Sandals Antigua compared to others?
Jul 20th, 2003, 06:23 PM
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Sandals Antigua compared to others?
Hello,
My fiance and I are researching all the Sandals, and was wondering what you though of Sandals Antigua? Has anyone stayed there recently? The other one I was considering was Sandals Grande St. Lucian...We are looking for the one with the nicest pool area with swim-up bar and the prettiest, best beach. I know the Antigua property is older, and the St. Lucia one is newer, but which one is an overall better property?
My fiance and I are researching all the Sandals, and was wondering what you though of Sandals Antigua? Has anyone stayed there recently? The other one I was considering was Sandals Grande St. Lucian...We are looking for the one with the nicest pool area with swim-up bar and the prettiest, best beach. I know the Antigua property is older, and the St. Lucia one is newer, but which one is an overall better property?
Jul 21st, 2003, 06:42 AM
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We honeymooned at Sandals Antigua last October and really enjoyed the resort. We found it to be a great laid back atmosphere with a beautiful, large, spread out beach with calm water. The grounds are very lush and tropical and incredibly well kept. Our room was not too small, although not large and was very comfortable.
As far as the pool, there are 5 pools. The main pool with the swim-up bar is not large and is located towards the back of the property. There is not a view of the beach from the main pool. There is pretty much a pool for every block of rooms and the pool in front of the Grand Luxe Beachfront Concierge rooms is basically beachfront. The food was good, although not spectacular. We never had a bad meal, there was a lot to choose from and drinks were also plentiful.
I have not stayed at Sandals Grande St. Lucian but have read many reviews. I do know that St. Lucia is not an island known for its beaches but it is known to be a very beautiful island. I think as far as the pool goes, the one at the Grande would be nicer but for the better beach Antigua is the way to go. Good luck in choosing and enjoy your vacation!
As far as the pool, there are 5 pools. The main pool with the swim-up bar is not large and is located towards the back of the property. There is not a view of the beach from the main pool. There is pretty much a pool for every block of rooms and the pool in front of the Grand Luxe Beachfront Concierge rooms is basically beachfront. The food was good, although not spectacular. We never had a bad meal, there was a lot to choose from and drinks were also plentiful.
I have not stayed at Sandals Grande St. Lucian but have read many reviews. I do know that St. Lucia is not an island known for its beaches but it is known to be a very beautiful island. I think as far as the pool goes, the one at the Grande would be nicer but for the better beach Antigua is the way to go. Good luck in choosing and enjoy your vacation!
Jul 21st, 2003, 01:07 PM
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Thank you so much for your detailed reply, beachlover99. That's what I figured -- better beach at Antigua, better pool area at St. Lucia. Was the beach gorgeous at Sandals Antigua? Did you explore the island at all? If so, is it a destination you would recommend OUTSIDE of staying at Sandals?
Has anyone been to the Sandals Grande St. Lucian? If so, could you describe the beach area to me? I have heard that their beach is better than the other 2 St. Lucia Sandals. Could you let me know how it is if you have been? Thank you!
Has anyone been to the Sandals Grande St. Lucian? If so, could you describe the beach area to me? I have heard that their beach is better than the other 2 St. Lucia Sandals. Could you let me know how it is if you have been? Thank you!
Jul 21st, 2003, 02:55 PM
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Been to Sandals Antigua, many other nice resorts to stay at other then sandals. check out Galley Bay, Sandals in Antigua is older, needs some update to be honest with you, nice beach but lots of vendors that dont leave you alone.. Swept Away in Jamaica is by far a nicer resort but if you have decided on Antigua there are nicer resorts then Sandals.
Jul 22nd, 2003, 10:15 AM
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I have been to both the Sandals in Antigua and the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia. I personally liked the Sandals in Antigua over the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia. If you are looking for the nicest swim-up bar and newer, more plush surroundings then I would choose the Sandals Grande. The pools are definately fantastic. I thought the food was better at the Sandals in Antigua and the resort as a whole had more of a caribbean beach, cozy feel to it. Keep in mind St. Lucia is a very different island then Antigua. St. Lucia is a volcanic island and therefore the beaches are not the white sandy kind with the crystal clear blue water that you find in the magazines. The beaches are more of the brown sand with dark blue water. Not to say that is bad, just different. But if my memory serves me correctly, I think that the Sandals had the white sand brought in for their beach. Their beach is in more of a bay where as the Sandals in Antigua is more of an ocean front beach. The beach in front of the Sandals in Antigua was of the true white sand and crystal blue waters but it also is very busy with beach vendors, but that didn't bother us. A simple no thanks and they left you alone. Antigua has some great beaches to explore. St. Lucia is more lush with beautiful rain forests. It all depends on what you are looking for. If you want a newer resort with great pools and a more posh atmosphere then I would choose the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia. If you want a more intimate resort that has more of a caribbean flare to it, then I would you the Sandals in Antigua. Which ever you choose...Have a wonderful time.
Jul 22nd, 2003, 10:35 AM
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Just one thing to add...I guess it also would depend on how much time you are going to spend at the resort as well. If you want to get out and explore the island, rent a jeep as we did and see all of the great beaches (365 of them, one for each day of the year), then Antigua has my vote. If you two are going to spend more time enjoying what the resort has to offer then I would choose St. Lucia. They have all new equipment and a great spa. If you are looking for some other insights on Antigua such as other resorts and things to do on the island here is another website I would take a look at http://www.interknowledge.com/antigu...uda/index.html. There is also another resort on Antigua that might interest you as well. I have not been there myself but it seems to get good reviews and is in a moderate price range-Pineapple Beach resort. It is supposed to have a really nice beach with snorkeling right off of it.
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Jul 22nd, 2003, 04:56 PM
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Antigua is a great island to explore outside of the resort! The island was once the headquarters for the British Navy, and it has lots of historical sites. There are also some excellent local artisans and beautiful natural wonders, too.
The Sunday night party at Shirley Heights is one of the best in the Caribbean! Steel drums play until dark, and then a reggae band take sover. The whole island comes out for the music, and for the beautiful sunset.
The Sunday night party at Shirley Heights is one of the best in the Caribbean! Steel drums play until dark, and then a reggae band take sover. The whole island comes out for the music, and for the beautiful sunset.
Jul 23rd, 2003, 11:14 AM
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honeymooner, we did not get out and explore the island except for one day of shopping in St. John. We were just enjoying the beach and each other so much that we didn't want to leave the resort. And having everything at your fingertips makes it so easy, and makes for a very relaxing vacation. We hope to make it back and explore more of the island on our next trip.
I know an above poster recommended checking into Galley Bay. I have read many reports lately that the water/beach area is awful at this resort. You may research this some more if you plan on doing that. I do believe it is a bit more pricey than Sandals (considering the 40% discount) and I don't think you would be disappointed in SA. We didn't find the resort to be out dated at all. Actually, I believe our room had a new coat of paint and the furniture seemed very new. We were extremely comfortable and slept like babies, and that was bascically all we were ever in the room for anways (except for the typical honeymoon "exercise" hehe).
The resort was very romantic and there were plenty of places to have privacy. The resort was at 80% and we felt like we almost had the place to ourselves.
Enjoy whatever you choose!
I know an above poster recommended checking into Galley Bay. I have read many reports lately that the water/beach area is awful at this resort. You may research this some more if you plan on doing that. I do believe it is a bit more pricey than Sandals (considering the 40% discount) and I don't think you would be disappointed in SA. We didn't find the resort to be out dated at all. Actually, I believe our room had a new coat of paint and the furniture seemed very new. We were extremely comfortable and slept like babies, and that was bascically all we were ever in the room for anways (except for the typical honeymoon "exercise" hehe).
The resort was very romantic and there were plenty of places to have privacy. The resort was at 80% and we felt like we almost had the place to ourselves.
Enjoy whatever you choose!
