We arrived at The Sands for our third stay on March 8, 2012. This trip was a 10 day duration rather than our prior two 7 day stays. On our original trip in 2009, we were absolutely blown away by the beauty of the expansive soft sand beach and turquoise waters. We had a 1 bedroom ground floor unit that looked out onto the garden / meandering pool. It was a well appointed condo that had every amenity including a washer and dryer. The standards of the unit were that of your own home. Nothing was 'cheap'.
On our return visit in 2011, (went to Olympics in 2010), we had a different 1 bedroom ground floor unit also facing the garden. Almost every unit can see a bit of the ocean, so garden view is great. We spent our time at the beach and traveling around anyway. Again, the unit condition was pristine.
On our latest trip, we had another near perfect 1 bedroom ground floor unit. The screened in porch offered a view of the ocean and sound of the surf. The pull out couch in this unit had a very poor mattress unfortunately and we had to use the pillows from the lounge chairs to supplement it and make it comfortable enough to sleep on.
Did I mention that the sand and water will blow you away? This is one of the only resorts in this area that actually cleans the beach at 5:30 every morning so when you get up and pick your spot under an umbrella, there is nothing to look at but a beautiful view!
The people that work here understand that tourism is their industry on this island. They truly appear to enjoy their work and are some of the most wonderful and helpful in the business. Get up at 6:00 a.m. and find a grounds keeer cutting down coconuts. He will be more than happy to cut it open for you and pour out the water into your waiting pitcher.
Find Christopher at the beach and you have found someone that works tremendously hard and will not stop helping you until you are happy whether that may be from learning how to sail a Hobie Cat or how to wind surf or paddle the waves on a paddle board. Christopher will teach it all and with a grand smile on his face. Definitely one of the hardest and most dedicated workers.
The front reception staff and concierge staff are all amazing. They will spend any amount of time finding you restaurant reservations, taxis or bicycles for your day trips. Claudette has a handle on everything that happens at this resort. She is a fantastic lady that seems to be always at the front counter, working tirelessly. When passing through the front 'lobby', don't forget to ask for that welcome rum punch that they make soooooo well every day.
Hemingway's is the on site, on the beach restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have servers that stroll the beach and will take your order from your lounge chair and bring it back to you. One caution, when ordering drinks from the servers on the beach and paying cash, make sure you look at your bill and your change. Very many times the change was short.
If you get to meet Carolyn at Hemingway's, you have been honoured. She has the most amazing sense of propriety, the most perfect English ever spoken and is just a terrific person!
If there is a drawback to Hemingway's, it is the cost of the food. Unfortunately it is really an island issue, not just an issue at this restaurant. It is very easy to spend $200/day just for food for a family of three if not careful. We buy groceries from the IGA just down the street and cook most breakfasts and lunches in the room in the fully equipped kitchens.
Overall, this is without a doubt, the most amazing place we have ever stayed. We have been to Jamaica, Florida, DR, Cuba and Antigua. In our opinion, this is the best!