The newly opened retreat needs to be experienced to be believed
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The boat powering across the magnificent azure water started to slow as we rounded a striking rockface and got our first view of a resort so beautiful, you’d think it was a dream.
But it’s real. It’s Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Opened in March at the former site of the Buccament Bay Resort, the 18th of Sandals’ all-inclusive beachfront resorts — spread over eight islands — is a 50-acre retreat that needs to be experienced to be believed.
But first, no, you don’t need to be a couple to book or to enjoy yourself at adults-only Sandals. Jamila Soso-Vincent, the resort’s public relations manager, says that the whole vibe of Sandals being just a couples’ vacation brand has evolved to being “enjoyment for everybody.”
Whether it’s couples, or a destination wedding, or a girls’ trip, or mothers and daughters, she says staying at Sandals is “about connectivity, not just with who you came with but with the other people you meet here.” In fact, as she notes, many Sandals guests become good friends and plan their future Sandals vacations together.
So, let’s dive into exploring Sandals Saint Vincent!
THE LOCATION
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is in the eastern Caribbean between Saint Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south, with Barbados to the east. There’s the main island of Saint Vincent — where the resort is located — and 31 smaller islands and cays. The average yearly temperature is 27°C, the time zone is Atlantic (no daylight saving here), the official language is English (member of the Commonwealth), and the currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (U.S. is widely accepted).
Nestled in Buccament Bay north of the capital Kingstown (and Argyle International Airport) and south of the active volcano La Soufriere, Sandals is surrounded by a river, forest, mountains, and the Caribbean Sea. No matter what end of the property you’re facing, it’s gorgeous! The resort is set up like a big circle — meaning you can’t get lost, just follow the path (try one of the many bicycles provided) and it’ll take you back to the lobby or the beach (Soso-Vincent notes that imported white sand covers the natural black sand of the volcanic island).
THE ACCOMODATIONS
The resort has 301 rooms set up for double occupancy with king beds. Two hotel blocks — Lady Palm and Bamboo Palm — have 100 rooms each with the rest of the accommodation in villas divided into garden or river view, beachfront, and 10 overwater.
Sandals offers three categories — Sandals Luxury (entry-level rooms), Club Level (“slightly more luxurious” with free room service) and Butler Elite Level (“most luxurious suites” offered with “most breathtaking views” as well as personalized butler service).
The Vincy overwater two-storey villa I stayed in for two nights falls into the latter category and let me tell you, it is a slice of paradise! The butler bonus started with a water transfer to the resort on a Sandals boat and a welcome serenade and cocktail at the dock. Then in the villa, it got even better with the see-through floors for fish watching to the double-rainhead shower, the cozy second-level bar, daybed and soaking tub with outdoor shower.
That said, I also experienced a Lady Palm swim-up suite with a media room complete with a 75-inch TV and couch (there’s a fitness room option too with exercise bike, weights and yoga mat) and not one but two (!) soaking tubs (both inside and out — and works of art to boot) and loved winding the day down in the pool accessible only to guests on the first floor.
THE FUN
For water lovers like me, the options are plentiful. First, of course, there is the sea itself. I took a guided kayak tour to the nearby bat cave and then swam through it during a snorkelling tour. You have to see the cave to believe it — it’s less about the bats above than the depth of the sandstone tunnel below! Our Sandals guides also took us to familiar Pirates of the Caribbean filming locations, and the magical experience was capped with a pod of dolphins surrounding our boat.
If you’d rather look at the sea than be in it or on it, the pool options are impressive, and include the beachfront infinity pool — nicknamed the wifi pool as the two-tier shape resembles the symbol, followed by the huge main pool (with swim-up bar and afternoon activities), and the heart-shaped pool, for when you want relaxation away from the hustle and bustle.
A staple at Sandals locations, Red Lane Spa has 10 treatment rooms — fit for couples or singles — along with four gazebo spots where you can be massaged outdoors next to the tranquil sound of the river. I spent a heavenly 90 minutes indulging in a Raindrop Dreams Massage involving seven essential oils applied along my spine, then a full body and foot massage with peppermint cream.
THE FOOD
The options are plentiful with 11 restaurants and nine bars. One highlight is Buccan, a first for Sandals, serving upscale Vincentian dishes in a family-style setting reminiscent of the local tradition “river cooks,” where food is prepared over fire and rock. In the theme of the connectivity mentioned earlier, guests are seated in groups of eight and bond over two hours of delicious dishes such as yabba pot rice, breadfruit and lamb curry, served with seasonings, spices and chutney that you can add yourself using the advice of your local server.
Parisol Beach Club overlooking the beachfront pools had a repeat lunchtime patron in me for the refreshing and tasty cucumber and chocho salad with chili-sesame dressing, while Pizzeria Isola (“island” in Italian) saw me a couple times for some late-night fresh-baked pizza.
Don’t skip out on Three Jewels rum bar with 32 rums (tip of the hat to the 32 islands that span 32 miles of the Caribbean Sea) that you can sample while playing dominos and board games.
