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With nonstop flights from Miami and a new Sandals resort to experience, it's a must for any South Florida traveler
I’ve stayed at a handful of all-inclusive beach resorts, but none have come close to my experience at the new Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. First of all: St. Vincent is stunning—like a miniature Hawaii lush with tropical forests, misty cliffs and multiple rainbows a day (seriously).
Before this trip, I admit, I couldn’t point out St. Vincent and the Grenadines on a map. (It’s a little chain of volcanic islands just north of Venezuela and south of St. Lucia.) My primary references for Sandals’ resorts were the heart-shaped pools and steamy sunset silhouettes of ’90s-era TV commercials. But I’m no stranger to the beauty and laidback charm of the Caribbean. So when I was invited to visit the latest Sandals property and get acquainted with the brand’s luxurious new direction, of course, I said yes.
During my stay, I quickly learned about Sandals’ legacy as a family-owned resort group, founded by Jamaican-born entrepreneur Gordon “Butch” Stewart in 1981 and helmed by his son, Adam Stewart, since 2021. Even though the young Stewart has been working on modernizing his late father’s vision, it was clear that he and the company remain committed to the same hospitality, warmth and fun spirit of the originals.
It also didn’t take long to discover that Sandals guests tend to be deeply loyal to the brand. Many of my poolside conversations centered around couples’ previous trips to other Sandals and Beaches properties. (Beaches is the family-friendly counterpart to Sandals, for the uninitiated.) Based on my time at Sandals Saint Vincent, it was easy to see why so many guests keep coming back.
My nonstop flight from Miami International Airport to St. Vincent’s Argyle International Airport took around three and a half hours. It wasn’t a full flight, so we were able to spread out. Though it was about an hour delayed, we made up most of the time in the air. Currently, American is the only airline offering nonstop flights to St. Vincent from South Florida, with one outbound flight daily that takes off around 11am and arrives around 3:30pm. (St. Vincent time is one hour ahead of Miami.)
Once you land, it’s another 20 to 30-minute shuttle ride through cliffside villages to the marina, where (if you’ve opted for the water transfer option) a Sandals catamaran will be waiting to whisk you and the other guests to the resort. The sun was beginning to set as we pulled up to the Sandals dock, a lineup of sharply dressed staff waving with welcome cocktails in hand. (Cue the theme music from White Lotus here.) After disembarking, designated butlers called our names one by one and led us to check-in.
It’s hard to argue with any of these brand-new rooms: their modern, pristine finishes, plush linens, flattering lighting and crisp air conditioning. But this Sandals has gone the extra mile to offer every possible amenity a guest could dream up. There are rooms with their own pools, suites with private gyms and casitas with separate media rooms and kitchenettes. All come with a massive soaking tub and beautiful view, whether it’s a rainforested mountain, a tropical garden, a sparkling pool or the ocean.
The most coveted accommodations at this resort are the Vincy Overwater Two-Story Villas that float on stilts above a private cove. Though I did not stay in one of these villas, my Garden Butler Suite came with a sexy private patio, a snug couch for watching movies and a massive bathroom with at least four shower heads that all made me slightly regret leaving my husband behind for this trip.
As the name suggests, my suite also came with the aforementioned butler service, available in eight of the 15 room categories. I was given a smartphone programmed with my butler’s number for seamless communication throughout my stay. Butlers can do handy things for you, like make spa or dinner reservations, plan excursions or order room service. Since my media trip came with its own itinerary, I didn’t use the service much, but it was nice to have in case any questions or changes came up.
We dined at Buccan on my first night, which was the perfect introduction to the resort’s impressive culinary program. Designed to showcase the ingredients and culture of the country, meals here are sourced from the sea and local farms, well-spiced and served family-style. The menu is set by the chefs and everything is cooked over an open fire, with fresh rum concoctions to complement.
By morning, I fueled up with cold brew at Crema (which is also an all-day ice cream shop) and at night, we sipped our last mojitos with fresh personal pizzas from Isola. With 11 different restaurant concepts to choose from, I couldn’t try them all, but I got close. At Gatsu Gatsu, I ate my weight in delicious sushi, nigiri and handrolls and at Imoro, I ordered a flavor-packed jerk cobb bowl that paired perfectly with my day by the pool. These were dishes that I would happily pay full price for out in the real world, but it’s pretty magical not having to settle a bill at the end.
My first full day at Sandals was spent outside the resort, exploring the Grenadine islands of Mustique and Bequia. Though the excursion was led by Sandals’ Island Routes tour company, it’s not part of the inclusions and costs $300 per person. Still, I’d highly recommend it for anyone curious to see more of the country and learn about its history. For instance, did you know Princess Margaret built a villa on Mustique, where she threw legendary parties in the ’70s? Mustique is a tiny private island home to the ultra-wealthy, but we were allowed to hang out at its local bar, Basils, swim at a pretty beach, and explore a few shops while we were there.
After, we hopped over to Bequia, a bustling and colorful island where we had lunch and browsed local wares from the street vendors. Fair warning: The journey from the resort to Mustique takes around 1.5 hours, much of it in open water, so be prepared if you tend to suffer from seasickness.
There are so many other activities to check out if the mood strikes, and most of them are inclusions: kayaking and snorkeling, tennis and golf, scuba and wakeboarding, bocce and billiards—basically, name it. For an extra cost, the waterfall hikes, ATV tours and volcano sunset cruises sound pretty magical, too. But after my big day of island-hopping, I was ready to take in the full Sandals experience.
Nestled between mountains and the ocean, with four pools and an expansive spa, this resort is a gem of manicured tropical scenery and ultra-relaxed adults living their best lives. In the morning, I lazed on the beach and swam in the ocean before posting up at a cabana by the main pool. Here, you’ll find a massive swim-up bar where all the action happens: DJs, games, water aerobics, mingling with fellow guests. By night, the resort’s many indoor and outdoor bars light up with live music and late-night karaoke. Compared to other all-inclusive resorts I’ve visited, the vibe here was a bit more mellow—just enough of a scene to feel like I let loose but still got a good night’s sleep.
On my last morning, I squeezed in a 90-minute massage at the resort’s Red Lane Spa. The treatments are not inclusions and are priced comparably to luxury spas back home, with high-end facilities to match. If I had more time, I would have complemented my massage with a nice long steam. But alas, it was time to pack up. My trip to Saint Vincent was coming to an end.
Throughout my three nights at Sandals Saint Vincent, I felt safe and well looked after by the friendly staff, with ample space for quiet and opportunities to socialize and explore. Though tourism is growing here, SVG is absolutely still a hidden gem, which made the visit even more special. If this is the Sandals of the future, it all felt elevated and thoughtful with a healthy dose of fun and aventure—my ideal formula for an island holiday.
Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.
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