I’ve been so excited to write this post! My husband and I have had the incredible experience of staying at two Sandals resorts that offer overwater bungalows, and while these rooms come with a hefty price tag, we can’t recommend them enough. When we get the chance to take a quick getaway without our kids, we love finding truly special and romantic destinations—and these overwater bungalows are exactly that.
While we haven’t stayed at other Sandals resorts outside of these two experiences, I can confidently say that from start to finish, we felt completely pampered both times. The level of service, attention to detail, and overall luxury made our stays unforgettable.
We’ve stayed at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Sandals Grande St. Lucian in St. Lucia, and I’ll dive into the details of the rooms and resort amenities below. Both resorts offer an intimate, secluded feel, paired with exceptional service and world-class dining. And since all Sandals resorts are adults-only, they make for the perfect romantic escape.
Arriving at the Resorts
Sandals Royal Caribbean
Our arrival in Montego Bay was seamless and far more enjoyable compared to our experience in St. Lucia. One of the biggest perks of booking our room category was the included VIP Arrival Service, and let me tell you, it was absolutely worth it. While the line at customs was ridiculously long, we were met by an escort as soon as we stepped off the plane, allowing us to bypass the main entry line entirely. In no time, we were through the process and greeted by our driver for our private transfer, complete with beverages and sandwiches waiting for us in the vehicle.
The resort is conveniently located just 15 minutes from the airport, making for an easy and stress-free transfer. Since we arrived early in the day, our room wasn’t ready yet, but the staff took care of our luggage and introduced us to our butler for the stay. They walked us over to a beachfront lunch spot, where we kicked off our vacation with a cocktail in hand. It wasn’t long before our butler returned to escort us to our overwater bungalow- an absolutely dreamy start to our trip.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
This trip was extra special for us since it was our first time visiting St. Lucia- a destination that had been on our bucket list for ages. The island’s stunning beauty had always intrigued us, and the fact that Sandals offered overwater bungalows here made it an easy choice.
Unlike Sandals Royal Caribbean, this resort does not offer a VIP Arrival Service for any room category, which I assume is due to airport restrictions. We flew into Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), the island’s main airport. There is a smaller, more conveniently located airport—George F.L. Charles Airport (SLU)—which is only about a 20-minute drive from the resort, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find flights there from San Antonio that aligned with our travel dates.
The airport process at UVF was slow and a bit tedious compared to our Montego Bay experience, but once we cleared customs, we were greeted by our driver and began the journey to the resort. We had been prepared for a long drive, and due to traffic and the time of day, it took about 1 hour and 45 minutes to reach Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
Luckily, our room was ready upon arrival, so after being introduced to our butler, we quickly got settled in before heading straight to lunch. From that moment on, we were in full vacation mode, ready to soak in everything this breathtaking resort had to offer!
Rooms
Royal Caribbean
This resort offers two types of overwater bungalows:
- Overwater Private Island Butler Honeymoon Bungalow
- Overwater Private Island Butler Villa with Infinity Pool
Since this was our first time experiencing an overwater bungalow, we decided to go all out and splurge on the villa with the infinity pool. Privacy is a huge priority for us, and since I spend a lot of time in the pool at resorts, we knew this upgrade would be well worth it.
The moment we stepped into our bungalow, I was completely blown away. The interior was stunning, and the panoramic ocean views were absolutely breathtaking. The room itself was incredibly spacious, featuring a king-sized bed, a kitchen area with a dining table, and a huge bathroom complete with a shower, bathtub, and plenty of closet space. One of our favorite design details was the see-through glass floor, allowing us to watch the fish swim beneath our feet- it was such a cool touch!
As much as we loved the indoor space, the private porch was the true highlight. Since we booked the Overwater Private Island Butler Villa with Infinity Pool, we had our own private infinity pool, plenty of seating, including a large lounge chair, and an overwater hammock. The stair access to the ocean was a dream, leading to a floating swim platform where we could relax right on the water. We watched so many amazing sunsets from the porch!
These overwater bungalows are situated on their own private island, meaning guests take a boat shuttle to and from the main resort. However, between our private pool and the exclusive bungalow island pool with a bar, we rarely felt the need to leave, except for dining at the main resort. It was the perfect balance of seclusion and luxury.
Grande St. Lucian
Unlike Royal Caribbean, this resort offers only one overwater bungalow option: the Overwater Honeymoon Butler Bungalow. We knew going in that we wouldn’t have a private pool like we did in Jamaica, but we were excited to make the most of the direct ocean access and the main resort pool, which was just a short walk away.
The room itself was just as stunning as our experience at Royal Caribbean, but it was a bit smaller, both in the interior space and on the patio. The bathroom was more compact, featuring an outdoor soaking tub instead of an indoor bathtub. Additionally, instead of a kitchen area with a dining table, this bungalow had a small bar area/counter at the entryway.
The patio was noticeably smaller, with less seating than what we had at SRC, but the views were still absolutely breathtaking! The bungalow also included the see-through glass floor, which is always a fun feature.
Despite the difference in size and amenities, we were still very happy with this room. Plus, the price point is significantly lower than the overwater villas at SRC that include private pools. So, if you’re looking for a more wallet friendly overwater experience with Sandals, this is a fantastic option.
Tipping & Butler Service
One of the things I truly love about Sandals Resorts is their no-tipping policy. It’s such a relief to enjoy an all-inclusive experience without worrying about carrying cash or signing a check every time you order a drink or meal.
That said, there are two key exceptions where tipping is customary: transportation drivers and butlers.
The butler service at Sandals is exceptional. The butlers are incredibly friendly, attentive, and go above and beyond to make your stay unforgettable. Each time we’ve stayed, we were assigned two butlers, with one typically serving as our primary butler. Throughout the week, they assist with dining and excursion reservations, surprise you with snacks and drinks while you’re lounging, and even arrange private in-room dining experiences, adding such a special touch to the trip.
As for tipping, the amount is entirely up to you, but we typically tipped $25–$50 per person per day, depending on the level of service and how much we personally requested. Naturally, we gave a little extra to our main butler since they were our primary point of contact. We also waited until the end of the stay and gave them cash and a thank you card.
If you’re considering booking a butler-level room, I highly recommend it- it truly enhances the experience!
Dining
Royal Caribbean
This resort offers nine on-site restaurants, and guests also have access to 12 additional restaurants at the nearby Sandals Montego Bay. While complimentary transportation is provided for those who want to explore the additional dining options, we found that the variety and quality of food at Royal Caribbean were more than enough to keep us satisfied so we never felt the need to venture over to SMB.
One of the things we appreciated most was the consistently high quality of the food. Every meal we had was fantastic, and the experience was made even better by the convenience of simply showing up- no worrying about pricing, tipping, or unexpected upcharges. From what I recall, there were no additional charges for premium dishes like steak or lobster, which was a refreshing perk compared to some other all-inclusive resorts.
We truly enjoyed every dining experience, but one of the most memorable was our romantic dinner on the patio of our bungalow. Our butler arranged a private, multi-course meal for us, allowing us to select dishes from one of the resort’s restaurants. Each course was beautifully presented and timed perfectly throughout the evening, making for an unforgettable private dining experience with a beautiful sunset that ultimately ended under the stars.
Grande St. Lucian
At this resort, guests have access to 12 on-site restaurants, along with 15 additional dining options at Sandals Regency La Toc and Sandals Halcyon Beach. Just like at Royal Caribbean, we found that the on-site options were more than sufficient, so we didn’t feel the need to explore the sister properties.
The food quality was just as outstanding as our previous Sandals experience, and we especially loved the emphasis on outdoor dining. Many of the restaurants featured open-air seating with breathtaking views, allowing us to soak in the stunning Caribbean atmosphere while enjoying our meals and drinks.
Whether you’re in the mood for an elegant steakhouse dinner, fresh seafood by the water, or something more casual, there’s truly something for everyone. The service was always top-notch, and every meal felt like a special experience rather than just another resort buffet.
Things to Do
Royal Caribbean
There was no shortage of activities to keep us entertained throughout our stay. That said, since we had booked such an incredible overwater bungalow, we spent the majority of our time simply enjoying the luxury of our room and private pool. For this trip, we decided to skip any off-site excursions and instead take full advantage of the resort’s amenities.
One of the highlights of our stay was having stand-up paddleboards delivered directly to our bungalow, allowing us to paddle out right from our private deck. It was such a fun and relaxing way to explore the waters. The resort also offers a variety of water sports, including kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving, as well as fitness classes, beach volleyball, and other land activities.
In the evenings, we made a point to check out the resort’s nightly entertainment. While some performances were a lot of fun, others were a bit of a miss. It really just depended on the night. But overall, the entertainment provided a lively atmosphere, and it was nice to have something to do after dinner.
Grande St. Lucian
Since this was our first time visiting St. Lucia, we knew we wanted to venture off the resort and experience some of the island’s natural beauty. We booked a full-day excursion that turned out to be an absolute highlight of our trip.
The excursion included:
- Breathtaking views of the Pitons – the iconic twin peaks that define St. Lucia’s landscape.
- A mud bath at Sulphur Springs – an incredibly unique (and slightly messy) experience that left our skin feeling great.
- A swim in the Toraille Waterfalls – the perfect way to cool off in a beautiful setting.
- Snorkeling in crystal-clear waters – an amazing chance to explore vibrant marine life.
- A delicious buffet meal – featuring authentic local cuisine, which was a great way to try new flavors.
We started the tour by taking a boat from the resort, docking near Soufrière, and then driving through town to reach our different destinations. The day was jam-packed with adventure, and we highly recommend it if you’re looking to see more of what St. Lucia has to offer beyond the resort.
Back at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the on-site activities were just as plentiful as at Royal Caribbean. Guests can enjoy scuba diving, water and land sports, fitness classes, and a full-service spa. The evening entertainment was similar to our experience at SRC- a mix of hits and misses, but still a fun way to wind down after a day in paradise.
Final Thoughts
Overall, our stays at Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Grande St. Lucian were absolutely unforgettable. Both resorts offered stunning overwater bungalows, top-tier service, and incredible dining experiences, making for two of the most relaxing and romantic getaways we’ve ever had.
If you’re looking for an overwater bungalow experience without the long-haul flights to places like the Maldives or Bora Bora, these Caribbean alternatives are fantastic options. Sandals Royal Caribbean, in particular, stood out for its easy accessibility, quick transfer from the airport, and seamless arrival process which makes it an excellent choice if you want a luxury getaway without excessive travel time.
That said, Sandals Grande St. Lucian offers a breathtaking setting with dramatic mountain views, turquoise waters, and the opportunity to explore the beauty of St. Lucia. If you’re someone who enjoys venturing off the resort for excursions and sightseeing, this location provides a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
No matter which you choose, both resorts deliver top-notch hospitality, beautiful surroundings, and an ultra-romantic atmosphere- ideal for couples looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply escape to paradise.
Would we return to these resorts? Absolutely!
Leave a Reply