Sandals Grande St. Lucian – Review and Guide for 2024

Located on its very own peninsula, Sandals Grande St. Lucian is where you need to be if you are looking for a postcard vacation. You will find this resort with the calmest waters of the Atlantic Ocean nestled into the west end of Rodney Bay. You can never get enough of the views at this resort, from ocean views to views of a grass-draped mountainscape. As one of the best Sandals resorts for honeymooners, this all-inclusive Sandals Grande St. Lucian and adult–only paradise makes for a wonderful romantic vacation.

About Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Where is Sandals Grande St. Lucian?

The resort is located in Gros Islet, in the north of St. Lucia. You will find it just a third of a mile from Fort Rodney and Pigeon Island National Park, and a little under a mile from Rodney Bay. It is approximately 44 miles from the Hewanorra International Airport. 

Getting to Sandals Grande St. Lucian 

If you are flying internationally, you will arrive at the Hewanorra International Airport with an airport code (UVF). If you are connecting, you will likely fly in with a regional carrier into the George F.L Charles Airport with airport code (SLU). The Hewanorra International Airport is a 1 and a half hour drive from the hotel, and the George F.L. Charles Airport is a 15-minute drive from the resort. 

Best Time to Visit Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Climate-wise, there are two seasons in St. Lucia they are the wet and dry seasons. Like other Caribbean Islands, the best time to visit the island is during the high season, which runs from Mid-December to Mid-April.  During this time of year, you will get to enjoy more sunshine, but if you want a more laid-back vibe, consider traveling between June and November. During this period, accommodation is often priced lower. But resorts tend to be full, with more people taking advantage of the budget-friendly hotel stays. 

Shoulder season is in between the high and low travel seasons. The shoulder season runs from Mid-April to June and offers the best of both worlds. You can usually find affordable airfare and accommodation, and there won’t be too many other guests for you to battle with crowds. 

If you are interested in Whale Watching, the best time to visit is between October and February. If you want to avoid the hurricane season, visit from December to February, so you can also enjoy the sights of whales and dolphins. 

What’s Included at Sandals Grande St. Lucian 

All your meals and snacks are included on vacation at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian. All drinks are free and unlimited all day long. Your room is stocked with a mini bar, including a bottle of champagne, and top-shelf liquor, plus water, sodas, and juices. You also have your in-room coffee maker, along with a kettle for tea and all the condiments necessary for making your tea. All these are restocked daily, and housekeeping and room service are included in your cost of the booking. 

Pros and Cons of Sandals Grande St. Lucian 

The Pros

When visiting Sandals Grande St. Lucian, expects to find super-friendly bartenders and waitstaff. There is no need to tip at Sandals, but the staff will accommodate every request within reason. If you are a butler category guest, you get even more luxury care with your very own private butler. And Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort offers a free airport shuttle service.

Rooms are properly furnished and equipped for your comfort, and the dining options are too many for you to get bored of the food. You can find all kinds of cuisine, including Japanese Hibachi, sushi, sashimi, Indian, Caribbean, and more. Stop by the breakfast buffet for standard breakfast fare. It’s no wonder this is one of the best Sandals resorts.

The Cons

Long winding roads for the ride from the airport to the resort and bugs outside. 

What To Do at Sandals Grande St. Lucian 

There are a lot of activities to enjoy at Sandals Grande St. Lucian. Enjoy scuba diving at some of the most renowned reefs in picturesque waters. PADI-certified scuba diving is all included. Outside of diving, a wealth of water sports activities await. You will find a range of top-of-the-line equipment, so you can go kayaking, windsurfing, and much more. 

Land Activities

If land activities are more your thing, you can choose one of two golf courses, including a 9-hole golf course Golf green fees Transportation to the golf course Lessons/classes/games Aerobics Entertainment and complimentary transfers.

All Sandals guests in St. Lucia not only get free access but are allowed to repeat play for the duration of their stay. And of course, you have unlimited resort land activities, including tennis, the fitness center, and more to enjoy. Guests can also choose from just about any water sport that comes to mind, go golfing, use the fitness center, or relax with a calming spa treatment.

Members of staff entertain you day and night. During the day, the main pool and beach areas are lit with activities and parties. Each day brings a different daily vibe, with different entertainment options that are rotated on a weekly cycle. 

Weekly Entertainment

Each night is something new: 

  • Sunday – Reggae Night 
  • Monday – St. Lucia We Love Water and Fire Show
  • Tuesday – Showtime on Broadway 
  • Wednesday – Country Night 
  • Thursdays – Burlesque
  • Friday – Chocolate Gala or headphones white party 
  • Saturday – Beach party 

If that isn’t enough, enjoy the Stay at 1, Play at 3 option. What this means is that you get to experience all three St. Lucian resorts in one visit. 

And then you have those activities that are not included in your booking rate. These include the Red Lane Spa, where you can have a massage, and bring your partner along for a massage as well. Enjoy European treatments intertwined and infused with Caribbean culture and touches, such as infused botanical products. 

There are also local adventure tours that allow you to come off the resort and experience St. Lucia’s local grandeur. Check with the Island Routes desk to see what kind of adventures they have available at your time of stay. 

If all you want to do on vacation is lounge all day, then take advantage of a private cabana. This costs extra, but allows you a private and secluded experience. If you are a Concierge or Butler guest, you can have personal service throughout the day, so you never have to leave your cabana unless you are ready to retire for the night. 

The resort boutique is the best place to find duty-free shopping at a resort. Check out their gallery, the luxury jeweler, and more as you try to find the perfect gift to take back home. You will find everything from branded items to local crafts, including sundresses and more. 

Restaurants at Sandals Grande St. Lucian 

When you stay at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, you experience cuisine around the world. Enjoy the cuisines of India, Jamaica, England, Italy, and the Orient. You will also get service running from an open self-serving buffet to the finest white glove service. Whether you want to dine barefoot on the beach or dress up for a dinner date wearing resort evening attire, it is up to you. 

Pair your meals perfectly with six different varieties of Robert Mondavi Wines, as well as authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. The Grand St. Lucian offers a total of 12 restaurants. You can find buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as you can find a la carte dinner indoors on the terrace. 

Find pizza that Dino’s has during the day, which transforms into Toscanini’s classic Italian restaurant, which serves dinner in the evening. 

The Jerk Shack offers authentic Jamaican cuisine. Then there are Kimonos, Soy Sushi, and Bombay restaurants to satisfy your cravings for Asian and Indian cuisine. Gordon’s on the Pier is a great choice for catching a romantic dinner for two, or visit Barefoot by the Sea or The Mariner Seaside Bar & Rill to create your own dish. If you love English fare, check out the Olde London Pub, where you can find fish and chips with a pint of ale. Josephine’s Creperie offers you snacks to include specialty coffees, afternoon tea, desserts, and crepes made to order. 

Those are just the restaurants on-site, but with our stay at one and play at three programs, you have up to a total of 27 restaurants you can choose from which to dine.  

Pools at Sandals Grande St. Lucian 

There are five main pools on the property of Sandals Grande St. Lucian. You can enjoy the main pool with a swim-up bar, as well as the Sandals pool with its iconic Sunset Tower. There is also an intimate heart-shaped pool. There are also the lagoon pools, which you can access from your bedroom suite if you booked a room in one of those categories. In addition to that, there are private pool suites offered to those who want the sophistication of their very own private en suite pool.  

Bars at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

There are 9 bars at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, inclusive of the swim-up bar. Here at Sandals, drinks are all included and unlimited. You will find your fill of premium liquors, the best cocktails, great wines, and refreshing beer. 

From 10 am to 3 am, you can find bars to meet your needs. From the Lobby Bar where you can get your favorite Chocolate Martini to the Piano Bar, you are sure to find a bartender with a mix you will enjoy. 

The bartenders here are super friendly, and don’t be surprised if they remember your favorite drink when they see you again. 

Activities at Sandals Grande St. Lucian 

There are so many activities to enjoy while at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the only time you can be bored is when you actually choose to be. Hang out by the main pool if you want to be in the center of the activities of the resort. If you want some quiet time, then you can rent a cabana on the beach, away from all the hustle and bustle of the resort. By the main pool, you will also find a hot tub, as well as the swim-up bar, to keep you happy with your most loved drinks, ready to go every time you need a refill. 

The main pool area is a great place to be if you want to hear all the announcements for the day, and if you want to just enjoy island music and island vibes all day long. Off to the side, there is a smaller pool, as well as several smaller pools scattered throughout the property amenities, offering you quieter spots to bask in the sun. 

Outside activities mostly take place on the beach. Here you will find table tennis, volleyball, and a host of games. There are also water bikes, Hoie cats, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaks, and water skiing, to name a few. There are billiards and often a talent show in the evenings, as well as live bands, karaoke, and more fair game. The staff show off their talents and the guests enjoy. 

For more relaxing activities, visit the Red Lane Spa for treatments and services. You and your spouse could indulge in a relaxing 50-minute couples massage, complete with serene background music, flowers, and dim lighting to set the tone for a relaxing and intimate date. 

FAQ

Is Sandals Grande St. Lucian, a private beach?

The resort of Sandals Grande St. Lucian is located in a secluded area between Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island. So guests have access to a beach with uninterrupted fun. You can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and the resort’s water sports, but you may come across the occasional vendor from time to time. 

What airport do you fly into for Sandals Grande St. Lucian?

There are two airports at which you can fly into St. Lucia. You can access the island from the Hewanorra International Airport or UVF, as well as the Veggie Airports or SLU. The latter is a regional airport, but is closer to the resort with a 15 to 20-minute drive, whereas SLU is an international airport with an estimated 90 to 120-minute transfer time. 

Are there two Sandals in St. Lucia?

There are three Sandals properties on the island of St. Lucia, these are: 

  1. Sandals Regency La Toc
  2. Sandals Halcyon Beach 
  3. The Sandals Grande St. Lucian resort 

How close are the three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia?

The three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia are approximately 15 to 20 minutes drive apart. Check with the front desk for transfers, so you can stay at 1 and play at 3. 

About The Author
Bevony
Bevony is a content writer for EpicCaribbean.com. She has an ongoing curiosity to learn new things that is satisfied by her writing career. As a nature lover, when she isn't writing or doing mom duties, she can be found enjoying the outdoors on her beautiful island of Jamaica.

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