Review of Our Stay at Sandals Saint Vincent
We recently had the pleasure of staying at the newly opened Sandals Saint Vincent, and I have to say, it quickly became one of our favorite Sandals properties. Nestled in a valley between lush mountains and overlooking a beautiful beach, this resort offers a unique and luxurious experience that stands out even among the many exceptional Sandals locations.
Highlights of Sandals Saint Vincent
• Beautiful Grounds: Lush, tropical landscaping and breathtaking mountain and ocean views.
• Pools: Four diverse pools, including a lively main pool and serene heart-shaped spa pool.
• Beach: Pristine white sand beach with clear, blue water and extensive water sports.
• Dining: Eleven dining options with outstanding food, including a sushi bar and local cuisine.
• Rooms: Spacious, well-appointed suites with luxurious amenities.
• Service: Impeccable service with genuine Vincentian hospitality.
Cons to Sandals Saint Vincent
- With fewer flights and being more remote it can getting to the island is a little more complicated.
The Location
Sandals Saint Vincent is located, obviously, in Saint Vincent. It is a part of the archipelago of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, is an unspoiled gem in the Caribbean. Known for its active volcano, La Soufrière, and its commitment to soft tourism, the island provides an authentic and intimate experience. The locals are incredibly warm and welcoming, making the island feel like it still has a soul.
Arrival and Transfers
After arriving in the airport and claiming luggage we made our way to the shuttle for the 40 minute drive to the resort. The road is windy but the views are beautiful as you make your way to the resort.
Personally, I have issues with motion sickness but I had no issue with this drive due to the views. I can not remember if I took dramamine or not to be honest.
Butler-level guests can enjoy a special boat transfer on the resort’s catamaran, “Jilly Bean,” which adds a touch of luxury and a scenic introduction to the island.
The Resort Grounds
The resort spans 50 acres with 301 guest rooms, 11 dining options, nine bars, and four pools. The lush, tropical landscaping and stunning architecture create an oasis that feels both secluded and luxurious.
The grounds are meticulously maintained, and the backdrop of green mountains against the blue of the pools and ocean is simply breathtaking.
Pools
There are four freshwater pools, each offering a unique atmosphere.
The main pool, visible from the lobby, is the lively hub with a swim-up bar and DJ from time to time. This is where all the daily activities are going to happen like trivia or live music performances. When I was there we had a saxophonist and a violinist play at different times.
The water does tend to get a little warm, making it perfect for a place to swim at night as well.
The Crescent Pool, behind the main pool, offers a quieter space close to the swim-up suites. There are also a lot of cabanas in between the pools that make for a nice place to relax throughout the day.
The most coveted pool area chairs were at the two-tiered beachfront infinity pool outside of Parasol, a great place for food and drinks.This pool provides a relaxing spot with stunning views. It is very well located since it is close to the beach and close to several restaurants at the same time.
While it might be tricky to get a chair here with an umbrella, you can always grab a chair on the beach and pull it fairly close so you can hang out on the beach and then go into the pool whenever you’d like.
The heart-shaped pool near the spa is perfect for quiet relaxation.
One of our favorite pools is actually located in the spa. Even if you don’t have a treatment booked, you can use the sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, and the large pool. I used the cold plunge pool almost every day to cool down from the heat.
The Beach
The resort has a beautiful beach with plenty of chairs and umbrellas and very clear water that is extremely refreshing on those hot days. They actually brought in this beautiful white sand from elsewhere in the Caribbean, but it used to be a black sand beach, which I imagine they covered up because of the heat.
If you want to check out a black sand beach, the village next to the resort still has it, so you just have to cross a small bridge.
Watersports
Also on the beach are the water sports. They have kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and motorized sports, which are very rare to be included at any resort. If you want to go tubing, wakeboarding, or kneeboarding, they have all of that available to you.
Rooms
When it comes to picking a room, there are plenty of great options. There are two main buildings where the bottom floor has swim-up suites, and the rooms on higher floors include media rooms or even a fitness room in the suite.
The rest of the property has villas in different configurations. You may be in a garden villa, or one of six beachfront villas, each of which has its own pool. There are also two-story over-the-water villas that were finishing construction while we were there.
We stayed in a Beachfront One-bedroom Butler Villa Suite with a private pool. The room actually has a full living room area with a TV and a nice cozy seating area. In the bathroom there is a huge tub that has room for two, and then a double-headed shower as well.
Obviously, it’s brand new, and the quality definitely shows. One of the nicest rooms I’ve stayed at at Sandals. We got a foosball table and then, of course, this amazing view with a small private pool.
Some people have worries about the lack of privacy since the rooms are so close to the beach when in reality there are not a lot of people visiting the beach area directly in front of the villa. I would definitely stay here again.
Food and Drinks
For food at Sandals St. Vincent, there are so many options, and it really has been elevated above what you might expect from a Sandals Resort or really any all-inclusive.
For breakfast, you have a buffet with tons of options and a made-to-order omelet or egg station where you can ask for whatever you’d like.
There’s also an à la carte restaurant, you can go to the coffee shop that has pastries and other treats or you can order room service.
For lunch, there is The Jerk Shack, which we always love. There’s a pizza place with a brick oven, and new to Sandals is a salad spot where you can choose from a menu or customize your own salad.
There’s also Parasol, which offers a lot of small bites like Tuna Crudo , Mahi Bites, fried mahi-mahi, or
Karaage style Fried Chicken. We love that it allows you to try several different things at once since portions are somewhat small, and it has a beautiful view of the beach.
For dinner, the highlight is Buccan. It’s a restaurant with all local cuisine served family-style, so you get to try a little bit of everything. We also love that you don’t have to think about what you’re going to order because it all just comes to you. It’s very engaging with the chef and the staff.
There are Caribbean dishes like curry, exotic fruit salad, and the grilled pineapple with mango chutney for dessert was amazing.
There’s also an Italian restaurant, Sora, where you can get great pastas. We had a caprese salad, calamari, and our favorite dish was actually the risotto.
Scrimshaw is a seafood-focused restaurant that had lobster, mahi mahi or whole snapper with skirt steak for anyone not wanting fish.
Gatsu Gatsu is a sushi restaurant with a bunch of other Asian-inspired dishes as well like ramen or crispy octopus takoyaki.
Between meals, you can also enjoy coffee at Blum or go to Crema for ice cream or other treats.
Activities and Entertainment
The resort offers a range of activities from beach volleyball and tennis to fitness classes and nightly entertainment.
• Live Music and Shows: Enjoy nightly performances featuring local bands, musicians, and cultural shows.
• Bars and Nightclubs: Multiple bars and nightclubs on the property offer a vibrant nightlife with DJ-led dance parties and karaoke. The Rum Club is open till late and there is a piano in the library with entertainment regularly.
• Poolside Activities: Daytime activities include pool games, aqua aerobics, and water volleyball.
• Sports and Games: Engage in land sports such as beach volleyball, tennis, and billiards, or join in on organized group activities and games. The tennis and pickleball courts are under constructions.
The Spa & Fitness
The Red Lane Spa is also where you can book massages, facials, and other beauty and relaxation treatments. Behind me, we have the fitness studio, which not only has brand new fitness equipment but also has fitness classes regularly. They are finishing completing the tennis courts and the pickleball courts nearby, so that should be done pretty soon.
The Dogs on Property
On the beach and around the resort, you’re going to find some local dogs. For us, this was an absolute delight, but I know not everyone is a fan of dogs. There is no reason to be concerned either way because they like to lay around in the shade.
They’re very skittish, and even if you want to pet them, only a few are okay with that. Most of them slowly back away if you approach them, so you may see them around the resort, but they’re not going to come close to you unless you give them a reason to.
Bike on Resort
One thing to know about this resort is that it’s big, so it can be a bit of a distance from one place to another. They provide bikes that help you get around. If you’re on the beachfront and you want to go all the way back to the spa or the lobby, then that is available to you and makes getting around a lot easier.
Conclusion
Sandals Saint Vincent exceeded our expectations in every way. From the stunning location and luxurious accommodations to the outstanding food and exceptional service, it offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, this resort has it all. If you’re planning a trip, consider staying for a full week to truly enjoy everything this beautiful island and resort have to offer.
