We have learned a major departure lesson. All Sandals resorts offer free transfers. Sandals Montego Bay is only 10 minutes from the airport.  We were asked to depart 3 hours before departure on a shuttle bus but instead, we left 2 hours before departure and hired for taxi for $10. We had plenty of time to check in and get through security. The culture shock of coming from the Sandals Luxury included concept to a $12 hamburger at the airport taught me 2nd lesson. I will now carry a zip lock bag and pack a sandwich at the resort before I leave for the airport. I can’t wait for my next return trip to Sandals in June!

Peter

We visited 6 newly renovated room categories in the Balmoral tower and I spent some needed time in the gym on the 7th floor overlooking the turquoise blue ocean. All the rooms have new tile and bathrooms. The king size beds are consistent with Sandals and Beaches 4 posted platform Serta mattress comfort and romance.The room renovations are still being worked on with completion by the end of March. The newly renovated rooms in the Balmoral are completed in the 2nd through the 6th floor. Balconies have been added to the beachfront Concierge and Butler rooms and the décor has been increased to the level of Luxury.

The signature Red Lane Spa was destroyed in the Hurricane. They are not working on it yet but I suspect it will be completed by December 2012. The Red Lane spa treatments are still being offered on the private island. The resort has slated renovations of the Spa to be the last item because it is in the basement of the resort. There is no projected completion but I suspect that everything will be completed by October 2012. Jackhammers can still be heard during the day and I overheard a number of clients staying in the lower rooms at the Balmoral asking to have their rooms moved but I suspect that will all improve soon because the New Rugs, decorations and room improvements are wonderful. As for the restaurants and staff. Sally and I have always said that Jamaican’s have the most amazing smile and are always happy to serve. We do not experience the same feeling, all the time, in the Bahamas. Most of the staff are extremely friendly but we do experience the opposite with the wait staff. For the most part, the food was amazing although we had one evening of disappointing service and food. Great news, there is now a brick oven pizza restaurant next to the theater and in front of the fire pits and outdoor couches. Nightly entertainment starts by the fire pit and leads into the theater. There is no comparison to the blue turquoise water of the Bahamas and I look forward to my return and up dated review. Click here to get stated and book your travel today!

Our only problem was with the airlines when we were coming home, our flight was cancelled and we were not notifies. American airlines gave us vouchers, but it did not cover all of our expenses and we stayed another day in a hotel near Beaches. We will sort it out between the airline and our travel insurance. We were in vacation mode and didn’t think to check in advance. We have learned from the experience. The hotel we stayed at the last night was the Alexandria. It was one building away from the Italian Village on the beach. We had a furnished 1 bedroom with an ocean view. It was very nice, but could not really compare to Beaches. We were not thrilled with the airline at first since the first option they offered was to send us to Philadelphia. They finally came up with 4 seats on Jet Blue direct flight the next day. American gave us vouchers for the taxi, hotel and food. The food voucher was less than half of what it cost us for breakfast lunch and dinner at the hotel. Also the next day when we took a taxi, the driver refused to take the voucher and we ended up paying cash. We were just so anxious by then to get a seat on the plane. So that was the negative, but we really tried to look at the positive in being able to stay one more day.

Not sure how soon but we will definitely go back to Beaches. Thanks again for everything.

Michele

We spent two days off resort, one day exploring Antigua and one day on Barbuda. On Antigua, we explored the  capital city St Johns and took a taxi to the southern tip of t he island to the Old Royal Navy Dockyard and Shirley  Heights. We also walked off property to the Salt Marshes and caught a rare glimpse of the endangered West Indian  Whistling Duck and White-Cheeked Teal Duck. Amazing! Our trip to Barbuda was unforgettable, aside from the three  hour roller coaster ferry ride to Barbuda (it normally takes  1.5 hours in good ocean conditions). Barbuda is an untouched Caribbean island wilderness that was indescribably beautiful. No pictures can do it justice and we must go back one day. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary was truly remarkable. We were lucky enough to see the birds during the breeding season when they puff up their red air sacks for mating.

Sadly, we did not get to participate in the Sandals Foundation reading excursion (we were told the kids were out of school for the holidays) but they had a local children come sing and dance to Christmas songs which was very sweet. We found the Antiguan people to be very friendly and proud of their country. We truly enjoyed learning about their culture and the island of Antigua.

What an unforgettable honeymoon! Thank you so much!

Love,
Blake and Rebecca

 All the lounge chairs and  Lounge beds are made out of  Teak and are so comfortable  you can sleep on them.

Sally,  Cindy and I were at this  years annual 10^th Annual  Sandals Travel Agent Star  Awards where the top  producing Sandals, Beaches    and Grand Pineapple travel agents are invited to a yearly convention. We visited Beaches Boscobel and Sandals Royal Plantation during this year as we were present for the grand opening of this $50,000,000 renovation. The renovations are almost complete. I say almost because Sandals Chairman, Adam Stewart, announced that he would like to add an Irish Pub to the (15) fifteen completed restaurants including a New Kimonos and brick oven Pizza restaurants.  In the background of the photo is a $750,000 renovated Newton Dive boats for handy cap divers. The renovated resort  has 105 pools including 4 large pools, hot tubs and a teak beach chairs. The Beach club has a secluded stair case to a gazebo observation point on the bluffs. Multiple daily Martha Steward Sandals destination weddings and receptions called weddingmoon are being held here including other locations through out the resort. Sandals Grand Ocho Rios has always been a Cook Travel favorite to share with our clients. With this 50 Million dollar renovation, we will be honored to enthusiastically share our personal photos and room category experiences.  

I know all of this sounds perfect, but let me add to it- The Butler. The Butler puts the cherry on this vacation. They will bring your cappuccino in the morning; save your spot on the beach or under the cabana, bring you snacks throughout the day. Whatever you want-use your butler phone and ask. Your wish is their command. They will book your dinner reservations or create a romantic beach dinner for you. They will even top the night off by drawing candlelight, aromatherapy, bubble bath for you to soak in with strawberries and champagne if you desire. Literally whatever you want!

` One more thing-Red Lane Jasper Spa! Wowza! They offer complimentary sessions every day. These sessions include back and neck massage teasers, foot teasers, and couples massage lessons. After the temptation from the mini sessions book a full session for a day with a magical pair of hands that will work wonders on your spine.

Okay, one MORE thing (they really have everything)! The Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course. My husband said it was one of the most beautiful courses he has seen (I am not a golfer so this is only my second course to see-it is amazing). The course offers a variety of complimentary sessions as well- golf swing lessons with a golf pro, course tours using golf carts, and more. Even if you are not a golfer please go on the golf tour. The view is enchanting! It is truly a sublime experience. Take Pictures

Needless to say this Sandals honeymoon was a honeymoon vacation of a lifetime. We were treated like royalty. There is no doubt that I will settle my dreams and vacation desires with sandals again. They genuinely went above and beyond. They really do have more quality inclusions that any other resort on the planet.

Our Travel Agent at Cook Travel was amazing.

Thank you Cindy Bryant  Love you

We are so lucky to have spent our honeymoon at Sandals Emerald Bay.

Daniel and Mica    Decatur Alabama

Mike and Renee