One of the most common questions I get from people thinking about visiting a Sandals resort is “They all look amazing, how in the world do I choose the one that’s right for me?”
First let’s look at some qualifiers to help narrow down the choices.
Every Sandals resort sits on a stretch of stunning beach on the island it’s located on, and each island offers something unique and different. A couple things to consider when choosing your island are: flying time, is the destination reachable by a nonstop flight from your area, or will you have to take connecting flights? We are fortunate in the DC/MD/VA area to have great nonstop service to Jamaica, and within a few hour drive from this area select nonstops to some other islands are possible (although they may be seasonal). Travel time from airport to resort is also something you may want to take into consideration, as some resorts are just minutes from the airport while others take a bit more time to reach once you get on island.
Once you’ve narrowed down your island, think about what features the property offers and which are most important to you. Do they offer “stay at one, play at three” (where you can stay at one resort but have full access to all three resorts in the same area…essentially giving you three different experiences in one stay!)? Do they have an offshore island, have a golf course, have butler service in every room, a long stretch of beach, casino gambling nearby, restaurant choices, swim up rooms? Do you want an oceanfront room or a room with its own private pool? If any guest has a physical limitation or mobility issues (i.e. needs wheelchair accessibility or can’t easily navigate stairs and hills, etc.) that should be factored in to your resort choice as well. Make your checklist of what is most important to you to enjoy during your vacation.
Next think about resort personality. What’s that you say…a resort with a particular “personality”? Yep, you read that right. Every one of the Sandals resorts have a unique “personality”, they are not at all cookie cutter and each one has a special vibe that is different from the next. Do you want lots of activities going on day and night, a very lively and social resort or do you want a bit quieter and more laid back atmosphere? Do you want a large resort with lots of restaurants, or a smaller and more intimate property. Although all of the resorts include the same high quality inclusions across the board, such as unlimited gourmet dining and premium beverages, luxurious accommodations (including some very unique suites at several of their properties), daily and nightly entertainment, and a wide array of watersports including the Caribbean’s most comprehensive scuba diving program, it definitely does not mean all Sandals resorts are exactly the same!
Finally consider room category. Do you want a room where you open your patio door and walk out directly onto the powder white sand beach, just steps from the emerald blue ocean? How about a romantic suite with your own private plunge pool? Sandals offers some of the most amazing suites to be found across the Caribbean.
Once you’ve made your checklist and narrowed down the resort choices, what do you do if you still have questions and need help? That’s easy, contact me and I’ll walk you through everything and help you choose the perfect resort for your vacation. I’ve traveled to every one of the Sandals and Beaches properties many times, and welcome the opportunity to talk to you about your next “escape to paradise”!
Want to speak directly with Tracy Dennis about planning your vacation? Call Four Seasons Travel at 301-884-6041, visit www.fourseasonstraveltime.net or e-mail Tracy at [email protected].