Whether you're 9 years old or 90 years old, you've probably seen an ad for Sandals Resorts. (Think iconic cursive logo set against a beachy backdrop.) While it may seem like a massive operation, the all-inclusive chain remains intimate and family-owned, just like when it was founded in 1981.
Today, the company boasts five brands and 24 properties throughout the Caribbean, including places like the Bahamas, Jamaica, and most recently, Grenada. Sandals invited me to visit their newest resort — formally called Sandals LaSource Grenada — in late April to find out what the property is actually like beyond the commercials. The place is as beautiful as you can imagine, and the clientele ranged from couple friends in their late 20s and 30s to elderly pairs celebrating their decades-long anniversaries.
Although Sandals often offers sales, prices aren't exactly cheap — you'll most likely drop more than $1,000 per night. If you're thinking of staying at a Sandals resort anytime soon, here's what you can expect.
This room right here is the main lobby, and the first thing you see when you set foot onto the resort. Outfitted with a specially carved wooden table and whimsical chairs, you just know the rest of the place is going to look good.
Look at those bottle chandeliers! It's like a DIYer's dream come true. The rest of the place is peppered with unique details, from elaborate Turkish fabrics to a cute little cat hut for the island's four-legged residents.
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3. You Might Stay in a Room With a Private Infinity-Edge Plunge Pool
This particular room starts at $950 and goes up to $2,500 per person per night, so be prepared to dip into your savings if you want a similar experience.
All Sandals Resorts are designed for couples. Even some of the barstools and chaise longue chairs come with two seats intended for couples to sit next to each other and hold hands.
Have kids you want to take on vacation? Sandals Beaches Resorts, another line of properties, is designed for families.
Grenada, like most other places in the Caribbean, is a beautiful country filled with color on every corner. Sandals does a great job capturing that feel through its bright accents and details.
Whether you get an indoor or outdoor bath or both, it's definitely something you won't soon forget. Almost all of the baths feature natural stone, compressed pebbles from Turkey, or glass tiles that sparkle.
When I stayed there, the resort was at 94 percent capacity but felt more like 40 percent. The point, a Sandals representative said, was that it never feels crowded and you never have to fight over a spot at the pool — because that's lame when you're spending lots of money for a comfortable experience.
From the bartenders to restaurant servers to the personal room butlers (if that's your thing), every single person on the property greets you with a smile and a wonderful spirit.