Stephanie Serino's Travel Blog

*Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa Antigua is a beach-lovers paradise, and this resort has a lovely stretch of powdery sand. This week marks the Grand Opening of the new Mediterranean Village, an all-suite resort-within-a-resort. The rooms in this section are very attractive, especially the bathrooms (whirlpool tubs for two, separate shower with designer fixtures, marble vanity with his and her sinks). The older Caribbean Grove section of the resort has the original rondovals, as well as garden cottages with newly refurbished Deluxe rooms.

*Sandals Halcyon Beach This charming three-star resort is a great value considering the exchange privileges (Stay at one, play at three). Only 169 rooms and low-rise architecture offer an intimate experience, and the beach is one of the nicest on the island. The landscaping creates an enchanting garden-of-Eden effect with hammocks for two hidden among the flowers. It’s a quiet, laid-back resort good for couples desiring simple island pleasures.

*Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort Set on a peninsula, you can see the water from almost every room at this resort. The new Rondoval Suites are fabulous with two whirlpool tubs (one inside and one outdoors by the private plunge pool); but even some of the more modest room categories were appealing. A long ribbon of beach with green mountains in the background, 6 restaurants and 6 bars, and a variety of land and water sports make this an ideal Caribbean All Inclusive.

*Sandals Regency St. Lucia Golf Resort & Spa at La Toc. This is the most luxurious Sandals resort in St. Lucia with the most amenities: 9-hole golf course, full-service spa, the island’s largest pool, etc. Unfortunately, the cove beach was made smaller by the 2007 hurricane season. Sunset Bluff, a resort-within-a-resort, is my personal favorite here. Perched high on a cliff and isolated from the main resort, it feels intimate and exclusive, and the views are sublime. Imagine your butler serving you champagne in your private pool as you enjoy the sun setting into the Caribbean…