If you’re looking for a Caribbean vacation, you might be wondering whether to choose a Sandals resort or a Beaches resort. Both brands offer all-inclusive packages with plenty of amenities, but there are some critical differences between the two. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast Sandals vs. Beaches resorts so that you can make an informed decision about where to stay on your next trip to the Caribbean.
Couples vs. Families: Who is the Target Market?
While Beaches and Sandals are often confused, the primary difference between the resorts is who they cater to. Sandals resorts are designed specifically for couples, and Beaches resorts cater to families.
The Sandals Resort Difference
Sandals Resort is the clear choice for couples looking for a luxurious and romantic getaway. Whether you’re planning your wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, or just a casual escape, Sandals has everything you need for the perfect trip. Their locations in the Caribbean are second to none, and their all-inclusive packages make it easy to enjoy all the amenities and activities the resort offers. Even better, Sandals offers adults-only experiences so you can relax without worrying about children. If you are looking for a resort that caters to couples, look no further than Sandals Resorts.
The Beaches Resort Difference
Families looking for the perfect resort to suit their needs should look no further than Beaches Resorts. Travelers with young children will appreciate that every Beaches Resort is designed with families in mind. From the Kids Camp to the Xbox Play Lounge, plenty of activities keep kids of all ages entertained. And parents will love the fact that they can enjoy a few adult-only restaurants while the kids are being cared for by certified nannies. Beaches Resorts also offers teenager-friendly amenities like a nightclub and a game room. Regardless of your family dynamic, Beaches Resorts has everything you need for a fun and relaxing vacation.
History and Ownership: How Do Sandals and Beaches Compare?
Sandals Resorts was founded by Jamaican-born entrepreneur Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981 to provide couples with the ultimate beach vacation experience. The parent company is Sandals Resorts International (SRI), which also operates Beaches Resorts, Fowl Cay Resort, and several private villas. SRI is based in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where they work on resort development, training, service standards, and day-to-day operations. The company has since expanded to include many resorts catering to different needs and preferences.
To complement Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts was established in 1997 to provide families (and couples) with an all-inclusive Caribbean experience. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the region’s leading operators of all-inclusive resorts. Like Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts is part of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), which operates five resort brands across seven countries. The company is committed to providing guests with luxurious accommodations, world-class amenities, and impeccable service.
Locations: Where are Sandals and Beaches Resorts Located?
Locations of Sandals Resorts
There are 17 Sandals Resort locations in seven different countries throughout the Caribbean.
- In Antigua, one resort is located at St. Johns.
- In the Bahamas, one resort is in Nassau, and another is in Great Exuma.
- There are also two Sandals Resorts in St. Lawrence Gap, Barbados.
- One Sandals Resort is located in Curacao, situated on a secluded beach cove in Santa Barbara.
- Grenada is home to one Sandals Resort along a beach in St. George’s.
- Jamaica has seven different Sandals Resorts – one in Negril, one in Whitehouse, two in Montego Bay, and three in Ocho Rios.
- St. Lucia has three different Sandals Resorts, two in Castries and one in Gros-Islet, all of which are located along the island’s beautiful coastline.
Locations of Beaches Resorts
There are 3 Beaches Resorts, 14 fewer properties than Sandals Resorts.
- Beaches Negril Resort is situated along 7 Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica. This idyllic setting is known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and carefree lifestyle. Visitors can enjoy walks along the shore that last for miles and all the resort’s fantastic amenities and activities.
- For those looking for a more traditional Jamaican experience, Beaches Ocho Rios is a perfect choice. This resort is located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and offers stunning ocean views and access to all of the best Jamaica has to offer. (Related Post: Beaches Negril vs. Beaches Ocho Rios)
- Beaches Turks & Caicos, located in the Turks & Caicos Islands, is the perfect choice for those looking for a truly luxurious experience. This resort is on an exclusive island and offers visitors stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and all the amenities and activities they could desire. While Beaches Turks & Caicos is a family-friendly resort, it’s also extremely popular among couples seeking a romantic getaway.
Amenities: Sandals vs. Beaches Resorts
Both Sandals and Beaches resorts offer plenty of amenities to keep guests entertained, including all-inclusive dining experiences, pools, swim-up bars, free airport transfers, activities like day and night entertainment, championship golf, and free land sports. Furthermore, all Beaches and Sandals locations are situated along gorgeous beachfront, so there are many ways to relax and have fun.
Sandals resorts are generally more upscale, with more luxurious accommodations and refined dining options. Beaches resorts are still quite lovely, but they may not have the same level of luxury as Sandals resorts.
Accommodations: Do Sandals or Beaches Resorts Have Better Rooms?
Comparing Sandals and Beaches resorts in terms of accommodations, it is clear that both brands offer a wide range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. Sandals resorts are mainly known for their luxury accommodations, such as their swim-up rooms and Rondoval suites. However, there are plenty of mid-tier and bargain options, with many room types to choose from.
On the other hand, Beaches resorts offer everything from extravagant four-bedroom villas to more modest rooms with double or king beds. Despite having fewer choices, Beaches still caters to all budgets and room preferences.
In general, both brands offer a variety of room-type options. Sandals resorts tend to have more suite-style rooms, while Beaches resorts offer more standard hotel rooms and family-friendly suites.
Which is Better for Weddings: Sandals or Beaches Resorts?
Sandals Resorts are the perfect choice for couples looking for a beautiful, tropical setting for their wedding. With locations throughout the Caribbean, Sandals offers a variety of options for couples. And, with its exclusive over-the-water chapels, Sandals provides a truly unique wedding experience. Best of all, Sandals waives all wedding fees for couples who stay at one of its resorts for three nights or more. As a result, Sandals is an affordable, all-inclusive option for couples who want to have a beautiful beach wedding.
Which is Better for Honeymoons: Sandals or Beaches Resorts?
When it comes to planning the perfect honeymoon, there are a few key things to consider.
First, of course, is the location. For many couples, a tropical paradise is ideal for their first vacation as husband and wife. If that’s the case, then both Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts offer plenty of options. Both brands have resorts in Jamaica and other popular destinations. However, Sandals Resorts has a few key advantages over Beaches Resorts.
Second, Sandals offers more “over-the-water” bungalows than any other resort chain in the Caribbean. These exceptional accommodations offer unparalleled sea views, making them the perfect place to watch the sun rise or set with your new spouse.
If you are looking for a truly romantic setting, Sandals Resorts are adults-only resorts, which means you can enjoy romance, relaxation, and fun without any kids in sight. Additionally, the dining experiences at Sandals are genuinely world-class. So whether you’re looking for breathtaking views or a secluded hideaway, Sandals Resorts is the clear choice for honeymoons.
Are you looking for the best Sandals Resorts for Honeymoons? How about the Best Sandals Resorts in Jamaica or the Best Beaches Resorts for Family Vacations? Whatever you are searching for, The Vacationeer can assist you. Experienced Sandals travel agents can help you plan your Caribbean vacation and find ways to save you money.
Click HERE for a free, no-obligation quote. You won’t regret it!
Dining Experience: Does Sandals or Beaches Have Better Restaurants?
When it comes to dining experiences, both Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts offer a lot to their guests. You can find many restaurants at both Sandals and Beaches locations. These include the Bombay Club, Kimonos, British Pub, Soy Sushi, Jerk Shack, Dinos Pizzeria Italiana, and Cafe de Paris.
The Bombay Club is an Indian restaurant serving traditional and contemporary dishes. Kimonos is a Japanese restaurant that offers sushi and other Japanese cuisine. The British Pub is a traditional pub that serves British food and drinks. Soy Sushi is a sushi restaurant that offers a variety of sushi rolls and other Japanese dishes. The Jerk Shack is a Caribbean restaurant that serves jerk chicken and other Caribbean favorites. Dinos Pizzeria Italiana specializes in pizza and other Italian cuisine. Cafe de Paris is a French patisserie that offers a variety of pastries and desserts. All of these restaurants offer something unique and are sure to please even the most discerning palette.
Sandals Resorts Offer More Upscale Fine Dining
The majority of these restaurants are ideal for families, with casual menus and casual dining options. This is great news for guests of Beaches Resorts.
Apart from those shared restaurants, Sandals Resorts also offers many exclusive fine dining options, making their restaurants more romantic and exciting. They also have a wider variety of cuisine options, so guests are sure to find something to their taste.
Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of experience you are looking for. If you want a more intimate dining experience and more options, then Sandals Resorts is the better choice. However, Beaches Resorts may be better if you travel with children or extended family because everything is family-friendly.
Price: How Expensive are Sandals and Beaches Resorts?
When it comes to price, there is no clear winner. Sandals and Beaches resorts both offer various package options to fit different budgets. It really just depends on what you’re looking for in terms of amenities and room type.
Overall, Sandals Resorts tend to be more expensive than Beaches Resorts on a per-person basis. This is partly because Sandals Resorts offer a more luxurious experience, with higher-end amenities and accommodations like swim-up suites and bungalows. It does not mean that all Sandals resorts and room types are expensive because there are some relatively affordable rooms at most Sandals locations. The cheapest Sandals resorts tend to be in Jamaica, and you can undoubtedly find some inexpensive accommodations if you don’t want to break the bank.
On the other hand, Beaches Resorts are family-friendly and have a wide range of pricing options. It really comes down to which type of room you choose.
Depending on how extravagant you wish to make your vacation, you may pay a few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars (PP/PN). As a result, when choosing between the two brands, it is important to consider your budget and your desired vacation experience. Just remember that the price of your vacation includes food, drinks, accommodations, transportation, activities, and tipping, so the cost really isn’t as expensive as it seems.
Water Sports: Does Sandals or Beaches Resorts Have More?
Sandals Resorts offers a full range of water sports, from sailing to kayaking to standup paddle boarding to water skiing. The cost of a Sandals vacation includes all of these activities along with professional instruction. Moreover, Sandals Resorts offer the best beachfront and pool relaxation around.
At Beaches Resorts, you can waterski, windsurf, tube, Hobie cat sail, bodyboard, and much more. Plus, all three Beaches Resorts across the Caribbean have their own Pirates Island Water Park. The water parks feature water slides, lazy rivers, and a pirate-themed splash pad. Families can enjoy time together while splashing around in the pool or riding the slides.
The Pirates Island Water Park in Beaches Turks & Caicos is the largest of the three and is the only Caribbean resort with a surf simulator. Pirates Island Water Park is the perfect place to cool off and enjoy family- fun.
In the end, Sandals provides more leisurely waterfront activities in a more upscale setting, but Beaches is the winner with their abundant family-friendly watersports.
Kids Activities: Are Sandals or Beaches Resorts Better?
Beaches resorts are the perfect vacation spot for families with young children. The Kids Camp offers a wide range of activities to keep kids of all ages entertained, from beach soccer to sea shell collecting to teens-only catamaran cruises. Beaches Resorts also has certified nannies available to provide childcare services, so parents can enjoy some well-deserved alone time.
Younger kids will love the Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street, while older kids can enjoy the Xbox Lounges or the game room at Trench Town. In the evening, Club Liquid is a popular dance spot for teenagers. With so much to do, Beaches Resort will surely be a hit with the whole family.
There is no contest – Beaches Resorts is the best for kids because they offer so many activities. Sandals resorts aren’t suitable for kids because they shouldn’t be there in the first place!
Excursions: Do Sandals or Beaches Resorts Have Better Tours?
All Sandals and Beaches resorts offer land and sea tours through Island Routes, a Caribbean tour company owned by Sandals. Therefore, neither Sandals nor Beaches have an advantage.
Land tours include options like jeep safaris, zip lining, and ATV tours. Sea tours include snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat excursions. There is something for everyone at every Sandals and Beaches resort, regardless of age, interests. or fitness level.
Prices for tours and excursions vary depending on the activity and length of the tour.
Island Routes also offers custom tour packages for groups or individuals who want to experience multiple activities. Whether you want an adrenaline-pumping adventure or a relaxing day in paradise, Island Routes has you covered. See our Best Sandals Excursions page for suggestions.
Sandals vs. Beaches Resorts: Which Is Better?
So, which is better – Sandals or Beaches? Ultimately, it depends on your preferences. Both resorts offer all-inclusive packages, beautiful beachfront locations, and a wide range of activities and excursions to keep you engaged and having fun. However, some critical differences may sway your decision.
Sandals Resorts offers more luxury accommodations and dining experiences, making it the perfect choice for a wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway. It doesn’t have to be romantic, either. Whether you choose a tranquil or active Caribbean couples vacation, Sandals offers it all.
However, because it is couples only, it’s not the best choice if you are traveling with family or children. In those cases, Beaches Resorts are perfect for families, with excellent water parks and kids clubs that cater to children of all ages.
So, to sum it up, a Sandals resort would be ideal if you’re looking for a romantic, relaxing, or action-packed couples’ Caribbean getaway. However, a Beaches resort is the clear choice if you travel with kids or extended family.
There is no clear winner in the Sandals vs. Beaches resorts battle – it simply depends on who goes. Whether you are looking for a romantic escape or a fun-filled family vacation, both Sandals and Beaches have something to offer.
Ready to Plan your Sandals or Beaches Vacation?
There are many reasons to book Sandals with a travel agent like The Vacationeer. They can help you choose the best time to go to Sandals, find the best Sandals resort for your couples vacation, or help you find the best Beaches resort for your family vacation. They’re there to assist you whenever you have a question or need a recommendation. They can even discuss Atlantis Bahamas if you’d like to consider a third option for your tropical vacation.
Additionally, The Vacationeer’s travel agents can help you save money and even schedule a payment plan, so you don’t have to pay all at once. And best of all, their services are free!
Click here for your free, no-obligation quote.
