I’ve had my share of opinions about Sandals Resorts’ properties (cue: stereotypical images of buffets, neon-colored drinks and copious Michael Scott references) — that is, until I went to one myself.
After a pleasant visit to the company’s Barbados property in 2022, I was thrilled to check out the latest addition to the lineup: Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which opened in March 2024.
After landing in Saint Vincent, I was whisked away in an air-conditioned van to the island’s sandy coastline, where I was greeted by an enthusiastic boat crew ready to take me on the next leg of the journey. (Note: Boat transfers are available exclusively to guests staying in Butler Level room categories. I kicked off my shoes, popped the cap off a Hairoun lager and settled in for the ride.
About 25 minutes later, we arrived at the private cove where Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is located. The property is surrounded by lush forest greenery and a river runs nearby. Unfortunately, the days prior to my arrival were filled with rain, turning the normally turquoise waters a brackish, dark hue. But what the color palette lacked in brightness was immediately made up for by the team’s welcome trio, who greeted me on the dock with a refreshing cocktail and a traditional song.
First, I made my way to Parisol, the property’s beachside bar and restaurant. Margaritas were the first order of business, along with perfectly fried mahi mahi bites and vegetable crudites served with a creamy white bean hummus. These were just a few tasty examples of what I believe sets Sandals apart from other all-inclusives.
Clients can nosh on fresh fare at Parisol Beach Club.
Credit: 2025 Sandals ResortsAs with most Butler Level rooms at Sandals, my accommodation offered plenty of space and included a king-size bed; a separate living area; and a luxurious bathroom equipped with a shower, a separate free-standing tub and spa-level toiletries. I’ve always felt a little uncomfortable with butler service at all-inclusive resorts, as I can only imagine the requests they must get from overly needy guests. So, I tend to use these staffers’ services sparingly, if at all. Where my butler did come in handy, however, was for reserving cabanas by the pool, which operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Despite being an early riser, I generally like to hit the gym and grab breakfast before posting up for the day, so having someone available to reserve a spot proved helpful.
Swim-up suites feature plunge pools.
Credit: 2025 Sandals ResortsWhat to Know About Public Spaces
I like to stay active while traveling, so I was overjoyed by the size — and the lack of crowding — at the fitness center, which features a variety of cardio equipment, free weights and machines. The beach area is also expansive,
and the lounge chairs are spread out, which meant it never felt packed. Personally, my favorite public space was the main pool, which houses a swim-up bar, cabanas and tons of lounge chairs. The bartenders are incredibly friendly, and the music regularly shifts from dance beats to chill vacation vibes.
In terms of activities, Sandals offers quite a few, including bocce ball, pool, shuffleboard and pickleball, as well as kayaks, snorkels and water skis. Although I spent most of my time simply lounging poolside, I did partake in a sunset boat ride one evening (complimentary for Butler Level room guests), which offered stunning views and the chance to chat with some Sandals devotees, who shared their thoughts on other brand properties (apparently, Grenada is unmissable). We even spotted a few dolphins on the ride back to the cove.
The property’s main pool.
Credit: 2025 Sandals ResortsThe Star of the Show: Food and Beverage Options
My biggest takeaway about Sandals as a brand is the emphasis on high-quality food and beverages, which I find is generally a big miss for all-inclusive properties.
The breakfast buffet — hosted daily at Sora, Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ on-site Italian restaurant — was one of my top highlights. In addition to an extensive buffet featuring a variety of pastries, fresh fruits and breakfast staples, guests can order freshly made egg dishes a la carte, which makes the experience a bit more personal (and delicious).
For dinner, I narrowed my three nights down to Scrimshaw, the property’s signature seafood restaurant; Butch’s Chophouse; and Buccan, the first family-style offering for the company.
Although generally not one for family-style meals, I was blown away by the experience at Buccan, which highlighted local “Vincy” (a term for resident islanders) ingredients, along with a variety of plant-based, fish and meat-forward bites cooked over fire at the restaurant’s hearth. (Pro tip: Rather than sticking with the rum-based cocktails the restaurant was offering, I opted for ordering gin martinis, my cocktail of choice, which the team was happy to prepare at the nearby bar and bring over as needed.)
Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ food is a selling point.
Credit: 2025 Sandals ResortsOverall, I was impressed with my stay at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, especially when it came to food and beverage options. For those with limited time, I’d recommend skipping Scrimshaw for dinner and enjoying seafood options from The Jerk Shack or Parisol at lunch, and prioritizing evening meals at Buccan and Butch’s. In terms of accommodations, I’d also recommend booking Butler Level rooms, if within the clients’ budget, as the cabana reservations and complimentary sunset cruise are definitely top perks.
