocktail and unpacking to making dinner reservations and bringing you snacks and drinks on the beach to helping arrange spa services and excursions.
Club-level rooms come with private check-in, concierge services, access to a special lounge, and an enhanced minibar in the room.
But even if you don’t book one of these levels, you’ll enjoy spacious and luxuriously furnished rooms with extras like private balconies or patios, a complimentary minibar that is refreshed each day, upscale bath toiletries from the Red Lane Spa, a coffeemaker with Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, and spa-like bathrooms that often have rain showers and soaking tubs.
You’ll also enjoy legendary service and friendly hospitality no matter what level of room you book. Everyone at Sandals is encouraged to go above and beyond to make your stay wonderful.
Are Sandals Resorts Worth It–How to Get the Best Price
There are quite a few ways to save on your Sandals stay. They usually have sales or specials running, including last-minute deals, the 7-7-7 deal, discounts at new resorts, free anniversary nights, airfare credits, up to $1000 instant credit on certain bookings, and more. There are also discounts for service personnel.
Last-minute deals at Sandals will vary by resort, but are often a third or fourth night free when you book in a certain time frame. The Sandals 7-7-7 deal is different every week and lasts for 7 days; you get an extra 7% off a choice of 7 rooms and suites at selected resorts.
When a new Sandals resort opens, they will usually give a discount on rates. And if you are celebrating your anniversary within 30 days of your wedding date, you can get the 7th night free in a club or butler-level room or suite.
There are other deals as well, depending on when you want to go. To find out more, check the Sandals website or reach out to us!
How to Decide If Sandals Resorts Are Worth It for You
Think about what type of experience you want to have. Do you want to stay mostly on the resort, or do you like to explore the area each day and do lots of offsite activities? Do you want to eat mainly at the resort, or do you prefer to try local restaurants?
Many couples–especially honeymooners–are looking for a stress-free trip that doesn’t involve much planning or decision-making, and has a set price that you pay upfront. Sandals all-inclusive resorts are perfect for that, because you pay just one price and have access to all the different activities and dining and drinking options, all within walking distance. It’s incredibly freeing to put your wallet away once you reach the resort and never have to worry about carrying cash or a credit card. It’s also wonderful to check out and not have a bill!
Sandals resorts are excellent for couples who want to be able to indulge themselves, since both food and drink are unlimited (including premium spirits and Robert Mondavi wine). They are also perfect for active couples, since there are so many complimentary watersports and land activities included. They are an especially good deal for PADI-certified scuba divers, as you get two free dives a day.
But if you like to plan out your trips and want to spend much of your time off the resort doing excursions and eating at local restaurants, staying at a Sandals may not make financial sense for you. It can be helpful to compare the costs of a regular hotel or resort plus restaurants and activities vs. the cost of a Sandals stay in the destination you’re considering.
Is Sandals Worth it if you do not drink alcohol?
If you do not drink alcohol the good news is you can always order non-alcoholic drinks and get plenty of value there, but of course, you won’t get quite the same value as someone who is drinking a lot.
Get More Value With Loyalty Points
One other way we see value at Sandals Resorts is their loyalty program. With each stay, you can earn points to apply to your next stay. Even more value comes from the free seven-night stay after staying 70 nights.
