Sandals Resorts is a stunning collection of couples-only resorts scattered on sandy isles and coral atolls in the Caribbean. Sandals has a well-deserved reputation for providing a romantic, exclusive, and luxurious all-inclusive vacation experience. Common features include picturesque settings on immaculate tropical beaches, attentive service, gourmet dining, and a wide range of activities like PADI-certified scuba diving, kayaking, and Hobie Cats. All to be enjoyed on the crystal-clear waters, while tennis, beach volleyball, and other sports can be found on resort grounds.
They won numerous awards, including being recognized as the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company by the World Travel Awards twenty-two years in a row. Each property offers unique features that appeal to a variety of vacationers. Whether you are looking for scenic golf locations, secluded beaches, or five-star fine dining, guests receive a relaxed and unforgettable stay in paradise. Here are the best rated Sandals Resorts:
Best Overall: Sandals Grenada
Defying every convention of traditional design, the new Sandals Grenada takes innovation beyond the realm of imagination to create an extraordinary resort unlike anything you have ever experienced. Pools in the sky and living rooms in swimming pools. Private plunge pools, cascading waterfalls and meandering river pools. Here, in the heart of Grenada’s exclusive Pink Gin Beach, on an exotic island paradise where the intoxicating scents of spice and tropical blooms make a heady elixir for romance, we’ve taken the best of everything to create a whole new Sandals experience… one that takes you beyond the unexpected.
Best Pools: Sandals Ochi Beach, Jamaica
This new all-inclusive resort has a hot new beach club, 11 bars—including the Caribbean’s first speakeasy—and 16 totally on-trend restaurants. It’s exciting and it’s happening – but only when you want it to be. Because the other side of Sandals Ochi Beach Resort offers unsurpassed privacy when you want a more serene escape. A true Garden of Eden encompassing over 100 acres, this resort is so vast and lush that, no matter where you find yourself, you’ll always feel as if there’s plenty of space for just the two of you. All the things that make Jamaica such a uniquely spectacular destination are at the heart of Sandals Ochi.
Best Boutique: Sandals Royal Plantation, Jamaica
Understated elegance and exquisitely private, this is Sandals Royal Plantation – an intimate all-butler resort of just 74 ocean view suites tucked into a magnificent coral bluff. You can spend your days lazing by the pool with cool libations delivered right to you by a beach butler. Tee off at nearby Sandals Golf & Country Club, followed by a spot of afternoon tea on the terrace. Renowned for unmatched attention to detail, this enclave of retro-chic sophistication showcases roaming peacocks and manicured lawns.
Best Villas: Sandals Grande St Lucian
Ideally located on its very own peninsula, Sandals Grande St. Lucian is often described as the “closest vacation to a picture-perfect postcard.” Cradled to the west by Rodney Bay – boasting the calmest waters in all of Saint Lucia – and to the east by the majestic Atlantic Ocean, this magnificent resort showcases awe-inspiring panoramic views that will linger in your heart forever. Volcanic mountains draped in blankets of green rise majestically from an impossibly clear blue sea. A sheltered mile-long beach extends an open invitation for days of endless water play. This is paradise as it was meant to be, full of natural beauty, rich in history, and resplendent in pure romance.
Best For Honeymooners: Sandals Grande Antigua
Voted the “World’s Most Romantic Resort” year after year, Sandals Grande Antigua is located on Antigua’s best and most famous beach, Dickenson Bay. Explore the Caribbean Beachfront Village, a charming seaside garden oasis graced by meandering pathways, majestic palms and cooling Trade winds. Then step into a realm of chic sophistication where European grandeur unfolds from the hillside to villas-by-the-sea at the Six-Star, all-suite Mediterranean Oceanview Village. Come relax on silky-soft, pure white sands and let the warmth of the Caribbean fill your senses. Create your own lover’s legend as you share the most romantic holiday of a lifetime.
Best For Luxury: Sandals Royal Barbados
Experience the Royal Treatment at Sandals Royal Barbados, the all-new, all-suite resort in the spirited St. Lawrence Gap area. Featuring a number of Sandals firsts, including the first rooftop pool and bar, the first 4-lane bowling alley, Sandals first gourmet donut shop, and two new restaurant concepts – American Tavern and Chi Asian. This 272 all-suite resort features Sandals signature accommodations, including the magnificent Skypool Suites, Swim-up Suites, and Millionaire Suites, world-class international cuisine at seven restaurants, and a 15,000-sq.-ft. spa. Stunning ocean views, Butler Elite service and exclusive exchange privileges with nearby Sandals Barbados define the new Luxury Included® experience at Sandals Royal Barbados.
Best For Golf: Sandals Emerald Bay Bahamas
Deep within the idyllic waters of the Exumas, Sandals Emerald Bay brings unprecedented luxury to the easy-going rhythms of the Bahamian Out Islands. This luxury Bahamas resort is a privileged enclave, designed to ensure you’ll feel like you’re the only ones there, where service reigns supreme and Bahamian-style architecture of elegant villas and suites harmonize with nature. Secluded within 500 tropical acres along a pristine, mile-long beach, civilized pleasure coexists with exotic adventures, from three impressive pools — including a half-acre, zero-entry pool with a dramatic fire pit in the middle — to 11 exceptional restaurants.
Best For Dining: Sandals Regency La Toc
Saint Lucia’s most glamorous resort, Sandals Regency La Toc is a magnificent 220-acre estate set on a half-mile, crescent-shaped beach, cradling exotic coral bluffs, lush hillsides and rolling fairways. Featuring a challenging executive-style golf course, stunning oceanfront suites and the private enclave of the Sunset Bluff Village, this resort is recognized as the most sparkling jewel in the islands. Indulge in Five-Star Diamond French cuisine and other international cuisines with access to 27 restaurants.
Best For Privacy: Sandals Royal Bahamian
Experience a new level of luxury at the Bahamas’ most elegant resort. Sandals Royal Bahamian is a blend of European sophistication with an exotic offshore island adventure. Once a favorite of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, today it offers two sky-sized colonnaded pools overlooking the emerald sea, 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining at 10 specialty restaurants, and an award-winning Red Lane® Spa. Experience the royal treatment at this glamorous all-inclusive resort featuring the all-new River Pool Swim-up Suites with butler service, two pristine white-sand beaches, and exclusive VIP airport transfers in a Rolls-Royce or Mercedes-Benz for butler guests.
What to Pack For a Luxurious Beach Vacation:
You have your plane ticket booked and hotel reserved, and what to pack still remains. But if you think that any accessory or swimsuit will suffice, think again. A luxurious beach vacation involves so much more than shedding clothes and jumping in the ocean. You have to look good, especially if you staying at five star resort. Such resorts warrant items that have a little more posh than practical. For the basics you can visit our best beach gear page. Here are the items you’ll need for your luxury beach vacation:
Women
Swimsuit: This is a must, whether you are exploring the beaches or just chilling in the pool, you must have at least one swimsuit for your luxury beach vacation.
Beach Shorts/Denim: You need something casual to wear around the resort during the day, like these.
Cover-Up: Easy breezy just to cover up that swimsuit and move around the resort during the day.
Summer Tops: Stay cool with a cute summer top to go with your denim shorts.
Sunglasses: Gotta have a good pair of sunglasses to wear around the resort and the classic Ray Bans do just the trick.
Sunhat: Try this fashionable Fedora Hat to make you look more elegant and casual.
Beach Bag: Don’t forget to bring a beach bag to keep items like your kindle, phone, ipod, room key or camera while your chilling on the beach or around the resort.
Maxi Dress: Maxi dresses are hands down the best way to be super comfortable and look glam in the evening! Rock them with a nice pair of sandals and you are ready to party all night long!
Sandals: Try Plaka Sandals, with unique designs using high-quality materials and special color mixes you’ll love. Also great to have is a good pair of platform sandals for going out.
Face Cream: You will want a a good face moisturizer with sun block to keep your face looking vibrant and healthy.
Men
Board Shorts: You’ll need board shorts with that are functional and colorful for relaxation, by the pool and for a day at the beach.
Tank Tops: You’ll want a few cool and fun tank tops to take with you.
White Dress Pants: A good pair of white dress pants will be great for your evening out, or a comfortable pair of dress shorts.
Polo/Button Down Shirt: Required by some of the restaurants for dinner, we commend something like this.
Hat: Men need to keep the sun off their face too. Try this great twill hat.
Sunglasses: Gotta have a good pair of sunglasses to wear around the resort and the classic Ray Bans do just the trick.
Flip Flops: Get these great beach-ready sandal featuring a fabric thong strap.
Dress Shoes: A must have for dinner, casual yet comfortable and stylish. The classic boat shoe silhouettes designed to perform on or off shore.
Wow you paint a really nice picture here with your Best Rated Sandals Resorts review. A couple’s retreat is something my wife and I would definitely be interested in so this is right up our alley. The Sandals Grenada destination looks simply amazing in that it seems to have pools everywhere! Water is arguably the best enhancement to any resort so I’m glad that Sandals Grenada delivers here. Otherwise I think Sandals Grande St Lucian would be my next choice due to its discreet location and amazing villas. I’m saving your post for our next trip, thank you!
You are very welcome, thank you for stopping by my best rated Sandals Resorts post.
Hi, these Sandals resorts look so inviting. The crystal clear water and beautiful beaches are stunning! Which of these is your favorite / stands out the most? I’m currently planning a honeymoon and want to make it the most amazing vacation possible. I love that these locations are so close to the mainland US, which makes for a nice, short plane ride. 🙂
I believe that any Sandals resort is going to be amazing, but for me I love Sandals Royal Barbados. What is not to love just being in a beautiful location surrounded with luxury? Thanks for your visit Aly.
I have heard of Sandals resorts but didn’t know that they are catered for adults only. No wonder the outlook is so luxurious, and so is the price. Do they have any hotels within the US? It’s definitely a nice destination to have a getaway from the kids and it’s been a long time since we spend time together.
No Sandals in the US. All Sandals are in the Caribbean. There is only a total of 15 resorts scattered in the Caribbean. Thanks for stopping by the best rated Sandals Resorts.
Hello!
O, boy. Sandals Royal Barbados looks amazing. I have to visit!
Any recommendations for people who love swimming? I am sure there are some resorts which swimmers love the most.
Can you please comment?
Also, when is the best time to visit those resorts? Any specific weather conditions? Lastly, should I be concerned about safety?
Thank you very much!
Hi Ella, The Sandals Ochi Beach has wonderful pools on a wonderful beach. This is probably the best choice for swimmers. The weather is going to be nice year round. Only consideration would be for hurricanes. And really those are predicted well in advance. At Sandals, you do not have to worry about safety at all, at any Sandals. So no concerns about that. Let me know if you need any additional information.
Hey Leahrae,
Thanks for introducing some really exotic Sandals Resorts in the world. It says a lot when Sandals Resorts wons World Travel Awards for 22 years in a row.
Also interesting to know that among the list, Sandals Grande Antigua is voted the world’s leading honeymoon resort and most romantic resort in Sandals chain.
I like the accessories guide you put at the end of the article, really cool accessories. All these Sandals Resorts are all-inclusive, but what can I expect at an all-inclusive resort?
Regards.
Hi there, you can expect nothing but the best at any Sandals. That includes your personal butler, maid, wonderful food from a variety of restaurants, chauffeur service, the list goes on. Plus any activities you want to do are also included. Nothing but the best at Sandals. Thanks for your visit to the best rated Sandals resorts.
Wow, amazing website! Thank you for sharing these interesting places to visit. I have always loved tropical places and this article really caught my attention. My family and I are planning on traveling to the Bahamas this summer and I plan on booking our stay at one of the hotels you listed, “Sandals Royale Bahamian”. I plan on sharing your article with my other friends and family who will be tagging along on our vacation!
Great and thank you Sam. Glad you enjoyed your visit to beach travel destinations.
These places look wonderful! I can barely imagine what it would actually be like to be there in person, although there are some really lovely lodges here in Canada on pristine lakes and mountains that I truly adore for enjoying in the summertime. A winter escape like Jamaica sure beats January’s negative 40 temperatures. When money is a little more flush, i’ll keep these places in mind so I can finally test the waters. The ‘what to bring’ section of your article is valuable too, it really gets me wishing I was preparing for such an escape from reality lol. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome Elaine. Ugh anything below 60 for me is cold! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you get to enjoy a Sandals Vacation soon!
This is such a beautiful site. The resorts look amazing and it makes me want to be sitting on one of these beaches right now. The choice would be very tough to make. If I was forced to pick I may say the jamaica one, but who can say for sure. Really great job.
Thanks so much Coralie.
Thank you for your review. The pictures from the Sandal Resorts are AMAZING!! My wife and I have never been, but it is definitely on our bucket list.
Can you tell us which is your favorite Sandal’s Resort? Which country do you prefer? After all of the stuff that has been happening to American’s in the Dominican Republic recently. I’m sure many people are afraid to travel to those beautiful countries.
Thing is you are safe at a Sandals resort. Maybe not at other locations in the Dominican Republic, but at Sandals you would be safe. I favor Jamaica, so Sandals Ochi Beach is my favorite. I would go to anyone one of them though 😀 Thanks for your visit to beach travel destinations.
The locations are gorgeous. Definitely should go on my bucket list of places to travel to. They even have one that was voted best for honey mooners, wow.
Sandals Emerald Bay Bahamas sounds perfect for golf lovers. I would love to visit the Sandals Royal Bahamian for the privacy and their award winning spa. Sounds divine.
There’s a lot of great info here.
It does sound divine Margarette! I agree 🙂 Thanks for visiting the best rated Sandals Resorts. I hope you get to enjoy one soon, and when you do let me know what you think 🙂
These all look amazing in their own way. I’m drawn to the Royal Plantation, but I’m curious about the beach area – it looks small compared to some of the others. Is there enough room so it doesn’t feel crowded on the sand?
Also, if golf doesn’t interest someone, do you think that changes the overall appeal of either the Royal Plantation or the Regency La Toc?
You will find that none of the Sandals resorts will feel crowded on the beach. That is part of the their appeal. No, just because golf does not interest you (nor me LOL), the overall appeal of the resort is still wonderful. Heck that keeps half of the vacationers off the beach an on the fairway giving me more space 🙂 You would love either one!
Wow! Awesome looking beaches and luxurious looking resorts. Coming from Australia, I’m an avid beach-goer. Living in Japan, I often go to Okinawa, which also has stunning beaches and seascape views, along with the spectacular beaches of South East Asia (Philippines, Thailand, Bali etc.). Browsing through your articles on alternative locations in the Caribbean has inspired me to try something different on my next vacation. The Sandals Resorts will certainly be high on my list of places to go. Thanks for the insight!
Glad I could be of service John. A Sandals vacation is really like no other. You would truly have an amazing time. Thanks for stopping by!
A few years ago my wife and I visited Sandals in Emerald Bay Bahamas. We has a great time and got a great deal on the price. The amenities were awesome and the staff was superb. In fact, I wanted to stay there forever. We really had a great time and plan on returning soon or perhaps visit another Sandals in Barbados or Antigua. Thanks for all the great tropical travel ideas.
Jack
You are welcome Jack, and you will find that any Sandals on this list will be just as wonderful, possibly better 🙂 Thanks for visiting the best rated Sandals Resorts.
My wife and I visited Sandals Grande Antigua a few years ago and it was an amazing resort. We had a great time and the staff was very cordial. If you can afford the expense, all-inclusive is the way to go. The rooms are great! There is so much to do that one wishes they had more than a week to take it all in.
I totally agree! With the all-inclusive package you are taken care of. Some Sandals have a ton of restaurants to choose from. Why not be pampered right? That is what Sandals is all about!