Travelling as a couple is a rite of passage for any relationship. It’s an amazing way to make new discoveries together in a foreign space and get to know each other more intimately.
Most couples who travel together don’t just pick up and leave – there’s usually some planning involved, some of which revolves around budgeting. In case you’ve never gone on a couples getaway at Sandals before, we’ve got some steps that can guide you.
For an experience where expanding your love is paramount, going to a couples resort like Sandals is a great option because there are so many destinations to choose from all over the Caribbean.
Read our ‘Which Sandals Resort is Best for Me?’ article to find out the Sandals Resorts that best fits your needs!
But, how much does Sandals Resorts cost?
The cost of a Sandals holiday depends on which resort you decide to stay at, your room category and which month you book your stay in (rates tend to drop in low season from June until November).
As with many things in life, you get what you pay for. There’s no all-inclusive resort in the world that matches the luxury inclusions Sandals has on offer.
The award-winning resort chain is known to serve the highest quality gourmet food at up to 16 restaurants per resort, all serving a different cuisine! Guests can eat and drink what they want at any time. It’s always included, always unlimited. On top of that, Sandals includes (motorised) water sports, snorkelling trips, scuba diving trips, golf, nightly entertainment and much much more.
Even before getting to the cost, it’s important to know exactly what you want to get out of the experience.
Read on for insights on choosing the right room, getting value for money, and to see our top tips and tricks for making your investment go a long way!
Sandals all-inclusive resorts make it possible to know the total cost for your holiday ahead of time, so you’re not left racking up a huge bill as expenses pile up during travel. You can budget and stick to it, without sacrificing any of the comforts you would expect from a romantic getaway. No all-inclusive resort in the world matches the inclusions Sandals has on offer.
All cocktails and other (alcoholic) drinks are included, which can be conveniently ordered at the resorts’ swim-up bars, piano bar, British pub, or your own mini-fridge (which is stacked and free of use in every room). Rest assured the staff at the bars will make sure to mix you an amazing cocktail with your favourite premium brand liquors. Drinks at Sandals are never watered down and you can have as much as you want.
With a variety of buffet and a la carte options, there’s never a shortage of gourmet restaurants to choose from. Every night at Sandals is date night! Restaurants at this luxury resort are ranging from French gourmet to Japanese teppanyaki, from Indian cuisine to Northern Italian specialties, from freshly caught Caribbean seafood to Parisian pastries. Even those who aren’t big eaters or drinkers will appreciate that kind of variety from a resort.
All Sandals Resorts are located on a beautiful beach and there’s never a shortage of things to do with a variety of water sports (including kayaking, waterskiing, tubing, paddle boarding, sailing, windsurfing, and more) with professional instruction, all available for free during your stay.
And then there’s snorkelling, and scuba diving for PADI certified guests (or those who want to get certified at an additional cost). Both activities and professional equipment will be included in your Sandals all-inclusive holiday, so you can spend as much time as you’d like exploring the ocean floor and becoming better acquainted with marine life (max. two tanks per day per scuba diving guest).
It doesn’t end there! At the Sandals Resorts with a golf course, green fees are included!
Whether you choose to marvel at remarkable sea creatures, take in day and night entertainment, participate in land sports like beach and pool volleyball, lawn chess, day and night tennis, bocce ball and more, there won’t be a dull moment during your holiday.
If you’re looking for the most affordable stay at a Sandals Resorts, the entry level rooms at Sandals Ochi are a great place to start. Sandals Ochi features 16 gourmet restaurants, is loved for its lively atmosphere, great entertainment, lovely swimming pools and its location near some of Jamaica’s main attractions. In addition, Sandals Ochi is located near the Sandals Golf Club (green fees and transfers included!).
Sandals South Coast is another favourite that comes with lower entry rates and all suites are oceanfront! This secluded resort surrounded by a 500-acre nature reserve comes with a large swimming pool. The Sandals South Coast Resort is located along a long-stretch of private beach, with plenty of snorkelling opportunities right off the shore. Just like Sandals Negril, Sandals South Coast comes with a wide variety of motorised water sports.
If you love the Caribbean beaches, Sandals Negril is for you. This resort is located on the famous Seven Mile Beach and includes a wide variety of motorised water sports. Negril’s atmosphere is a bit more laidback and is famed for its amazing sunsets.
Sandals Royal Caribbean is a more intimate resort and comes with a private offshore island. Guests love to go here for the relaxing quintessential Caribbean atmosphere. In addition, guests of Royal Caribbean get free access (including round-trip transfers) to Sandals Montego Bay - the flagship Sandals Resort with a long stretch of private white-sand beach.
All of the resorts above are located in Jamaica.
Last but not least, if you’re looking for a Sandals Resort with lower entry rates outside of Jamaica, check out Sandals Regency La Toc in Saint Lucia. ‘La Toc’ is a beautiful resort built on hilly terrain with some of the most romantic views. Guests of Sandals Regency La Toc get free access to Sandals Grande St. Lucian (a lively resort with an amazing beach), Sandals Halcyon Beach and two golf courses.
Guests who want to go all-in on the butler service, without breaking the bank, should check out Sandals Ochi and Sandals Royal Plantation, where they can get Butler Suites at Club Level prices. Both resorts are located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The Butler Suites at these resorts are available at a lower rate than the Luxury level rooms of some of the more expensive Sandals Resorts.
Invest a little more, still without swaying too much from your budget by looking to the Butler Suites at Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Negril. Some of the Butler Suites at these resorts are not much more expensive than the Club Level Suites.
Imagine being right on the oceanfront in a cozy, well-appointed room, champagne on ice, sea breeze in the air and waves crashing in the distance… This is the draw for many who choose to spend their holiday on the oceanfront, especially when staying at Sandals for a wedding, honeymoon, or other special occasions.
Truth be told, you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy an oceanfront room or suite. Take note of the difference between oceanfront and oceanview rooms. Suites with an ocean view or partial ocean view often have the resort gardens or swimming pool adding to the overall appeal (which some people prefer).
If you prefer the full-on ocean view and everything that comes with it, however, book an oceanfront suite. The best place to get an oceanfront suite, at a lower rate, is without a doubt at Sandals South Coast. Other great options that can help you get a oceanfront suite for less include Sandals Negril, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Regency la Toc.
Having a swim-up room means that you can jump into the pool and swim right up to your suite, or from your room and onto the day’s activities. This is a rarity as far as resorts in the Caribbean go, but Sandals has mastered the swim-up room concept making it possible for guests to go for nightly romantic swims right from their suite.
If you’re looking for a swim-up suite at a lower rate, try Sandals Royal Caribbean – their swim-up suites are done up in an authentic colonial style. Other options for swim-up rooms with a more modern aesthetic can be found at Sandals Barbados, Sandals Royal Barbados, and Sandals Montego Bay.
Insider tip: Want to find out more about our swim-up rooms? Check out these 14 Unique All-Inclusive Swim-up Rooms You’ll Fall in Love With.
What better way to sink into a luxurious Caribbean getaway than in a suite with its own private plunge pool? This means that you’ll have a small swimming pool all to yourself that you won’t have to venture far from your room to sink into. Plunge pools are available at most Sandals resorts, and you can get some of the lowest rates at Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach.
Sandals Ochi and Sandals Grenada are also great options!
You get what you pay for...
As with everything in life, you get what you pay for. For a special occasion, don’t hold back and invest a bit more to stay at the Sandals Resort that speaks most to you.
Planning on having a honeymoon in Jamaica and looking for a lively resort with an amazing private beach? The Sandals flagship resort in Montego Bay is your pick! Another lively resort with an incredible beach is Sandals Grande St. Lucian, which gives you access to two golf courses. Both resorts offer a plethora of water sports too.
If you’re looking for a slightly lower-key experience on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma is your pick. Beachfront suites are highly recommended! Exuma’s turquoise waters and powdery white-sand beaches are unmatched in beauty.
Another Sandals resort, located on an amazing beach is Sandals Grande Antigua loved for its beautiful resort grounds, ideal for romantic walks.
Scuba divers and sushi lovers will love the romantic atmosphere at Sandals Grenada. The innovative Sandals Resorts in Barbados even come with a rooftop infinity pool, bowling alley and craft beer hall - all included in your stay!
With 16 luxurious all-inclusive resorts on offer, all with their own unique suites, it can be tough to choose one. It’s often best to start with selecting a resort, as you’ll likely spend most time on the resort ground during your holiday.
Read ‘Which Sandals Resort is Best for You’ to gain more insights. Narrow down your selection and have a closer look at the restaurants and other amenities to make a final decision.
Then decide whether you want to go for the suite with the lowest entry rate, or whether you’re willing to upgrade to a Club Level room with room service. For special occasions, a Butler Suite is definitely worth splurging on! It’ll give you the full Sandals experience.
Rest assured that it is hard to go wrong with a Sandals holiday. The quicker you plan, the faster you’ll be on a sunny Caribbean beach at Sandals, where love is truly all you need!
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