Where I Stayed Series – Ellena | Sandals South Coast

Here at Sandals Resorts, we know that no one knows our properties like our amazing staff. They help sell our holidays every day, so it’s important that they know which resort is the best fit for you. That's why we have created a monthly series, where we interview employees from our UK office who have recently visited a Sandals Resort. Our staff take part in yearly trips to the islands, to test the Sandals Luxury Included® lifestyle for themselves!

You will discover insider resort tips and find out more about the islands you will be visiting. Get excited about the restaurants, resort exclusives, and more.

First on 'Where I Stayed' is our Social Media Executive, El, who recently returned from Sandals South Coast in Jamaica. During her year with the company, she has visited 5/6 of our Caribbean islands and particularly loves the 5-Star Global Gourmet^TM Dining options in every resort.

Which resort have you recently stayed in?

In January I stayed in Sandals South Coast in Jamaica.

What did you like about the resort and why?

Sandals South Coast has the most amazing stretch of beach! I’m a beach kind of person, so I found myself relaxing here in the afternoons. Another amazing place to catch the sunset is in the over-the-water Latitudes bar. The bar has lots of hammocks, which are the perfect place to grab a cocktail and relax. Be sure to ask staff when sunset will be to ensure you don’t miss it!

Sandals South Coast is also home to some of our exclusive Over-The-Water Bungalows which are breath-taking! We were lucky enough to be able to look around one that was available and learn about their different features. My favourite part was the glass bottom floor in the bedroom, as you could see fish swimming underneath you.

There are also 9 restaurants on resort. I’m a huge foodie person, so having lots of eating options is great.

What did you love most about the island?

Jamaica is a beautiful place, filled with colour and music. There is a relaxed atmosphere that is contagious. On the way to the resort, I loved spotting the painted houses in bright yellows and pinks.

We were lucky enough to visit the Appleton Rum Estate with Island Routes, where we had a tour of the different stages of rum production. I felt that learning about Appleton’s Jamaican roots and history really connected us to the island. And the tasting part was great fun! I purchased a small bottle of rum to take a little piece of Jamaica home with me.

What was your favourite dining option and why?

It’s a hard choice but Sushi on the Sand was my favourite dining option. I love Japanese cuisine, so having this all included in your stay was a dream! They have a range of delicious starters; we chose Edamame and Vegetable Tempura. And for our main we selected a range of sushi, which comes out on one dish. I can highly recommend the Crispy Philly rolls, which are salmon and cream cheese with a crispy coating – yum! We also had Champagne Lobster & Crab and Spicy Tuna.

The flavours are amazing and the restaurants attention to detail really does transport you to another country. Sushi on the Sand is open plan and has a great view of the beach.

Do you have a Sandals insider tip to share?

Be sure to ask our wonderful gardeners to cut you down a fresh coconut to drink from. Coconut water is great for hydration after a day in the sun and it doesn’t get much fresher than that.

What is your top tip for surviving a long haul flight?

Luckily, I really enjoy flying but my top tip is to bring a water bottle and fill it up before you board. It’s essential to stay hydrated during the flight. (And no, booze doesn’t count!)

What is one piece of advice you can give anyone thinking of booking a Sandals holiday?

Each resort has its own character and charm, no two are the same. My advice would be to take our resort test to see which one has everything on your wish list. You can also send us a message on Facebook or Instagram to ask the team for their advice.