Sandals: La Toc or Grande?

Amanda1443994

So we have finally decided we are def. going to stay at a Sandals resort in St. Lucia. However, now we can't decide between La Toc or Grande. We know we want to have our own private pool, so we are deciding betweent the Sunset Bluff Honeymoon Suite with private pool at La Toc or the Rondovals at Grande. From their website, the Rondovals look like nicer rooms, but how do the hotels compare to each other overall? Restaurant wise? Beaches? Activities? Or are they really on the same level? Thanks so much!

krizzo17

We looked into Sandals since we're going to St Lucia as well, and although we didn't book there, the biggest difference between La Toc and Grande seemed to be the golf at La Toc, which I think is why it's slightly more expensive. If you stay at any Sandals in St Lucia you'll have access to all of the restaurants and activities at all three - but you can only golf at La Toc if you stay there.

That said, we had friends who stayed at La Toc and loved it!

Check out tripadvisor.com for lots of reviews from people who have stayed there recently. (and pictures, too!)

[Deleted User]

I have a review and pics of the Grande from or hm in '08 in the link above my siggy pic. We loved it and are finally able to get back there this coming March. Can't wait!

Amanda1443994

Great, thank you! Neither my FI or I are golfers so maybe the Grande is a better choice then (: I will def. check out your pictures!

mbody

This was the exact debate my FI and I went through. Grande vs. LaToc? We ended up deciding on LaToc because it was cheaper. We're staying 10 days at LaToc vs. only being able to spend a week at the Grande. I've had friends that stayed at both and each really liked their resort.

I really like how you can stay at one and travel to all three. We heard the beach at the Grande is awesome so I'm sure my FI and I will go over there to spend a day or two.

We'll be at LaToc on 07/17

RIFallBride

We have been debating the same thing.  The prices are better at La Toc and they offer more free nights/perks. 

Read reviews on tripadvisor if you have time.  I think reviews overall are slighly better for the grande.  The Rondoval suites may not be as private as it seems after reading those reviews.  The sunset bluff suites seem more private to us.  We don't want to be in a standard hotel building so for us privacy and a more tropical feel is important.  We aren't booking for some time so I have put it out of mind but that was my initial take.  GL!

Blueyed228

We stayed at La Toc and liked how private it was compared to the hotel feel at the Grande when we went there for the day.  We got a suite with a private pool, and i do have to say, we went Nov 22-Dec 3 and didnt use the pool because it was cold.  So depending what time of year you are going, dont waste the money. Definitely get the butler suite though.

I have pics and a review in my bio as well.

Osterizer

We HM'ed at the Grande last month.  H and I loved it and want to go back.  If you decide to stay at the Grande, don't book a Rondoval.  There's a rooster that hangs out near those rooms.  Every morning when I would hear the rooster, I'd tell H "thank God we didn't book one of those! I'd be so pissed!" Plus it seems that those rooms don't get much in the way of sun, so you probably wouldn't hang out by your pool all that much.

mcbride90

We stayed at LeToc up in the bluffs with our butler and own private pool. We could not have asked for a better honeymoon. We certainly had a lot of privacy and then we also were able to socialize when we wanted to.

The views were spectaculiar and every morning I saw the boats pass by in the ocean right out my bedroom window. We did get a nice upgrade from our fab TA Nancy from www.myislandgetaways.com and the managers treated us like royalty ..they new our TA personally so that really helped..... plus she helped us with all the ins and outs of our whole trip and saved us some bucks. 

We took the helicopter to get closer to the resort and that was a big highlight of our trip...We got that cheaper than booking with Sandals by about $75 also through our TA. We did go over to the Grande but loved coming back to our little haven up on top of the mountains.GL You will love St. Lucia i would go back in a heartbeat! 

AmandaKristen

I also stayed at the Grande last month and we loved it. We did travel over to La Toc too and it also seemed nice. I really don't think it would matter either way...whichever you chose I'm sure it would be amazing. 

Also, just to respond to the PP, we did do the Rondoval and we thought it was SOO worth it. We heard the rooster a few times but we heard it from all over the resort and I didn't notice really where it was coming from...maybe it was coming from the Rondovals on the other side of the resort. Not sure, but I actually thought it was kind of funny...it didn't wake me up or anything. Just my experience

WVgalinNYC

We did La Toc and loved it.  We stayed on the sunset bluffs and it seemed so private.  Grande seems really nice as well, just more condensed.  We did dinner there a few nights and went over to their beach- same atmosphere at both places but to us La Toc just felt more intimate. 
Our friends just stayed there and then went to Ladera for their last 5 nights- they loved it as well.  Thought the bluffs at La Toc were just as private as Ladera, but obviously Ladera had the whole Piton view.
Good  Luck!

mikimoto6

I just got back from La Toc on Christmas Eve. It was wonderful. We visited the Grande and it seems to be the newer property of the 3 in St. Lucia.  I got the impression that the La Toc staff seemed more outgoing and friendly.  The playmakers at La Toc definitely were more fun than the Grande.  It rained while we were at the Grande and there were only board games made available in the common areas.  When we returned to La Toc that afternoon, the playmakers there were playing Pictionary and other interactive games with guests since it was raining.  

I think it is a matter of personal preference, but I would totally go back to La Toc. There are also more restaurants there than the other properties. The shuttle service was fairly easy to navigate so you could visit other properties without a lot of hassle.  We really enjoyed our time at La Toc. Will do a more in-depth review to share, but wanted to weigh in on this thread since I just got back like 2 days ago.