Onsite Review: Upscale Sandals Opens Its Doors in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

BIRDSEYE VIEWUpscale Sandals Opens Its Doors in Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesBy Paloma Villaverde de RicoThe boat sped along Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ stunningly beautiful coastline, heading to a paradisiacal setting—the destination’s new Sandals resort. As a guest in the resort’s Butler Suite accommodations, I was fortunate enough to arrive at this gorgeous property—which is tucked away on its own private cove and embraced by lush mountains—by water. Complimentary boat transfer from Argyle International Airport is one of the many amenities offered by Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Butler Suite guests. For the next few days, the pampering would continue with top-notch service, sunset sailings, stellar F&B options and accommodations that would wow even the most well-heeled clients. WATERSPORTSA Carefree VibeEvery morning of my four days spent at the 300-room resort, I’d grab one of the many beach cruiser bicycles sprinkled around the resort—a must since the resort stretches across 50 sprawling acres—and make my way to the onsite coffee shop, asking for a latte made from Blum Jamaican Coffee with a side of pastry and tranquility. It was a heavenly start to days that spilled over with pure bliss. Choices throughout my day were tough, as I didn’t know whether to simply kick-back in my ample One-Bedroom Garden Butler Suite with Media Room and Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub accommodation or grab a chaise longue at one of the five pools, including the 300-ft. main pool that stretches from the lobby out to the horizon. Or, perhaps, a treatment at the sophisticated Red Lane Spa, with a hydrotherapy circuit that’s open to all guests regardless of treatment appointment or not, should be on my to-do list (it most definitely was). Maybe I’d wile away an afternoon on the white-sand beach or try my hand at one of the many watersports the resort offers, from kayaking to paddleboarding. Definitely signing up for an excursion at the onsite Island Routes excursion desk—a perfect way to explore this spectacular Caribbean destination—and feasting on the culinary offerings from the resort’s 11 specialty restaurants were musts. “Sandals Saint Vincent and The Grenadines is a hidden gem,” travel advisor Stephanie Howard of Traveling Ears Vacations tells Recommend. “In fact, I often tell my clients that it is a destination I never knew I needed to visit. The destination itself is untouched and simply magical, while the resort offers an exotic blend of luxury, intimacy and natural beauty. Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the true definition of all-inclusive luxury, offering extraordinary gastronomy (some of the best I have ever experienced at a Sandals resort), top-notch customer service due to its hospitable culture and a private, secluded experience for guests.”ROOM VIEWResort LifeThe resort offers 15 guestroom categories, including accommodations in the main building complex that come with a fitness area, equipped with Technogym equipment, athletic programming and an assortment of free weights, or a media room for a romantic movie night. Of course, there are the requisite swim-up guestrooms on the first floor, but what makes this resort so unique are the numerous Butler Suites set aside in their own enclave as well as the impressive beachfront accommodations, ranging from the Beachfront Butler Villa Suite with Private Pool to the Beachfront Two-Bedroom Butler Villa Suite with Private Pool, located mere steps from the shoreline. Then there are the stars of the guestroom and suite lineup: The Vincy Overwater Two-Story Villas set right over the sea in a private area of the property. Here, couples will find their own private sanctuary with an outdoor rooftop lounge area that provides the best views in the resort as well as daybeds that hang right over the water, not to mention sumptuous amenities, elegant modern decor and a soaking tub. Tucked away amidst the beautifully tended tropical gardens, our spacious 1,382-sq.-ft. villa suite felt like a home away from home with its own kitchen, media room, terrace with soaking tub and one of the largest resort bathrooms we’ve ever seen, including an expansive shower/bath area. The highlight of staying in this room category—as with all Butler Suite accommodations—is the incomparable Butler service. Your client’s wish is truly their command as guests have access to their Butler—all delightfully sweet—via a cell phone, meaning your clients can be anywhere in the resort and ring them (I always received a quick response). Butler service includes numerous inclusions such as welcome cocktails and culinary treats; luggage handling and escorting guests to the suite; private check-in; unpacking of luggage; making dinner reservations, tour bookings and spa treatments; serving lunch on the beach or pool; ensuring table is arranged at the restaurant; escorting guests to dinner; providing information for departure and arranging transportation back to the airport, among a host of other delights. At the Saint Vincent and Grenadines resort, an added plus for Butler Suite guests is the weekly sunset cocktail party aboard the resort’s private boat, which cruises all along the island’s coastline seeing top attractions such as “Pirates of the Caribbean” film sets and the island’s La Soufriere Volcano. DINNER PLATEFoodie & Cocktail HavenWith 11 specialty restaurants (and nine bars), this Sandals resort does not disappoint those who crave a gourmet meal. Guests will find everything from a T-bone steak at Butch’s Island Chop House to Jamaican patties at the Jamaican Jerk Shack as well as pizza at Pizzeria Isola. Tell clients not to miss the Gatsu Gatsu Japanese restaurant, with creative sushi creations and a green tea cheesecake that must be devoured. The inventiveness prize, though, goes to Buccan, a family-style restaurant where couples sit with other guests and share locally inspired food, fun conversations and a few rum drinks. FAMILY DINNER TABLEIdeal ClientHoward points to “honeymooners, couples celebrating milestone anniversaries and couples who are looking for an exotic getaway as the ideal guests for Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.” She adds, “A couple who craves relaxed, yet refined luxury; clients seeking a secluded and intimate setting; a pair who appreciates high-end accommodations and extraordinary gastronomic experiences; or a duo who yearns to experience an intimate paradise.” Contact InformationSandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:
sandals.com/sandals-saint-vincent AND taportal.sandals.com/landing

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