The first few times I told friends I was traveling to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, neither they nor I had any idea where I was going. We all agreed it was in the Caribbean, but that’s as far as our geographic knowledge could get us. The next bit of information came from a Royals-obsessed friend. “That’s where Princess Margaret vacationed—I’m obsessed,” she exclaimed, referring to Mustique, which forms part of the archipelago. My interest was officially piqued.
Well, now that I’m back, I can tell you that this lesser-known group of lush islands is in the West Indies, hovering just above Venezuela. Once a British colony, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines peacefully gained independence in 1979 and is part of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Despite its enduring popularity with celebrities (the very rich and famous ones buying up prime real estate on Mustique), the country is still fairly new to tourism. Sandals Saint Vincent opened on March 27, 2024, and is the only resort on the namesake island aside from a few quaint boutique properties. Being the new kid on the block has its benefits.
Why stay at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
It’s a no-brainer if you’re traveling from Miami, which offers daily nonstop flights on American Airlines to the destination. Travelers from the Northeast can take a nonstop flight from New York City’s JFK, or opt to connect through MIA—which is what many of the other guests I chatted with did. Folks from Kentucky, Colorado and other frigid states traveled through Miami to escape the cold for the weekend.
You have two options for getting to the resort from the airport: an hours-long shuttle transfer through mountainous terrain, whose length varies widely depending on traffic conditions; and a combo of 20-minute shuttle and 30-minute catamaran, followed by a White Lotus-style, dockside greeting, complete with a welcome cocktail to enjoy as you're escorted to check in. The latter, hybrid option is complimentary for guests of the butler suites—which I was—or available at an additional cost for all others staying at the property.
Ease of travel aside, the destination's novelty is what drew me. Caribbean fatigue is real when you live in Miami—after visiting enough of the islands, they all start to blend and your memory is one amalgamation of white-sand beaches (albeit beautiful ones) and frozen drinks. I knew St. Vincent and the Grenadines would be different, and my instincts were correct. From the landscape and scenery to the native cuisine, this was like nothing I’d experienced before. Then there was the all-inclusive vacation aspect—again, a first for me. My assumptions about what this type of resort offered were misguided by what I’ve witnessed as a free-for-all at places with open bars and expansive buffets. This was not that.
We were treated to a craft-cocktail experience at all the bars—every mojito made on the spot with fresh muddled mint leaves. New to the American spicy margarita phenomenon, the bartender went the extra mile to find a substitute spice when jalapeño wasn’t available. Talk about hospitality, though, caution: scotch bonnet margaritas are hardcore. Meals were a mix of local delights, like jerk chicken platters, and continental flavors—think grilled steaks, sushi, burgers and pasta. I never repeated a dish in all three days of my stay and truly loved everything I ate.
What are the rooms like at Sandals Saint Vincent?
Room categories include luxury and club level (think nicely equipped hotel rooms with varying ocean views and outdoor access), butler villas (the adorable casitas where we stayed) and over-the-water bungalows—the créme de la créme of Sandals, and anywhere really.
The butler villas were lavish in their own ways, featuring a full kitchen, a living room, spacious bathroom and dressing area with a mirrored vanity, back courtyard and outdoor tub. The design was luxe but unassuming, with subtle nods to its coastal setting. I’ve stayed in nice hotels where the ocean theme was taken to extremes—driftwood everywhere, seashells as decor—but this was more understated with a mix of modern elements, like boucle chairs. The bed featured a cane headboard surrounded by wave photography set against a white-and-gray palm print wallpaper.
The bathroom was its own moment, featuring three showerheads, two of which were in a separate room next to a massive soaking tub. Then there was the double sink and a wash closet, which I always appreciate as an American traveler who wishes for that level of privacy in my own home.
Which are the best restaurants and bites at Sandals Saint Vincent?
I’m tempted to say “all of them,” but I’ll get specific about the food I enjoyed the most. I usually skip breakfast, so I opted for a quick bite from the Crema (a coffee and ice cream bar) rather than the standard buffet at Sora, which I’m told is brimmed with savory and sweet options my travel companions loved. Cold brew and a chocolate brownie fueled me plenty.
Dinner at Buccan was really special. Serving traditional Vincy cuisine, the open-air restaurant excels at regional dishes, such as lamb curry and a grilled whole fish. Each one is served with a small vessel of local salts and chutneys and your server will indicate which one to use with each dish. It makes for a fun, interactive experience.
During the day, I snacked on Jamaican patties from The Jerk Shack and enjoyed a fresh salad from Imoro poolside. After late-night karaoke, we found ourselves tipsy and hungry at Pizzeria Isola, where everyone in our party ordered custom personal pies to enjoy back in their rooms.
All food and drink is included in your stay and Sandals doesn’t skimp on options or quality—this version of all-inclusive never feels like a cruise ship. You’ll find sushi/izakaya restaurant Gatsu Gatsu, seafood at Scrimshaw, an array of meats at Butch’s Chop House and casual local fare at Parasol, the waterfront beach club restaurant. Dinner reservations are recommended but you can also wing it—it’s vacation, after all.
As for bars, you can grab a drink near any of the pools, in the lobby or—my favorite spot—the Three Jewels rum bar, doling out craft cocktails and a chill lounge vibe.
What is the service like at Sandals Saint Vincent?
Make no mistake—this is a luxury resort. As such, hospitality is paramount to the experience and employees really go out of their way to answer questions and accommodate all requests. When I called to reserve a poolside lounger and was told the hotel didn’t hold chairs for guests, my butler volunteered to secure one for me—at sunrise. Of course, I declined the very generous offer, but I took him up on grabbing a salad from Imoro and bringing it to my cabana by the pool for lunch. (Guests are encouraged to visit the numerous restaurants at meal times.)
Even without a butler, someone was always available to answer a question, make you a complicated drink (we really took advantage of the bespoke cocktail experience), fetch you a snack—anything you wanted, really.
What is the spa like at Saint Vincent?
I still dream of my 90-minute massage at the Red Lane Spa, where I drifted in and out of consciousness before catching my flight home. I hoped to use the facilities, which included a tranquil outdoor pool, but didn’t plan ahead. Next time, I’ll make time for a morning workout in the state-of-the-art gym adjacent to the spa, get a massage, steam, and sweat before going about my day.
What’s the area like around Sandals Saint Vincent?
The scenery was one of the first things I noticed about Sandals Saint Vincent. The hotel is carved into lush mountains—so green it feels like a verdant tropical jungle surrounds you. You’ll see multiple rainbows throughout the day and experience frequent sun shows, which are more refreshing than inconvenient.
While I never ventured into town, I did go on a full-day excursion (booked directly through the hotel) to the nearby islands of Mustique and Bequia, where we explored the towns and had drinks and snacks at the famous Basil’s Bar—a laid-back beach shack popular with the rich and famous who frequent Mustique (my jaw nearly dropped when I spotted my aughts fashion icon Sienna Miller having a drink with her partner). The islands charmed me with their small shops and handmade souvenirs (my friend scooped up a cool screenprinted tee of Bequia’s hip Whaleboner bar), but surprised me with a more relaxed attitude toward tourists than I'm used to. No one hawked their goods or pressured you into their restaurant. Locals were happy to have us and welcomed us, but we never felt overwhelmed.
Why should you book a stay at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines?
For someone who never desired an all-inclusive, Caribbean vacation, I haven’t stopped singing the praises of Sandals Saint Vincent. It’s close enough to major cities but feels time zones away. The food and drinks are actually good. There’s more to do than sit by the pool, though you can certainly enjoy more than one way to do that too. But there’s also not much to plan or think about once you arrive. For one, you won’t see any cash registers. Too tired to walk? Pick up a bike and cruise to the other side of the resort. At Sandals Saint Vincent, you'll enjoy the ease of an all-inclusive while basking in luxury.
- Address: Buccament Bay, Saint Vincent
- Price per night: Rates depend on room choice but rates for a stay in April run about $1,300 per night for double occupancy. A three-night stay for two people in April is $4,166 if you book online.
- Closest transport: Argyle International Airport (SVD)
- Book now: sandals.com/sandals-saint-vincent/