We are forever grateful for our Sandals honeymoon      adventure to Sandals Antigua. We had an unbelievably  wonderful  trip and memories that will last a lifetime.  Words can’t  express our appreciation for your help.  Hopefully the  attached pictures reveal our joy and  thankfulness. We  spent four of six full days indulging at  the resort, mostly  eating, drinking, and laying on the  beach. The resort was  spectacular!! We stayed in the big  Mediterranean Village  building, but enjoyed meandering  through the Sandals Antigua Caribbean  side discovering  its hidden pools. We are beach people but still enjoyed the enormous pool in the late afternoon. We ate at all 10 restaurants and tried every liquor, wine and beer available. We participated in a dance competition, sang karaoke, went snorkeling, and paddled out to sea in the ocean kayaks. We even made it to the casino next door where we won $300 in 5min! This resort was so much fun!!

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

Our honeymoon trip to Sandals Emerald was amazing! We had great weather everyday, the transport from the airport was very easy and nice like a nice suv, and not very far from the airport. Our butlers were amazing, very on top of things, got you whatever you wanted or needed, and the food was excellent! Definitely the best I’ve had at an all inclusive for sure. We went snorkeling, and Seth went scuba diving twice, the second time with sharks! I have nothing bad to say about the place, it was amazing. Thank you so much for your help with everything. I look forward to planning something in the future. If you need anything please let me know.

Thanks,
Sarah Cobba

June 2011 report.  Our office traveled to Jamaica for what is called CSS (certified Sandals Specialist) training.  Our entire staff receives CSS training at least once a year.  This year 3 of us went to Sandals Grand Riviera, in Ocho Rios, for our certification.  During our training, we toured the new Sandals Grand Riviera, Sandals Royal Plantaiton, Sandals Golf Course and Beaches Boscobel.

Sandals Grand Riviera improvements were through out the resort. To mention a few changes:   on the Manor side: the Villas have been improved with new Mahogany sliding doors out to the pool and balcony.  The Asian restaurants food is now cooked by asian chefs.  On the Riviera side:  the beach has a number of changes including a new pool with cabanas, Mahogany decks up the cliff with lovers lounges and a new secluded deck at the top of the cliff for romantic weddings.  The restaurants along the beach have open air and air condition which added the 13 restaurants  on property.  All the Deluxe, Premium and Luxury rooms are completed.  50% of the Cottages have been completed.  The large Riviera pool was close, ripped out and replaced.  Now Sandals Grand Riviera has more restaurants than any other resort in Jamaica and has 2 of the largest swimming pools.  Sandals Whitehouse is the only other Jamaica Resort with this size Swimming pool.

In 2010, Sandals began extensive renovations to their Jamaican Ocho Rios resorts. They closed Sandals Dunns River, changed the Royal Plantation to Sandals Royal Plantation, improved Beaches Boscobel with $20 million dollars and are presently improving Sandals Grande Ocho Rios with $40 million dollars.  SGO is now called Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Golf Resort. Sally and I just returned from a 3 night sight inspection of the resort.  The reason for the Change of names was so that guests could realize that even though there are 2 sides to the resort, they can visit and use them both.  There is a bus that constantly travels between the Riviera lounge and the Villa lounge.  Each side hosts a variety of restaurants but it appears that all the new restaurants will be on the Riviera side.  Gordons Restaurant opened on the boardwalk while we were visiting.  The Restaurant is on the new pier over the Caribbean.  There are 4 new restaurants opening on the Beach side.  Each restaurant will have glass so you can view the Caribbean while dinning.  There are 4 fire pits and lounge chairs open at the end of the dive boardwalk.  The newly refurbished Beach swim up bar hosts a 12 person hot tub multiple romantic lounge chairs on new decking on the cliff.  There is an amazing new wedding area with a romantic wedding gazebo above the crashing waves.  Construction began on the amphora theater and swim up bar pool has been gutted and is being replace.  It was obvious that this will be the resort to go to.  I was very impressed 

Sandals Resorts offer more quality inclusions than any other resort on the planet. Beaches Resorts offer more quality inclusions than any other resort in the world.

In 2000 I started my career as a travel agent selling Sandals and Beaches resorts. My daughter, Jennifer, told me she wanted to go to Sandals Regency St Lucia for her honeymoon. I began my research and I was amazed with the NO hidden cost,  Luxury Included concept. I decided to visit the resort. When we arrived at the resort, we were immediately taken to our luxury room.  The bell man showed me the safe in my closet.  I locked my wallet up and didn’t have to take it out until it was time to leave. Now I manage a team of Agents.  We send approximately 300 clients, yearly,  to the (17) Sandals and Beaches resorts in Jamaica, St Lucia, Antigua, Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas.  Sandals Chairman, Butch Stewart, and CEO Adam Stewart continue to surprise us with amazing additions to the Sandals and Beaches family of resorts.