Which Sandals Resort Is Best in 2025?

Every time we have visited a Sandals Resort, we talk to other guests to get their opinion. It seems every resort has fans who consider it their favorite, so we have included opinions from other people who have visited a Sandals Resort several times to give you a more well-rounded view.

Its hard to say what is the best Sandals resort since everyone is looking for something different, but we are going to break it down and rank the Sandals resorts in as many ways as we can think.

Our Top Picks for a Sandals Resort

When it comes to our top overall picks, our top three are Sandals Saint Vincent, Sandals Dunn’s River, and Sandals Grenada.

Sandals Saint Vincent

Best Features: Modern Feel, Uncrowded, Amazing Food, Huge Rooms

Resort Cons: Hard to get to

Lets start with our favorite Sandals Resort, Sandals Saint Vincent.

This is the newest Sandals Resort and is a level of luxury above the others.

The resort is nestled between lush mountains and a beautiful beach and spans 50 acres with 301 guest rooms, offering guests a blend of relaxation and adventure with its tropical landscaping and diverse amenities.

The resort has eleven exceptional dining options, including a sushi bar and local restaurants. Notable spots include Buccan, a family-style restaurant unique to Sandals Saint Vincent, and Butch’s Island Chop House, known for its exquisite surf and turf. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining experiences, from buffet breakfasts with made-to-order omelets to small bites at Parasol and à la carte dinners at Sora, an Italian restaurant.

The pristine white sand beach offers clear blue waters perfect for water sports such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and motorized sports like tubing and wakeboarding. The resort brought in beautiful white sand to cover the original black sand, providing a refreshing and picturesque setting for guests to relax and enjoy the Caribbean waters.

Sandals Saint Vincent boasts four diverse pools, each offering a unique atmosphere. The main pool is a lively hub with a swim-up bar and daily activities. The Crescent Pool provides a quieter space close to swim-up suites, while the two-tiered beachfront infinity pool offers stunning views and proximity to several restaurants. The heart-shaped spa pool is ideal for quiet relaxation, complemented by spa facilities including a sauna, steam room, and cold plunge pool.

The resort offers a variety of luxurious accommodations, including the Vincy Overwater Two-Story Villas, Beachfront Butler Villas, and Lady Palm Club Swim-Up Suites. These options provide stunning views, private pools, and personalized butler services. Each room is well-appointed with modern amenities, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious stay for guests.

Sandals Saint Vincent combines luxury, exceptional dining, pristine beaches, diverse pools, and elegant accommodations to offer an unforgettable Caribbean experience.

Sandals Grenada

Sandals Grenada is one of our favorite Sandals Resorts.

Located on Grenada’s Pink Gin Beach, Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa offers a mix of luxury and local charm that’s hard to beat. Grenada, often referred to as the “Spice Isle” for its rich history in nutmeg production, provides a stunning backdrop for this resort.

One great benefit of Sandals Grenada is the proximity to the airport. After a quick 5-minute drive your vacation will begin!

There are 257 rooms and suites, each with unique features and a large range of prices. Our most recent visit to Sandals Grenada was in March of 2023 when we enjoyed a week at one of the swim-up suites which is a great middle-ground in price between the suites with a private pool and the rooms without direct water access.

For dining, there are 12 options including Butch’s Chophouse, a staple of Sandals Resorts as well as restaurants with various international cuisines and six bars. We would get breakfast every morning at Spices where there is a buffet and a chef cooking eggs anyway and one additional item each day like french toast, pancakes, or a regional specialty. It’s the same chef each day except for his days off so we liked that he knew our general order and was fun to chat with each day.

Some additional highlights for the food are Cafe de Paris where you can get crepes, coffee and treats anytime, the Tipsy Turtle which is open very late and has amazing butter chicken and chicken winges, and Soy for sushi where I loved the Seared Tuna Tataki and Banana Tempura. I could go on, but you can also check out the full dining options here.

Sandals Grenada is a great pick for divers and those who love the water, boasting some of the best scuba diving spots in the Caribbean. If you’re more about relaxation, the resort’s spa, pools, and hot tubs are perfect for unwinding. Plus, there are plenty of activities, from yoga to tennis, if you’re looking to stay active.

The staff at Sandals Grenada go above and beyond, making sure your stay is as enjoyable as possible. It’s the little touches, like the general manager mingling with guests, that make a difference. And if you opt for a butler suite, you’ll enjoy an even more personalized service, with staff ready to book your dinner reservations or secure the best spot by the pool for you.

In terms of the rooms, they’re modern, and spacious, and offer all the comforts you could want, including free Wi-Fi. Many rooms feature balconies or patios with soaking tubs, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.

The resort’s location makes it easy to enjoy Grenada’s natural beauty, from its beaches to its rainforests. And with the resort being so close to the airport, you’ll be in vacation mode almost as soon as you land.

We loved our excursion where we went to a rum distillery where there was a tasting, visited a spice garden, stopped by the Grand Etang Lake and rainforest and saw a Mona Monkey, and ended the trip with an amazing lunch in town before returning to the resort.

We enjoyed the spa but found it to be lacking some of the amenities to allow for a full spa experience like a sauna, hot tub, or separate areas so we recommend getting a massage on the pier so you can hear the crashing waves and relax.

All in all, Sandals Grenada offers a blend of relaxation, adventure, and luxury, making it a great choice for a Caribbean getaway. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, celebrating a special occasion, or just in need of a break, it’s a place where you can make the most of your time away.

Why We Love Sandals Grenada

• Sandals Grenada is a quick 5-minute drive from the airport.
• This resort has the most suites with private pools.
• The resort is very well laid out with plenty of beach chairs available and pool areas.
• The island is safe and beautiful with friendly people. We find it easy to explore with plenty of excursion options.
• The beach at Sandals Grenada is our favorite. The water is beautiful, there are fish to see while snorkeling and you’ll find a little movement with occasional waves.
• The food and service is exceptional with 12 restaurants to choose from and helpful staff. There is always a bar nearby and it is easy to get drink service throughout the resort.

Things to Know Before Booking

We have no reservations when recommending Sandal Grenada as it is our favorite. The only reason it does not fit everyone is flights and distance. We find sometimes it’s better to choose another resort if the flight schedule prohibits you from getting to the resort within a day.

Just a heads up, the beach at Sandals Grenada is beautiful and is my personal favorite but not overly large, which makes it quite nice for a stroll. And while the diving here is fantastic, it’s worth noting that the beach vendors are limited, so for any motorized water sports, you’ll likely be looking at an excursion.

Sandals Dunn’s River

The only reason we did not put Sandals Dunn’s River as the best Sandals Resorts is because it is newer and is not as easy to get to as Sandals Grenada. Otherwise, it’s always my top choice.

Sandals Dunn’s River in Jamaica is a standout choice due to the recent opening with so many new food concepts and experiences. The resort is located about an hour and a half from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, but the ride is generally a smooth one. While there is a close airport 25 minutes away, there are only a few flights each week at this time.

By being located in Ocho Rios, the resort is near many of Jamaica’s top attractions including Dunn’s River Falls, the Blue Hole, and other activities like tubing and ziplining. Additionally, guests at Sandals Dunn’s River enjoy full exchange privileges with Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, but not many guests take advantage of this because it’s hard to want to leave Sandals Dunn’s River.

With a background in Culinary Arts, food is important to me and I can say the food at Sandals Dunn’s River is the best of any Sandals Resort. I loved going to the Dunn’s Rum Club and predict this will be recreated at other Sandals Resort. Not only do they offer over 30 rums from the Caribbean, they also have really great appetizers.

There are several other bars and lounges all with specialty drinks on the menu. For food there is a huge variety of options. We loved going to the Blum coffee roaster each morning for great coffee and snacks. Everything I ate here was a highlight but if I had to choose some of the best dishes I would recommend Hanami for the Crispy Octopus Takoyaki and Seared Albacore Crispy Onion roll, going to the Jerk Shack for dinner, and Zuka for the Surf & Turf with Snapper and Lobster.

For golf enthusiasts, complimentary green fees at the prestigious Upton Estate Golf & Country Club are a significant perk, with transfers included for convenience.

Another thing to keep in mind is the opening staff at Sandals Dunn’s River is the best of the best so the hospitality shines.

At the resort you will find a long stretch of beach with plenty of chairs to choose from and 2 large river-style pools.

Why We Love Sandals Dunn’s River

• This is the Sandals Resort with the best food with modern options.
• It is located close to so many things to do.
• There are motorized water sports available like water skis, wakeboarding and tubing.
• Two large separate river pools with unique vibes. One side if very relaxed and quiet with the other pool has lively entertainment throughout the day.
• 9 bars, including a swim-up bar at the pool.
• Brand new spa facilities with a large pool for relaxation and hot and cold plunge pools.
• State-of-the-art fitness center on the top floor with a great ocean view.
• A variety of suites including the Swim-up Rondoval Butler Suites and Skypool Butler Suites.
• The only restaurant that requires reservations is the Jerk Shack for dinner. Only one restaurant requires a resort evening attire.

Things to Know Before Booking

Some guests do not like that the SkyPools are in the shade of the building.

At this time the resort is somewhat small. They will be building a resort next door which will make it larger with even more options.

Best Sandals Resorts for Ease of Travel

If you’re looking for convenience, some Sandals Resorts are much easier to get to than others. These are perfect for short trips or travelers who want to get to the beach quickly after landing.

• Sandals Royal Bahamian (Nassau Bahamas): Just 10 minutes from Nassau Airport.
• Sandals Montego Bay (Jamaica): Only 5 minutes from MBJ, the quickest transfer of all.
• Sandals Royal Caribbean (Montego Bay, Jamaica): Only 5 minutes from MBJ, but with less airplane noise than Montego Bay
• Sandals Barbados / Royal Barbados : Approximately 15 minutes from BGI airport.
• Sandals Dunn’s River (Ocho Rios, Jamaica): Only 20 minutes from the aiport, but airport has limited flights.
• Sandals Royal Plantation (Ocho Rios, Jamaica): Only 15 minutes from the aiport, but airport has limited flights.
• Sandals Ochi (Ocho Rios, Jamaica):Only 15 minutes from the aiport, but airport has limited flights.

These resorts are ideal for weekend getaways, short honeymoons, or travelers who want to minimize transit time. The short transfers mean you’ll be sipping cocktails on the beach within an hour of landing, and you won’t lose precious vacation time sitting in transportation. This convenience factor becomes especially valuable when dealing with flight delays or tight schedules.

Best Resorts for Short Stays or Weekend Trips

If you only have a few days to spare, these resorts are compact, close to the airport, shorter flights from the US and offer a ton of amenities without needing to explore a huge property:

• Sandals Montego Bay & Sandals Royal Caribbean
• Sandals Royal Bahamian
• Sandals Dunn’s River (if you can make the flight to Ocho Rios in the morning.)

These properties pack a lot of value into a short stay, from quick airport access to a lively atmosphere and excellent food. While most guest at Sandals stay on average for 6 nights, when they go to these resorts they tend to stay 4-5 nights on average.

Resorts with the Most Direct Flights

• Sandals Resort in Jamaica (Montego Bay Airport)
  • Sandals Montego Bay
  • Sandals Royal Caribbean
  • Sandals Ochi
  • Sandals Dunn’s River
  • Sandals Royal Plantation
  • Sandals South Coast
  • Sandals Negril
• Sandals Royal Bahamian (Nassau Airport)
• Sandals Barbados / Royal Barbados (Barbados)

These destinations are serviced by numerous direct flights from major U.S. and Canadian cities, making them ideal for stress-free travel. Direct flights eliminate the hassle of connections, reduce travel fatigue, and minimize the risk of lost luggage. Jamaica and Barbados in particular offer multiple daily flight options from cities like Miami, New York, Toronto, and Atlanta, giving you flexibility in departure times and airline choices.

Best Sandals Resorts for a Secluded Feel

Want peace, quiet, and a more intimate setting? These resorts offer a serene atmosphere without the party vibe:

• Sandals Royal Plantation (Jamaica): All-butler, oceanfront, and adults-only.
• Sandals Halcyon Beach (St. Lucia): Small, garden-like, and tranquil.
• Sandals South Coast (Jamaica): Tucked away in a 500-acre nature preserve with a 2-mile beach.

These resorts cater to couples seeking romance and tranquility over high-energy entertainment. Royal Plantation’s all-suite layout ensures ultimate privacy, while Halcyon Beach feels more like a boutique hideaway than a large resort. South Coast’s massive nature preserve means you can walk for miles without encountering crowds, and the natural setting attracts fewer party-seekers, creating a more mature and peaceful atmosphere.

Best Resorts for Unique Suites

• Sandals Saint Vincent: Between the garden villas, beachfront villas and overwater villas there are so many to choose from!
• Sandals Grenada: They have SkyPool Suites with infinity-edge pools on the balcony and a lot of rooms with private pools.
• Sandals Royal Caribbean: Overwater Bungalows with glass floors.
• Sandals South Coast: You can’t beat the Overwater bungalows here that are more secluded and recently renovated and swim-up Rondoval Suites.
• Sandals Negril: They have the best Sky Pool Suites

These suites offer experiences you simply can’t find at traditional hotels. The overwater bungalows provide direct ocean access from your suite, complete with snorkeling gear and kayaks. SkyPool Suites feature private infinity pools that seem to blend seamlessly with the ocean horizon, while the glass-floor bungalows let you watch tropical fish swim beneath your feet. These unique accommodations often become the highlight of the entire vacation.

Best Suites for Privacy

• Overwater Villas at Sandals Saint Vincent
• South Seas Rondovals at Sandals Dunn’s River
• Overwater Villas at Sandals South Coast
• Skypool Suites at Sandals Grenada
• Skypool Suites at Sandals Negril

These are perfect for honeymooners, anniversary trips, or anyone wanting a more secluded and luxurious space. The circular Rondoval design provides 360-degree privacy with secluded outdoor spaces, while overwater villas offer complete isolation surrounded by crystal-clear waters. Many of these suites feature private beaches, exclusive butler service, and strategic positioning away from high-traffic resort areas to ensure maximum intimacy.

Best Suites for Beach Lovers

• Beachfront One-Bedroom Walkouts at Sandals Emerald Bay
• Beachfront Villas with Plunge Pools at Sandals Saint Vincent
• Walkout Room & Suites at Sandals Negril
• Beachfront Suites at Sandals Royal Barbados

These accommodations put you literally steps from pristine white sand beaches. You can walk directly from your suite onto some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful stretches of sand, with immediate access to water sports, beachside dining, and sunset views. The proximity means you can easily pop back to your room for a midday nap or evening wardrobe change without missing any beach time.

Best Suites for Pool Lovers

• Skypool Suites at Sandals Grenada
• Swim-Up Suites at Sandals Royal Barbados
• Swim-Up Rondovals at Sandals South Coast

Perfect for those who prefer the convenience and privacy of their own pool over shared resort facilities. Swim-up suites allow you to literally swim from your patio directly into the resort’s main pool system, while private skypool suites offer complete seclusion with infinity-edge designs. These options are ideal for couples who want to enjoy pool time without crowds, or for those who prefer to sunbathe and swim in complete privacy.

Most Photogenic Sandals Resorts

• Sandals Saint Vincent: With its modern look and mountainous background and beautiful beach it is perfect for Istagram worthy photoshoots.
• Sandals Royal Curacao: The resort has a few instagram worthy backgrounds, beautiful grounds and the main town is full of iconic landmarks for photos.
• Sandals South Coast: Long piers, overwater chapel, and dramatic sunsets are perfect for photos.

These resorts are social media gold and ideal for photographers and content creators. The dramatic Piton mountains provide a stunning backdrop at Grande St. Lucian, while South Coast’s overwater structures create perfect silhouettes against Caribbean sunsets. Royal Caribbean’s private island offers endless opportunities for both aerial shots and intimate beach photography, with the overwater bungalows providing unique perspectives that few other Caribbean destinations can match.

Best for Sunsets & Scenic Views

Sunsets:

• Sandals Negril
• Sandals South Coast
• Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Scenic Views:

• Sandals Saint Vincent
• Sandals Regency La Toc
• Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Negril’s Seven Mile Beach faces directly west, offering unobstructed sunset views that have made it world-famous among sunset enthusiasts. The elevated locations of Regency La Toc and Dunn’s River provide panoramic vistas of both mountains and ocean, while Grande St. Lucian’s position between the iconic Piton mountains creates some of the most dramatic scenery in the entire Caribbean. These locations offer natural amphitheaters for evening romance and photography.

Best Sandals for Destination Weddings

• Sandals South Coast: The Overwater chapel and scenic beachfront are perfect for weddings and there are a lot of room with a variety of price points.
• Sandals Montego Bay: Versatile venues and beachfront setups at a resort that is close to the airport.
• Sandals Ochi: Garden gazebos and budget-friendly group options.

Top Wedding Venues:

• Overwater Chapels at South Coast, Grande St. Lucian and Sandals Saint Vincent and Royal Bahamian
• Beachfront at Sandals Dunn’s River
• Beachfront Pergolas at Barbados

Best for Group Buyouts:

• Sandals Ochi
• Sandals South Coast
• Sandals Grande Antigua

The overwater chapels provide truly unique ceremony settings that appear to float above crystal-clear Caribbean waters, creating unforgettable photo opportunities. Sandals’ wedding coordination teams handle everything from flowers to photography, and many resorts offer complimentary ceremonies for stays of a certain length.

Group buyout options allow large wedding parties to essentially have the entire resort to themselves, creating an intimate celebration atmosphere that’s impossible to achieve at traditional wedding venues.

Best for Scuba Divers

• Sandals Grenada
• Sandals Royal Bahamian
• Sandals Negril
• Sandals Saint Vincent
• Sandals Curacao
• Sandals Saint Lucia

All Sandals resorts include scuba for certified divers, but these locations offer the best underwater scenery and conditions.

Grenada features the world’s first underwater sculpture park, while the Bahamas provides access to dramatic wall dives and shark encounters. Negril’s calm waters are perfect for both beginners and experienced divers and is the best Sandals for scuba diving in Jamaica.

Some of the most well known dive spots are in Sandals Curacao, Sandals Saint Lucia and Sandals Saint Vincent.

Best for Luxury & High-End Service

• Sandals Saint Vincent
• Sandals Royal Caribbean (Overwater Suites)
• Sandals Dunn’s River

These resorts represent the pinnacle of Sandals’ luxury offerings, featuring the highest staff-to-guest ratios, most exclusive amenities, and premium accommodations.

The newer properties incorporate cutting-edge design and culinary innovation while maintaining the warm Caribbean hospitality that Sandals is known for.

Best for Adventure

• Sandals Grande St. Lucian: Excursions to the Pitons, ziplining, etc.
• Sandals Ochi & Sandals Dunn’s River: Golf, waterfall hikes, and local nightlife.
• Sandals Royal Curacao: Jeep safaris and national parks.

St. Lucia’s dramatic topography provides access to hiking, ziplining through rainforest canopies, and volcano tours that you simply can’t find on flatter Caribbean islands. Ochi’s location near Ocho Rios puts guests within easy reach of Dunn’s River Falls, Blue Mountain coffee tours, and my favorite excursion, the Blue Hole and River rafting.

Curacao’s desert-like landscape offers completely different adventures, including cave exploration, ostrich farms, and national park jeep safaris that showcase the island’s unique Dutch colonial heritage.

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Best for Food & Drink

For Foodies:

• Sandals Dunn’s River
• Sandals Saint Vincent
• Sandals Royal Caribbean & Montego Bay

For Drinking & Nightlife:

• Sandals Ochi: Speakeasy, bars, and live shows.
• Sandals Dunn’s River:
• Sandals Saint Vincent:

Sandals Dunn’s River brings a fresh, upscale approach with globally inspired restaurants, including rooftop and swim-up dining concepts. Sandals Saint Vincent, one of the newest resorts, emphasizes locally sourced ingredients and vibrant Caribbean flavors, offering a more modern and sustainable take on resort cuisine. The dynamic duo of Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay gives guests access to a combined 20+ restaurants, ranging from beachfront seafood grills to elegant French bistros, making it a paradise for variety lovers.

On the drinks and nightlife side, Sandals Ochi takes the lead with its unique speakeasy bar, multiple lounges, and lively nightly entertainment. Sandals Dunn’s River adds to the fun with swim-up bars, craft cocktails, and a rum club, while Sandals Saint Vincent offers a more intimate, lounge-forward vibe with tropical mixology and scenic bar settings perfect for sipping at sunset as well as a rum club of thier own.

Best Time-Based Picks

For Winter Travel:

• Sandals Grenada
• Sandals Royal Barbados
• Sandals South Coast

Winter travel to these southern Caribbean locations means escaping both cold weather and the peak hurricane season.

During Hurricane Season:

• Sandals Barbados
• Sandals Grenada
• Sandals Curacao

Our hurricane season recommendations focus on islands that sit outside the traditional hurricane belt or have historically lower storm activity.

In Summer:

• Sandals Negril
• Sandals Ochi
• Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Summer picks take advantage of Jamaica’s drier summer season and St. Lucia’s perfect weather during northern hemisphere summer months, when these destinations often offer their best rates and smallest crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the newest Sandals Resort?

• Sandals Saint Vincent (2024) and Sandals Dunn’s River (2023)

Which Sandals Resort is best for couples?

• Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals South Coast, and Sandals Negril are top picks for romance and privacy.

What’s the difference between Club Level and Butler Level?

• Club Level: Concierge service, limited room service, access to Club Sandals Lounge.
• Butler Level: 24/7 room service, private butler, in-room check-in, personalized attention.

The butler service truly transforms your vacation experience, with dedicated staff who handle everything from unpacking your luggage to arranging surprise romantic dinners on the beach. Butler-level guests also receive priority reservations at specialty restaurants and exclusive access to premium beach and pool areas.

What is the cheapest Sandals Resort?

• Sandals Ochi (best value)
• Sandals Halcyon Beach (intimate and affordable)
• Sandals Negril (good beachfront pricing)

These budget-friendly options don’t compromise on the all-inclusive experience but may have smaller properties, fewer specialty restaurants, or less elaborate suites. They’re perfect for couples who prioritize the Sandals experience and Caribbean location over ultra-luxury amenities.

Which Sandals Resorts are best for nightlife?

• Sandals Ochi, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Royal Barbados all offer a high-energy atmosphere with multiple entertainment options.

These resorts feature multiple bars, late-night venues, themed parties, and live entertainment that keeps the energy going well past midnight. They attract a younger, more social crowd and often have partnerships with local venues for off-property nightlife experiences.

How you can book a Sandals Resort

There are two ways to book a Sandals vacation. You can either book directly with Sandals on their website or you can work with a travel agent. A travel agent will be very helpful if after reading this article you still have questions or need help narrowing things down.

Contact a certified Sandals travel agent

Please feel free to reach out so we can help you make the best choice based on your preferences