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b2b777
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 4474 total posts
Name:
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Sandals? Anyone been
If you've gone on a Sandals vacation which one did you visit and did you like it?
I've done All Inclusive many times but was looking for something new.
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Posted 4/17/17 9:50 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Antigua, for my honeymoon 10 years ago and HATED it.
Service was WAAAYYYY below what my expectations are for a fairly decent AI.
When you have to wait 20 minutes at the pool bar for a drink - while 5 "bartenders" just hang around and chitchat.
When the restaurants periodically close because they have run out of food or alcohol.
When the emphasis is put on the promotional wedding instead of paying guests.
When they forget to tell you that there are jellyfish at the beach, until after you get seriously stung, and there is nothing the nurse can do.
When the "top shelf" liquor in your room is a name you've never heard before and best used to tame the jellyfish sting.
When you get to know the General Manager of the property by first name......
That's a freakin crappy vacation.
Should have gone back to Secrets-Excellence, but we wanted to try something new.
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| Posted 4/17/17 12:55 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
I went many many years ago before I was married.
I went to one in St Lucia and the Dunn's River Falls property in Jamaica
St Lucia was nice
Jamaica was fine but i HATED the island. It was so unsafe. They had barbed wire and armed guards at the pool. Not my idea of a great vacation.
I will never in 1 million years go back to Jamaica.
There were actually travel warnings when we went and flights from the US were stopped after we landed. I questioned if we would be able to get off the island when we had to leave. It was a nightmare.
But the resorts for both were fine and I had a good time.
But overall, I don't think I'd like it as much now. I was young at the time and inexperience in travel. The food was probably just ok. The drinks weren't anything great.
The resort was nice but I have been to much better.
I am sure they have changed in the 15 years since and upgraded etc. I just don't think it's worth the money at this point in my life
Message edited 4/17/2017 1:05:21 PM.
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| Posted 4/17/17 1:04 PM |
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b2b777
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 4474 total posts
Name:
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Sandals? Anyone been
Thank you both! I am going to look into the Excellence properties.
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| Posted 4/17/17 1:32 PM |
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pjt212301
LIF Adult
Member since 7/12 1215 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Posted by b2b777
Thank you both! I am going to look into the Excellence properties.
Excellence Properties are our favorite. We're going to Beloved next week which is also an Excellence Property but more of a boutique hotel.
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| Posted 4/17/17 2:18 PM |
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b2b777
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 4474 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Posted by pjt212301
Posted by b2b777
Thank you both! I am going to look into the Excellence properties.
Excellence Properties are our favorite. We're going to Beloved next week which is also an Excellence Property but more of a boutique hotel.
We love all inclusive resorts too, but the past few trips we have taken we wanted a bit more action / party vibe. Of all the properties you have been to which do you say had the best party vibe at the pool -- music, activities, volleyball, etc?
Thanks!
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| Posted 4/17/17 3:51 PM |
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rebeccamol
LIF Adult
Member since 10/13 975 total posts
Name:
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Sandals? Anyone been
Check out secrets
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| Posted 4/17/17 4:27 PM |
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Travel Kerri
LIFamilies Business
Member since 5/13 258 total posts
Name:
Kerri
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Sandals? Anyone been
I have been to and have sent many clients to many Sandals resorts.
Excellence is also a great resort brand.
It really depends on what you are looking for in your dream vacation. There are many other great all inclusive resorts as well.
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| Posted 4/17/17 4:28 PM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!
Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Sandals Antigua 3 years ago for our honeymoon and it was AMAZING!!! I've done a bunch of all-inclusives before and this was by far my favorite. The grounds and resort were very clean and well-maintained. The rooms were exactly as pictured, so there were no surprises. The food was excellent - we're STILL talking about several of the meals we had during our stay. And the service was phenomenal....the staff was just SO friendly and really went out of there way. I cried when we left  It was an expensive trip, so I doubt we'll be able to do it again for many years, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could.
Message edited 4/18/2017 9:05:48 AM.
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| Posted 4/18/17 9:05 AM |
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M514
Hi
Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
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Sandals? Anyone been
We did Sandals Antigua for our honeymoon 7 years ago. It was really nice, food was good...no complaints except for the cheesy love music playing all day every where lol.
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| Posted 4/18/17 10:49 AM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Posted by HomeIsWithU
Sandals Antigua 3 years ago for our honeymoon and it was AMAZING!!! I've done a bunch of all-inclusives before and this was by far my favorite. The grounds and resort were very clean and well-maintained. The rooms were exactly as pictured, so there were no surprises. The food was excellent - we're STILL talking about several of the meals we had during our stay. And the service was phenomenal....the staff was just SO friendly and really went out of there way. I cried when we left It was an expensive trip, so I doubt we'll be able to do it again for many years, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could.
I had this experience... about 7-8 years ago. I was very newly pregnant... so can't vouch for alcohol (bummer)... but the food was great. Lobster on the beach was amazing and, though it sounds silly, i think the lasagna was the best I've ever had. It was the first time I ever had hibachi and that was fun. The beach was lovely and we took out boats and snorkel gear. No problem with jellies... but that is seasonal.
True that the service was nice but not memorable for the $$$. Best service I've ever had was at Ritz Carlton (and that is consistent despite location) and we do all our "splurge" vacations there now.
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| Posted 4/19/17 6:58 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15660 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
We went years ago...I'm talking like 16 years ago. We did the Montego Bay location. We had a good time...but we were also young then . I think thee are better places to go now to be honest
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| Posted 4/19/17 7:08 AM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!
Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Posted by nycgirl
Posted by HomeIsWithU
Sandals Antigua 3 years ago for our honeymoon and it was AMAZING!!! I've done a bunch of all-inclusives before and this was by far my favorite. The grounds and resort were very clean and well-maintained. The rooms were exactly as pictured, so there were no surprises. The food was excellent - we're STILL talking about several of the meals we had during our stay. And the service was phenomenal....the staff was just SO friendly and really went out of there way. I cried when we left It was an expensive trip, so I doubt we'll be able to do it again for many years, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could.
Lobster on the beach was amazing and, though it sounds silly, i think the lasagna was the best I've ever had.
Actually I had penne bolognese one night at the Italian restaurant and I swear it was the BEST I've ever had. I still crave it from time to time. Also, their pizza was delicious. We got it for lunch almost every day by the pool and when we left the first thing my DH said on the plane was "damn it, I'm really going to miss that pizza"
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| Posted 4/20/17 11:43 AM |
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Sunny10
LIF Adult
Member since 10/10 1287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Posted by SusiBee
Antigua, for my honeymoon 10 years ago and HATED it.
Service was WAAAYYYY below what my expectations are for a fairly decent AI.
When you have to wait 20 minutes at the pool bar for a drink - while 5 "bartenders" just hang around and chitchat.
When the restaurants periodically close because they have run out of food or alcohol.
When the emphasis is put on the promotional wedding instead of paying guests.
When they forget to tell you that there are jellyfish at the beach, until after you get seriously stung, and there is nothing the nurse can do.
When the "top shelf" liquor in your room is a name you've never heard before and best used to tame the jellyfish sting.
When you get to know the General Manager of the property by first name......
That's a freakin crappy vacation.
Should have gone back to Secrets-Excellence, but we wanted to try something new.
I agree with Sandals Antigua. I was probably there about 14 years ago, but it was so terrible that management gave us and other couples complaining who we met there, a voucher for four free nights at any Sandals. We met a bunch of couples and the guys had to play bartender at night, as there were no bartenders at times. Ugh... and standing at the beach bar next to an armed guard was another story.
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| Posted 4/20/17 6:21 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
St. Lucia (Golf and Spa) for our honeymoon 16 years ago. I know it goes by a different name.
WE loved it. So many things to do and activies, and the food was great.
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| Posted 4/21/17 8:11 AM |
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pjt212301
LIF Adult
Member since 7/12 1215 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
Posted by b2b777
Posted by pjt212301
Posted by b2b777
Thank you both! I am going to look into the Excellence properties.
Excellence Properties are our favorite. We're going to Beloved next week which is also an Excellence Property but more of a boutique hotel.
We love all inclusive resorts too, but the past few trips we have taken we wanted a bit more action / party vibe. Of all the properties you have been to which do you say had the best party vibe at the pool -- music, activities, volleyball, etc?
Thanks!
Excellence Playa Mujeres is definitely the most lively of their resorts. The staff, grounds are wonderful and the restaurants are delish. I would not hesitate to recommend
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| Posted 4/21/17 9:45 AM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Sandals? Anyone been
DH and I went to the Grande in St. Lucia before we were married. We HATED it. It was crowded, the staff was rude, food terrible and it was basically perpetually drink 40somethings who thought they were on spring break. We couldn't even relax on the beach because there was house music blasting the whole time.
We also went to the excellence in riviera maya and it was absolutely amazing. Complete opposite of sandals.
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| Posted 4/21/17 11:26 AM |
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MM2004
...
Member since 5/05 1854 total posts
Name:
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Sandals? Anyone been
Sandals Grande St. Lucia 2x - (Honeymoon & Babymoon) Loved it for honeymoon - Babymoon - ehh
Sandals Antigua 1x - Blah - couldn't wait to go home
Sandals White House in Jamaica 2x - Cried when I left both times - didn't want to leave
Message edited 4/21/2017 12:50:52 PM.
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| Posted 4/21/17 12:50 PM |
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peaceandlove
LIF Toddler
Member since 1/11 413 total posts
Name:
Vanessa
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Re: Sandals? Anyone been
My DH and I celebrated out 10 year wedding anniversary at the newest Sandals in Grenada. We were there in November for about 4 days.
It was BEAUTIFUL.
We are not normally a Sandals type of traveler, we like to eat local food and explore the places we stay but since we only had a few days away from the kids, it was perfect.
Grenada was beautiful, we went deep sea fishing and on a catamaran sunset cruise. The locals were great. Many expats from Great Britain.
The Sandals property was beautiful. Rooms were great, food was excellent. It reminded me of being on a cruise with all of the different restaurant choices. But we had some of the best sushi we've ever eaten at their sushi restaurant our first night there. The chef made us a special roll, we were at the bar and she heard us asking the waitress some questions.
We didn't do butler, but it was an amazing few days.
I've heard great things about the Antigua property as my friends recently honeymooned there.
Hope this helps!
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| Posted 4/22/17 9:09 AM |
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