Sometimes, less is more – think too-short skirts or designer stubble that’s edging into beard territory – and it’s often a good mantra to keep in mind. But when it comes to a luxury couples’ holiday in the sun-soaked islands of the Caribbean, there’s no such thing as too much.
That’s why Sandals Resorts places no limits on its signature Luxury Included package. Whether gourmet dining and premium-brand drinks or endless activities and watersports, it’s all included: unlimited and available any time day or night, so the fun never has to end. That philosophy has earned Sandals the title of World’s Leading All-Inclusive Resorts for 19 years in a row, and with recent openings in Barbados and Grenada joining existing resorts on the tropical islands of Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia and the Bahamas, that reputation is certainly set to continue.
A taste of luxury
Forget everything you’ve ever heard about mass-catered buffets or bars that stop serving at 10pm – Luxury Included is unlike any other all-inclusive package. Each resort boasts up to 16 eateries, from quiet, romantic restaurants to laid-back beachfront grills, via authentic Neapolitan pizza, French brasseries, traditional steakhouses, Japanese sushi restaurants, Thai and Indian eateries, and even traditional British pubs for those moments when you just can’t live without fish and chips.
At Sandals LaSource Grenada, be sure to check out the prime steaks at Butch’s Chophouse, seasoned and served precisely to your liking, or try out Sandals’ first Indian restaurant Bombay Club, which made its debut at Sandals Barbados this year.
For tasty teriyaki beef or ginger-infused chicken breast with an extra helping of fun, try the teppanyaki-style cooking at Kimonos in Sandals Regency La Toc, Saint Lucia, where the chefs cook right at the table. Or why not get that sand-between-the-toes feeling with a meal at Barefoot by the Sea in Sandals Negril, Jamaica, where local specialities such as coconut tiger prawns or herb-crusted mahi mahi are served with an impressive side of sea views?
Unlike many resorts, there’s no need to stick to set dining times either: if you’d rather have a lie-in and enjoy breakfast at 11am, or tuck into a late-night supper before bed, it’s completely up to you.
And good taste doesn’t end with dining, as the freshly-made cocktails in Sandals’ swim-up pool bars or top-shelf spirits in its breezy piano lounges and ocean-view bars can attest. Whether your chosen tipple is Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire, Rémy Martin VSOP cognac or Dewar’s 12 Year Old Special Reserve whisky, it’s stocked in Sandals’ bars, along with six varieties of Robert Mondavi wines exclusively bottled for Sandals guests.
Be a sport
There’s nothing wrong with spending a week on a sunlounger, getting up only for an occasional swim or a meander to a restaurant, but for those who like their relaxation a little less relaxed, there’s a mind-boggling array of activities to try. The clear waters of the Caribbean Sea are the ideal playground for unlimited waterskiing, kayaking and snorkelling, riding the waves on a Hobie Cat or paddle-boarding through protected bays, all using top-of-the-line equipment.
Certified divers can delve deeper with two free dives a day, while total beginners can test the waters with an introductory course (at extra cost), building the confidence to dive to 40ft and see beautiful marine life from an entirely new perspective.
Back on dry land, there’s just as much included, with floodlit tennis courts – Sandals Emerald Bay even has stadium seating – plus state-of-the-art fitness centres and unlimited golf in Jamaica and Saint Lucia, where complimentary greens fees mean keen golfers can enjoy rounds on some of the most challenging fairways in the Caribbean.
Stylish stays
Sandals Resorts are perfectly set up for couples, offering an ideal romantic escape with couples’ massages in the signature Red Lane Spas, elegant entertainment from Caribbean steel drums or authentic island performers, and even free weddings for those who want to tie the knot in these memorable, sun-kissed surroundings.
The luxurious rooms are just as refined, complete with mahogany king-sized beds and Egyptian cotton linens, flat-screen TVs and an in-room bar stocked daily with water and soft drinks.
Splashing out on a suite – they make up 40% of all rooms – will elevate the experience even further, with swim-up options enabling you to take a dip in the Crystal Lagoon from your very own private patio, Skypool Suites in Grenada having private infinity pools, or Millionaire Suites in Saint Lucia, which come with sweeping views across the Caribbean Sea or over the island’s lush green hillsides.
Top-tier suites even come with impeccable butler service from the prestigious Guild of Professional English Butlers, who can unpack luggage, take room service orders, organise private dining or make special arrangements for a birthday or engagement – all reinforcing Sandals’ signature sense of luxury.
For more information on the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Resorts, call 0800 742 742 or visit sandals.co.uk
This article was published 12 November 2015