All Inclusives Vs. The Luxury Included® Vacation in the Caribbean

When traveling on a budget and limited time, there is really no question that an All-Inclusive is the way to travel. When making your decision, ask three questions.
Where do you want to go, do you want to take a chance on just any "all-inclusive", or do you want a guarantee that you will receive the best vacation of your life, with treatment that you will always treasure forever.


I have stayed at some very nice "all-inclusive" resorts. The properties are beautiful with manicured gardens, and stunning beach views. For me the customer service when you have your guests all eating with arranged dining or buffets. The surprise of an extra charge when you want to snorkel or even cruise in a glass bottom boat. The surprise green fees when you want to play a round of golf on a nearby course. We've had fun, but have discovered MORE.

I would recommend every single one of the Sandals Resorts I have ever been lucky enough to visit. (I still need to see Barbados and Grenada). I hope to visit every Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Resort in the Caribbean. I love St. Lucia and the close proximity of the three properties there, and how you can stay at one, and play and dine at all three properties, each offering something special. From world class golf, fine dining, to history that had British and French fighting for the island for 114 years.

Sandals Antigua will always be special, because we were the very first guests to occupy the amazing rooms that are the all suite Mediterranean Village, and met some of the friendliest people. Namely Roger Roberts. Roger drove our group over the entire island. Shirley Heights, Sir Viv's Cricket Stadium, Betty's Hope, the Devil's Bridge and even showed us where Eric Clapton lives. (Side note here, I broke a tooth on a rough landing at DFW the day we traveled to the island. So, I needed dental work. I got a root canal and temporary crown from the same dentist that Eric Clapton and Oprah Winfrey use... it cost a $100 American.)

Of all the islands that Sandals Resorts are located on, and only on a personal preference to fantabulous treatment, I LOVE JAMAICA. Sandals began and still operates from Jamaica. From the perfect seclusion of the beach at Sandals Whitehouse, to the fun of Ocho Rios, to the amazing sunsets in Negril. All so beautiful, but having had the opportunity to visit Jamaica, we have had the privilege of making some really good friends. We love the island and the people. So, Jamaica is my first choice.

Now in all fairness, Sandals is true luxury at it's finest in the islands, and does cost a little bit more because of it, but you do get what you pay for.

For families, the best would be "Beaches Resorts", you get all of the luxuries you would from Sandals, including all land and water sports, but Beaches Resorts are for families. From waterparks, to all of the Sesame Street characters. There is time for mom and dad too, with professional British trained nannies that can baby-sit and entertain the youngsters with parents discover each other. One thing you will take away from a week at Beaches properties, is the Sesame Street song... Sunny days, chasing the clouds away....

For a tighter budget, you must look into the group's "Grand Pineapple Resorts" with two properties, one in Antigua, and another on 7 Mile Beach in Negril Jamaica, these smaller resorts operate with the same policies of their larger and older counterparts

Whichever you choose, TRAVEL. Travel is the only thing you will love so deeply that pays you more than you will spend.