What is the Best Sandals Resort? (Our Top 10 List)

1. Sandals Dunn’s River

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Google Rating: 4.7

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.7

Resort Highlights: Sandals Dunn’s River is now the third Sandals resort in the Ocho Rios area. This likely explains why the opening went so smoothly. The resort was actually a Sandals Resort in the past, but was sold and later repurchased by Sandals. It has now opened after being completely reimagined.

There are 12 unique dining experiences with Latin Fusion, Sushi, Greek, Asian, and much more available. There is also room service. We think the food here is some of the best at any Sandals.

One unique feature at Sandals Dunn’s River that we loved is the Rum Club where authentic Jamaican craft cocktails are expertly mixed with locally sourced ingredients, served alongside snacks and small plates.

The Blum coffee shop is a major step above the Cafe de Paris coffee shops located at most of the other Sandals Resorts.

Sandals Dunn’s River introduced the first-ever Coyaba Sky Rondovals. These private, round villas have access to the river pool, an oversized private swim-up pool, and a terrace that takes up the entire roof. You’ll also find spacious swim-up suites that overlook the ocean; Swim-Up Rondoval Suites, beachfront suites; oceanview suites; and suites that overlook Jamaica’s lush mountains, all with oversized soaking tubs on private balconies.

We loved Sandals Dunns River for the variety and quality of food, as well as the lack of restaurants requiring reservations or evening attire.

We have stayed at Sandals Dunn’s River 3 times now, once during a hurricane, and can’t wait to go back.

Why Sandals Dunn’s River is the #1 Best Sandals Resort?

• Sandals Dunn’s River has a fun, vibrant atmosphere.
• Convenient to some of the best excursions in Jamaica.
• High-quality, delicious food and amazing service.

Cons to Sandals Dunn’s River

The only complaints we hear about the resort are that it is on the smaller side and it can be inconvenient to get to.

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2. Sandals Saint Vincent

Saint Vincent & The Grenadines

Google Rating: 4.5

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.7

We were able to visit Sandals Saint Vincent in May 2024 and had an amazing experience, and then returned again in 2025. The food is elevated, the island feels like it is off the beaten path, and since the resort is new everything is fresh.

Sandals Saint Vincent offers a luxurious Caribbean escape with a variety of exclusive accommodations, including Vincy Overwater Two-Story Villas and Beachfront Butler Villas, which provide stunning views, private pools, and personalized butler services.

The resort features 12 dining options, such as Buccan, a family-style restaurant unique to this location, and Butch’s Island Chop House, renowned for its surf and turf.

The resort’s amenities are designed for both relaxation and wellness, with private fitness rooms in some suites and the Red Lane® Spa offering treatments using natural volcanic minerals. Nestled amidst lush landscapes and pristine beaches, Sandals Saint Vincent provides a tranquil environment complemented by advanced in-room comforts and personalized services, ensuring an unforgettable vacation experience.

Why Sandals Saint Vincent is the #2 Best Sandals Resort

For a few years, Sandals has been promising a Sandals 2.0 experience, elevating the experience in every way. With this resort, it is clear what that means. The food is some of the best at all the Sandals Resorts, and the service is pretty amazing. The resort is also huge and spread out, so it doesn’t feel crowded.

Sandals Saint Vincent Cons

The only cons to consider are the flights and the room choices.

• Flights can be tricky, and from many destinations means an overnight stay somewhere.
• For rooms, a lot of people want an ocean view and butler service, but most of the butler suites are garden villas, making this difficult.

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4. Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa

St. Georges, Grenada

Google Rating: 4.6

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.6

US News Travel Ranking: #2

Awards: AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards 2021, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021, “World’s Leading All-Inclusive Resort”, 4 years in a row, “Grenada’s Leading Resort”, 8 years in a row.

Resort Highlights: Another one of our favorite Sandals Resorts, Sandals Grenada provides excellent service in an amazing location. Just looking at all the awards Sandals Grenada has won, it seems pretty clear that is one of the best Sandals Resorts overall.

Located in the heart of Grenada’s exclusive Pink Gin Beach, here you can enjoy a truly romantic and exotic Caribbean experience. Personalized butler service is available in 69 suites, which will include Swim Up Pool Suites, Rondovals, and Skypool Suites.

Romantic Tranquility Soaking Tubs™ for two are found in all suites in the Italian Village and in the Lover’s Hideaway Village. This area is set further from the beach, but also comes with a lower price tag.

There are 12 dining options to choose from, including Butch’s Chophouse and two of our favorites, Spices and Soy.

The Island itself provides the opportunity to explore the rainforest, black sand beaches, and vibrant nightlife on a safe island in the Caribbean. It is definitely worth venturing off the resort to experience the culture and seeing what the island is all about.

Why Sandals Grenada is the #4 Best Sandals Resort

When we stayed at Sandals Grenada, we loved that the resort had great facilities and attentive service, and we loved the location. The beach at the resort is beautiful, and we never had to worry about finding chairs. The water was a beautiful blue and had great snorkeling. For pools, there are two options, a quiet one and a lively one. It is also a perk that the resort is so close to the airport.

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5. Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Gros-Islet, Saint Lucia

Google Rating: 4.5

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

US News Travel Ranking: #3

Awards: AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards 2021, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021, TripAdvisor Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts – Caribbean 2021,

Resort Highlights: If you’re dreaming of over-the-water bungalows, Sandals Grande St. Lucian has your name on it. The resort has a long beach on Rodney Bay, known for having the calmest waters in Saint Lucia. It’s located on its own peninsula, offering 360-degree views that are often described as picture-perfect postcards.

The resort boasts unlimited fine dining at 12 restaurants, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime snacks. Guests can enjoy unlimited premium liquors across 7 bars, including swim-up bars. Every room also has a stocked bar. As if that wasn’t enough to choose from, there are 15 additional restaurants at the other two Sandals resorts in St. Lucia..

You also have access to the Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate, with complimentary transfer and green fees included.

One thing that makes Sandals Grande St. Lucian an amazing resort is the water activities. It is one of the few resorts that have motorized boat activities available, like tubing, wakeboarding, and water skiing.

The main negative aspect of the resort is that the drive takes at least 90 minutes and is very winding. When we went, we took a ferry to the resort and a helicopter ride back since we usually get car sick.

Other than this, we love the resort and think is a great, well-rounded resort. We loved that the beach was very long so we could be in a quiet area on one end or get closer to the pool area for a more lively atmosphere.

6. Sandals Negril Beach Resort

Negril, Jamaica

Google Rating: 4.5

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

US News Travel Ranking: #7

Awards: AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards 2021, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021

Resort Highlights: We found Sandals Negril to be one of the best well-rounded Sandals Resorts. You can easily find a room that walks out on to the beach, or you can stay in one of the signature swim-up suites that put you directly at the pool and steps from the beach.

Our favorite breakfast experience is at Sandals Negril. While many people choose the buffet, you can go to Barefoot By the Sea, a restaurant directly in the sand. Since so few people go here, the servers recognized us and memorized our orders after a couple of days.

There are a total of 6 other restaurants, and if you would like more variety, you can go to Beaches Negril by taxi or a 30-minute walk down the beach. Most recently, they opened Yaku at Beaches Negril, one of the best restaurants of all Sandals or Beaches Resorts.

We recently returned to Sandals Negril and loved the new suites, including the Sky Pool suites, that made it feel like you were at a completely new resort.

Sandals Negril is one of the best resorts for watersports, as there is wakeboarding, kneeboarding, water skiing, and tubing, as well as sports found at all resorts like kayaks and paddleboarding.

This beautiful resort is Sandals’ most green, having been awarded an EarthCheck Double Platinum Certification for an unwavering commitment to environmental excellence for over a decade.

Before Sandals Dunn’s River opened, Sandals Negril was our personal favorite Sandals Resort in Jamaica. We love that it is spread across the beach, so almost all the rooms are beachfront and get a sunset view. It is also one of the cheapest Sandals resorts, making it an excellent value.

While we loved that the resort is quieter, we know not everyone loves that. It is also a 90-minute drive from the airport, which makes it hard to rank any higher.

A few other new features are the Crema coffee and ice cream shop, Perla, the taco shop, and Brava, a tapas restaurant on the beach.

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7. Sandals Royal Curacao

Nieuwpoort, Curacao

Google Rating: 4.6

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.4

Resort Highlights: Sandals Royal Curacao is one of the newest Sandals Resort and the only Sandals resort in Curacao. The resort is set on the southernmost tip of Curacao, on 44 acres nestled into the exclusive 3,000-acre private preserve of Santa Barbara estate.

We had a fantastic stay at Sandals Royal Curaçao and found it to be one of the best resorts for food lovers in the entire Sandals collection. The resort features 11 restaurants with an impressive variety of cuisines, including everything from Mediterranean fare and gourmet French to island-inspired seafood and Japanese-style fusion. In addition to the sit-down options, three colorful beachside food trucks serve up casual local bites, Spanish tapas, and Asian street food—perfect for a laid-back lunch with ocean views. The quality, creativity, and presentation at each venue made every meal feel like a highlight of the trip.

Sandals Royal Curacao is also a beautiful resort having been recently remodeled and new Rondoval suites have just opened up.

The beach here is different from what you might expect at a typical Caribbean resort. Instead of a wide-open stretch of shoreline, the beach is nestled within a protected inlet, offering calm, clear waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling. A dock separates the inlet from the open sea, creating a unique setting that’s tranquil and scenic, if not as expansive as some other Sandals beaches.

The resort itself is beautifully designed, with modern architecture, sweeping views, and lots of open, airy spaces.

8. Sandals South Coast

White House, Jamaica

Google Rating: 4.5

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

US News Travel Ranking: #9

Awards: AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards 2021

Resort Highlights: Sandals South Coast Resort is one of Jamaica’s best resorts, with most of the rooms beachfront with an ocean view. The over-the-water bungalows are gorgeous and the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. At night, you can enjoy bonfire areas and fire pits for even more memorable experiences.

Along with all the water and land activities, you can dine at 9 on-site restaurants, from Italian cuisine to Asian and Mediterranean, to Caribbean, Jamaican, and more. Our personal favorites are the Jerk Shack and sushi.

We found Sandals South Coast to be a bit more remote, away from the other busier areas in Jamaica. This meant that when we went off the resort, there weren’t any crowds.

One of the top features of the resort is the long beach, which provides an ocean view for almost every room. Additionally, the resort has been updated throughout the years, keeping it well-maintained.

The biggest downside for us is the drive from the airport, which will be hard for anyone with motion sickness, so pack your Dramamine! If you see in reviews that the resort is outdated, know that the most outdated rooms have been renovated and look amazing.

9. Sandals Halcyon Beach

Castries, St. Lucia

Google Rating: 4.5

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

US News Travel Ranking: #17

Awards: TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021

Resort Highlights: Sandals Halcyon Beach is described as a true Garden of Eden due to the lush, majestic islands, the pristine beach, the turquoise sea, and the majestic mountain view. Enjoy dining at one of six on-site restaurants, or one of the other 21 restaurants available to you at nearby Sandals resorts. Plus, if golf is your game, you’ll have complimentary transportation and green fees at both The Sandals La Toc Golf Club and Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate.

The Sandals Halcyon Beach is the quietest Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia. It makes it easier to make friends with other guests since you will recognize them at the pool.

The resort is about 20 minutes from Sandals Grande St Lucian and Sandals Regency La Toc, making it easy to spend some time at one of the other resorts without paying more.

More recently, multiple new suites were built including beachfront suites with private pools, Rondoval villas, and suites along the Crystal Lagoon.

Sandals Halcyon is the cheapest Sandals Resort in Saint Lucia, making it a great choice for couples looking for a quiet getaway, earning great reviews for the resort. But while some people are looking for relaxation, many want something a little more active. Unfortunately, the beach isn’t as clear as others.

10. Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Google Rating: 4.4

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5

US News Travel Ranking: #13

Awards: AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards 2021, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021

Resort Highlights: Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort is located just a few minutes from the airport in Montego Bay. It is a quieter resort with a private off-shore island where you’ll find luxurious over-the-water bungalows.

Enjoy global gourmet at one of nine on-site restaurants, or explore one of the 12 restaurants you will also have access to at the nearby Sandals Montego Bay. One experience you won’t want to miss is riding to one of the offshore restaurants called Royal Thai by hopping aboard an authentic dragon boat. We also love the Indian restaurant, Bombay.

There are several new rooms available on the resort and several other new ones under construction. We love the new Skypool suites.

I do not know why Sandals Royal Caribbean isn’t rated higher by reviews online. We think it is the best Sandals in Jamaica for the food because of the variety and quality of the food and the ability to go to Sandals Montego Bay for even more variety. We also love how close it is to the airport without the loud plane noises heard at Sandals Montego Bay.

Many visitors find it too quiet which we understand. It also has construction going on now, which will leave the resort with more updated rooms in the near future.

11. Sandals Montego Bay

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Google Rating: 4.4

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.4

US News Travel Ranking: #6

Awards: AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards 2021, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021

Resort Highlights: Sandals Montego Bay, the very first Sandals resort, remains one of the best Sandals Resorts with many fans. It has been totally modernized to include a fabulous over-the-water bar and an over-the-water chapel for an unbelievable experience. Next up are the overwater bungalows, which should start construction soon.

The resort boasts a modern, open-air hotel lobby and main bar that provides breathtaking sea views.

Here you’ll find 12 on-site restaurants, with access to 9 more at nearby Sandals Royal Caribbean. The resort boasts 12 gourmet restaurants, 6 unique bars with premium liquors, and a resort exchange program where you can stay at 1 and play at 2 resorts.

For accommodations, most suites face the beach, and there are beachfront swim-up suites that allow you easy access to both your pool and the beach within a few steps. There are four swimming pools and a private beach so you can make the most of your time in and out of the water.

Personally, we loved how spread out the resort is and how you can find party vibes at some pools and more relaxed areas on the same property. We love that you can always go to Sandals Royal Caribbean for more food options, especially the Indian and Thai restaurants.

The only complaint we hear is how loud the airplanes can be, but they are mostly from 11 am to 4 pm, so they are not a problem all day. It is also one of the more expensive Sandals resorts in Jamaica.

12. Sandals Regency La Toc

Castries, St. Lucia

Google Rating: 4.3

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.4

Resort Highlights: Sandals Regency La Toc covers 210 hillside acres overlooking the sea at La Toc on the southern shore of Castries Bay. The resort has its 9-hole golf course down the hillside to a magnificent golden beach.

The resort has 3 magnificent Freshwater pools, 3 Whirlpools, and 1 Dive Pool.

As with other Sandals Resorts in St Lucia, you can take advantage of the “Stay at One, Play at Three” program. There is a complimentary shuttle and exchange privileges with Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals Halcyon, offering a total of 27 restaurant options.

We loved the variety of areas at Sandals Regency La Toc. There is the sunset bluff area, which is more relaxed and provides amazing sunset views, and the resort’s main area, which feels like its own large all-inclusive resort in its own right.

We love the variety of food at the restaurants as well. The only complaints we heard were complaints about the hills and length to walk from one side to the other, but there is a van running to help with that.

Another comment is about the beach. It is my second favorite of all Sandals Resorts, but some people do not like that the waves can be a bit powerful. This also limits water sports like kayaking on days when the seas are rougher.

13. Sandals Ochi Beach Resort

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Google Rating: 4.3

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.3

US News Travel Ranking: #10

Awards: AAA/CAA Four Diamond Awards 2021

Resort Highlights: Sandals Ochi is the largest Sandals Resort and one of the most affordable. There are 11 bars (including the Caribbean’s first speakeasy), a hot new beach club, and 16 restaurants to enjoy. If you’re looking to enjoy a good time, this is the resort for you.

One reason fans of Sandals Ochi keep going back is the variety. You can enjoy the party atmosphere of the main pool or the beach club or the opposite by relaxing in a semi-private pool. There are so many things to do and green fees are included at Sandals Golf & Country Club, plus unlimited land and sea activities.

Some people do not see Sandals Ochi as the best Sandals Resort because of the size, requiring a shuttle ride, or because some of the rooms are outdated.

We enjoyed Sandals Ochi and have been twice. The only negative we found was less personalized service. Since the resort is so large it is less likely you will receive the same level of service you might find at the other Sandals Resorts. They do have new management and I found the service improved since our last visit.

The benefit of having a large resort is there are tons of restaurants to choose from, multiple pools and different sections of beach. There are plenty of activities throughout the day and it is located close to the popular Dunn’s River Falls.

14. Sandals Grande Antigua

St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda

Google Rating: 4.3

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.2

US News Travel Ranking: #17

Awards: TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021, “Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort”

Resort Highlights: Sandals Grande Antigua is situated on the most beautiful and longest white-sand beach in Antigua – Dickenson Bay. The resort is located only fifteen (15) minutes away from the V.C. Bird International Airport. You can eat anything from Teppanyaki-style Japanese, classic Caribbean, Italian, French, Tex Mex, or freshly made sandwiches.

The resort was voted the “Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort” 7 years in a row making it perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, and destination weddings.

Sandals Grande Antigua features the original Rondoval suites that have been so popular they have been recreated in other Sandals Resorts. The beach is beautiful with soft sands and plenty of lounge chairs. Keep in mind the beach is a public beach with vendors coming by regularly.

Sandals Grande Antigua has some of the best staff among Sandals Resorts. The resort rooms may seem a bit outdated, but renovations are in the plans. It’s a good idea to go sooner than later since pricing will go up once renovations are done.

15. Sandals Barbados

St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados

Google Rating: 4.2

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.2

US News Travel Ranking: 11

Awards: Fodor’s Choice, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards 2021

Resort Highlights: Sandals Barbados touts world-class cuisine at its 11 on-site restaurants (including Sandal’s first Indian restaurant), plus 9 additional restaurants at the neighboring Sandals Royal Barbados resort you’ll also have full access to. Take a dip in one of two beautiful beaches or five pools. When you want some more private relaxation time, most patios and terraces have private Tranquility Soaking Tubs.

The resort is located about 15 minutes from the airport along the south coast of Barbados, in the St. Lawrence Gap area. This location offers a nice blend of seclusion while still being close to local attractions, dining, and nightlife.

There is a large range of luxurious room categories, including beachfront suites, swim-up suites around the long Crystal Lagoon, and even some with butler service.

Sandals Royal Barbados is just a few steps away, providing access to additional pools, restaurants, a bowling alley, and even more activities. With the combination of both resorts, it is easily one of the best Sandals Resorts.

Sandals Barbados would usually be in our top 5 resorts with the amazing variety of restaurants and entertainment available between the two resorts, the complaint we have heard from time to time is some people have trouble getting restaurant reservations, even though most are available without reservations.

Some people have also mentioned that it can be hard to get chairs at the beach or pool, even if you tend to wake up early. Some of the rooms are more outdated than others, but you save a lot of money compared to the rooms at Sandals Royal Barbados.

16. Sandals Royal Bahamian

Nassau, Bahamas

Google Rating: 4.1

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.1

Resort Highlights: Sandals Royal Bahamian is located on the famous Cable Beach in Nassau, the main island in the Bahamas. Recently renovated, this glamorous resort now offers beachfront swim-up suites with butler service, 2 huge pools and 6 whirlpools, 10 restaurants, and 8 bars. The resort also has a British influence, with billiard rooms and daily high tea.

The recent renovations added the Island Village with stand-alone villas, as well as The Coconut Grove, a beachfront area with food trucks and a lounge that includes live music and entertainment into the late evening hours.

One of the highlights of the resort is the resort’s private island, Parasol Island Beach Club, where you can have a more secluded feel to your vacation and go snorkeling. They recently switched up the vibes here with new music, menu and specialty drinks.

This is the best Sandals Resort if you are looking for a short distance from the US. It is also great if you want a lively vacation or want to go to a casino since there is one nearby. We had a great time going to the nearby water park at Bahamar.

If you want a secluded laid-back environment you can find that on the private island, but you may not enjoy the rest of your time at the resort.

17. Sandals Royal Barbados

St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados

Google Rating: 4

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.1

Resort Highlights: Sandals Royal Barbados is located next door to Sandals Barbados and it actually feels like the same resort. You have access to all the same restaurants, bars, pools and activities. The only difference is the location of the rooms and the accommodations you choose.

The resort is situated on Maxwell Beach where there is a natural shade to relax in and clear blue waters to enjoy. Sandals Royal Barbados has the largest Glass-fronted Infinity Pool in the Eastern Caribbean.

All rooms are either club or butler-level suites which means they all have room service. This may be the best Sandals resort for health and wellness since it has the first health and wellness-inspired restaurant concepts. It also has the first rooftop restaurant, rooftop bar, and rooftop pool.

Sandals Royal Barbados is a beautiful newer resort with tons of great restaurants to choose from. We love the variety of things to do and the newer accommodations. Some things guests complain about having to wake up early to secure a seat on the beach or longer wait than usual for food.