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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Sandals Resorts
While we were on our honeymoon we booked a "soon come back" for our anniversary to go to Sandals Antigua. We have exactly the room we want, etc but we were thinking of postponing a year because it's $. Then we decided that maybe we do want to go somewhere but we've heard Antigua isn't that great and the flights are very expensive..and long.
We were thinking of going back to St. Lucia, but for the closest to what we want it's $$$.
I know the Jamaica resorts are way cheaper. Why? Is there any reason we would not want to go there vs. St Lucia (we LOVED St. Lucia). Is there a reason it's cheaper?
We would ideally like to be in a Butler leve suite and what appeals to us about both Sandals Antigua and La Toc (where we stayd for our HM) was that the butler suites are in a separate part of the resort where there's a nicer pool, it's quieter, etc.
Any thoughts for other Sandals?
We already out down a $400 deposit and have Sandals Select points to use so we do want to stick with Sandals vs. another AI. We also have a wonderful experience there
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Posted 3/26/12 12:33 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
islandersgirl74
Love Being A Mommy!
Member since 6/06 5804 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: Sandals Resorts
We are looking into Jamaica also and need to make a decision soon.
Basically I hear good and bad reviews about every place that I have researched so I have no idea.
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| Posted 3/26/12 7:16 PM |
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MrsS1976
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 534 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Sandals Resorts
My only frame of reference is Sandals St Lucia since thats where I was on my HM..and cant really offer any advice because I hated my experience there so much I refuse to go on any other Sandals property ever again!
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| Posted 3/27/12 3:33 PM |
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Blu-ize
Plan B is Now Plan A
Member since 7/05 32475 total posts
Name:
Susan
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Re: Sandals Resorts
st lucia will always be more money.
Jamaica has way more competition on the island and tourism is Jamaica's principal industry. They wrote the book on AIs.
We went to Whitehouse..loved it.
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| Posted 3/27/12 4:05 PM |
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Argyle808
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/11 446 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by MrsS1976
My only frame of reference is Sandals St Lucia since thats where I was on my HM..and cant really offer any advice because I hated my experience there so much I refuse to go on any other Sandals property ever again!
I thought we were the only ones who felt that way! We stayed at Regency La Toc on our honeymoon, and service was severely lacking.
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| Posted 3/27/12 6:25 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by Argyle808
Posted by MrsS1976
My only frame of reference is Sandals St Lucia since thats where I was on my HM..and cant really offer any advice because I hated my experience there so much I refuse to go on any other Sandals property ever again!
I thought we were the only ones who felt that way! We stayed at Regency La Toc on our honeymoon, and service was severely lacking.
We had the time of our lives there! I have read negative reviews which worried me, but we would love to go back. i'm sorry you had a bad experienbce. I feel like they were so accomodating and any time ANYTHING went wrong the resort manager was on the phone to us trying to make it right.
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| Posted 3/27/12 8:26 PM |
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MrsS1976
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 534 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by Argyle808
Posted by MrsS1976
My only frame of reference is Sandals St Lucia since thats where I was on my HM..and cant really offer any advice because I hated my experience there so much I refuse to go on any other Sandals property ever again!
I thought we were the only ones who felt that way! We stayed at Regency La Toc on our honeymoon, and service was severely lacking.
We were atLaToc also. Service was AWFUL.
JenniferEver had a great time because she booked a Butler level room. We didn't so we we def noticed later on what a mistake that was. 
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| Posted 3/27/12 11:44 PM |
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SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Sandals Resorts
I absolutely HATED Sandals Antigua. My honeymoon (4-1/2 years ago) was not as enjoyable or relaxing as it should have been, and I swore then I would never set foot on any Sandals resort ever again.
Hopefully all the problems we encountered have been resolved. I had the ear of the general manager the entire time I was there and he asked my opinion as a guest on a lot of things.
The butler level suites are located in the newer section where the Mediterranean Village was built. The old section is just that, OLD.
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| Posted 3/28/12 10:21 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by SusiBee
I absolutely HATED Sandals Antigua. My honeymoon (4-1/2 years ago) was not as enjoyable or relaxing as it should have been, and I swore then I would never set foot on any Sandals resort ever again.
Hopefully all the problems we encountered have been resolved. I had the ear of the general manager the entire time I was there and he asked my opinion as a guest on a lot of things.
The butler level suites are located in the newer section where the Mediterranean Village was built. The old section is just that, OLD.
Our room is booked at Med Village.
So is Jamaica just cheaper because of competition? Not because the resorts are not s nice, or the areas are unsafe, etc?
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| Posted 3/28/12 10:40 AM |
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jilliibabii
Mrs. O'Connor
Member since 6/10 12821 total posts
Name:
Jillian
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Re: Sandals Resorts
I've only ever been to Jamaica once, to Swept Away, but I truly loved it. It was the most relaxing vacation I've ever been on. Everything is "No problem mon!" That being said, we booked the basic rooms (but ocean view) so I have NO idea about upgraded rooms/service.
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| Posted 3/28/12 11:13 AM |
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SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by JenniferEver
Posted by SusiBee
I absolutely HATED Sandals Antigua. My honeymoon (4-1/2 years ago) was not as enjoyable or relaxing as it should have been, and I swore then I would never set foot on any Sandals resort ever again.
Hopefully all the problems we encountered have been resolved. I had the ear of the general manager the entire time I was there and he asked my opinion as a guest on a lot of things.
The butler level suites are located in the newer section where the Mediterranean Village was built. The old section is just that, OLD.
Our room is booked at Med Village.
So is Jamaica just cheaper because of competition? Not because the resorts are not s nice, or the areas are unsafe, etc?
We were exhausted, hot and grimy after the trip, and had to wait almost two hours to check in.
The Bates Motel condition of the ocean front room and the lack of luggage delivery after an hour waiting prompted us to hike back to the front desk, where with threats and tears we were upgraded to the Med Village.
Our luggage was still sitting where we were told to leave it.
During the week we encountered : periodic power outages, TA tour groups that closed restaurants, alcohol running out, bar service at the pool was a huge joke (people served themselves), MOSQUITOS, sand fleas on the beach, no warning signs that jelly fish were in the water. I got stung really bad on both legs.
But, we made the best of it, found a wonderful taxi driver named Mr. Fish (ask for him if you go, that's also his licence plate number) that took us on an organzied tour of the island, then later in the week on a shopping tour. He even came on his day off to drive us to the airport.
The local beer, Wadadli is pretty good.
When we got home, our TA yelled at us for not calling her so she could move us to a different resort on the Island.
Lesson learned.
Will never-ever set foot on a Sandals resort again.
ETA : forgot to add, Antigua is safe, as with many places there are areas I would not go alone. We were there in April on a cruise stop and ventured only as far as the shopping at the pier. The locals can be pretty pushy about shopping at their store or riding their taxi, but for the most part say no thank you and keep on going.
Message edited 3/28/2012 11:22:42 AM.
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| Posted 3/28/12 11:19 AM |
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jeanyus27
Life is beautiful
Member since 8/08 2543 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals Resorts
We went to sandals Antigua in May of 08 and absolutely loved it! We stayed on the older side with no butler. We were totally fine with that since everything was so easy to get ourselves. The beach and water were pristine, no flies, no jelly fish. I guess it depends what time of year you go. The service was also great, no problems with the restaurants. We would go back if it wasn't 
We recently stayed at the Riu in Negril Jamaica and loved it there as well.
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| Posted 3/28/12 3:31 PM |
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cateyemm
Twins!
Member since 7/10 8027 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals Resorts
We went to La Toc in the butler suite and had an amazing time. I can definitely understand how those who did not have a butler got a different level of service (although our friends we me tthere did not get bad service at all, just not nearly as excellent as we did). That said, if you can afford a butler suite in Jamaica (since it's cheaper) I'd choose that.
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| Posted 3/28/12 5:48 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Sandals Resorts
The Jamaica resorts are a lot cheaper and airfare is decent too. We could most likely get a Butler suite there for less than what we're paying at Antigua.
I think there is one Sandals in Jamaica. Sounds nice, but I also kind of liked being "special" when they asked your room # everywhere we went, and we told them, they were super nice to use when they heard we were in a butler room, or they were just nice, who knows? I was thinking maybe a Butler only resort would water down the butler level?
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| Posted 3/28/12 6:09 PM |
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Melissa1980
LIF Infant
Member since 3/11 328 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals Resorts
We have been to Jamaica twice. We stayed at secrets for my 30th bday and sandals ohos rios for a romantic getaway. The sandals was AWESOME as was secrets. However, Jamaica is a different kind of island in terms of excursions and travelling out of the resort. I would go again though if I was mostly going to hang in the resort. St. Lucia has much more beautiful topography...so be prepared for that difference. 
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| Posted 3/28/12 9:14 PM |
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WNA01
my 2 boys
Member since 10/08 4240 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals Resorts
we stayed at royal plantation (part of sandals) in jamaica and i can't say enough good things about it.. it is more expensive than a regular sandals resort but imo worth it.
we went to sandals duns river for a few hours (royal plantation guests could go to any sandals property but sandals guests couldn't come to our property) and i was disappointed in the resort. it looked a bit run down.
this was a few years ago so they may have renovated it.
i also went to antigua ( stayed at the verandah) and while it was nice- the resort was beautiful it is a poor country just like jamaica but safer. we rented a jeep and drove around the island - while it wasn't dangerous there was not much to see off property. it is a poor country with predominately dirt roads and the one main road that was paved was super narrow and had 3-4 foot ditches on both sides.
when we stayed in jamaica we never left the resort.
if your not looking to leave the resort i think jamaica and antigua are comparable
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| Posted 3/28/12 11:11 PM |
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hopeful123
LIF Infant
Member since 9/10 220 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by SusiBee
I absolutely HATED Sandals Antigua. My honeymoon (4-1/2 years ago) was not as enjoyable or relaxing as it should have been, and I swore then I would never set foot on any Sandals resort ever again.
Hopefully all the problems we encountered have been resolved. I had the ear of the general manager the entire time I was there and he asked my opinion as a guest on a lot of things.
The butler level suites are located in the newer section where the Mediterranean Village was built. The old section is just that, OLD.
We hated Sandals Antigua too. The problems we had, I could go on and on. We along with other couples spent our trip in contact with the general manager, as well. It was so bad, they ended up giving us and a few other couples we met a free trip, which we used in Bahamas. We used it for the sake of using it and while Bahamas was better, we would not plan another Sandals trip after our experience in Antigua.
Message edited 3/29/2012 8:47:28 AM.
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| Posted 3/29/12 8:44 AM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Sandals Resorts
I'm sorry to hear about these horrible experiences.
Reading the mixed reviews online was part of what pushed us to get Butler service for our honeymoon. Sounds like it was the right decision.
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| Posted 3/29/12 9:31 AM |
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WNA01
my 2 boys
Member since 10/08 4240 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by JenniferEver
I'm sorry to hear about these horrible experiences.
Reading the mixed reviews online was part of what pushed us to get Butler service for our honeymoon. Sounds like it was the right decision.
im pretty sure you can use your deposit from sandals to royal plantation in jamaica. it is superior to the butler service in a regular sandals resort. it may be less expensive getting regular room in RP (the regular rooms are suites overlooking the ocean) and they are already butler service rooms - no need to upgrade.
i would at least take a look at it
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| Posted 3/29/12 1:30 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Sandals Resorts
Posted by WNA01
Posted by JenniferEver
I'm sorry to hear about these horrible experiences.
Reading the mixed reviews online was part of what pushed us to get Butler service for our honeymoon. Sounds like it was the right decision.
im pretty sure you can use your deposit from sandals to royal plantation in jamaica. it is superior to the butler service in a regular sandals resort. it may be less expensive getting regular room in RP (the regular rooms are suites overlooking the ocean) and they are already butler service rooms - no need to upgrade.
i would at least take a look at it
I definitely will. I asked the TA I use for Sandals about it and she hasn't gotten back to me, but I think it's possible she and DH are conspiring
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| Posted 3/30/12 12:25 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Sandals Resorts
We loved Jamaica -- it was cheaper, but the resort was great, the people were great. We had an amazing time. We had a butler as well - I really liked Negril's location. It was BEAUTIFUL!!!
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| Posted 3/31/12 10:05 PM |
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