Are Sandals Resorts Worth The Cost?

Many couples enjoy all-inclusive resorts because they provide a more stress-free and relaxing experience, which is especially wonderful for a honeymoon or romantic escape. One of the most well-known and top-rated all-inclusive adults-only resort companies is Sandals Resorts.

If you are researching Sandals Resorts you will notice that they are not cheap and you are probably wondering if it is worth the cost.

The short answer is yes, staying at a Sandals Resort is definitely worth it for most people. There is so much included in the price like food, drinks, activities, and airport transfers. There are also several ways to save when booking.

So is it worth it to spend on a Sandals vacation?

If you’re researching an all-inclusive honeymoon or couples’ vacation, you’ve probably wondered, is Sandals worth it? We can answer that question with a definitive yes! In this article, we’ll tell you all the reasons why staying at a Sandals resort is worth it, from the luxurious accommodations to the amazing amenities that are included in every stay.

At first glance, a Sandals resort may seem to be more expensive than another all-inclusive resort, but if you carefully compare what’s actually included and add up the extra fees you’ll probably pay at the other resort, you’ll usually find that the Sandals resort is the best all-inclusive option.

Sandals’ all-inclusive adults-only resorts in the Caribbean are extremely popular; many guests love Sandals enough to return year after year. Why do people like Sandals Resorts so much? There are many reasons, including the gorgeous tropical settings, the swanky suites, the sheer number of included activities, the fabulous food, the romantic atmosphere, and the excellent service. Read on to learn all about why our answer to “Is a Sandals resort worth it?” is “Absolutely!”

Getting The Best Deals At Sandals Resorts

One way to make sure your Sandals vacation is worth it is by getting a great deal. Sandals are always running different promotions and here are a few things to know that will help you get the cheapest price at Sandals.

1. Sandals Resorts have a deal called the 7-7-7. For 7 days, take advantage of an additional 7% off the rack rate promotions on 7 rooms and suites. These deals are updated every week. You can see the currently discounted suites here.
2. Check last-minute deals. These deals are usually one night free on stays of 3 or 4 nights during selected last-minute travel dates.
3. Get a Free Anniversary Night. When you are staying for your anniversary and are staying in a Club Level or Butler Room Category, you can get your 7th night free if your stay is 30 days before or after your wedding anniversary da

Why are Sandals Resorts worth it?

Sandals offer an outstanding ambiance

Sandals resorts are upscale retreats designed specifically to provide a romantic, carefree experience for couples. Each one is set on a stunning beach with gorgeous landscaping featuring hidden nooks for relaxation.

Facilities and amenities are top-notch, including amazing oceanfront, infinity edge, and river pools; multiple hot tubs; and fun extras like swim-up bars and beachfront restaurants. And since Sandals resorts are adults only, you know your vacation will be peaceful.

Plus, you’ll get excellent friendly service. The staff at Sandals Resorts are encouraged to make personal connections with guests and to do what they can to improve their stay, so they tend to go above and beyond

Sandals resorts are truly all-inclusive

Sandals pride itself on offering the most inclusions of any all-inclusive resort in the world—and these are premium inclusions. For example, unlimited alcoholic beverages include top-shelf liquors and Robert Mondavi wines. Many other all-inclusive resorts have unlimited alcoholic beverages but don’t include premium brands—those are extra.

Unlimited meals and snacks are also included, as are a vast assortment of activities and WiFi throughout the resort.

Plus, roundtrip airport transfers are included at Sandals so your entire trip is taken care of. There’s no need to book transportation and deal with that hassle. Plus, there are special Sandals lounges at the airport so you can wait for your shuttle in comfort.

There are no hidden fees at Sandals, and while you’re at the resort you don’t have to carry around a wallet or even show your room key. The only additional charges you might incur are for optional extras like offsite excursions or spa services, and even those are charged to your room.

Also, all taxes and gratuities are included in your package. Tipping isn’t allowed for the staff, so you don’t have to bring cash for that (although it is allowed and recommended to tip transportation drivers, spa personnel if you get service there, or your butler if you’re staying in a butler-level suite).

See “What’s included at a Sandals Resort” below for complete details.

Sandals resorts feature gourmet cuisine at a wide range of dining options

Every Sandals resort offers delicious food in a variety of restaurant styles; there are plenty of elegant a la carte restaurants in addition to buffet-style, and all meals and snacks are included and unlimited. Other resorts often only include buffet-style meals in your package and make you pay extra for the nicer a la carte restaurant.

Many of the Sandals restaurants are waterfront or feature water views, and all of them are beautifully designed. Cuisine choices include international, fine French, Italian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asian, sushi, steak, seafood, healthy, and more.

There are also multiple bars at every Sandals resort, including swim-up bars, piano bars, overwater bars, British pubs, rooftop bars, beach bars, and upscale lounges.

Sandals accommodations are luxurious in every category

Every Sandals resort offers spacious rooms with luxe amenities—like a private patio or balcony, toiletries from the Red Lane Spa, a stocked mini-bar refreshed daily, and a coffee maker with Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee—at every level. Many feature outdoor Tranquility Soaking Tubs™ for two and/or oversized soaking tubs and rain showers in spa-like bathrooms.

If you want the ultimate luxury, Sandals definitely delivers, with swim-up suites, beachfront suites with private plunge pools, and unique offerings like Over-the-Water Bungalows; Rondoval Suites, which are thatched-roof round suites with private plunge pools or swim-up access; and Skypool Suites, which are elevated and offer private infinity-edge Skypools with ocean views.

Sandals include a huge variety of activities

Sandals resorts offer so many complimentary activities! Water sports (with complimentary equipment and instruction) include snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, Hobie Cat Sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and more. There’s even complimentary scuba diving.

Land-based activities include beach volleyball, basketball, day and night tennis, pool, bocce ball, croquet, access to full fitness centers, and more. Some Sandals resorts also include golf.

There’s also free entertainment every night that includes live shows, music, beach parties, and theme nights.

Sandals include special extras

At every Sandals resort, if you stay for 3 nights or longer you can get a free wedding!

If you get married and then honeymoon at Sandals, or if you come within 30 days of your wedding date, you’ll get Sandals’ complimentary honeymoon package. This includes a bottle of chilled sparkling wine, special turndown service with flower petals on your bed the first evening of your honeymoon, and fresh flowers, and a decadent breakfast in bed one morning of your choice.

Plus, some resorts offer access to neighboring Sandals locations so you get even more restaurant and amenity choices. These include Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Barbados.

You can also find unique extras at Sandals resorts like overwater bars with couple-sized overwater hammocks, private Tranquility Soaking Tubs™ for two on your patio or balcony, private islands, and amazing swimming pools with features like infinity edges, firepits in the middle, and swim-up bars. There is even a glass-edge river pool (Sandals Dunn’s River) and an infinity-edge rooftop pool (Sandals Royal Barbados).

What is included at Sandals Resorts?

At Sandals Resorts, when they say all-inclusive, they really mean you can arrive at the resort without having to worry about what is included and what is not. Not only does your rate include luxurious accommodations, but it also includes access to a variety of amenities including multiple pools and hot tubs, a dazzling beach, a full fitness center, and a range of complimentary activities (see below).

Unlimited Fine Dining

Sandals resorts have a variety of restaurants, from fine dining to casual beachfront, offering all sorts of cuisine. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks are all included in your stay, and there are no limits on what you can order or where you can go.

Unlimited All-Inclusive Drinks

As part of the 5-Star Luxury Included® experience, Sandals only serves premium brand liquors that are unlimited. You can order whatever you would like, including specialties you would expect at a tropical resort, like a Pina Colada, Margarita, Blue Lagoon, or a Bahama Mama. Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Wines are included and unlimited as well.

In all rooms, there is a mini-fridge that is stocked with water, juice, soda, and local beer, and refreshed daily, as well as a coffeemaker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee.

Tips and Taxes

At Sandals Resorts, taxes are already included, as are tips. There is no need to worry about tipping the bartender, the bellman, or your server at one of the specialty restaurants.

(If you’re staying in a butler suite, however, your butler can and will accept tips. We recommend tipping a butler $20 a day, depending on how much you use their services. Spa therapists and airport transport drivers should also be tipped.)

Roundtrip Airport Transfers

Sandals provide complimentary transportation to and from the airport.

Included Activities

Here, you have access to unlimited water sports, with equipment and professional instruction. Enjoy kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and more.

Additionally, scuba diving is included! For certified divers, you can dive up to twice a day with two tanks a day.

At Sandals Resorts that offer golf, you get free greens fees plus roundtrip transportation to the course if it’s not onsite.

A Free Wedding at Sandals

Stay 3 nights or longer at a Sandals resort and your wedding is free!

Room Service

If you book a room that includes butler service, room service is available 24 hours a day. For Club Sandals accommodations, room service is open between 7am-10pm.

Amazing deals are always available at Sandals resorts

Sandals Resorts always offer great discounts and deals, including introductory discounts at new resorts, up to $1000 instant credit on certain bookings, up to 65% of the standard rate for stays of 3+ nights, airfare credits, and credits for booking online, service personnel discounts, and more. An example is the 7-7-7 deal, which offers 7% off 7 specific rooms and suites.

You can also check the Sandals website for last-minute deals, such as booking 3 nights and getting the 4^th night free. You could use this to get two free nights by booking back-to-back 4-night stays at neighboring resorts, like Sandals Royal Plantation and Sandals Montego Bay in Jamaica. This way you have an 8-night stay but only pay for 6 nights.

Sandals offer peace of mind about your money

An additional reason that Sandals is worth it is their current Vacation Assurance policy, which helps ensure that you won’t be on the hook for vacation expenses if you can’t make your trip due to COVID-19 or other unforeseeable reasons.

According to the Sandals website, you can “Cancel for any reason up to 31 days before departure and get a 100% cash refund. Cancel 15 – 30 days before departure and get a 50% cash refund and 50% worth of travel certificates. Cancel 14 days before arrival or less and get 100% worth of travel certificates. Travel certificates are to be redeemed within 12 months and can be used to book a future vacation with Sandals Resorts. Note that refunds only apply to the land portion of your trip, refunds for flights are subject to airline regulations. Find more information and blackout dates on our cancellation policy page.”

Which Sandals resort is the best value?

While every Sandals resort offers excellent value, there are some cheaper Sandals resorts that can help maximize your travel budget even further. Affordable Sandals resorts include Sandals Ochi, Sandals South Coast, and Sandals Negril in Jamaica, as well as Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia.  

You can even find affordable luxury suites at certain Sandals locations. The most affordable butler-level suites can be found at Sandals Ochi and Sandals Royal Plantation in Jamaica. The most affordable oceanfront suites are at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica. The most affordable swim-up suites are at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica and Sandals Barbados. The most affordable Sandals suites with private plunge pools are at Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach in St. Lucia, as well as Sandals Ochi in Jamaica.

How to get the most for your money when booking a Sandals stay

• Book your trip between June and November for lower rates
• Book for 3 or more nights to get up to a 65% discount
• For some room categories, if you book a 7-night stay you’ll get the 7^th night for free
• During your Sandals vacation, if you book your next stay at the Sandals Loyalty Desk you’ll get an extra discount; 10% for luxury rooms, 11% for Club level, and 12% for Butler suites

Now that you’ve read all the reasons we think a Sandals resort is worth it, what do you think? Are you ready to plan an all-inclusive honeymoon or romantic retreat at Sandals?