Honeymoon Discussions

Sandals Antigua review!!

Hi ladies,   As promised I am writing a review from my HM at the Sandals in Antigua.  Sorry if the layout is messed up, I am copying and pasting from Microsoft word.  Ok here it goes….   Overall, we had a fantastic time…everything was so beautiful and wonderful and just great!!  We stayed on the Med. Side in the Venetian ocean view suite.  We stayed on the 2nd floor, we did not have the greatest view, but it was still very nice.  We were not in our room much so it did not really matter.  The Caribbean side was also very nice, the gardens were beautiful, but I am glad we were on the Med. Side.  The Caribbean side is older and just looks a little worn, we met friends who were on the Caribbean side and they said their room was nice.   The main pool is very nice.  We never really had a problem getting a chair and we got there around 9:30-10AM.  Now we did get some of the last chairs available so we could not be picky.  I also do not know how full or empty the resort was.  People will leave their towels on the chair and not come back at all, this was very annoying.  Drinks to get at the bar: BBC, banana sip sop, and the dirty banana…all delicious!   The beach was beautiful…the water was nice and warm and clear!  Take advantage of the activities they offer.  We went snorkeling one day, there were jellyfish but it is jellyfish season, what do you expect?  My hubby and I did not get stung but we did hear that someone on the boat after us did.  They take you out about a mile from the resort to snorkel for about an hour…it was fun!  We also did that paddle boat looking 3 wheeler, also very fun.  We were on it for all but 20 minutes before we felt like our legs were going to fall off!  But it was still great!   Book the restaurants when you get there.  There are three restaurants (Kimono’s, OK Corral, and Eleanor’s) that need reservations.  You are only allowed to book for that day and 2 days after so when you get there, make sure you book at least one and then go back a day or two later to book the others.  These restaurants fill up.  We ate dinner at all the restaurants except Mario’s and they were all pretty good.  My favorite was barefoot.  The lunch menu and dinner menu are different…both are very good!  The sushi bar at Kimono’s was delicious!   Guys need to wear nice pants (hubby wore cargo khaki’s and was fine) and nice polo or button down shirts for most of the sit down restaurants for dinner.   My only disappointments with food were the desserts…they were nothing spectacular anywhere.  They were just kind of bland.  The only good dessert was the chocolate buffet…this was excellent, make sure you do this!   Take lots of sun block, you will use it!  We went through 2 bottles during the week!  The sun is hot and strong.   Go to the spa if you can, it was great.  We had a $250 spa credit that was the special when we booked.  If you do not have this, it’s very expensive.  We got the champagne celebration ($350)…body scrub, massage, and a bubble bath.  It was very nice and romantic.   Take a cab into town, the town is very nice and you can do your shopping there.  Do not shop at the resort, it was pretty pricey.  We bought our souvenirs in town.  The cab ride was $20 round trip and sandals will call you a cab.    There are photographers that will go around all day and ask to take pictures of you.  We did it the first day and then went to the resort photo shop to see our pictures.  Well they are very expensive to buy.  I think it was like 10 images on a CD for over $100!  Have I lost my mind?  We just bought a brand new camera and took about 300 pictures which were all great.  After that, we just said no thanks when they asked to take our picture.   I think those are the basics, if you have any questions please ask.  I am happy to help.  Just post the questions on this board, I am watching the thread so I can help future honeymooners any way I can.   Enjoy!! Diana        

Re: Sandals Antigua review!!

  • How long did you stay?
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  • 1 week.October 4-11
  • What did you think about Sandals as a company? I have heard great and horrible things... going to Sandals Grand Ocho Rios, Jamaica in Nov. TIA
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Thanks for the review.  We are looking at booking our honeymoon there too.  I have heard the same thing about the Mediterranean side.  So much better then the Caribbean side.  Our problem is money.  Do you get a chance to see inside any of the rooms on the other side?  Did the people you met say anything about being disappointed and wishing they had spent the extra money to get a better room?Thanks!!!!!!
  • bingham, I think the company is pretty good.  But everything went great so I don't really have any issues with them.  I could see that if something was not up to your expectations, that someone would be really mad.  Especially with the amount of money you are spending to go to sandals.  The website and pictures were exactly how it really was and I thought that was great.  Food was great, drinks were great, staff was great.  One thing I saw that bothered me was the people from red lane spa walking around everyday trying to get people to book something.  One thing I do like that I didn't know until our TA told us was that if the rates drop after you book with sandals, you can call them and they will cancel your reservation and re-book under the lower rate.  This does not apply with the $250 spa credit however.  Our TA called sandals talked to the manager of the one in Antigua and the manager said to mention it to the concierge when we got there.  We did and they gave us the credit which I thought was really nice!  Have a blast in Jamaica!!Icaj, I did not look into their room and as far as I know, I don't think they saw the rooms on the med. side.  They said their room was nice but I say our room was awesome.  But I think it is a matter of opinion.  We really were not in our room a lot.  I also think it depends on what you make of it; when it comes down to it, you are on your honeymoon!  But also, that is the very reason we decided to spend the extra money.  We are on our HM and chances are we will never spend this kind of money on a vacation again, you only go on your HM once.  When it comes down to it, either side you stay on, you get the same food, same drinks, same beautiful resort.  I do know that the rooms on the caribbean side are getting updates so by the time you go on your HM all the rooms may have the new furniture and decor. 
  • Thank you so much for the review.  FI and I are highly considering going/staying there for our honeymoon next year, the same week actually!So over all it was worth it??
    Ashley & Tommy

    October 2, 2010

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    186image 145image 0image 41image RSVP Date September 1
  • I do think it was worth it.  With airfare, it was about $5,000.  I would do it all over again too!  I justified by saying it was our HM and it only happened once in a lifetime.  I probably would not spend that kind of money on just a vacation but since it was the HM, we went for it!
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