Has anyone been to Sandals in the Bahamas?

[DGG]

We're trying to plan our honeymoon in the Bahamas and were thinking to spend half on Exuma Island then the other half on Paradise Island - we stayed at Sandals in Jamaica before and loved it - so we were thinking of staying at Sandals Grand Bahamian, but it got some bad reviews on TripAdvisor... I was wondering if anyone here has been there are what you thought

THanks for the help

[JenniferSS]

I was there twice this past fall- once on vacation(Septemeber) and the other time at the Sandals Star Awards (December) .

 

To be honest I wasn't that impressed in September- there were a few things going on, the island was surrounded by hurricanes (although the weather was great!)and they had many guests that the resort originally didn't plan for, but were relocated from Jamaica. add that to the holiday and it created a situation where they were a little short staffed. I can say that I didn't hear any guests complain and everyone I talked to were loving it - I'm just spoiled because I know how good Sandals can be!!

 

I do have to say that in December my stay was AMAZING! Sandals Royal Bahamian added these wonderful lounge areas with firepits- OMG- they light them at dusk, they were so romantic and if it's chilly they bring you blankets to snuggle under! They also added a pizzaria that was pretty good where they make your 6" pizza to order-yummy!

 

Sandals Royal Bahamian also re- did the entertainment area, added these comfy loungers and chairs and pretty much gave the entire area a face lift. it's very South Beach feeling now.

 

I loved the room that I was in, it was located back in the Royal village area, and truly was picture perfect with my patio surrounded by lush vegatation - the room was large, comfortable and clean and came with full concirge service! I loved that area of the resort as the way it's set up, many of the rooms felt more like private villas than a hotel. I also had a pool right in front of my room that almost seemed like it was for our use only- it was fairly hidden and our patio was the only one that opened up to it. The staff cleaned it every day and also placed fresh towels there daily!

 

This last time I also had a massage done on the private island-it's what I imagine heaven to be like! The water is soooo blue there and the private island makes you feel like you have it all to yourself. They have a pool with a swim up bar & a restaurant and then facing out to the Caribbean sea are sun loungers and a few palapas and then set back in the shade are these fantastic beach beds.

 

I can't imagine that you'd be disappointed with a stay there!

[ultimateme143]

I went there years ago and had a wonderful time. The only thing that I have to say is that there wasn't much to do at night after dinner. There was the bar and the piano lounge and that was about it. But your on your honeymoon you shouldn't be leaving your room. At least I don't plan on it. HEHE. Just kidding. The service was amazing the food was great and the drinks kept on flowing. Put it this way, I don't think I ever opened a door or had to get up from my lounge chair to get a drink or anything.

[leahstafford]

I just got back about a month ago and had a great time. However, like PP, there didn't seem to be a ton of nightlife. After 9, I found it pretty boring. However, I also am not a going out person so it fit me well.

 

The food was great, the drinks were plentiful but found service slow on both. We waited nearly 30 mins @ the pub just to get a menu!

 

The property really is nice though and the pool/beach is great! Also, there is plenty around to do which is a plus!

[JenniferSS]

I just had a client return who had the same concerns regarding trip advisor, here is what he wrote when he got back-

 

Jennifer,

 

 

Thanks for all your help -- we had a great time at SRB! It was very difficult to leave. Your advice and recommendations were valuable throughout our stay. There are definitely some "quirks" to the property, but nothing to warrant the negative reviews out there. We'd definitely go back and recommend it to others, but will likely look into another Sandals just to experience a new destination.

 

Thanks,

 

Chuck S -Pennsylvania

Sandals Royal Bahamian- May 2009

 

They had a great time - but it's a property that I always advise that you really want to be careful of the lower room categories and know it's "personality"to see if it's the right resort for you!

[Shinbinea]

We are booked to stay here for our honeymoon we are staying in the Royal villa honeymoon so I think we should be good (and I could care less about the no nightlife part I will have much better things to do

[DGG]

So we did end up staying here for a week of our honeymoon. We had a great time, but I don't know if I would recommend staying there. We had stayed at Sandals in Jamaica before and it seemed like the service/attitude was much better in Jamaica. Most of the guests agreed that the service was slacking - apparently, they fired over half of the staff in the last few months and it definitely seemed like they could use more bartenders, etc. Some of the staff were great, but many just seemed overworked.

We splurged on the butler service - a definite waste of money for us. We could never find our butler and anytime we asked for reservations, it was like pulling teeth.. but we met some of the other butlers who seemed amazing, so I think it was just her.. and the food at Gordon's (butler service only) was amazing .

As for the nightlife, they have activities every night, but it isn't a great party scene - but definitely try to get a fire pit - they have firepits with a couch/bed next to it and a saxophone plays every night for an hour - very romantic . If you get there early, you can lie down and watch the sun set before the fires are on..

One other recommendation - if you go to the other island, wear lots of bug spray!!! Even during the daytime! The other island has some beautiful views and there are lots of private areas you can find on your own... definitely nice for a honeymoon .

[JenniferSS]

Definately a difference between the outgoing friendliness of the Jamaicans and the reserved quietness of the Bahamian people ! It's one of the "quirks" that I let people know about-especially if they've travelled to Jamaica before as it is such a huge difference !

 

As far as the butler-that is unacceptable- you should have called your TA back home and let them know so they could have rectified the problem while you were still at the resort and that way you could have fully enjoyed your honeymoon!

 

I love the island and the fire pits- they are both amazing! I went in September & December and no bites but it can depend on the weather so great advice to bring bugspray!

 

Welcome back!

[montegobay09]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Jennifer I was there twice this past fall- once on vacation(Septemeber) and the other time at the Sandals Star Awards (December) . To be honest I wasn't that impressed in September- there were a few things going on, the island was surrounded by hurricanes (although the weather was great!)and they had many guests that the resort originally didn't plan for, but were relocated from Jamaica. add that to the holiday and it created a situation where they were a little short staffed. I can say that I didn't hear any guests complain and everyone I talked to were loving it - I'm just spoiled because I know how good Sandals can be!! I do have to say that in December my stay was AMAZING! Sandals Royal Bahamian added these wonderful lounge areas with firepits- OMG- they light them at dusk, they were so romantic and if it's chilly they bring you blankets to snuggle under! They also added a pizzaria that was pretty good where they make your 6" pizza to order-yummy! Sandals Royal Bahamian also re- did the entertainment area, added these comfy loungers and chairs and pretty much gave the entire area a face lift. it's very South Beach feeling now. I loved the room that I was in, it was located back in the Royal village area, and truly was picture perfect with my patio surrounded by lush vegatation - the room was large, comfortable and clean and came with full concirge service! I loved that area of the resort as the way it's set up, many of the rooms felt more like private villas than a hotel. I also had a pool right in front of my room that almost seemed like it was for our use only- it was fairly hidden and our patio was the only one that opened up to it. The staff cleaned it every day and also placed fresh towels there daily! This last time I also had a massage done on the private island-it's what I imagine heaven to be like! The water is soooo blue there and the private island makes you feel like you have it all to yourself. They have a pool with a swim up bar & a restaurant and then facing out to the Caribbean sea are sun loungers and a few palapas and then set back in the shade are these fantastic beach beds. I can't imagine that you'd be disappointed with a stay there!

I'm so excited you loved it cause I just booked a trip for DH and I over Christmas! Can't wait!