We stayed at Sandals’ newest resort in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Sandals operates 18 all-inclusive, adults-only resorts in popular destinations like Jamaica and The Bahamas, but its newest location lies on the island of St. Vincent, a lesser-known eastern Caribbean island in the West Indies. When the opening of this lush, new resort, which lies between a beach and a rainforest, first came on my radar, I had never heard of the country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Visiting this beautiful resort, however, boosted St. Vincent to one of my favorite travel destinations in the world.

Not only had I never visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but I’d also never stayed at a Sandals resort. While my husband and I have stayed at a few adults-only all-inclusives in Mexico over the years, we were wholly unfamiliar with the Sandals brand or the things its resorts have to offer. It’s safe to say I’m now a believer — after spending five nights at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines, I’m already thinking about when I can get to another Sandals resort. 

Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines is so beautiful, however, that it’d be hard not to return to that exact spot on my next adults-only vacation. Want a peek inside Sandals’ newest resort? Here’s what to know about Sandals in St. Vincent.

What is Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines like?

Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines is located between a rainforest and the beach in a valley surrounded with lush, tree-covered mountains. The location is beautiful, and during our trip I told my husband the resort grounds were giving me both “Lost” and “FernGully: The Last Rainforest” vibes. With greenery everywhere and crystal blue waters, the resort is so beautiful you won’t want to leave, but the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are equally lovely to explore.

Sandals is known for buying failing resorts, and the St. Vincent location is no different. Formerly Buccament Bay Resort, Sandals swept on the property and gave it a makeover, adding buildings and renovating the existing ones. The result is a 300-room, all-inclusive, adults-only resort that opened in spring 2024 and is filled with stunning views, exciting activities, opportunities for relaxation, and amazing food and drinks.

What’s included when you stay at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

Everything is included in the cost of a stay at Sandals, with the exception of add-ons like spa treatments at Red Lane Spa or excursions to explore the island. It’s entirely possible to pay for your stay at Sandals up front and never need your wallet for the duration of your trip, as everything from gratuities to specialty dining are included in the cost of your stay.

Whether you’re ordering margaritas at the swim-up bar or having a steakhouse dinner at Butch’s Island Chop House, there’s never a need to worry about feeling nickel-and-dimed. With a Sandals vacation, all that’s required is for you to show up and get ready to relax.

What are the rooms like at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

There are 300 rooms at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s a small resort with an intimate, boutiquey feel, offering rooms with features like butler service, in-room fitness areas, and more. In butler-service rooms, guests are assigned a dedicated staff member who can assist with in-room requests, booking excursions, and anything else you may need. Non-butler rooms still come with Sandals-level service, with morning and evening housekeeping visits, a room service menu, the ability to request specific items in your in-room mini-bar, and more.

On our trip, we stayed in a non-butler suite with a swim-up patio. Our room backed up to its own pool, making it impossible not to take a relaxing dip multiple times a day. Swim-up suites also have a separate media room with a sofa and large television set. We weren’t sure we’d use that amenity, but ended up relaxing in our room one night watching the “Top Chef” finale and ordering snacks from room service.

Which restaurants are at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

There are 11 different restaurants on property at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The two ice cream and coffee shops, Crema and Blum Jamaican Coffee, are open through most of the morning, afternoon, and evening, and were our go-to spots to grab morning iced lattes and afternoon ice cream treats. 

From 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., there are two quick-service spots open on the property: Pizzeria Isola, which serves wood-fired pizzas, and Imoro, a counter-service salad spot where guests can build their own green bowls.

There are a few restaurants with a sit-down service style and a more casual feel. The Jerk Shack, open for lunch and dinner, serves everything from Jamaican meat pies to goat curry, while Parisol Beach Club was our go-to spot for locally inspired dishes for breakfast and lunch.

With five different elegant sit-down restaurants to choose from for dinner, there’s truly something for everyone. Sandals’ staples like Gatsu Gatsu (Japanese), Sora (Italian), Butch’s Island Chophouse (steaks), and Scrimshaw (seafood with a local flare) are delights to dine at. The real star of this property, however, is Buccan, Sandals’ first-ever family-style dining experience where guests are treated to authentic Vincentian cuisine like lamb curry, fried red snapper, and a to-die-for mango chutney ice cream dessert.

What activities are there at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

There’s a pretty active calendar of activities at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines, from morning kayaking trips with the watersports team to bracelet-making classes under a shaded pavilion. Daily, there’s a DJ and games at the swim-up bar in the main pool, and on several evenings, we took in Caribbean-flavored shows with music, costumes, and dancing. There was karaoke at Three Jewels, the rum bar on property, and a poolside nighttime movie, for which Sandals provided headphones for each guest so the sound wasn’t played resort-wide.

Who is Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines best for?

Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a great spot for anyone who wants to get away kid-free. There’s a definite couple-friendly vibe to the property: We saw lots of romantic dinners on the beach and honeymooners on vacation during the trip, but also noticed quite a few groups traveling together. From bachelorette parties, to several retiree couples on a vacation together, the resort definitely isn’t all couples all the time.

What’s more, there’s enough to do to customize your stay at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines to appeal to any guest. Whether your vacation vibe is getting a facial and massage at the spa and reading poolside or adventuring on kayaks out into the cliffs around the resort, it’s easy to focus on your favorite vacation activities at this destination.

What should I know about St. Vincent and the Grenadines before visiting the Sandals there?

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a pretty amazing spot that has lots to offer. “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” was filmed there, and we took an excursion to see the set, which has been maintained by locals. We also left the resort to swim in a 110-foot waterfall, check out ancient rocks that are UNESCO World Heritage sites, island-hop to places like Mustique and Bequia, and learn as much as possible about Vincentian culture.

St. Vincent is a volcanic island and was affected by an eruption of its La Soufrière volcano in 2020, followed by taking a hard hit from Hurricane Elsa in 2021. Combined with the coronavirus pandemic, the island struggled for the first part of the decade, but is again finding its footing. The addition of a Sandals resort brings tons of jobs to the island of St. Vincent, and its people are among the most lovely I’ve met while traveling. 

As a writer who covers travel and food, I can tell you, Vincentians know how to eat, so don’t miss trying the locally inspired items on the menu if you visit Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. From pholourie (fried split pea flour dough balls served with chutney) to salt fish and bakes (homemade biscuits) served with guava jam, one of my favorite parts about my trip to this all-inclusive was that there was so much local food featured on its menus.

No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.