Let me ask you something.
When you book an all-inclusive vacation, what exactly do you expect to be included?
Your room?
Food?
Drinks?
Maybe some entertainment?
Okay. But what happens when your plane lands?
Who's picking you up from the airport?
Because I've seen all-inclusive resorts where you get a great-looking package, but then you realize airport transportation isn't included.
Now you're figuring out how to get from the airport to your resort, how much it's going to cost, and who's getting you back to the airport when your vacation is over.
And I'm thinking…
Didn't we just book an all-inclusive vacation? 😂
This is one of the reasons I like Sandals Resorts.
Now, I'm not telling you Sandals is the only good all-inclusive resort company out there. There are plenty of great options throughout the Caribbean and Mexico.
But there are some things Sandals does that I think travelers should know about before comparing prices.
And one of them is a weekly promotion that many people have probably never even heard of.
Let's talk about it.
First, Not All All-Inclusive Resorts Are Created Equal
Here's something I always want travelers to understand.
All-inclusive is not a universal checklist.
One resort might include food and drinks but charge extra for certain restaurants.
Another might include some activities but charge for motorized water sports.
Some include airport transportation.
Others don't.
So when somebody tells me:
“Eric, I found an all-inclusive resort for less money.”
Okay.
Let's compare it.
Because I don't just want to know the price.
I want to know what you're getting for that price.
Sometimes the cheaper resort really is the better value.
Other times, once we start adding transportation, activities and other expenses, the difference isn't what it originally appeared to be.
And that's where Sandals gets my attention.
Number One: Sandals Picks You Up From the Airport
This is one of my favorite Sandals inclusions.
Round-trip airport transfers are included.
Think about that for a second.
You've been traveling all day.
Maybe you had an early flight.
Maybe you had a connection.
Maybe you've been sitting in an airport for hours.
You finally land in the Caribbean.
The last thing I want you worrying about is finding a taxi or negotiating transportation to your resort.
Sandals arranges the included airport transfers from its designated airports.
You provide your flight information, follow the arrival instructions, and transportation is arranged to take you to the resort.
And when it's time to go home?
Your return transfer is included too.
Now, don't misunderstand me. Depending on which Sandals resort you're visiting, that transfer could be a short ride or a much longer journey.
And if you want a special private or upgraded transportation experience, that may cost extra.
But having standard round-trip transportation included?
That's one less thing we have to worry about.
And I like that.
Number Two: Let's Talk About Those Water Sports
This is another area where I think Sandals stands out.
A lot of people hear all-inclusive and think about unlimited drinks and sitting by the pool.
Nothing wrong with that.
But what if you actually want to get out on the water?
Sandals offers an extensive selection of included water sports, with activities varying by resort.
Depending on the property, you may have access to things like:
Snorkeling
Kayaking
Paddleboarding
Sailing
Hobie Cats
Water skiing
Other motorized and nonmotorized water sports
And here's one that really catches my attention.
Scuba diving.
For qualified, certified divers, Sandals includes scheduled scuba diving and equipment, subject to availability, medical requirements and resort operating conditions.
Do you know how much diving can add to the cost of a vacation when you're paying separately for excursions?
Now, if you're not certified, don't assume you can just show up and start scuba diving for free. Introductory experiences, certification and refresher courses can have additional charges.
But for someone who already enjoys diving?
That's something I would absolutely consider when comparing resorts.
And even if you don't scuba dive, having a variety of water sports included gives you more ways to enjoy your vacation without constantly reaching for your wallet.
That's what I want people to think about when they hear all-inclusive.
Not just how much food they can eat.
What can they actually DO?
Number Three: Have You Heard of Sandals' 7-7-7 Deals?
Now this is something I really want to talk about.
Because many travelers know Sandals runs promotions.
But have you ever heard of their 7-7-7 deals?
Here's how they work.
Sandals selects seven qualifying room or suite categories for a special promotion.
Those categories receive an additional 7% discount on top of eligible existing promotions.
And the offer lasts for seven days.
Seven rooms or suites.
Seven percent extra.
Seven days.
7-7-7.
Now you understand the name.
But here's the important part.
The participating resorts and room categories can change from week to week.
That means the room you're looking at today might not be part of this week's promotion.
But another room at another resort might be.
And next week?
There could be a different selection.
So when somebody tells me:
“Eric, we're thinking about Sandals sometime next year.”
I'm not just looking at the first price that pops up.
I'm checking which promotions are available, whether a 7-7-7 offer applies, and whether that room category actually makes sense for your vacation.
Because getting an extra discount is great.
But getting an extra discount on a room you didn't really want?
That doesn't automatically make it the best deal.
Here's Where Having a Travel Advisor Helps
Let's say you want to visit Saint Lucia.
You want a beautiful room.
You want a great beach.
You want activities.
And you'd love to save some money.
Well, Sandals has different resort experiences, even within the same destination.
Some properties may be more peaceful.
Some may have a livelier atmosphere.
Some may have room categories with additional amenities.
And the current promotions may not be the same for every room.
So we need to look at the bigger picture.
Which resort fits you?
Which room category do you actually want?
What promotions apply?
Are your travel dates flexible?
Is the 7-7-7 promotion worth considering?
That's what I want to help you figure out.
I don't want to book you somewhere just because it has the biggest discount.
I want you to enjoy the vacation.
And Yes, Sandals Is for Adults
Here's something else to know.
Sandals is designed for adult couples.
So if you're planning a romantic getaway, honeymoon, anniversary or simply want to spend time together without a family-resort atmosphere, that's part of its appeal.
Now, if you're traveling with children, we're having a different conversation.
That's where I might introduce you to Beaches Resorts, Sandals' family-oriented sister brand.
Because the goal isn't to put everybody at the same resort.
The goal is to find the right resort for the people traveling.
Does That Mean Absolutely Everything Is Included?
No.
And I think it's important to say that.
Even at Sandals, there are things that can cost extra.
Spa treatments, off-property excursions, certain specialty experiences, scuba certification and some golf-related expenses are examples.
Airfare is also not automatically included in a resort-only booking.
So when I say Sandals includes a lot, I'm not saying you can never spend another dollar.
I'm saying that the range of things included in the resort stay is one of the reasons I think Sandals deserves consideration.
That's a big difference.
So, Is Sandals Worth the Money?
That's the question, isn't it?
And my answer is:
It depends on what you want from your vacation.
If all you're looking for is the cheapest possible room and somewhere to sleep, Sandals might not be your best fit.
But if you're looking for a couples getaway with good dining options, drinks, water sports, airport transfers and a more complete resort experience, I think Sandals is absolutely worth comparing.
Especially when we start looking at the available promotions.
And especially when we check those 7-7-7 deals.
Because sometimes the difference between a good vacation and a great vacation isn't just how much you spent.
It's what you got for your money.
Before You Book Your Next All-Inclusive, Call Me
Here's what I want you to take away from this week's blog.
Don't assume all all-inclusive resorts include the same things.
Ask questions.
Is airport transportation included?
What water sports are available?
Which activities cost extra?
Are there specialty dining charges?
What kind of room are you actually booking?
And are there promotions you might not know about?
If you're thinking about Sandals, let me know where you want to go, when you're thinking about traveling and what kind of experience you're looking for.
I'll compare the resorts, look at the room categories, review the available promotions and check whether any 7-7-7 deals make sense for your trip.
Because my job isn't just to find you a room.
It's to help you understand what you're paying for—and make sure you're getting the vacation you actually want.
And if that means Sandals?
Great.
If another resort is a better fit?
I'll tell you that too.
Poet's Year-Round Travel
Turning travel wishes into reality.
Promotions, prices and availability are subject to change. Quotes are valid for 24 hours unless otherwise stated. Resort amenities and inclusions vary by property.
