Sandals Grande St. Lucian: Our Honest Honeymoon Review

We visited every Sandals Resort and Sandals Grande St Lucian was one of our favorites! In this review of Sandals Grande St Lucian, we will share why we think Sandals Grande St Lucian is one of the best Sandals Resorts and an excellent choice for an adult-only all-inclusive resort.

Overall Feelings & Review

We enjoyed our time at Sandals Grande St Lucian. First is the island itself. We loved the people and natural beauty of the resort. Being Nestled between the South Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, it is often referred to as “little Hawaii” due to its jaw-dropping scenery and we understand why. We enjoyed spectacular views, stunning beaches, and many activities here, making St. Lucia an idyllic romantic retreat or honeymoon destination.

As far as the resort, some highlights include the long beach with clear calm water. It is set on a private peninsula along a one-mile white sand beach. We also liked that depending on the area we would stay at gave a different vibe. The closer to the middle of the resort, the more lively, but if we wanted quiet we could go closer to the overwater bungalow area. The beach had some of the calmest waters on the island, so Sandals Grande St. Lucian was perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding right off the beach.

The major con is that the resort is very far from the airport, but we made the most of that by taking alternative transportation at an additional cost. (More on that later)

The food can be hit and miss, but we loved most of our meals. We also found that eating earlier meant faster service. Overall we loved the variety of food available and loved the steaks, sushi, Indian restaurant, and Kimonos.

Arriving at the resort, we quickly realized why other reviews have described it as “the closest vacation to a picture-perfect postcard.”

Getting to Sandals Grande St. Lucian

One of the disadvantages of the Sandals Resorts in St Lucia is the distance from the airports and that the roads are very windy.

We learned in Jamaica that we do not do well on winding roads so instead we went with the other options.

On the way to the resort, we chose to take the ferry. It was a 90-minute fun boat ride and an amazing way to start a vacation.

The ferry service picked us up from the airport and took us to the dock where we boarded the ship. You pay based on your seat, but people don’t really sit down during the ride, so we bought the cheapest seats.

We saw the Pitons, were escorted by dolphins, danced, and enjoyed music, drinks, and some snacks. Once arriving at the dock near the resort it took about a 10-minute drive to make it the rest of the way.

On the way from the resort to the airport, we took a helicopter.

After a shuttle to the small regional airport, we boarded the helicopter. The flight was only 12 minutes and gave a great view of the Island.

I will say this is not a luxurious experience, but a very straightforward mode of transportation. If you have never gone on a helicopter ride, this is a great opportunity to.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Rooms and Suites

After arriving at Sandals Grande St Lucian, we were quickly taken to our room.

The rooms and suites at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian vary greatly and we stayed in a Caribbean Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite with Tranquility Soaking Tub.

We loved the view from our room and how spacious it was with a living room and completely separate bedroom.

While we didn’t stay in an overwater bungalow, this is what the resort is most well known for. Perched over the ocean are 9 Over-the-Water Honeymoon Butler Bungalows. When you stay in one of these, you get a VIP arrival service including a private luxury transfer. On arrival, you meet your butler team who will serve you during your stay.

Each Sandals Resort has glass floor panels so you can see the fish swimming below. There is also a private extended sun deck with lounge chairs,

On the deck, you’ll find a bistro set, comfortable lounge chairs, a hammock suspended over the water, an outdoor shower, and snorkeling gear.

Grande Rondoval Butler Suites are also an option on resort with private patios featuring plunge pools, a jacuzzi, an outdoor shower, and a hammock, located just steps away from the sand.

Regardless of which room you choose, you can expect a minibar that is stocked with complimentary drinks and refreshed daily, plush beds, smart TVs, coffee and tea makers, in-room safe, and free WiFi.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Restaurants and Bars

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is one of the best Sandals in St. Lucia for foodies. There are twelve restaurants available here, offering gourmet cuisine, fresh seafood, local flavors, Asian, Indian, sushi, Italian, French crepes and pastries, English pub fare, pizza, Caribbean, and other international dishes.

For breakfast, we tried out the buffet at Bayside, the a la carte at Toscanini’s and the room service menu as well. We loved the fresh juices, made-to-order omelets, and eggs, and the French toast.

For lunch, it’s hard to choose between the Jerk Shack and fresh brick oven pizza. We also ate at The Mariner for burgers or a quesadilla.

For dinner, there are so many great options. My personal favorite is Soy, the sushi restaurant. I love being able to choose some appetizers like spring rolls and tempura veggies, whatever rolls I would like, and finish the meal off with banana tempura with ice cream. I never thought dessert at a sushi restaurant would be my favorite thing I ate at a Sandals Resort.

We enjoyed meals at almost all the other restaurants during our stay, but our favorites were Japanese teppanyaki at Kimonos, Indian food at Bombay, and seafood on Gordon’s Pier.

We can also also take advantage of room service or request private dining options like a candlelight dinner on the beach. If you are in a club-level room, you can get room service between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.; butler suites get 24/7 room service.

As usual at Sandals Resorts, the all-inclusive rate covers unlimited meals and snacks plus beverages including premium liquors and Robert Mondavi wines.

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, and an authentic British pub.

There are plenty of entertainment options here after dark, from live music to parties to theme nights.

The Beach at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

One of the main highlights at Sandals Grande St Lucian is the beach. We found the resort beach calm and clear. It starts near the dock and goes all the way across the resort. We found a lively vibe near the middle where you could hear the DJ and activities from the water.

For us, we prefer quiet so we went down the beach close to where the bungalows are and had chairs there almost every day.

Next to the beach is a bar with some of the best bartenders on the resort.

Pools at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

There are 5 large pools on the resort.

When we wanted to go the the pool we would usually go to the the main pool at the resort with the swim-up bar, activities and music throughout the day.

We love that it has a zero entrance which means you can just slowly walk in and you can put your chairs in the water.

Next to the main pool, there are two other beaches that are a bit quieter and relaxed but where you can still hear the music and be close to restaurants.

Down the beach, there is one other pool that is very quiet called the lagoon pool.

Activities at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Like all Sandals resorts, Sandals Grande St. Lucian offers a wide assortment of activities, both in the water and on land.

Water Sports

Because the water is so calm, Sandals Grande St. Lucian offers powered water sports here like wakeboarding and water skiing.

The water sports team was very helpful in making sure we were able to do everything we were interested in.

I loved that to go wakeboarding you just get in the water from the beach and they come to pick you up and take you around in a look near the resort.

They also have Hobie Cats, paddleboarding, kayaking as well as snorkeling trips, and scuba diving.

Snorkeling trips go out daily directly from the doc. Scuba diving is also included in your stay if you are already certified, otherwise, you can get certified during your stay at an additional cost.

One added bonus to scuba diving is several dives are near the pitons so you can enjoy the boat ride there and the views of the Pitons before your dive.

Snorkeling at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is also the best Sandals in St. Lucia for snorkeling. Here you can go on snorkeling trips directly from the onsite pier. There are some incredible snorkeling opportunities in this tropical paradise, including the marine reserve around Anse Chastanet Beach, where you can see octopi, flounder, scorpionfish, and parrotfish; the calm and sheltered waters of Marigot Bay, which has coral formations and fun sea creatures like seahorses; and Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay, which is excellent for beginner snorkelers.

Golfing at Sandals Grande St Lucian

You also have access to 2 golf courses, with complimentary transfer and greens fees included. In fact, if you want to stay at the Sandals resort that is closest to an 18-hole golf course, the best St. Lucia Sandals golf resort is Sandals Grande St. Lucian.

Sandals Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate features an 18-hole championship course designed by Greg Norman. Onsite you’ll find a practice range with a full-sized driving range and putting greens, changing facilities, and a full-service pro shop. Free golf clinics are held each week, and golf lessons can be taken (for an extra fee).

Excursions at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

There are several excursions available from Island Routes. The main attractions are boat rides to see the Titons, a waterfall, and bathing in the volcanic mud pits.

You can either go on a speed boat or on a more relaxed catamaran.

Entertainment at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Daily and nightly entertainment at Sandals Grande St. Lucian includes live shows, theme nights, beach parties with local bands, and talent nights which guests participate.

The Spa at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

If you want the ultimate relaxation on your St. Lucia honeymoon or vacation, book a couples massage or other indulgent spa service. The Red Lane® Spa offers a full range of restorative treatments (not included in your room rate) such as facials, massages, and body services.

Even if you are not getting a treatment, you can go to the spa to use the plunge pools, steam room, or sauna.

Weddings at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

And if you’re planning a destination wedding in St. Lucia, Sandals makes things pretty easy and you can get married in the Over-the-Water Wedding Chapel.

Honeymoon package at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

If you get married and then honeymoon at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, or if you come here within 30 days of your wedding date, you’ll get Sandals’ complimentary honeymoon package.

This includes a bottle of chilled sparkling wine, a special turndown service with flower petals on your bed the first evening of your honeymoon, fresh flowers, and a decadent breakfast in bed one morning of your choice.

How many Sandals resorts are in St. Lucia?

There are three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia: Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Regency La Toc, and Sandals Halcyon Beach, all in the north and close to plenty of activities and nightlife. Each resort is a luxurious, adults-only enclave set on a beautiful beach, but there are some differences. Guests at each have access to the facilities and amenities of all three resorts, with complimentary transportation provided. This means you can access 3 beaches, 2 golf courses, 11 pools, 27 restaurants, and 21 bars on your St. Lucia vacation!

Our article comparing Sandals Regency La Toc vs. Sandals Grande St. Lucian might be helpful as well.

How old is Sandals Grande St. Lucia?

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is fairly new, having opened in the fall of 2002 after a $10 million renovation.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Cost

Sandals Grande St. Lucian’s cost is higher than the other St. Lucia Sandals; rooms here start at $370 per person per night.

What is included at Sandals Grande St. Lucian?

Your rate at any Sandals in St. Lucia will cover the same inclusions offered at all Sandals resorts:

• complimentary airport transfers
• all dining and beverages including unlimited premium liquors and unlimited Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines
• a stocked minibar in your room
• a coffee maker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee
• water sports and equipment plus professional instruction
• roundtrip shuttles to the other resorts
• WiFi
• daily and nightly entertainment
• unlimited land sports
• golf greens fees and transfers to courses
• state-of-the-art fitness center
• all tips, taxes, and gratuities (except for airport transfer drivers, spa staff, and butlers, if you stay in a butler suite).

What to pack for Sandals Grande St. Lucian

We packed light when we stay at a Sandals resort since so much is provided.. For example, you don’t need to pack a hairdryer. A gift shop is available onsite in case you forget any necessities.

In terms of clothes, the dress code is casual during the day and resort elegant at night, which means a mix of shorts, t-shirts and tanks, lightweight short sleeve shirts, sundresses, casual slacks, and swimsuits, plus dressier outfits (including shoes) for dining in the nicer restaurants.

If you’re planning on golfing, make sure to bring the appropriate clothing. Women may want to bring a scarf, shawl, or light jacket in case they get chilly in air-conditioned places.

Tip: It’s illegal in St. Lucia to wear or carry any sort of camouflage or military-style print, so don’t pack any items with that.

Bring several swimsuits since you’ll likely be wearing one every day. Women can bring a cute cover-up to throw on for walking around the resort, and may also want to pack some shorts to pull on over their swimsuit if doing any watersports. A rash guard will come in handy during watersports as well.

The type of shoes you bring will depend on what activities you want to do while in St. Lucia. You will probably want to bring water shoes, flip-flops, and sandals; you may want to add tennis shoes if you’re going to do a lot of walking or playing sports.

You will, of course, need to bring your passport (make sure it’s more than 6 months away from expiring) and ID, including a valid driver’s license if you want to rent a car. (But remember that they drive on the left in St. Lucia!)

You will also want to bring a credit card (not that you’ll need it in the resort, since everything is covered, but in case you want to add extras like spa services or go exploring in St. Lucia) and some cash as well, for tips at the airport, taxis, and local shops that don’t take credit cards.

You may need to pay a departure tax in cash at the airport if it’s not included in your plane ticket, so be sure to ask in advance.

Tip: Bring two cards and hide one in a safe place for emergency backup. Also, make sure you have a record of your credit card numbers, as well as the customer service contact information

As with any trip, make sure you pack any medicine that you need. Put it in your carry-on bag so you don’t have to worry about your luggage getting lost.

In addition to any prescription medication, you can bring over-the-counter drugs (like aspirin, ibuprofen, stomach remedies, seasickness medicine, and antihistamines) so you’ll have them on hand if you need them.

But in case you forget, these types of remedies will be available at the gift shop.

Tip: Keep all prescription medications in the original bottles when flying to avoid any issues.

Pack all the usual beach necessities including a bag to carry everything in (choose one that can get wet and sandy).

These include sunglasses, sun hats, and sunscreen—the higher the SPF, the better when you’re in the Caribbean! If you’re going to be diving or snorkeling, make sure your sunscreen is reef-safe. You won’t need to pack beach towels, however, as these are provided for free at every Sandals resort.

You may also want to bring a camera—especially a waterproof camera if you plan on watersports; a waterproof case for your phone, and your phone charger.

A few more items to consider: insect repellant and bite relief cream, bandaids, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, prescription snorkeling goggles if you wear them, a backpack for day trips, and a waterproof bag if you’re going to go on a boat.

However, you don’t need to pack toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion unless you want to—these items are included in your room at Sandals, and they come from the onsite spa so they’re top quality!

Tip: Make sure all your luggage is labeled clearly with tags, and add something bright like a colorful ribbon to make your bags stand out at baggage claim.

Now that you’ve read our Sandals Grande St. Lucian review, are you ready to plan your St. Lucia honeymoon or romantic escape today? Let us know what you think in the comments!

Google Rating: 4.5

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Airport Info

How long is the ride from airport to Sandals Grande St. Lucia? The closest airport to Sandals Grande St. Lucian is Vigie Airport (SLU), and the ride from the airport to Sandals Grande St. Lucian takes about 15 minutes.

If you choose to fly into the other airport in St. Lucia, Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), the ride from that airport to Sandals Grande St. Lucian is about two hours.

As at every Sandals resort, your transportation to and from the airport is included and complimentary. Just head to the Sandals desk or lounge at the airport, where you will be greeted and shown to your air-conditioned transportation.