We stayed at this resort from 7 March to 23 March 2006. We will return in March 2008.

Airport:
Delta arrived early and no line to enter country. We were at Sandals within an hour of landing.
The van had two other couples, B&B from Atlanta, on their honeymoon and RF&CF from Knoxville, about to be married. We plan to keep in touch with them.

Reception: We were concierge level but didn’t get the concierge treatment; however, they did upgrade our room. The room was in the cottages and very nice with a tropical-like feel from the plants and trees outside our balcony.

Concierge: Not so much good service until we meet Albert. He turned it around and after that every concierge staff member was warm and inviting. The butlers even got to know us. Wendell and Lancelot were extra nice.

Vincent and Kwesi went out of their way to keep track of us. I would be playing pool volleyball and they would be delivering luggage stopping by to tell me that my wife was about done with her massage and would be at the pool in ten minutes. Leslie was always there to answer questions at the Front Desk.

Dining: Bayside: Excellent breakfast buffet. A large choice of food items including fresh squeeze orange juice was provided everyday. Egg station for omelets, eggs cooked to order, a large selection of fresh fruit, fresh pineapple and papaya. We were warmly greeted by Franklin, Violet, Kristen, Jacco or Shawn each morning. Their smiles greeted us too for the buffet lunch and good wishes for a great day will be something we will remember forever.

Courtyard Bistro: Standard fast-food fare - Burgers, hotdogs, chips, pizza. Carry out to a courtyard venue. Nothing fancy but a really nice alternative to a lunch buffet.

OK Corral: Offers a bit livelier atmosphere for dining. The staff was energetic and so friendly especially Eleanor. Akim kept assuring us that “we’d be full tonight” and we were. Dishes may taste slightly different from those you enjoy at your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant but that are what keeps life interesting.

Il Palio: All our meals were excellent. The antipasto bar offers a good selection. From the herb-crusted rack of lamb to the world class lasagna everything was terrific. Spice and Michelle were professional and friendly each time we dined here. We dined here with JT&AG and again with WI&MLI from the UK and had wonderful meals.

Kimonos: We had Sugar and had a great time. The 2nd time we had a fill-in, so our table named him “Splenda”, the rest of the staff superb. We got to know two couples from Illinois, RL&SL and CT&TT. We also dined with BM&WM from the UK

4 O’clock Tea: Nice touch, not fancy but you are in your swim suit and not at Harrods.

Food and Drink: The F&B manager, Jacco, really does a great job. Food was hot, plentiful and tasty. Drinks were free flowing and quick. This is Sandals food but it seemed better. Fresh fruits all day and the salad bar assortments were bigger than most restaurants the US.

Bars: Both bars were very well staffed and the bar people were quick. I never waited for more than 2 minutes for any drink. Latoya, Tamara, Nienice and Leohie were nice ladies who was had a smile on their face and knew every drink recipe.

Beach Buffet Party Monday: Was canceled since a large group from “Jonestown” was at the resort and each Monday they were given the Beach Buffet time slot for their group dinner.

SSG Dinner: Really enjoyable. The menu consisted of Caribbean Shrimp Cocktail, Mixed Green Salad, Grilled Sirloin Steak and a heavenly-light cheese cake. We felt honored to be seated at a table with Franklin 3 times during our stay.

Entertainment: Every night many people filled the courtyard to hear the music and some actually were dancing. Some games were played like “Newly Wed Game” and “Name that Tune”.

Pools: Every pool was very clean. Pool Volley and Agua Aerobics were two things I looked forward to each day. The instructor, Zoe, certainly brightened up every ones day when she appears at 10:30am. Teaspoon, Tourist, Claudia, Stwooh, and Tee were very lively and excellent Playmakers.

Water Sports: Dre Joseph runs a nice department. All the water sports people were professional and friendly.

Staff: NO rude or even indifferent staff members. By the second day were greeted by name through the resort. Each and everyone had a great attitude and helpful in everyway. We are not Pollyanna but having to feed 400 guests 3 meals each day and made 400 people happy each is a very large task, However Franklin and crew certain gets the job done correctly.

Found the staff very nice - our personal experience only. The room on the other hand was awful, as per some of the other reviews, it was unclean and shabby - not what we expected for a supposed top notch & expensive resort. The whole resort was run down some what and in need of a major revamp. So think again. A few people there told us how they wished they had gone back to Mexico Cancun as the service and hotels were fantastic.

After reading reviews about this resort I was a little sceptical. I was not sure what to expect when we were to arrive. But believe it or not 2 days before my departure I had still not received any confirmation or vouchers confirming our stay at Sandals. What I did receive was a phone call for a Sandals agent stating that they had over booked and there was no room for me and my fiance. They told us our only options were to cancel or leave 4 days later. I was furious and realized my mistake was booking this resort even after I read the negative reviews! How could they do that to guests 2 days before they arrive. Needless to say I refused to leave 4 days later and we were sent to another hotel at Sandal's expense! Their aweful service was seen before we even had the chance to arrive. I will NEVER book through Sandals again and I wouldn't recomend Sandal's to anyone! Stay Away!

We visited ,along with our son and daughter-in-law in Feb . We booked this trip after visiting Sandals web site and was told the new addition was completed and totally booked . False . We arrived to find a tired resort with costruction being done all day long,which started at 7:00am.The new addition ,we were then told would not be done untile sometime in thwe summer of 07. Based on the work still to be done I doubt if it will be done this year.All in all a bad experience which could have been avoided if Sandals had been honest.
CP