If planning nothing at all sounds like the right way to start married life, this is your Saint Lucia address. The resort long known as Sandals Grande St. Lucian, now marketed as Sandals St. Lucia Grand Bay, sits on a slender peninsula at the northern tip of the island, with Rodney Bay's calm water on one side, views toward the Atlantic on the other and the green hump of Pigeon Island at the end of the beach. It is kid-free, designed exclusively for couples and genuinely all-inclusive: meals, top-shelf drinks, scuba diving, golf green fees, airport transfers, taxes and gratuities are all part of the rate.
Sandals is a big, sociable resort rather than a hushed retreat, but it has the range to suit very different honeymoons. You can spend the week at the swim-up bar and the dive shop, or book an overwater bungalow with a glass floor, a soaking tub for two and a butler who handles every detail. Add a dozen or so restaurants, several pools and the ability to dine at Sandals' two other Saint Lucia resorts. It is easy to see why it remains one of the island's most popular honeymoon choices.
Highlights at a glance
- Kid-free, couples-only all-inclusive
- Overwater bungalows with glass floors and butler service
- Included scuba diving and golf green fees
- Long beach facing Pigeon Island on calm Rodney Bay
- Around a dozen restaurants and seven bars
- Dine-around access to two other Sandals resorts
A Peninsula at the Island's Tip
The resort stretches along a narrow spit of land between Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island National Landmark, on Saint Lucia's northwest coast, about six miles from the capital, Castries. The long, pale-sand beach faces the sheltered bay, where the water tends to be calm and good for swimming. Pigeon Island's old fort ruins are only a short walk away.
The north of the island has a different personality from the dramatic Pitons in the south. It is flatter and more social, with Rodney Bay's marina, restaurants and nightlife a short taxi ride away. The famous Friday night street party in Gros Islet is close by. For couples who want an easy, sunny beach base with plenty of options, that convenience is a real asset.
Overwater Bungalows, Rondovals and Butler Suites
With about 300 rooms and suites, choosing well makes a big difference to your experience. Broadly, there are three levels of service: standard rooms, Club level rooms with lounge access and butler-serviced suites.
- Overwater bungalows are the headline act: glass floor panels for watching fish beneath you, a private outdoor soaking tub for two, a hammock suspended over the water and Butler Elite service.
- Grande Rondovals are circular suites with private plunge pools and hot tubs, offering privacy on land.
- Two-story oceanfront Butler Suites suit couples who want space and personal service.
- Swim-up rooms open straight from the patio into a lagoon-style pool.
Standard rooms feature four-poster king beds and balconies or patios and offer a more affordable way to enjoy the same beach and inclusions.
Twelve Restaurants, No Checks
Dining is where an all-inclusive either shines or disappoints. The sheer variety here keeps a week interesting. Expect a mix that runs from beachside burgers and a casual British-style pub to Indian cuisine, Japanese dining, a sushi bar, a French-style bistro and an elegant over-the-water restaurant for your dressiest evening.
Seven bars, including a swim-up bar, keep the drinks flowing, with premium spirits and wines included. Minibars are stocked and replenished. Through Sandals' Stay at 1, Play at 3 program, you can also hop over to the brand's two other Saint Lucia resorts, Sandals Halcyon Beach and Sandals Regency La Toc, for even more restaurants, with shuttles provided.
Why guests fall for it
Red Lane Spa and Water Sports
The Red Lane Spa offers massages, body treatments and couples rituals inspired by Caribbean traditions; treatments cost extra, but a side-by-side massage after a week of sun is worth budgeting for.
The resort's water sports operation is one of the strongest in the Sandals portfolio. Almost everything is included. Certified divers can join daily PADI dives, while beginners can take an introductory course in the scuba pool before heading to the reefs. Snorkeling trips, kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie Cats and waterskiing are all on offer. Golfers get green fees at the nearby 18-hole Cap Estate Golf & Country Club, with shuttles included. Tennis and a fitness center round things out.
Beyond the Resort
Being in the north puts some of Saint Lucia's best-loved experiences within easy reach. Walk to Pigeon Island National Landmark to climb to Fort Rodney for views up the coast and across to Martinique on clear days. On Friday nights, head to the Gros Islet street party for grilled fish, music and dancing with locals.
For the island's famous scenery, book a day trip south to the Pitons, either by catamaran along the west coast, stopping to snorkel, or overland with stops at the Sulphur Springs and Diamond Falls in Soufrière. Rainforest zip-lining, rum tastings and sunset sails from Rodney Bay are other popular outings.
Why Guests Fall in Love
Couples consistently highlight how relaxing it is when everything is taken care of. Reviewers love signing for nothing, from cocktails at the swim-up bar to a dive in the morning and a round of golf in the afternoon.
The beach and its views of Pigeon Island earn frequent praise, as does the friendly, upbeat staff who make honeymooners feel celebrated. Guests in overwater bungalows and butler suites often describe their butlers as the highlight of the trip, handling dinner reservations, setting up surprises and drawing baths. Divers and water sports enthusiasts single out the value of included scuba. Many couples love having the variety of restaurants plus the bonus of exploring two sister resorts.
Good to Know
This is a large resort with a lot of walking between buildings, pools and restaurants, so pack comfortable sandals. The main pool and swim-up bar are lively and social; if you want peace, the quieter landscaped pools are a better bet. Some extras, such as spa treatments, private cabanas and premium wine lists, cost more.
George F. L. Charles Airport near Castries is close by, but most nonstop flights from the US land at Hewanorra International in the south, about a 1.5-hour drive. Round-trip transfers are included. If you go to the Gros Islet street party, take a taxi there and back and keep phones and cash close in the crowd. Pack repellent for the evenings; dengue occurs in Saint Lucia, so if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices before you travel.
The resort is the same property formerly known as Sandals Grande St. Lucian, so you may see both names when researching or booking.
Insider tips
- Book an overwater bungalow or Grande Rondoval if privacy matters; butler service transforms the experience at a large resort.
- Bring your dive certification card to take full advantage of included scuba.
- Walk to Pigeon Island early in the morning before the heat and the crowds.
- Ask about Sandals' honeymoon and wedding perks at booking; promotions change often.
