We get asked a lot, what is the best Sandals Resort for a younger couple?
That is a hard question to answer because young couples can be so different. Some want to relax, some want to golf, and some want to party. Also, how old is a young couple? The average age of someone at Sandals is around 50 years old, so am I young at 38? I think so!
So for this article, I am going to assume that young couples want to have other young couples on the resort, are more adventurous eaters, want some activities, and want a more active resort.
5 Top Sandals Resorts for Young Couples
Sandals Dunn’s River
One of the newest Sandals Resorts, Sandals Dunn’s River has great food options and a vibrant atmosphere with cutting-edge amenities tailored for a youthful crowd. It is located in Ocho Rios, which has a ton of activities to do nearby perfect for adventurous couples. For examples, you can go to Dunn’s River Falls on a party catamaran cruise. Ziplining, ATV rides, river tubing and the Blue Hole are all available nearby. You can even tour a Cannabis farm not too far away.
The resort also boasts lively social spaces, including trendy bars, gourmet dining options, and a stunning rooftop pool, perfect for mingling and making new friends. Each of the three specialty bars has a specialty cocktail menu and the real highlight at night is the Rum Club.
Open late, the Rum Club has a DJ on some of the nights and always has good food and drinks.
Being a newly renovated resort, young couples will appreciate the modern feel to the rooms and suites.
On the resort, there are plenty of activities available including motorized watersports like wakeboarding, and water skiing, as well as activities like kayaking and snorkeling. Green fees are also included at the nearby Golf course.
One thing to note is that Sandals Saint Vincent is out of the budget of many young couples so there are more older couples than young couples.
Sandals Saint Vincent
Sandals Saint Vincent is a little quieter of a resort, but the resort is the best Sandals Resort overall, so I had to include it in this list. This newly opened resort, nestled on the pristine shores of St. Vincent, offers a modern design, infused with Caribbean charm, creates an inviting and stylish environment where couples can relax and enjoy each other’s company in paradise.
One of the key attractions for young couples at Sandals Saint Vincent is the wide range of exciting activities available both on land and at sea. Whether it’s exploring the vibrant marine life while snorkeling, embarking on a kayaking adventure, or taking a sunset cruise along the stunning coastline, there’s always something thrilling to do. The resort also offers exhilarating hikes through lush rainforests and visits to the nearby Buccament Bat Caves, allowing couples to connect with nature and each other in a truly unique way.
In addition to adventure, Sandals Saint Vincent provides plenty of opportunities for relaxation and romance. The resort’s luxurious accommodations, including the stunning Overwater Bungalows and Beachfront Villas, offer private, intimate settings with breathtaking ocean views.
Young couples can indulge in candlelit dinners on the beach, unwind at the world-class Red Lane® Spa, or simply relax by one of the resort’s infinity pools, sipping on handcrafted cocktails from one of the stylish bars. With its perfect mix of adventure, luxury, and romance, Sandals Saint Vincent is the ideal destination for young couples looking to create unforgettable memories in a paradise unlike any other.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
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 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. It is one of the few Sandals Resorts offering motorized water sports like water skiing.
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. The main pool and the beach area surrounding it can be more lively with a DJ and entertainment throughout the day.
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.
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.
Sandals Ochi
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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!
He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.