Sandals Resorts: Which Is Best for Me?

With such an array of Sandals resorts—17 different locations in 8 Caribbean islands—it can be hard to choose the perfect one for your honeymoon or romantic vacation.

This guide will help you decide, which is best for me? You can also reach out to us for our expert guidance, as we’ve been to every Sandals resort and are certified Sandals travel specialists.

Decide what type of experience you want

  • Do you want a relaxing vacation where you soak up the sun at the beach and pool, or do you want to get active and take advantage of all the watersports?
  • Do you want to stay on resort, or explore the surrounding island?
  • Are you looking for a specific activity like the best scuba diving/snorkeling, pickleball, or golf?
  • Are you planning a honeymoon or anniversary and want the most romantic setting possible?

Consider other factors that affect your trip

You may want to look at the Sandals resorts with the best ratings and reviews; these are Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals South Coast, and Sandals Negril in Jamaica; Sandals Grenada; Sandals St. Vincent; Sandals Royal Curacao; and Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals Halcyon Beach in St. Lucia.

Do you want to get there quickly and easily? Look for locations that are closer to your home country or not far from the airport. The closest Sandals resorts to the U.S. are Sandals Royal Bahamian and the 7 Sandals locations in Jamaica. Sandals resorts that are closest to the airport are Sandals Grenada, Sandals Royal Bahamian, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica, and Sandals Royal Barbados and Barbados.

Are you interested in a more peaceful ambiance or a livelier vibe? Sandals resorts are all adult-only and fairly sedate, but some have a more vibrant feel than others. Laidback and quiet Sandals are Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals South Coast, and Sandals Negril in Jamaica; Sandals Halcyon Beach in St. Lucia; and Sandals St. Vincent. Livelier Sandals resorts are Sandals Royal Barbados and Barbados, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Ochi.

Are you looking for a budget-friendly trip? Sandals resorts vary greatly in price, and there is a range of room rates at each resort as well. The cheapest Sandals resorts are Sandals Ochi, Sandals Negril, Sandals South Coast, Sandals Royal Caribbean, and Sandals Regency La Toc. To save money, travel in the off season (late summer/early fall) and check the Sandals website for promotions and discounts.

Are you a foodie? While each Sandals resort offers a variety of dining options and cuisines, there are some locations that are known for having excellent food and unique offerings. These are Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals St. Vincent, Sandals Royal Curacao, Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Grenada, and Sandals Royal Barbados and Barbados. The Sandals resort with the most restaurants is Sandals Ochi.

Do you have your heart set on staying in an overwater bungalow? There are just a few Sandals resorts with those: Sandals South Coast, Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, and Sandals St. Vincent.

Sandals Resorts by Experience

Most Romantic Sandals Resorts for Honeymoons and Anniversaries

You can’t go wrong at any Sandals resort, because they have all been designed for romance and luxury. But some just have that extra level. These include Sandals Grenada, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals South Coast, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Halcyon Beach, and Sandals Grande Antigua.

Sandals Resorts with Best Nightlife

While all Sandals resorts have complimentary nightly entertainment such as theme parties, live music, piano bars, beach parties, and more, some locations have a more vibrant nightlife. These include Sandals Royal Barbados and Barbados, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Ochi.

Best for Beach Lovers

All Sandals resorts have lovely beaches, but here are the best ones in our opinion: Sandals Grenada, Sandals Barbados and Royal Barbados, Sandals South Coast, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals St. Vincent, and Sandals Grande Antigua.

Best Snorkeling and Scuba

You get complimentary snorkeling and scuba (for certified divers) at every Sandals, but you’ll find the best experiences at Sandals Grenada, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Royal Bahamian, Sandals Royal Curacao, Sandals Royal Barbados and Barbados,  Sandals Negril, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Ochi, and Sandals Grande Antigua.

Sandals Resorts with Golf

You can get complimentary golf at Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Halcyon Beach, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Regency La Toc, and Sandals Royal Curacao.

Best Sandals for Exploring the Island

While all Sandals resorts are set on beautiful islands and offer excursions (for an extra cost), we think the best island to explore are St. Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, and St. Vincent.