So I specialize in destination weddings, honeymoons and culinary travel experiences and I thought I should really check out the Sandals properties in St. Lucia as St. Lucia is world renowned as wedding and honeymoon destination as are the Sandals properties for offering romance and numerous dining options. I was asking myself – does it really measure up to the hype? In short, YES!! For the long version, read on!
Sandals has 3 properties in the northern part of St Lucia, the Sandals Regency La Toc, being the closest from the airport (roughly 1.5 hour transfer), Sandals Halcyon (15 mins from La Toc) and Sandals Grande St Lucian, another 15 mins from Halcyon (so 30 mins or so from La Toc and about 2 hours from the airport).
To address the length of the transfer since I’m sure you’re thinking about it ..yes it’s a little long, but the majority of resorts in St Lucia are in the same general area - the road is windy and mountainous, AND you’re driving on the opposite side of the road (highly recommend not renting a car..not worth the hassle!) – but it’s very picturesque and scenic.
If you are someone who has car sickness, you might want to consider splurging on a helicopter transfer that will be quicker and a rather unique way to get to your resort, but I quite enjoyed the ride and the scenery and someone in our group was prone to car sickness so sat in the front and was fine! St Lucia is an absolutely STUNNING island – so lush – green – mountainous, and the people are very friendly!
What’s great is that all three properties are in or near the busiest towns for tourists (and locals) in St Lucia – so if you like to step off resort and explore the local area like I do then check out Anse La Raye’s Friday Fish Fry, Gros Islet’s Friday night Jump up street party, the restaurants and nightlife of Rodney Bay, or the markets in Castries on a Saturday morning!
Each Sandals property in St. Lucia has its own vibe and feel and the amazing thing is that no matter which one you stay at, every 2 hours there are shuttles heading to the other properties so you can always enjoy the pools, bars, and restaurants of the other properties, and I would highly recommend that you do. There are 20 (yes, 20!!) restaurants to enjoy between the three properties and you really should spend a day enjoying the pools and beaches of each property while you are there.
What did one of my days look like?
I spent the morning learning about and visiting all 3 properties, the afternoon enjoying the ocean swells at La Toc, tanning poolside while enjoying a superb personal Hawaiian pizza from Dino’s Pizzeria. 
Got ready for the 6pm shuttle to Halcyon to watch the sunset on the pier at Kelly’s Dockside restaurant and enjoy a delicious filet mignon dinner.
After dinner grabbed a shuttle to the Grande St. Lucian to enjoy a crepe for dessert from Josephine’s Café, and headed back to La Toc for some evening entertainment! How’s that for maximizing the value?? And there’s something fun about driving around new towns at night in the shuttle – it’s fun and is over before you know it!
What was also surprising to me, was although Sandals markets to honeymooners, I expected to see an older crowd given that the pricing can be a little higher than the average vacation – however – all three resorts were filled with couples roughly in their late 20s/30s with a smattering of older couples. Most were celebrating honeymoons or anniversaries and what I remarked was this – it is IMPOSSIBLE NOT to reconnect with your partner and fall in love all over again at one of the Sandals properties in St Lucia, and I’m not just saying that – the place is made for romance, truly.
Resort highlights:
Halcyon: my personal opinion is that the rooms at Halcyon have the best value, all rooms at Halcyon are for the most part the same size and décor (fresh, cottage feeling), the only difference is the location/view of the room and the level of service (standard room, concierge service, or butler service), they are the most affordable rooms of the three properties and you get to use the services of all. Halcyon has a very intimate, romantic, garden of eden vibe, because it is smaller you may have an opportunity to get to know the staff on a more personal level. However, there may not be as much activity as La Toc or Grande, but they have the best watersports (including motorized) of all three properties.
La Toc: some of the best rooms and views are the millionaire suites and 1 bedroom villas on the sunset bluff with private pools! La Toc has the most land and its very own 9 hole golf course equally good for experienced and beginner golfers, and I is built on a hill so it is very picturesque.
Grande St. Lucian: the room category that impressed me most for honeymooners or those really looking to have the most memorable room experience were the colourful Rondoval suites at the Sandals Grande and while beachfront Rondovals are great, I prefer the seclusion of the garden rondovals set a little further back from the beach. I can’t imagine anyone booking a Rondoval and regretting it..AWESOME rooms, outdoor private pool, outdoor shower, outdoor dining patio table, amazing room, I mean seriously..what more could you want?! Important to note that the most luxurious rooms (there are only 18 Rondoval suites available) are often booked WELL in advance, and it is recommended that if you are interested that you reserve these rooms at least 1 year in advance – so do not hesitate to plan ahead for your honeymoon or your next anniversary or special occasion! In terms of vibe, the Grande is just that..Grande! It was what I had imagined a Sandals resort would look like, with the longest beachfront for those who like to talk long walks on the beach. I haven't yet mentioned the spa but it should be mentioned that La Toc and the Grande have spas while the Halcyon can book massages in outdoor gazebos but for actual spa treatment rooms Halcyon guests would be booked at either La Toc or Grande for treatments.
Dining highlights:
Last but not least – did you know that Sandals Grande has a Culinary Relations desk??
The Sandals properties are excellent for guests who just plain love food, or have dietary allergies or special diets. Whether you are at the Grande or at any of the other two properties, you can let the staff know of your dietary issues or allergies and all restaurants will be alerted – and even if you need a completely separate preparation kitchen area for your meal – it will be arranged – now THAT is service.
I will leave you with two last foodie tips - my most memorable breakfast experience was sitting on the outdoor patio on the hillside at Armando’s (Italian restaurant that is open for a la carte breakfast at La Toc) for breakfast with a spectacular view – it was so quiet and beautiful up there. Highly recommend it – the coconut pancakes with pineapple jam were amazing and they can cook fried eggs like nobody’s business..i asked for “overmedium”…and here in Canada that can mean anything from half cooked and runny to hard as a rock…but Sandals has the overmedium thing down pat. J 
Lastly, our shuttle was departing for the airport at noon, and the breakfast buffet was over, and the lunch buffet was only opening at 12:30, and we were told that Neptune's (a Mediterranean outdoor restaurant) was open for lunch. Headed there quicky and saw the Pasa Pasa Reggae Dog on the menu - not sure what's mediterreanean about it but who cares - it was spicy and delicious and the sweet potato fries were crispy and excellent! Too bad I had to leave half of it on my plate because I was going to be late for my shuttle..oh gluttony... :)
As you can see – there is a multitude of outstanding room, pool, beach, and dining experiences to be had at the three Sandals properties in St Lucia and while I questioned (as you might) what all the hype was about and if it's worth the investment – I can honestly say that the Sandals resorts offer the best value for experience in St Lucia – of course there are other properties in St Lucia and what’s most important is that we match you to the best property for you – but there truly is something for everyone at Sandals Stay at 1, Play at 3 in St Lucia and I will certainly be recommending it with confidence to future guests…it really does live up to the hype! St Lucia and Sandals..i’ll SOON COME BACK! :)
Please visit my facebook page www.facebook.com/authenticfoodietravels for full photo albums and contact me at cindy@highlighttravel.ca to discuss your next trip to St. Lucia - let's do it! :)
