The beautiful lush island of St. Lucia. Magnificent rain forests where wild orchids, giant ferns, and birds of paradise flourish amongst cascading waterfalls. Beaches of white, golden and brown sands with towering palms entice sun lovers. Crystal clear warm water beckons snorkelers & divers to enjoy the National Reef Preserve that teams with the bounty of the Caribbean ocean.

Not enough to entice you? How about if we add in beautiful harbors and world class sailing, awe inspiring twin mountain peaks of the Pitons, duty free shopping, golf courses, zip-lining through the rainforest, horseback riding and the world's only drive-in volcanic crater complete with mineral baths to soothe the soul?

Still not enough? Ok, I’ll throw in incredibly warm locals who speak English, average temperatures ranging from mid 70’s to mid 80’s, some great Caribbean food, and a Friday night street party at Gros Islet where the BBQ grills are rolled out and live Caribbean music energizes the tropical trade winds. Or, travel to the small village of Anse La Raye for the Friday night Seafood Feast where once a month a live band provides the entertainment.

Located in the southern Caribbean, nestled between Martinique (an easy day trip away) and St. Vincent, St. Lucia is frequently referred to as the Hawaii of the Caribbean. Exotic yet familiar, St Lucia offers warm hospitality, unmatched beauty and activities to satisfy even the most restless among us!

On my all too short visit to St. Lucia this fall I was able to visit 3 of Sandals Luxury All Inclusive resorts. Each offered such a unique experience it was hard to imagine that all three properties were owned and managed by the same company. The cohesive element that ties the three Sandals properties together was the focus on service, friendly smiles, beautiful facilities, incredible spa’s and great eats! All were in abundance at all three resorts!

Sandal resorts has been working hard throughout the Caribbean updating properties, renovating rooms (flat screen televisions, new soft goods & toning down the color schemes, adding a luxury touch to even the lowest categories in each of the properties) and public spaces. Sandals even went as far as adding these fantastic private bungalows they call Rondavals and a British pub- but more about that later.

After extensively touring each of the properties which would I choose to stay at? A great question but one I would find very hard to answer! I thoroughly enjoyed each of the properties but for completely different reasons. I’ll provide my impressions of the resorts and what I liked best about each!

Sandals Halcyon - Just stepping onto the resort one can feel themselves instantly relaxing. This is the smallest of the three sandals properties in St. Lucia and the resort has a boutique feel to it and exudes old Caribbean charm. The buildings are only two stories tall and are covered with lush flowering foliage. The entire grounds were at one time a botanical garden and it shows. There are flowering shrubs, well manicured lawns and mature trees everywhere you turn! You literally feel like you have arrived at the Garden of Eden it is so beautiful. The hammocks for two scattered and tucked away throughout the property are inviting. Personally, this is the resort I would choose for utter relaxation thrown in with a bit of games by the pool and a touch of nightlife. If I was getting married I would also chose this resort for the sheer beauty having the photo’s taken in the gardens!

Favorite room categories- I would stay in one of the Honeymoon Beachfront Concierge rooms. The rooms are one story beachfront units, although some are partially blocked by lush foliage but you can hear the waves and are literally steps from the beach. Request a unit near the water sports center as the other Honeymoon Beachfront Suites are located near the activity pool and during the day the activities can get a little loud.

Sandals Halcyon Facts-
169 rooms
4 restaurants/ 7 bars
2 pools- one quiet and the other active, both with a swim up bar
Beach is not very wide but extremely long and very quiet and remote
Waterskiing & wakeboarding are included
Most rooms have been renovated but at this time (fall 2007) not all ocean view rooms & honeymoon beachfront concierge suites have been completed.

Resort is great for those who like intimate, boutique style hotels while enjoying the comforts of putting away their wallets.


Sandals Grande- The newest addition to the Sandals line up in St. Lucia. This is the resort for beach and water lovers! This resort sits on a peninsula between the beautiful bay and the ocean and offers water views from all of its rooms.

Boasting a stunning white sand beach that is both long and wide that invites lovers to find their own private stretch of sand. The bay here is calm and the water crystal clear. This resort offers a comprehensive collection of complimentary water sport activities ranging from tubing, water trykes, kayaks, snorkeling, water skiing, knee boarding, wake boarding, windsurfing and the pier where the dive boats will whisk you away to explore the equally lush underwater environment! The other side of the resort offers views of the charming island of Martinique across the Atlantic. Not to be outdone, the landscape is very beautiful and lush with meandering pathways, lush palms and flowering bushes located throughout the manicured grounds.

Ocean not your cup of tea- try one of the 5 pools on the property. In the center of the property is a fantastic Romanesque pool with inset 30-person spa tub, features a 350-degree swim-up bar; an activity pool complete with a sunset-view 16-person spa tub, and a heart-shape lovers pool features a deck with two person, cushioned, teak lounge chairs and a 10-person spa tub.

The Sandals Grande St. Lucian is a contemporary luxury resort. From the moment you step into the luxurious open air lobby to check into the resort. Instead of queuing up in long lines guest are directed to make themselves comfortable at one of the sitting areas in the expansive lobby. All of the paperwork is completed while you sip champagne. The goal at Sandals Grande is to have every guest checked in within 12 minutes. Butler category guests are whisked away to their suites for check in.

Each room category from entry level on is fairly large, has modern bath facilities and all of the rooms have recently been outfitted with plasma screen TV’s making the good sized rooms feel even bigger.

A very unique feature to this tropical paradise is the Olde London Pub, an English Pub on the property. Not just any replica of an English pub- this is the real deal! Mr. Stewart purchased and dismantled an actual Pub in England, brought it to St. Lucia and reassembled it piece by piece at Sandals Grande St. Lucia! Serving thick slices of Prime Rib or Fish & Chips you can indulge yourself till 2am.

That’s not the only unique restaurant feature to this resort- Josephine’s- the French Creperie located poolside is fantastic for a mid afternoon or after dinner snack. I was treated to a mouth watering chocolate crepe- fantastic! Or, stop in for a thick creamy milkshake.

Favorite room Categories - Sandals Grande St. Lucian takes Romance to a new level with its unique room categories. The Swim up suites are located in a quiet portion of the property and number only 25- so grab yours before they sell out! Just imagine stepping out of bed, into your swim suit and taking an early morning swim with your lover and returning just in time for room service to deliver breakfast for your enjoyment on your private patio.

My absolute favorite room category in all of the Caribbean- the Oceanfront Rondaval with Private Plunge pool! These individual bungalows are brand new, private and the ultimate in romance! Definitely worth the splurge, this room is located just steps from the beach. The private plunge pool with the trickling waterfall, whirlpool and hammock (imagine laying on the hammock entwined, enjoying a glass of wine, watching the stars, listening to the ocean roll against the shoreline and whispering of your future together…) are there to ensure your time spent outdoors with your loved one will create memories that will last forever. Add to that the ultra sexy outdoor grotto shower- how can a couple go wrong? The interior of the Rondaval isn’t shabby either – a large living area with a sofa, chair, coffee table and plasma TV, king size mahogany bed, an enormous private bathroom with a Roman tub, separate showers & two sinks! Now add a butler to assist with your every whim…..ahhhh paradise!

Sandals Grande St. Lucian Facts-300 rooms – 14 categories
6 restaurants- Gordon’s is reserved exclusively for Butler suite guests; Toscanini’s is the recipient of the 5 Star Diamond Award / 6 bars
5 pools- including the scuba pool/4 whirlpools
Beach very wide with over 400’ of beachfront
State of the Art- Air Conditioned Fitness room

Resort is great for active couples that enjoy modern facilities, lots of choices in daily activities & amenities. And of course the water & beach lovers will find themselves very content.

Next installment will include the third Sandals property on St. Lucia- Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa plus information on St. Lucia’s marriage requirements, Sandals WeddingMoons and Wedding groups! If you can’t wait and have specific questions please feel free to email me at Jennifer@SandnSunVacations.com

Copyright 2007

About the author: Jennifer Prymula, is certified as a Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist& Certified Sandals Specialist. She is a member of the West Michigan Wedding Association and Kalamazoo Bridal Association. You can contact Jennifer at 877-208-6639; Jennifer@SandnSunVacations.com or visit her website at www.SandnSunVacations.com

 Four Days In Paradise!

 

As a travel agent I make a point of visiting several destinations each year to see first hand the newest attractions, how the hotels and resorts are doing and meet with the managers and sales staff.

 

This May I was a guest of Japex and the Jamaica Tourism Board and I had the privilege of spending 4 days in Ocho Rios.

 

Day one – Flight from Chicago O’Hare. We had a plane change from Air Jamaica to Ryan Air. The attendants were gracious and attentive, the flight uneventful and quick as we were able to watch a movie on the way down. Arrival in Montego Bay was smooth as was going through customs. Retrieving our bags was extremely quick and I was impressed with the new terminal. It was air conditioned, bright and airy.

 

The trip to Ocho Rios normally takes about an hour an a half but it seemed to fly by. Our first visit was to the beautiful Grand Lido Braco. The atmosphere was laid back understated elegance. A beautiful courtyard greets visitors with a fountain and shops – on the left as you face the ocean is the nude side and on the right is the prude side. Both are tucked away in lavish gardens. We had the privilege of having a buffet lunch and the selection was abundant, fresh and quite tasty. The staff we encountered while doing our inspection were extremely friendly and warm. This is a fantastic resort for those that enjoy the finer things in life in a casual Caribbean atmosphere. A smaller intimate adult only resort (210 suites) this is a great place for meeting other couples and personalized service.  One of the few resorts that includes waterskiing. There were some incredible spots from which to have a destination wedding.

 

We then checked into Shaw Park Resort. This is a great little place for those who are not fussy and want a quiet place to lie on the beach. The open air lobby is very Caribbean with turning palm frond fans and one of the friendliest staffs on the island. My roommates and I were placed in the two bedroom oceanfront Suite. Breathtaking floor to ceiling view of the beach and ocean that were literally just steps from our terrace. The suite was large and comfortably appointed. Breakfast was fresh and sufficient with both selections of Americanized and Jamaican breakfast items. My only complaint with this resort would be the water pressure and warmth in the shower although my roommates in the second bedroom did not have this issue at all. The bathrooms are in need of some updating. This is also a small resort -94 rooms.

 

In the evening after freshening up and unpacking my fellow travel agents and I met at the beach bar at Shaw Park Resort. Ahhh paradise- a pina colada at sunset on the beach. Have I mentioned how much I love my job?

 

On to dinner at The Ruins. What an amazing restaurant! While I was not able to sample any of their food (we had a buffet provided by several of the resorts on the island) the restaurant itself was amazing. Built around a waterfall and trees you are literally eating under the stars! The strands of lights throughout the trees, the foot bridge and sound of the water running down the falls and through the restaurant set the most alluring atmosphere!

 

Day two in Paradise!

8:30am the tour bus pulls out of Shaw Park. We are on our way to visit 4 resorts this morning.

 

Chrissanns – small beachfront hotel, mostly Jamaican clientele that operates as a timeshare. Each unit is individually owned and rented out. I was impressed with the unit owned by a Jamaican Ambassador.

 

Royal Plantation- If you are looking to be pampered, relaxed and catered too in an adult only, upscale and absolutely stunning location- this is the resort for you. Our gracious guide said it best, “As long as it is not illegal nor immoral we will provide whatever a guest desires.” The rooms all come with a fabulous view of the ocean, were spacious and exquisitely decorated in an understated elegance complete with a pillow menu. There are two beaches, one has beach butlers that will cater to your needs-from retrieving your beverages to spritzing you with a cooling lavender water- all you need to do is raise your flag. Perfect for that quiet elegant beach wedding. There is also a 3 bedroom villa onsite that can be rented for private groups or weddings.

 

Riu Ocho Rios – This resort is sprawling and very active! The perfect resort for larger or mixed age groups or people who like to have lots of choices right at their fingertips. The rooms are spacious and nicely appointed. A huge beach front and several pools. Staff here was friendly as we toured. The in room mini bar and liquor disperser is extremely popular with guests.

 

Sunset Jamaican Grande – A newly added water slide makes this the perfect getaway for families! We were not able to see any rooms as they were booked solid but the grounds were nicely kept. The entire resort was recently renovated and all of the guests I observed from the very young to the old appeared quite content. This is a very active resort and includes a kids club for those from 2-12years old. It was neat to see the cruise ships docked in Ocho Rios; this resort is a short walk from shopping and nightlife in town. Two areas to get married – a gazebo right on a point on the water and another gazebo just off the beach. Both made for great photos!

 

Lunch at Walkers Wood- delicious! I would like to come back and do the complete tour when I have more time. We had the privilege of meeting with Old mother Thyme and learning about the history and how the Jamaicans lived and cooked in the past with a quick demonstration of the tools used. The tour of the garden and explanation of what each plant did was eye opening and educational. I really enjoyed seeing how their jerk sauce is made. Great little gift shop onsite to purchase their seasonings. Can also purchase online at www.walkerswood.com

 

On to the Catamaran Cruise! We left from Sunset Jamaica Grande and sailed past Dunn’s River Falls. The falls looked beautiful as we sailed past. Great reggae music but it really started to get lively on the way back! Personally I think they wait till the Rum punch has a chance to kick in! Starting with a dance move demonstration by the staff we ended the cruise with most of us up dancing and singing!

 

We ended the evening with the Grand opening of Harley Davidson Ocho Rios at Island Village. A great little shopping area where you’ll be able to find most any tourist item you desire!

 

Day 3 In Paradise-

Are you tired yet? Well I was! It’s rough walking through these beautiful resorts watching others play in the pool, with their cool drinks and looking at those incredible beaches! It was all I could do to not take off my heels and dig my toes into the warm sand.

 

This morning we visited Emerald Seas Villa- This is where my camera batteries decided to die. And what bad timing for my batteries to go caput. The Villa was breathtaking. Very open and elegant, potted plants throughout created a feeling of being in garden and openness. Four bedrooms each with their own private balcony and private bath, two located on each side of the villa. A curving marble staircase to the downstairs. Large French doors lead to the outside terrace and your private in ground pool. The large balcony upstairs would be an incredible setting for a small intimate wedding. I could just picture a bride and groom saying their vows while looking over the gorgeous Caribbean Ocean. I fell in love with this Villa!  The winding stairs leading down to the ocean surrounding by lush foliage would create the most beautiful photos. Comes with a staff of 6. 

 

Sandals Dunn’s River Falls Villagio- A beautiful drive down a manicured garden with statues is your first impression of what is in store at this adult only all inclusive resort. Designed to look and feel like an Italian resort you are immediately put at ease and start to relax. I was amazed at the artistic touches, artfully designed gardens and statues throughout the resort. This includes the minitiare replica falls located in the pool. The rooms were lovely with an elegant 4 poster king size beds and mahogany furniture.

 

Hedonism III - What can I say ?  This resort has a nude side, prude side and also a mixed nudity pool area. Great for couples where one partner is comfortable in being one with nature and the other prefers to stay partially dressed! We were treated to lunch and the food was delicious- some of the best we had! Service outstanding.

Green Grotto Cave- Quite honestly if it wasn’t on the itinerary I probably would have passed. It’s a shame too because I would have missed out on a great experience. Our guide was a knowledgeable and charming young man! We learned about Jamaican history, a bit about the islands ecosystem and also geology. The tour was inside and outside of the caves. The fig trees with their roots searching for water reminded me of the banyan tree in Maui.

 

Our last night was spent at the new Gran Bahia Ocho Rios. A beautiful hotel with very nice large rooms. This is an all inclusive resort that caters to all age groups. Our balcony was the largest I’ve ever seen and our ocean view was beautiful. The buffet was decent and food was plentiful for dinner but I spoke with guests who said that the selections are the same nightly. To alleviate the repetitiveness there are a la carte restaurants to book for dinner. There was some construction still going on and communication issues amongst staff but that is typical for a brand new resort and it usually last for the first year till the kinks are worked out. Entertainment is held at the Caribbean Village. I thought this was a fantastic concept – an outdoor piazzo with bistro tables and surrounded by shops it provides under the stairs nightly entertainment while keeping the noise contained away from the rooms. A note of caution is in order- there is a beautiful outside marble staircase that goes from the lobby to the pool. It is several stories high but gets extremely slick with any precipitation. I spoke to several guests who slipped down the stairs and also a few of my fellow travel agents who almost tumbled down. Please be careful here especially with youngsters and elderly. This is a tragedy waiting to happen.

 

Day Four In Paradise-

 

I woke at 7am, donned my swimsuit and laid on the beach-finally! The beach looked beautiful from afar but you will definitely need water shoes as it is very gravelly and rough, even into the water. No digging your toes into the sand here! Bring sturdy shoes for those long moonlit walks along the beach. After an hour or so I moved to the pool to cool off as I didn’t bring water shoes. Pools were very nice, although shallow at 4’ deep. The pool bar opens at 10am and not a second sooner as my room mate just needed a cup of ice and staff said no. Sadly we left at noon to make our ay back to the airport.

 

Customs was again a breeze and we had some free time before our flight to visit the many shops. This is a great place to pick up last minute souvenirs, some Blue Mountain coffee and grab a bite to eat at Margarittaville. I found the prices to be comparable to the other areas we visited (just slightly higher) and quite a variety of shops.

 

So what was my favorite part about Ocho Rios? The people! Although I speak to many clients who are nervous about going to Jamaica and I have to admit that the first time I visited Montego Bay on a cruise ship I was turned off by the aggressive vendors and vowed to never come back! This was my second trip back since then and I promise you it is a completely different experience staying at a resort. The Jamaicans are one of the warmest groups of individuals I have encountered in my travels. It is a joy to experience their warmth, hospitality, pride and the beauty of their island. 

 

If you’d like additional information about Jamaica or any of the resorts I visited please email jennifer@sandsunandsavings.com