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When looking for the best all-inclusive resort, the ones with the most quality inclusions should come out on top. Without a doubt, Sandals Resorts sets the golden standard when it comes to ‘all-inclusive’: there’s no resort on the planet that offers more quality inclusions than Sandals.
No matter which room category you are staying in, expect the following (and more!) to be included at no additional cost:
- Unlimited dining at all restaurants on-property
- Unlimited breakfast, lunch and anytime snacks
- Unlimited (alcoholic) drinks and premium liquors
- Day and night entertainment
- Unlimited water sports and instructions
- Unlimited volleyball, tennis and other land sports
- Unlimited access to the gym
- Scuba diving trips are included for PADI® certified guests
- Golf green fees are included at selected golf resorts
- WiFi in the room and all common areas
- Airport transfers
What about the things that are not included? It can be hard to find out this information for some all-inclusive resorts, and some things that aren’t included might even come as a surprise to you when you get there.
Not so with Sandals Resorts. Even with all the inclusions listed above, there are still ways you can enhance your Sandals vacation package by selecting optional services and treats which can add value to your getaway.
Rest assured; at Sandals you will NOT pay extra for (alcoholic) drinks after a certain time. Drinks and food are always included, always unlimited. You also won’t be paying extra to get in certain restaurants, nor will Sandals charge you for hidden resort fees, taxes and gratuity. You won’t even have to pay for transportation from and to the airport!
Some things that are not included in the booking price at Sandals Resorts are excursions, spa treatments, private candlelight dinners on the beach and photo packages. These are called ‘Vacation Extras’ and can easily be arranged through the resort at additional cost.
For the complete list of vacation extras, read on...
Tours and off-property excursions
There’s lots to do on property while at Sandals, but no vacation is complete without exploring the highlights of your vacation destination. No matter which Sandals resort you choose to spend your vacation, in the Caribbean there’s lots of exciting tours you can sign up for.
Meet the famous swimming pigs of Exuma, take a catamaran cruise around the majestic Pitons in Saint Lucia, or hike up Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica!
Tours are for the most part operated by third parties, which means there is a separate cost attached to these. Tours will not be included in your Sandals booking, but the Sandals team will be more than happy to help you choose and purchase some of the best tours on offer.
When you book your excursions at the resort, transfers between the tour destination and your resort are included in the cost of your tour package.
Not included: Tours and excursions.
Included: Water sports (including free snorkeling trips), land sports, day and night entertainment on property.
Spa treatments and products
Each Sandals Resort comes with a Red Lane® Spa. This award-winning spa provides an experience like none other in a space created with rejuvenation in mind.
Spa treatments come at additional cost, but it’ll be completely worth it with some of the tantalizing treatments available that will help you get in a more relaxed state of mind.
The Sandals Red Lane® Spa offers facial treatments, massage services, body services, and a Glamor Bar. Some of the most loved spa treatments available from The Red Lane® Spa include the Caribbean Seaweed Body Treatment, the Bridal Radiance Facial, and the Neroli Jasmine Candle Massage. The Glamor Bar offers manicures and pedicures.
Spa products can be purchased as well, which makes it easy to take some of the products you love from your treatments home with you.
Insider tip: At Sandals Resorts, the toiletries in your room are the same quality and brand that are sold at the spa, so all guests can get a taste of what’s on offer at the Red Lane® Spa - even if you don’t wish to spend extra on a treatment!
Not included: Spa treatments and products.
Included: Spa products in the room, replenished by the staff.
Private candlelight dinner on the beach
Sandals guests have plenty of options when it comes to dining in or out of the multiple themed restaurants on property. That list includes a private candlelight dinner experience on the beach during which couples can have an extra romantic date night under the stars.
The private candlelight dinner is available from 199 USD and will include white glove service, tropical floral arrangements and candlelight as well as your choice of cuisine and wine including a bottle of Ruffino Prosecco.
This option comes with unlimited pours of Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks® wines as well which will for sure add an elegant feel to every sit down. Reservations are required as seating is limited.
Not included: Private candlelight dinner.
Included: All restaurants on property (up to 16 different restaurants per resort!). All dishes on the menu are included and always unlimited. Want to have two starters and three deserts? Just ask!
Private cabana rental
Booking a private cabana at Sandals is a touch of finesse that gives you a bit extra when going on that romantic escape.
Private cabanas often come with a butler for the day, something that comes in handy for guests who want to enjoy the butler experience, but don’t necessarily want to commit to a butler level suite.
Cabanas can be booked on resort only; all you’ll need to do is provide information on breakfast selections. On your cabana day (the day you book), your private butler will escort you from your room to the cabana. You’ll enjoy your breakfast in the privacy of your cabana while waking up to the calming sounds of the ocean, and you’ll even get a butler cell phone that you can use to contact your butler if you need drinks or food delivered to your cabana (from any restaurant or bar!).
Private cabanas include an ice box to keep your favorite drinks cold. It’s a cozy spot in a privileged location, with a mattress and curtains for additional comfort and privacy. The oceanside ambiance of this optional add-on makes it completely worth the spend.
A private cabana rental costs around $150 for the day. Your butler will be at your disposal until late afternoon, about 4-5 PM.
Expert tip: Didn’t book a suite that comes with a personal butler? Experience a butler for a day by renting a beach cabana and spoil yourself! It’s a great extra touch.
Not included: Private cabanas with butler service.
Included: Any spot on the beach: it’s first come, first serve. You’ll just have to take a short walk to the bar if you didn’t book a Butler Suite. Towels are provided as well.
Scuba dive courses
Explore and discover a whole new world underneath the Caribbean waters! Scuba diving is incredibly popular in the Caribbean, and it is entirely possible to get scuba certified during your Sandals vacation if you aren’t already.
The cost you’ll pay for your certification includes the cost of instruction, reading materials, tests, and of course your certification card itself. The best part: as soon as you’re PADI® certified you can dive the rest of your vacation for free (max. two tanks a day). This includes professional equipment and the scuba diving staff!
PADI® certified, but haven’t dived in a while? Take the ‘Scuba review course’ on resort, to refresh your scuba knowledge and skills. It’ll help you build confidence for your upcoming dives! This course is available at the resort for 80 USD.
Wetsuit rental for scuba diving
It is completely possible to rent a wetsuit through Sandals for diving should you need it, but considering the warmth of the Caribbean waters, chances are you won’t. Some divers do prefer to dive with these for added protection. In any case, they’ll be available for rent at your Sandals resort (in the dive shop) for an additional cost of 10 USD per person per dive.
Not included: Getting PADI® certified, scuba courses, wetsuit rental.
Included: Free scuba diving trips for PADI® certified guests (max. two tanks a day), professional equipment, scuba staff.
Having a caddy when playing a round of golf
Golf is one of those things guests of Sandals who’re into the sport absolutely love, and mainly for the fact that Sandals resorts in Caribbean islands like Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, and Jamaica have some of the most stunning Championship golf courses associated with them.
Although green fees are generally included, caddies are mandatory and not included in your Sandals package. Having a caddie will really come in handy when going from hole to hole, as you’ll have all the assistance you need to make your game day a smooth one.
To find more information about the golf courses and the costs that are involved when playing a round, check out:
Not included: PGA golf lessons (optional), caddy (mandatory), golf cart rental (optional), club rentals (optional), shoe rental (optional).
Included: Green fees, transfers from and to resort.
Manager’s wine list
One of the biggest perks that comes with staying at a Sandals all-inclusive property has to do with the fact that not only will breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime snacks are provided and unlimited, the same applies for (alcoholic) drinks. This includes six varietals of Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks® wine.
There is a way to get a little extra than what’s on the menu at Sandals, at least when it comes to special wines. This comes at an added cost, but it is something wine connoisseurs will truly appreciate. Ask about the special Manager’s wine list when dining at any of your resort’s gourmet restaurants to make that special night extra special.
Not included: Special wines that are part of the Manager’s wine list.
Butler tips
Tips are one less thing you’ll have to worry about at Sandals Resorts as for the most part, these are included in the cost of your vacation package. There are a few exceptions though.
These include tour operators and airport transfer drivers (generally these are not Sandals employees), spa personnel (masseuses) and private butlers. You are free to tip separately in these instances for the services provided.
How much to tip your personal butler? Guests generally tip 20 - 25 USD per butler per day, depending how well their service was perceived. A butler team serving the Butler Suites consist out of three butlers a day. Curious about the kinds of things guests request from their butlers? Here are some of the most common Sandals butler requests!
Not included: Butler tips (if you booked a Butler Suite or private cabana for the day). Tips for spa personnel (masseuses), tour operators and airport transfer drivers (generally the drivers are not Sandals employees). All tips are optional and at your discretion.
Included: All other tips and gratuity.
Photo packages
Photo packages can be bought at the resort, which will come in handy in the event that your trip involves a celebration or other special occasion you want to capture.
In order to get a photo package, get your time slot scheduled and make arrangements while on resort. Sandals photographers are trained and can be depended upon to produce high quality images and videography using top-of-the-line equipment, the most current editing technology and custom print products.
Aside from special event photography, you can book garden, beach, or sunset photoshoots to memorialize your time together in the Caribbean.
Not included: Professional photo packages.
Included: Instagram-worthy views.
Even if you decide to leave your wallet at home, you’ll have a great time at Sandals...
All-inclusive should always be… all inclusive. You shouldn’t have to worry about hidden fees.
So, this is it: the things that are not included at Sandals Resorts. Once at the resort of your choice, you’ll quickly realize that these ‘Vacation Extras’ are not mandatory if you want to have an amazing time.
You’ll have plenty of fun in the sun sipping on the most amazing cocktails on the beach, having a drink at the swim-up bar, trying out the watersports, participating in some of the landsports, enjoying the restaurants, bars and entertainment. See the full list of inclusions here.
You won’t be bored at Sandals!
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