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20 Things That Happen When You Stay at a Sandals Resort

What It's Like Staying at Sandals Resorts

20 Things That Happen When You Stay at a Sandals Resort

What It's Like Staying at Sandals Resorts
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

1. You're Impressed the Second You Walk In

1. You're Impressed the Second You Walk In
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

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We'll take five of those chairs, thanks.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

We'll take five of those chairs, thanks.

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2. You Notice All the Thoughtful Details

2. You Notice All the Thoughtful Details
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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

3. You Might Stay in a Room With a Private Infinity-Edge Plunge Pool
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Try saying that five times fast. I stayed in a Love Nest Suite, which featured an incredible pool with views of the ocean to match.

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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.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

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4. You Want to Be There With a Significant Other

4. You Want to Be There With a Significant Other
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

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5. You Find a Favorite Swinging Chair

5. You Find a Favorite Swinging Chair
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

. . . And hope no one else sits in it so it can be yours forever and always.

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Eeny, meeny, miny, moe! All of the swinging chairs are equally as Instagram-worthy.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe! All of the swinging chairs are equally as Instagram-worthy.

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6. You'll See Something With the Wow Factor

6. You'll See Something With the Wow Factor
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Oh, look! It's a fire pit. In a pool. Each Sandals resort aims for unique features you haven't seen elsewhere.

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7. Your Eyes Go *Pop*

7. Your Eyes Go *Pop*
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

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Did we mention there's color everywhere?
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Did we mention there's color everywhere?

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8. Your Room Has a Beachy Vibe

8. Your Room Has a Beachy Vibe
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Seashell decor, palm tree motifs, hues of blue . . . nearly every room features elements that reflect the outside environment.

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Sometimes you'll have to force yourself to leave your room.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Sometimes you'll have to force yourself to leave your room.

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9. Your Bath Becomes Your Sanctuary

9. Your Bath Becomes Your Sanctuary
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

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See?
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

See?

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10. You Never Feel Like It's Crowded

10. You Never Feel Like It's Crowded
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

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11. You Become BFFs With the Bartenders

11. You Become BFFs With the Bartenders
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

With more than one bar on the property, including a swim-up option, you'll be ordering piña coladas till you're sick of them.

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And then you just move on to mojitos.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

And then you just move on to mojitos.

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12. You Snag the Perfect Cabana

12. You Snag the Perfect Cabana
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Unlike Vegas, it's possible to get a cabana where you can lounge all day.

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But like Vegas, you'll feel like a VIP.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

But like Vegas, you'll feel like a VIP.

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13. You Want to Take a Nap on Every Couch

13. You Want to Take a Nap on Every Couch
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

That's allowed on vacation, right?

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14. You Know the Common Area Is a Good Place to Chill During the Day

14. You Know the Common Area Is a Good Place to Chill During the Day
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

. . . But at night, it's a completely different story. Once the sun goes down, it's all about the shows and tipsy couples hitting the dance floor.

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15. You Have a Hard Time Choosing Between Restaurants and Cafes

15. You Have a Hard Time Choosing Between Restaurants and Cafes
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

"Do we go with the good Italian place we had yesterday or the steak place that's supposed to be excellent? Help!"

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16. You Feel Like You're in Some Sort of Enchanted World

16. You Feel Like You're in Some Sort of Enchanted World
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Nearly every part of the grounds is incredibly lush and beautiful. You'll have to stop yourself from wanting to take pictures at every corner.

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You also wonder how you can copy the landscape back at home.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

You also wonder how you can copy the landscape back at home.

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17. You Want to Talk to Everyone Who Works There

17. You Want to Talk to Everyone Who Works There
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

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.

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18. You Stroll to the Gorgeous Beach

18. You Stroll to the Gorgeous Beach
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Because it's never more than a five-minute walk away.

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19. You Go on an Excursion

19. You Go on an Excursion
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

You have plenty of fun-filled options to try, whether it's snorkeling or paddleboarding or kayaking.

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20. You Never Want to Leave

20. You Never Want to Leave
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Lisette Mejia

Because you'd be crazy to.

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