Have you ever visited somewhere that was so magical you felt at peace during every second? That was Sandals Grande St. Lucian for us. We decided on the location for our honeymoon based off of great reviews of the island and the gorgeous views that I had seen in photos.
Let me tell you- it did NOT disappoint. The people were wonderful and the resort we stayed at was amazing. I was a little bit nervous because it was March 2021, about a year after the pandemic and restrictions were beginning to be lifted, but I did not want the restrictions to impact our trip. Luckily, they didn’t! The staff did wear masks, and there were sanitizing stations, but aside from that- we did not really notice! It felt very safe and sanitary without feeling like we were in a hospital, if ya know what I mean.
We went for our honeymoon in March 2021, and the weather was incredible!! It was warm enough to be in the water and enjoy the sun, but not so hot that we were miserable. It was overcast one day, but it worked out perfect because that was our snorkeling day.
We stayed at Sandals Grande St. Lucian. What a beautiful, friendly resort! It is an all inclusive, adult only resort, and everything you need is right on property. (You can also jump to the other Sandals St. Lucia resorts during your stay if you choose!) Our room was a Caribbean Beachview Club Level- which means we had private check-in, concierge service, dedicated lounge, & stocked in-room bars. I really enjoyed having breakfast delivered to eat on my balcony as I watched the waves roll in each morning!
Sandals Grande St. Lucian Resort
The resort itself is beautiful. There are 5 pools and 3 whirlpools on site, some of which include swim up bars. There are cabanas, hammocks, beach side beds, and loungers with umbrellas. A lot of the chairs go fast, so you’ll want to snag one early! There are also places to lounge in the water itself, like swings, hammocks, and other loungers- these were our favorite.
There is a beautiful spa and gym on site. While I wish I could say I got up everyday and worked out- I absolutely did not. BUT we did book an incredible couples massage at the spa! There is also a large golf course, tennis, beach volleyball, snorkeling, waterskiing, wakeboarding, paddleboards, kayaks and more- there really is something for everyone. As far as food goes, there are 12 incredible restaurants that are included in your stay with a wide variety of food options. There is a dress code, so be mindful of that. Most are resort casual, but a few do require evening attire.
Resort Photographers are all over taking photos that are available for purchase at the photo center on property. We had pictures done daily just for fun, and also scheduled a sunset photoshoot one night! We waited until the last day to view all of the pictures taken, and ended up getting a pretty good package deal on them.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian Resort Itinerary
Itinerary: March 7-14
Day 1: Arrived and went through customs. It is about a 90 minute drive from Hewanorra International Airport- I get pretty car sick, so we opted to use a helicopter transfer that took us almost all the way to the resort. We used the company St. Lucia Helicopters and it was an incredible experience!!
After a long day of travel, we were exhausted. Once we got to the resort, they took our bags for us and showed us to the Sandals Club lounge where we were offered signature cocktails, made our dinner reservations for a few nights, and had a little tour to see where everything was. After that we grabbed a bite to eat at Olde London Pub– it is a cute little Irish pub, and the food was really good!
Day 2: We mostly lounged around all day, but we had evening reservations for a nice dinner at Toscaninis– it is a delicious Italian restaurant where we were seated outside and got to enjoy the sunset as we ate our meal.
Day 3: We slept in pretty late this day. When we finally got out of bed, we explored the resort and visited the pool bar, then had dinner at Barefoot by the Sea– delicious surf & turf!
Day 4: Ok, so we booked a snorkeling trip with an outside company who took us to Marigot Bay and fed us a delicious, home cooked meal. They also recreated the mud baths for us since they were closed due to covid. Looking back, that might have all been a liiiiitle bit sketchy, but it was honestly my favorite day of our trip! I wish I could remember the people who hosted us, they were such a good time!
We booked a sunset cruise for that evening and we had a blast! The boat had a DJ and bar. We have a great time having drinks and meeting other couples while watching the most amazing sunset.
After we returned that evening we had reservations for dinner at Gordon’s Pier. It is a steakhouse right on the water, and very scenic! I recommend trying to book around sunset- but be sure to book a few days in advance because it’s a very popular time!!
Day 5: The best part of this trip was we really had no real plan. Most days were spent ordering room service and going down to the pool or beach, going back to the room for a shower and to get ready, then going to dinner. On this day, we ate at Soy for dinner with GREAT sushi!
Day 6: We got up and grabbed a light breakfast at Bayside which has a diverse variety of food served buffet style, then we had a scheduled couples massage on site. They were so great, and I definitely recommend. After that, we walked the beach and ate lunch at Mariner– they had the BEST Po’boys! After hanging at the pool and visiting the pool bar for a bit, we got ready for dinner at Bombay– great Indian food!
Day 7: This was a busier day for us! We ordered room service for breakfast, then went down to the beach and rented Jet skis for a bit before hanging by the pool. We headed back to the room early to get ready because we scheduled a Sunset Photo shoot with the on site photographers! It was such a fun experience and I absolutely loved our pictures. That evening we had a candlelight dinner on the beach- I highly recommend this! It was a romantic 3 course meal and a glass of Champagne.
Day 8: We got up early and had room service delivered, and then we had a morning ferry transfer back to the airport. We used Fun to See Island Ferry Service and it was great! The people were SO friendly and shared a lot of cool information about the island.
Tips for Planning Your Trip to St. Lucia
St. Lucia is a beautiful Caribbean island that enjoys warm weather year-round, so really, going any time would be great! It’s said that late spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October) are the best times to visit because the weather is usually mild and the island is much less crowded. However, I have read that there are still MANY activities and festivals during this time, and it’s actually the best time to get the true feel of the island! You’ll also find the best deals on accommodations and flights during these months. Like I mentioned before, we went at the beginning of March and I thought it was perfect!
The average temperatures range from 77-87 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, so bring light and comfortable clothing that will work well with whatever activities that you wish to do on the island from hiking, swimming, to enjoying a nice dinner.
Bring your passport: all visitors must have a valid passport to enter the resort.
Vaccinations: you should check with your doctor to see if any vaccinations are recommended prior to travel or if there are any local health risks you need to be cautious of.
Local currency: the local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, so make sure to exchange some money for local use! We were able to use our card on file at the resort, but if you plan on leaving, I would make sure you have local money.
Activities: there are plenty of activities to enjoy at the resort, such as snorkeling, kayaking, and beach volleyball. They also hold fun little games and activities throughout the day and evening! My husband and I won a couples water ballon toss one day and got a cute set of coasters.
Using your phone: Most carriers offer affordable plans for international travel. They usually charge as low as $10 US a day to use your data while you’re away on your trip. If your own carrier doesn’t have a plan, I’ve read that there are local carriers (FLOW and Digicel) that have reasonable plans to use during your trip.
Top Things To Do in St. Lucia
I highly recommend leaving the resort a few times to experience the beauty of the island and the wonderful culture. Here are a few suggestions:
- Visit the drive-in volcano at Soufriere. This is a great way to experience the island’s natural beauty and feel the warmth of the hot springs.
- Take a boat trip to the Marigot Bay. It’s said that the bay has some of the best views in St Lucia and offers a great opportunity for snorkeling and swimming!
- Visit the Rodney Bay Marina. This charming marina is home to a variety of restaurants and shops, and offers a great experience of the island’s vibrant culture.
- I am DYING to go on a rainforest adventure. St Lucia is home to some of the most stunning rainforest landscapes- it’s perfect for hiking and exploring!!
- Take a trip to the Pigeon Island National Park. You can explore historic forts, beautiful beaches and see serveral other attractions.
- There are many festivals throughout the year, here is a link to the schedule!
