Best Sandals Resort for a Young Couple

While you may know that the Sandals resorts are for adults only making them perfect for an all-inclusive honeymoon. You might be wondering, are Sandals resorts for young adults? The answer is yes, definitely. The minimum age for guests at Sandals Resorts is 18, and young couples are welcome at all of these romantic retreats.

There are 17 Sandals resorts throughout the Caribbean: 7 in Jamaica, 2 in The Bahamas, 2 in Barbados, 3 in St. Lucia, 1 in Antigua, 1 in Grenada, and 1 in Curacao.

While all Sandals resorts are wonderful, in this article we’ll talk about the 4 best Sandals resorts for young couples. Read on to find the right one for you.

The 4 Best Sandals Resorts for Young Couples

In general, Sandals Grande St. Lucian in St. Lucia, Sandals Ochi and Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica, and Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas tend to appeal most to younger guests.

These resorts are known for more active socializing, vibrant nightlife, and a party vibe. To enjoy the liveliest atmosphere, you’ll want to visit between December and April.

Let’s take a look at each of these to see which is the best Sandals resort for a young couple.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian, St. Lucia

Set in stunning St. Lucia, often called “Little Hawaii,” Sandals Grande St. Lucian is a paradise. It’s in Pigeon Island, which is home to St. Lucia’s top national park, and is the largest of the three Sandals locations in St. Lucia.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is our choice for the best honeymoon resort in St. Lucia. Not only can you stay in an incredible overwater bungalow but you also have the most variety available in dining and entertainment options here.

Also, Sandals Grande St. Lucian has the best beach of all the St. Lucia Sandals resorts. Its setting on the protected waters of Rodney Bay makes it possible to go swimming or enjoy watersports at any time.

Water sports include scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, kneeboarding, windsurfing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. Professional instruction for watersports is also complimentary (except for scuba diving). Unlimited land activities include beach volleyball, day and night tennis, pool tables, table tennis, croquet, and a fitness center with exercise classes.

Sandals Grande has 5 pools and 4 whirlpools, including the 7800-square-foot waterfront Sunset Pool with a swim-up bar and the quiet, lagoon-style Lovers Pool.

This is one of the best Sandals resorts for young couples who like to golf, because the 18-hole championship course at the Sandals St. Lucia Golf Club is located nearby and you get free transfers and complimentary greens fees.

It also features some of the most romantic and unique accommodations: 9 Over-the-Water Honeymoon Butler Bungalows. These deliver a true luxury experience, as not only do you get gorgeous accommodations, but you also get your own private butler.

These overwater bungalows have hardwood floors with glass floor panels so you can see exotic marine life without even having to get in the water. However, should you want to get in the water, you can easily do so from your private extended sun deck, which also has comfortable furniture for lounging and a Tranquility Soaking Tub™ for two.

Other amazing accommodations at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian are the unique Beachfront Grande Rondoval Butler Suites with private patios featuring plunge pools, a jacuzzi, an outdoor shower, and a hammock, located just steps away from the sand; the Caribbean Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suites with private balconies and Tranquility Soaking Tubs; and Lover’s Lagoon Swim-Up Club Level rooms, with easy access to a lagoon pool from private patios. There are also Caribbean Beachview Walk-out Rooms that allow you to head directly for the sand from your furnished terrace.

There are 12 restaurants at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, offering gourmet cuisine, fresh seafood, local flavors, Asian, Indian, sushi, Italian, French crepes and pastries, English pub fare, pizza, Caribbean, and other international dishes. Many of the restaurants have water views or are on the water.

Whenever you feel like having a drink at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, you can choose from one of 6 bars, including a piano bar, a beach bar, 2 swim-up bars, and an authentic British pub. There are plenty of entertainment options here after dark, from live music to parties to theme nights.

Another plus to these Sandals is that you will get to enjoy the amenities and restaurants of the other two St. Lucia Sandals resorts. Free transfers between the resorts are included. This means you can access 3 beaches, 2 golf courses, 11 pools, 27 restaurants, and 21 bars on your St. Lucia vacation! This is definitely the choice for young adults who don’t want to get bored.

Sandals Ochi, Jamaica

Sandals Ochi is one of the best Sandals resorts for young adults because it is the most affordable Sandals resort. It also has a ton of activities available and a lively atmosphere.

It is also the biggest resort in Jamaica. Covering 100 acres, it has the most restaurants of any Sandals location). Whether you like tranquility, excitement, or both, Sandals Ochi has it all.

The resort is split into two sides: the hillside and the beachside. On the hillside, you can find serene villas with full butler service and private pools as well as the Main House with the largest pool. The beachside is home to the lively Ocho Rios Beach Club.

As at every Sandals, there are plenty of complimentary activities including water and land sports.

Water sports at Sandals Ochi include aqua trikes, kayaks, windsurfing, sailboats, snorkeling, scuba diving, and paddle boards. Land activities include beach volleyball, day and night tennis, table tennis, shuffleboard, lawn chess, bocce ball, squash, horseshoes, rock climbing, pool tables, board games, and a fitness center.

Sandals Ochi offers 7 pools (plus 100 private pools, located at some suites), as well as multiple whirlpools. There are swim-up bars at three of the pools, including the oceanfront pool at the beach club. The white sand beach here is separated into three different areas, which all feature calm water but have different vibes.

This resort is also one of the best Sandals resorts for young couples who golf, because it gives free access to the 18-hole course at the Sandals Golf & Country Club, which is recognized to be one of Jamaica’s finest.

Sandals Ochi is also conveniently located in Ocho Rios, close to many local attractions in case you want to explore off the resort.

Is Sandals Ochi a party resort? This resort is a great destination if you’re looking for a good time. With a hot new beach club and 11 bars, there is always something going on. But if you’re looking to enjoy some downtime, this resort has plenty of areas to allow for that as well.

Sandals Ochi offers a variety of luxurious rooms and suites, including some that are in separate villas tucked into a lush hillside. Swanky options here include the Butler Village Honeymoon Romeo & Juliet Bedroom Villa Suite with a Private Pool Sanctuary, featuring a walled courtyard with its own pool and hot tub, as well as an outdoor rain shower.

There are also beautiful beachfront, poolside, or secluded garden suites available. The Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront Bedroom Butler Suite is beautifully arranged for maximum space and luxury plus excellent ocean views. These suites feature an enormous living room with a wet bar, a spacious bedroom with a king four-poster bed; and a spa-like bathroom with a sunken whirlpool tub and walk-in shower. French doors lead onto an oversized furnished balcony. Both of these suites include personal butler service.

Sandals Ochi has 16 restaurants (the most of any Sandals resort) and 11 bars, including the Caribbean’s first speakeasy. The restaurants at Sandals Ochi serve a wide variety of cuisine including gourmet French, Italian, Asian, Caribbean, sushi, Southern, Mediterranean, seafood, pizza, and tapas. Many have water views, some are beachfront, and one is even over the water.

It has 11 bars, including the Caribbean’s first speakeasy as well as 2 swim-up bars and a piano bar. It also offers nightly entertainment including shows in an amphitheater, live music, a piano bar, a chocolate buffet, talent night, karaoke, and beach parties with fire dancers.

Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica

Sandals Montego Bay is where it all started. The first-ever Sandals resort is set on a long stretch of pristine beach with offshore reefs that ensure calm waters. Recent renovations have given Sandals Montego Bay a modern and fresh feel; it’s still one of the most opulent resorts in Jamaica.

The sleek open-air lobby overlooks the Caribbean, many restaurants are waterfront, and there’s even an overwater bar. You don’t have to lose sight of the ocean here if you don’t want to.

Sandals Montego Bay is very close to the airport, just a 15-minute drive, so you can start your Jamaica honeymoon or romantic escape quickly.

This Sandals resort offers amazing oceanfront swim-up rooms. The Beachfront Swim-up Butler Suite features a retractable glass wall that slides open so you can step right into the pool and go for a swim, lie in the sun on your private in-pool lounger, or enjoy the Tranquility Soaking Tub for two, with a view over the pool and to the sea.

Other romantic options at Sandals Montego Bay include Beachfront Honeymoon Butler Suites with a balcony that overlooks the Caribbean and has a Tranquility Soaking Tub; Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Elite Luxury Rooms with a private patio and direct access to a swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens; or Beachfront Honeymoon Walkout Club Elite Junior Suites, located just steps from the beach and featuring Tranquility Soaking Tubs with ocean views. Private butler service is included in all butler-level suites.

Water sports here include kayaks, waterskiing, tubing, sailboats, snorkeling, Hobie Cats, scuba diving, and paddle boards. Unlimited land activities include beach volleyball, basketball, day and night tennis, table tennis, pool tables, lawn chess, croquet, shuffleboard, and board games.

Sandals Montego Bay has 6 bars (including swim-up bars and a piano bar) and 12 restaurants, many of which overlook the beautiful beach. These include an elegant Old Jamaican restaurant, a seaside bar and grill, Italian, Japanese, a steakhouse, a waterfront restaurant serving international dishes, a sushi bar, a Caribbean jerk shack, a British pub, a casual pizzeria, a Parisian café, and a toes-in-the-sand open-air restaurant serving fresh seafood and local dishes.

At Sandals Montego Bay you also have access to all the restaurants at nearby Sandals Royal Caribbean.

At night, you’ll enjoy shows in an amphitheater, live music, a piano bar, a chocolate buffet, and talent night, as well as theme nights, Jamaican Jamboree, and beach parties. This resort is also close to all the activities, clubs, and bars in Montego Bay.

Sandals Royal Bahamian, The Bahamas

Sandals Royal Bahamian is one of the best Sandals resorts for young couples because it is super close to the U.S. It is just an hour from Miami, Florida, and there are lots of flights available, which usually means lower fares.

Sandals Royal Bahamian is located on the famous Cable Beach in Nassau, on the main island in the Bahamas. Recently renovated, this glamorous resort now offers beachfront swim-up suites with butler service, 2 huge pools and 6 whirlpools, 10 restaurants, and 8 bars. A unique offering at Sandals Royal Bahamian is the private offshore island with a beach, pool, Jacuzzi, restaurant, and cabanas.

At Sandals Royal Bahamian, you will be close to the bustling town of Nassau and all the attractions it has to offer, like historic sites, museums, galleries, the BahaMar waterpark, botanical gardens, markets, and casinos. You can also take optional area excursions.

Onsite at Sandals Royal Bahamian, you’ll find complimentary watersports such as kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, sailing, water trikes, and Hobie Cats, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving. You can enjoy multiple pools and whirlpools, plus two beautiful beaches and the Coconut Grove lounge area.

Land activities include day and night tennis, pool tables, croquet, basketball, lawn chess, shuffleboard, table tennis, and beach volleyball.

A unique feature of Sandals Royal Bahamian is the exclusive offshore island of Barefoot Cay, which is just minutes from the resort via the Love Runner boat. It features a Beach Club with a pool, whirlpool, and swim-up bar; two secluded beaches great for relaxing, swimming, or snorkeling; an open-air seafood restaurant; and plenty of romantic spots to lounge like hammocks, cabanas, and a fire pit. You can even get massages by the water!

The 10 restaurants at Sandals Royal Bahamian include La Plume (elegant French), Butch’s Island Chop House (steaks and seafood), Tesoro (southern Italian), Kanoo (pan-Caribbean), Kimono’s Oriental Cuisine, the open-air and beachfront Aralia House (seafood, located on the private island), Soy Sushi Bar, the casual and beachside Calico Café (seafood and grilled items), the Queen’s Pearl British Pub, and Gordon’s on the Pier (grilled meat and seafood specialties in an upscale setting over the water).

You can also enjoy two food trucks: Coco Queen, serving Bahamian fare, and Sweets’N’ Tings Patisserie.

Sandals Royal Bahamian has 8 bars (including 3 swim-up bars) and plenty of entertainment options including beach parties, theme nights, and live shows.

Choose from a range of rooms and suites with ocean or garden views. The elegant West Bay Oceanview Swim-up Butler Suites have walkout patios with views of the ocean, direct access to the zero-entry swim-up pool, and a Tranquility Soaking Tub for Two; a master bedroom and separate living room; fully stocked bar; and walk-in shower.

The West Bay Honeymoon Hideaway Swim-up Crystal Lagoon Zen One Bedroom Butler Suites have private furnished patios with zero-entry access to the Zen Garden swim-up pool, a separate living room with a dining area and full bar, and a walk-in shower. Or enjoy your own private pool with the Island Village Bedroom Butler Villa Suite! These suites all come with personal butler service for the ultimate pampering.

There are also club and luxury level rooms and suites, including swim-up, oceanview, and walk out, with private patios or balconies (some with Tranquility Soaking Tubs for Two).

Are Sandals resorts mostly for couples?

Yes. In fact, Sandals resorts are meant for couples only. You can’t come to Sandals as a single. Sandals resorts are designed to deliver a romantic luxury experience for honeymooners and other couples in love.

According to the Sandals website, “Because we wanted to make your vacation as romantic and relaxing as possible, only couples may stay at Sandals. But we open our arms to welcome singles, friends, and families to our fabulous Beaches Resorts. Beaches, created by Sandals, includes all the fun, adventure, and luxury that families want most, elevating the family vacation to world–class standards.”

However, if you want to go to a Sandals resort with a friend, that’s perfectly fine. The only catch is that you’ll have to stay in the same room, as the Sandals reservation system requires you to enter a second person when you book. All rooms have king beds so you will need to request a rollaway bed which is not guaranteed.

What is the average age of guests at Sandals resorts?

The average age of guests at Sandals Resorts varies depending on the time of year and the particular location. However, you will usually find a mix of age ranges at Sandals Resorts. While many couples are in their 30s and 40s, you will find both younger and older guests as well.

What is included in a stay at Sandals?

Sandals resorts claim to offer “more quality inclusions than any other resort in the world.”

These include gourmet dining (all meals and snacks) at multiple restaurants and cafés; unlimited non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including unlimited premium liquors and unlimited Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines; a minibar in your room that is refreshed daily, stocked with juice, water, soft drinks, wine and beer; a coffee maker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee; water sports like snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking, including equipment and professional instruction; scuba diving (including equipment); daily and nightly entertainment; WiFi; unlimited land sports including golf and tennis (at most resorts), beach volleyball, etc.; a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment; roundtrip airport transfers; private airport arrival lounges at some locations; roundtrip shuttles to other resorts and access to their facilities (at some locations); and all tips, taxes, and gratuities. Plus, stay a minimum of 3 nights at a Sandals resort and get a free wedding, and get a free honeymoon package if you get married at a Sandals or come within 30 days of your wedding.

Now that you’ve read all about our picks for the best Sandals resort for a young couple, what do you think? Which one would you pick? Let us know in the comments!