Sandals vs. Beaches
Both Sandals and Beaches Resorts are world class, well known names in the all inclusive world, they’re both wildly popular with vacationers looking for luxury and relaxation.
However, there is one main difference, Sandals is adult only and Beaches is family-friendly.
The Biggest Difference
When booking a Sandals resort vacation, expect and adult-only, couples-focused settings. Sandals rooms feature one bed, restaurants feature candlelit dinner offerings, and children are not allowed.
Beaches Resorts are family friendly with activities to keep kids entertained. Expect waterparks, family style room settings, certified nannies, and restaurants that have kid friendly menus.
Sandals and Beaches are under the same ownership- they are one in the same while maintaining their own identities. Beaches came to be in 1981 after years of Sandals success to create a family friendly, all-inclusive environment.
Locations
Sandals Resorts have 17 locations throughout the Caribbean while Beaches only has 3. Sandals resorts are primarily found in Jamaica, including their original resort at Montego Bay. However, there are Sandals resorts in Antigua, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, Bahamas, St. Lucia, and Saint Vincent. Beaches has two resorts in Jamaica and one in Turks & Caicos.
Accommodations
Sandals Resort accommodations are catered to couples, therefore, rooms are designed with romanticism in mind. There are several room options with features like private balconies with soaker tubs, honeymoon suites with butler service, private swim up pools, and overwater bungalows.
Beaches Resorts keep family in mind and feature spacious suites with separate rooms for kids, cottages, and beachfront villas. Space is the biggest difference here- Beaches is all about maintaining comfortability in accommodation space that is enjoyable for the whole family.
Dining
Both Sandals and Beaches resorts do an amazing job at offering variety when it comes to food and dining experiences. They each have several, varying cuisines that will ensure their guests to never tire of the same old thing. Visitors can snack on Jerk Chicken while at the beach one day and be eating luxury Italian by dinner time.
Beaches Resorts, being family friendly, have more options for the kids! They have restaurants and menus for the pickiest of eaters and larger tables to accommodate groups. Sandals Resorts leans into the finer dining sort with more luxury settings and adult only menus.
Amenities
Sandals and Beaches Resorts are both all-inclusive meaning all of your tips, airport transfers, meals, drinks, and various beach or land activities are included at no additional cost. Each resort has several pools to enjoy, day and night entertainment, and sporting activities on land or in the water.
Sandals Resorts are generally geared more toward what couples will enjoy: romantic adventures and luxurious designs while Beaches offers family friendly activities and certified childcare services that comes in handy when parents want to venture out on their own and relax!
Activities & Excursions
Beaches and Sandals have an array of water sports like snorkeling, diving, paddle boards and kayaks. They both also offer land activities like golf, tennis, and fitness centers.
Beaches offer more kid-friendly options with waterpark features and Kid’s Camp.
Excursions from the resort are available at Beaches and Sandals at additional cost. They give guests an authentic experience of the Caribbean outside the resort with options varying from water activities to rum distillery tours.
If you go on an excursion with Sandals you can expect for your group to be adult only, but at the exclusion there may be children. When on excursions with Beaches there will clearly be children with you.
Cost
Sandals and Beaches resorts are all-inclusive but are paid per night, per person due to the cost of all amenities for each individual. That being said, Beaches can be a little more pricey if you are booking it as a family (the more people=more expensive).
In general, couples can expect to pay between 4,000-9000 USD for a week’s stay at a Sandals resort in a standard room, not including airfare. For the larger suites and rooms with butler service they go up to $25k per week.
At Beaches, a family of 4 can expect to pay between 7,000-25,000 USD per week in a standard room, not including airfare. Beaches Negril is the most affordable, where Beaches Turk & Caicos is the most expensive.
These prices can vary heavily when considering which location you will be staying at. Visitors should browse the specials tab on the Sandals or Beaches Resort site to navigate the best deals as they consistently run specials and offer discounts.
Who Wins?
You! Deciding between Sandals and Beaches resorts really depends on what style of vacation you’re desiring. Honeymooners and couples without kids will of course lean toward a Sandals Resort. Beaches Resort is convenient for families with kids, especially when wanting to take advantage of kid’s Camps and nanny services. Sandals can be appealing to couples wanting to get away from hectic life as well and have a kid-free vacation. Ultimately, either resort will be special. Sandals and Beaches Resorts are dedicated to optimum service and amenities, you won’t be dissatisfied either way!
Should Single People Go to Sandals Resorts?
It is not unusual to meet people at Sandals who are not couples. Wedding groups, friend groups, bachelorette parties, and even cooperate groups all go to Sandals Resorts. However, all the rooms have king beds so that can make things uncomfortable for some. Some of the larger suites do have full couches or day beds that could be place to have your own sleeping area and some of the resorts have pull-away beds.
Some resorts are better for non-couples than others. We recommend Sandals Curacao, Sandals Saint Vincent, Sandals Grande St Lucian, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Barbados, and Sandals Ochi.
Should Couples go to Beaches Resorts?
Beaches Turks & Caicos is an amazing resort and worth visiting even if you do not have kids. We visited in September and it was amazing! Since it is focused on families when the kids are in school, there are fewer guests.
