When I met Mindy at a local wedding show, she was already planning her honeymoon to the Caribbean. I wished her luck in planning her wedding, and I did not expect to hear from her again.



Several weeks later, I received a call from John, Mindy's fiancé. He explained that Mindy works a fast-paced, high-stress job and is on the road much of the time. He is a small business owner, and they were overwhelmed by the whole wedding planning experience. They had decided to consider a destination wedding because they wanted a beautiful, intimate wedding, and they wanted the planning to be easy and stress-free. So I told John about the Sandals WeddingMoon® (destination wedding + honeymoon all in one package), and within a day or so we had planned their destination wedding and honeymoon at Sandals Grande Antigua.

I always recommend that honeymooners - and especially those getting married on resort - book one of Sandals Love Nest Suites. These suites are Sandals most romantic, intimate accommodations, and staying in a Love Nest Suite makes for a very special, unique honeymoon experience. John and Mindy chose the Ultra Luxury Ocean Villa with Private Pool at Sandals Grande Antigua.

Once their suite was booked, I scheduled their wedding for 11am on their third day on resort at Mindy's request. She wanted to get married as soon as possible and enjoy the honeymoon. We went over some of the custom wedding options, made sure the appropriate legal documents were received by Sandals wedding department, and the planning was complete!

Mindy and John returned from their destination wedding two very happy clients - as I knew they would. Sandals always takes such great care of my brides and grooms. The most common comment my clients make is that the service that the Sandals staff provided went far above and beyond their expectations. Below is Mindy's account of her experience with Sandals wedding staff.


Mindy says that the wedding staff was absolutely fabulous, and that in some ways they were the best part of getting married at Sandals. As soon as the couple arrived on resort, two girls from the wedding department took them to the court house to fill out the remaining paper work. The wedding staff knew Mindy and John's travel schedule, made the appointment with the court house ahead of time, and had them back on resort in no time. Then, they had their official wedding planning appointment with the wedding staff. They went over many options and customizations for the wedding ceremony and reception. Mindy was able to select options that reflected her style.

Last, the wedding staff took Mindy and John around the resort and made several suggestions for the location of the wedding ceremony. At each site, they showed pictures of past weddings so that Mindy could get an idea of what the area would look like when it was set up for a wedding and what her ceremony pictures would look like. Mindy and John chose a gazebo near the water so that the ocean would be in the background of their pictures.

The next day, Mindy and John were able to hit the beach and relax knowing that all of their wedding planning was taken care of.


When the wedding day came, one of the girls from the wedding staff came to help Mindy get into her dress and escorted her to the ceremony site. John spent the time before the ceremony with the clergyman who was to marry them. Mindy's assistant and the clergy worked together to make sure that Mindy and John did not see each other before she walked down the isle.

The couple was very impressed with the clergy. He took time before the ceremony to get to know John and kept them smiling and comfortable during the ceremony. The two girls from the wedding department served as their witnesses to the marriage, and Mindy was touched that one of them cried during their vows.


Mindy points to the fact that one of the wedding staff used Mindy and John's video camera to capture the ceremony for them as an example of how committed the staff was to making their wedding day perfect. Sandals does offer videography services through their wedding photography department, so this may not necessarily be an option for all couples, but it is a good example of the level of service that the wedding department provides.

Mindy and John were also very impressed with their wedding photographer. After capturing the ceremony, he spent another 2 hours with them making portraits at different locations around the resort.

Mindy says that her destination wedding was perfect. She would not have changed a thing, and that Sandals wedding staff was wonderful. They were "Johnny on the spot" and made sure that everything was in order and went smoothly so that Mindy and John could enjoy every minute that they were on resort.

The couple decided to have a wedding reception at home. They still got to eat, drink and dance with their friends and family. But Mindy laughs and says that planning the wedding and the honeymoon took 15 minutes (that's a slight underestimate) and planning the reception took forEVER.



Mindy and John have several engaged couple-friends who are at various stages of the wedding planning process, and they say that they keep telling them… You should just go to Sandals!

Thank you Mindy and John for sharing your special day with me.

If you are interested in learning more about a Sandals destination wedding, please click below to request your complimentary destination wedding consultation.

[This is the forth entry in a 4-part blog series on the Sandals WeddingMoon®. Previously, I talked about planning steps for "Before the Ceremony,"  designing the ceremony and reception in "Your Wedding, Your Style," and what to expect on "The Wedding Day." Here I will discuss your Sandals Honeymoon. This blog series is intended to give a general overview of the many options Sandals offers through the WeddingMoon® product and show how a Sandals or Beaches all inclusive destination wedding can fit most any bride's style and any budget. It is not intended to be a complete guide to planning your destination wedding. That's where I come in! So at any point, please click the Plan My Wedding link on this web page to send me a note and request your complimentary all inclusive destination wedding consultation.]

The Honeymoon

All Inclusive
The Sandals and the Beaches resorts are Luxury All Inclusive resorts. The price of your stay includes airfare; transfers to and from the airport; unlimited gourmet dining; unlimited premium brand liquors, beer, wine and champagne; water sports such as SCUBA, snorkeling, sea kayaking, wind surfing, waterskiing and more; golf; taxes, fees, gratuities and much more.

If you are like most couples, wedding planning means lots of thinking about budgets. And by the time the wedding day arrives, you are sick and tired of thinking about money. With an all inclusive honeymoon, you get a "two-for:"

1. When you look at your wedding budget, you know exactly how much the honeymoon will cost. You pay for your honeymoon before you travel (like most any other trip), and after that you do not have to pay for ANYthing else. Compare this to a cruise. When cruising, you have an on-board charge account that all bar drinks (including sodas), tours, gratuities, etc. will be charged to. Before you leave the ship at the end of the cruise, you will be asked to settle that account by paying cash or placing it on a credit card. I've known honeymooners that spent almost as much to get off the boat as they did to get on. You don't want to leave your honeymoon feeling disapointed that you spent more money than you planned to.

2. While you are on your honeymoon, you don't have to think about or discuss money. I tell honeymooners, you certainly don't want to be discussing what you can afford for dinner tonight. You want to be in the moment, making the most of your special time together. Compare this to a honeymoon in Paris. When traveling in a big city, each night you will choose a restaurant for dinner. You want to dine in romantic, gourmet restaurants, and you want him to be able to order a steak for dinner without worrying about how much it will cost.

As you've seen throughout this blog series on the Sandals Destination Wedding, the Sandals and Beaches resorts offer a fabulous destination wedding option. But what makes this option absolutely perfect is that they are also the resorts I recommend to honeymooners. I recommend a Sandals honeymoon because first, I am 100% confident my clients will have a honeymoon that exceeds their expectations. And because at Sandals, LOVE is all you need - everything else is included.

Sandals Love Nest Suites
You want your honeymoon to be the most romantic time you have spent together. There should be plenty of time spent relaxing and connecting with each other. A Sandals Love Nest Suite is the perfect setting to ensure your time away together is memorable.

The Love Nest Suites are the most sought after rooms at each Sandals resort, and they boast amenities such as private plunge pools and hot tubs, outdoor grotto showers, expanded marble bathrooms, private balconies and verandas with amazing views of the Caribbean Sea, and of course Sandals exclusive Personal Butler Service.

Click here to view some of our favorite Love Nest Suites. (Don't worry. The link will open in a new window so you can easily come back!)

Personal Butler Service
Your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you deserve the best of everything. I sell Sandals Personal Butler Service to my honeymooners because it is an unimaginably supreme standard of service and luxury where your every need is anticipated. Sandals Personal Butler Service is unquestionably my personal favorite inclusion that the Sandals resorts offer, and your honeymoon is the perfect time to experience it.

If you're like many of my clients, you're thinking, "I'm not high maintenance. Why would I need a personal butler?" Check out my blog series here to find out why your honeymoon is not complete without Sandals Personal Butler Service. You will NOT regret it.

Even More Romance
So if that wasn't romantic enough for you, or even if your budget just won't allow for a LoveNest Suite or Personal Butler Service, you can add on several extra romantic activities to your Sandals honeymoon.

To my clients who would like to leave the resort and see more of their island where they are staying or who would like a little adventure during their honeymoon, I recommend the off-site tours offered by Sandals sister company Island Routes. With Island Routes you can chose to go zip lining through the jungle, bicycle through a volcano, swim with dolphins, ride horses on the beach, or take a romantic sunset catamaran cruise. You can read more about Island Routes tours here, and once we've booked your trip, I'll take care of booking your tours for you as well.

Your Sandals or Beaches honeymoon includes unlimited gourmet dining at as many as 15 restaurants (depending on which at which resort you stay). However, for the couple who wants an extra special dinner celebration one night, I recommend Sandals romantic candlelight dinner for two. Have a sunset dinner under the stars served by a waiter in white gloves, on a table specially decorated with tropical floral arrangements and candle lights. The resorts book a limited number of these each night, so be sure to let me know early that you'd like to add this special event to your honeymoon.

Whether you want more information on planning your Sandals or Beaches WeddingMoon® (destination wedding + honeymoon) or you are interested in a Sandals honeymoon, just click below to request your complimentary planning session.

I'm thrilled to introduce to you Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica - the newest resort in Jamaica. Many have previously known this resort as Sandals Ocho Rios, but with its recent 60 million dollar renovation, the transformation is on such a grand scale, the enhancements so impressive, the resort had to have a new name.

The Sand Lady's clients love this resort because it offers three distinctive vacation experiences: an oceanfront garden oasis called the Riviera Seaside, the hill-top Great House and Riviera Villas, and the hip new Ochi Beach Club.

Riviera Seaside

Sandals Grande Riviera is located on one of Jamaica’s most sought-after stretches of coastline.  Known as the Caribbean Riviera, the resort's endless alabaster beaches and crystal-clear waters host living coral reefs. A Grande Promenade stretching far over the sea allows you to stroll above the tide as soft ocean breezes calm the soul. Here, you may relax in diverse settings at seven sparkling pools and the resort’s best-kept secret: a hidden grotto pool tucked into the dense shade of a secluded garden.

Also on Riviera Seaside is Honeymoon beach. This is the most beautiful shoreline on the property. One day you will choose from the many water sports included in your stay and the next you will relax on the beach while you enjoy a tropical drink and the companionship of your loved one.

Great House and Riviera Villas

Tucked in the lush hillsides of Ocho Rios, the Great House and the Riviera Villa Suites with their 93 private and semi-private pools offer a unique blend of privileged seclusion and unparalleled luxury. Accommodations at the Great House feature a one-acre, zero-entry pool and swim-up pool bar. The serenity of relaxing in your private pool-side cabana is an experience not to be missed.

Enjoy a Great House suite with balcony overlooking the pool or relax beside your own private pool in one of the Riviera Villa Suites, hidden from the world, surrounded by trees and countless species of butterflies. Nothing could be more magical than a midnight swim, just the two of you with a chilled bottle of champagne and the scent of night-blooming jasmine all around you.

Ochi Beach Club

Whether you choose to stay in the Riviera Seaside accommodations, at the Great House or in the Riviera Villa suites, you will NOT want to miss the all new Ochi Beach Club. The most exclusive club in Ocho Rios is also the sexiest. Welcome to Sandals' Ochi Beach Club – a seaside world of chic sophistication. Sheer linen curtains waft gently in the sea breeze as you lie on the divan of your private cabana. Newly found friends gather to sip ice–cold dry martinis on the sun deck overlooking the sea. And when the sun goes down, "Ochi" burns even brighter. Enjoy a sensational dinner at the new Kimonos restaurant then dance to the pulsing rhythms of reggae performed by Jamaica's top performers.

Already Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort has been named one of the top hotels in the Caribbean by Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader's Choice Awards, and just recently TripAdvisor has awarded it a Certificate of Excellence. Contact Us today to plan your Caribbean vacation to one of Sandals all inclusive resorts built for romance.

Whether you are celebrating your Caribbean honeymoon, destination wedding, 25th wedding anniversary trip, or just a much needed Caribbean getaway with the one you love, a Sandals Love Nest Suite is the perfect location for reconnecting.

View from The Millionaire Suite with Private Pool and Whirlpool - Sandals La To - St. Lucia

Created in the true spirit of romance, Sandals Resorts Love Nest Suites are among some of the most lavish collection of suites in the world. The most innovative designs, exotic and private settings, luxurious bathrooms, and amenities like plush terry robes, hand-embroidered Egyptian cotton duvets, plasma TVs, and the service of a personal butler are just some of the details that make the Love Nest Suites so desirable.

10 of the 13 Sandals Resorts boast these exclusive villas and suites. Each of these resorts has a least three different signature Love Nest Suites to choose from. Here are a few of The Sand Lady's favorites.

Bay Roc Villas - Sandals Montego Bay - Jamaica

Prime Minister's Beachfront Suite at the Bay Roc Villas - Sandals Montego Bay

Set in beachfront cottages, these Love Nest Suites of the Bay Roc Villas feature gorgeous hand-carved mahogany furniture, French double doors, hand-painted frescos, marble walk-in showers and deliciously soft Egyptian cotton linens. The Prime Minister's Beachfront Suite is located on the second floor of the beach cottages at Bay Roc Estates. Set directly on the beach, these expansive suites feature a spacious living area and dining area.

These suites offer a luxurious, separate grand bedroom with mahogany furniture and king-size four-poster bed, a marble bathroom and an oversized private sundeck. You'll enjoy the services of a personal butler and VIP airport transfers in addition to two large screen plasma TVs, a stocked wet bar, and an iPod docking station. From your beachfront suite, you'll have access to some of the most beautiful and secluded stretches of the Montego Bay coastline.

The Crystal Lagoon - Sandals Negril

Beachfront One Bedroom Swim-Up Crystal Lagoon Suite with Private Lagoon Entrance - Sandals Negril

The Crystal Lagoon, set beautifully amongst the lush landscape and tropical vegetation of the resort, is the perfect retreat for guests who choose to let their worries melt away in the calming waters.

These magnificent one-bedroom suites with personal butler service are located on the first floor and offer zero-entry access to a sparkling pool. Suites include an expansive living room complete with 42" plasma TV, separate bedroom with 37" plasma TV, fine mahogany furnishings, tiled floors, whirlpool bath and walk-in shower. Large patios overlooking the sparkling pool and the ocean feature an outdoor dining area, as well as a love seat for the ultimate in relaxation under the warm Caribbean sun. The sunset view from your private patio is NOT to be missed!

Romeo & Juliet Honeymoon Sanctuary One Bedroom Butler Suite with Private Pool - Sandals Grande Riviera

This suite is a uniquely intimate retreat offering the ultimate in privacy. With entrance via its own walled courtyard, this exclusive 1200 sq. ft. suite comprises a luxurious bedroom at one end boasting a king-size four-poster bed, exquisite mahogany furniture and substantial en-suite bathroom with double vanity and sunken bath while at the other a stylish lounge with fully-equipped kitchenette. The vast courtyard itself provides the ultimate focal point with its very own Roman pool and hot tub overlooking stunning hand-drawn murals.

Millionaire Suite with Private Pool & Whirlpool - Sandals La Toc

Set on the highest peak of the resort, this Mediterranean-style suite offers a luxurious bedroom with mahogany furnishings, and a spacious living room with plush sofas, a 42" plasma television and a stocked bar. Opening the living room's plantation-style pocket doors reveals a private three-story sundeck with a private infinity pool and whirlpool, and grants unobstructed 180-degree view of the Caribbean Sea.

The bedroom features unique sliding glass walls that allow you incredible views and direct access to the pool and sundeck, plus a mahogany, king-size bed and a second 46" plasma TV. The marble bath features double vanities, a tub and a separate walk-in shower. This private escape comes complete with exclusive butler service, 24-hour room service and private car transfers to and from both airports.

Ultra Grande Luxe Beachfront Rondoval Suite with Private Plunge Pool and Whirlpool - Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Each Rondoval Suite features a large interior living area with a sofa, occasional chair, desk, and a 50" flat screen television. The king bed sits at the center of the suite, and at the back of the suite lies an enormous bathroom with Roman tub, separate showers and two vanities.

Step outside from the shower onto your private pool deck and enjoy an outdoor shower, or slide into your private whirlpool or into your private plunge pool. In fact, you even have your own private hammock. For those discerning guests who are looking for a new and elegant experience... here it is!

These are just a few of the Love Nest Suites - the Caribbean's most magnificently romantic collection of villas and suites for two people in love. I can't wait to help you plan the most exotically romantic getaway you've always dreamed of. Contact Us today and we'll get started!

Are you planning an extra special celebration such as a honeymoon, destination wedding, renewal of vows, anniversary trip or family reunion? Sandals Personal Butler Service is the cherry on top of the perfect Caribbean celebration.

In the video below, view how your every need is anticipated and catered to by your own personal butler.

To start planning your special celebration today, click below to request your complimentary travel consultation.

Make sure you didn't miss Part 1 and Part 2 of this series!

Once our workshop at Sandals Royal Bahamian had concluded, Robbie pulled a few strings and we were lucky enough to get to stay a night at Sandals Emerald Bay - the more recently acquired of the two Sandals resorts in the Bahamas. This was a TREAT! Sandals Emerald Bay is an exclusive resort on a small island - Great Exuma. Unlike Nassau, there is very little development on the island other than Sandals Emerald Bay. In fact, there are no stoplights on Great Exuma.

Sandals Emerald Bay's most notable features are a Greg Norman golf course, an untouched 2 mile stretch of beach, and the most impeccable service I have ever experienced.



The 18 hole Emerald Reef Golf Course boasts some of the most amazing views in the Caribbean - especially from a tee box. This is a well-kept par 72 Championship course designed by Greg Norman. The western end of the island is a long peninsula that curves in just a bit to form Emerald Bay. As you play through the first part of the back nine holes, you travel out to the tip of the island on the back side of the peninsula. Here, the waves crash against the rocks below, and you may catch a glimpse of the yachts in the 150-slip deepwater marina. As you play through the last few holes of the course, you will come around to the bay side, and you are greeted with a breath-taking panoramic view of the resort.



Sandals Emerald Bay also offers 6 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts including a sunken stadium court. The tennis pro usually offers a complimentary tennis lesson to guests and is available to help coordinate matches. The magnificent Red Lane Spa facility includes separate men's and women's locker rooms and relaxation rooms, 16 peaceful treatment rooms and a state of the art fitness center. Yoga, aquacize and personal training sessions are available through the fitness center.

But you need not be a golfer or play tennis to find your perfect getaway at Emerald Bay. The resort's 2 miles of powdery white sand beach and the Bahama's signature turquoise water is any beach-lover's paradise. I highly recommend a room in one of the Beachfront Villas, which are painted to match the brilliant color of the bay. This is the true Emerald Bay experience. The rooms on the ground floor of the villas each have patios which step right off in to the sand. The beach here is so long, staying in the villas feels as if you have your own private beach. The rooms on the 2nd floor of the villas have balconies with gorgeous ocean views as well. My recommendation is the Prime Minister Honeymoon Beachfront Walkout Suite. These are on the first floor of the villas and each has a private hammock, which is perfect for stargazing. Because this island has no city and very little ambient light, the stars are bright and fill the night sky. This is a very special vacation.



The suites at Sandals Emerald Bay each have double marble vanities, glass enclosed walk-in showers, deep soaking tubs, and espresso machines. Some even have walk-in closets. The hotel facilities are new and fresh and beautifully designed. There are two pools on the property - a quiet one just past the zen garden and reflecting pool - and a more lively one - the Caribbean's largest zero entry pool at one-half acre. This pool is a destination in itself. It has a large swim-up bar, integrated hot-tub, and an elevated fire pit. Both pools are surrounded by pairs of cushioned chaise lounge chairs, some with umbrellas and others under draped cabanas. The larger pool even has ratton-style couches just in the water with over-stuffed cushions and pillows so you can sit with your toes in the water and admire the view of the ocean and the sky from the pool. If you are looking for a getaway to lounge by the pool and read a good book, spend time reconnecting with your loved one, or take a nap in the shade, this resort does it better than you can imagine.



The culinary experience at Sandals Emerald Bay is unrivaled in the Caribbean. Whether you crave an evening of sophisticated conversation and fine dining, the barefoot elegance of oceanside dining, a refined afternoon tea, or a lively night at an authentic English pub, seven unique restaurants offer a cuisine and atmosphere to suit every mood. During our stay, we had a lovely, quiet breakfast at Bahama Bay, a casual dining setting that offers buffet dining experience three meals a day with nightly themed dinners. We enjoyed a Caribbean-style seafood lunch with our toes in the sand at Barefoot by the Sea, one of Sandal's signature restaurants. Sitting at picnic tables under thatched roofs on the beach with cloth napkins, we enjoyed delicious conch fritters and grouper sliders. When we arrived on resort, our butler secured an 8:00pm dinner reservation at Il Cielo, the Italian restaurant requiring reservations, on our behalf. So, in the early evening, we stopped at the Drunken Duck, the resort's English Pub, for hot wings and beer. I would not usually order hot wings in the Caribbean, but we had heard these were exceptional, and we were NOT disappointed. When we walked through the doors of the Drunken Duck, it was as if we had been transported to the UK. This pub is authentic from the British manager to the Guinness on tap and New Castle in the bottle. Once we'd had our snack, and enjoyed the sunset from the couches in the pool while we finished our drinks, we headed to our suite to get ready for dinner.



We were early - 8:00pm dinner is a little late for these East TN girls - so we had a drink in the Il Cielo bar while we waited. The ceiling in this bar a restaurant is at least 20 feet high and painted the color of the Caribbean sky. (Il Cielo is Italian for the sky.) The bar in this lounge is tall and mahogany with a marble top. The lighting is sophisticated and modern. We could tell we were in for a treat. Of course, once the hostess at Il Cielo knew we were there, she offered to seat us immediately. Our waiter was a proper but friendly young Bahamian studying biochemistry at the university on the main island. (The adult literacy rate in the Bahamas is 95%. Impressive.) We enjoyed a five course meal complete with a pasta course of the most amazing risotto I have ever had. If you've ever had risotto (or if you've ever watched Hell's Kitchen), you know, it is hard to do right. And as the daughter of travel agents, I've had the privilege of dining in fine restaurants in many countries. I know, this is a lot of sentences to cover a pasta course, but I want you to understand, this was Fabulous! And after that build-up, the entrée course was no disappointment, either. The Snapper tempura I had was very good. Robbie had Sea Bass, which she used the adjective "succulent" to describe. (She also noted that she is pretty sure she has never used the term succulent to describe food before.) After the entrée course, we knew we were experiencing something remarkable, and we asked our waiter to send our compliments to the chef. A few minutes later the handsome, young Chef Francesco of Bologna appeared at our table to thank us for the compliment. This is an important point that sets the Sandals resorts apart from their peers. Their themed restaurants are authentic from the decor to the menu because they are run by master chefs originating from the theme country. And last, of course, an extravagant dessert course was served, and we were apologetic that we only had room for a taste.

Other restaurants at Sandals Emerald Bay include La Parisienne - the French fine dining restaurant requiring reservations, and Café de Paris (pronounced like the French), which serves espresso, pastries and hand-dipped ice cream or gelato. Dino's Pizzeria serves made-to-order pizzas from a wood-fired oven for lunch and dinner, and room service is available to all rooms any time.

There are so many details I'm leaving out here, but you really need to experience this resort for yourself. If you are a golfer, a beach-lover, or if you just appreciate great service, this resort is not to be missed!

Are you Planning a Honeymoon? Click below to download the Sandals Luxury Included Honeymoon eBrochure:

Robbie and I had the privilege of staying at the Sandals Royal Bahamian this weekend while we completed the Sandals WeddingMoon Specialist training workshop. We left this resort with a renewed sense of the elegance of the Bahamas. Of the Caribbean island nations, the Bahamian Islands are high on the scale of British influence. At Sandals Royal Bahamian, the elegance of royal hospitality is married with the carefree intimacy of the Caribbean, and the love affair is very Romantic.

As you'll remember, the Sandals portfolio is a line of luxury all-inclusive Caribbean resorts for couples and specializes in romance. As they say, at Sandals, love is all you need because everything else is included.

The Crystal Room is one of seven gourmet restaurants on Royal Bahamian and serves Elegant International cuisine. The crown jewel of the resort's dining facilities is a pure Baccarat crystal chandelier originally installed in The Crystal Room by the then Governor of The Bahamas, the Duke of Winsor. The Crystal Room is completed by a baby grande piano and impeccable wait staff. Baccarat Restaurant is just next door and serves French cuisine with white glove service. This very modern restaurant requires reservations (no additional charge), and it not to be missed! So make your reservations as quickly as possible after arriving on property. Or book a room with Sandal's Personal Butler Service, and your butler will make reservations on your behalf before you arrive. Ristorante Casanova is another gourmet dining option serving Northern Italian cuisine, and Kimono's Restaurant serves Teppanyaki-style Asian fare. Spices serves International cuisine three meals per day, Cafe Goombay serves Bahamian-style seafood, and Gordon's on the Pier is elegant a la carte dining exclusively for guests saying in Butler Suites. The resort also offers an outdoor grill-style restaurant, a stone-oven pizzeria serving made to order pizzas, and The Cricketer's Irish Pub. The resort's dining options are rounded out by 8 bars and cocktail lounges.



While we were on resort, one building was undergoing "beautification," as the resort Sales Manager Cheddi put it. Hurricane Irene flooded part of one of the hotel facilities in Summer 2011, so Sandals has taken the opportunity to completely remodel this part of the resort. We are VERY excited about the amenities that the new rooms will have. Along with marble floors, his and her vanities with backlighting, and extended balconies, the ground floor rooms on the pool side will boast private fire pits! Yes, if you are staying in one of these rooms, resort staff will come around in the evening and start the fire on your patio, which I'm sure will be complimented by a cushioned love-seat under the stars. Talk about romantic...

The construction on this section is scheduled to be complete by the end of February 2012. And I'm sure the features we were told about are only a few of the exciting upgrades to this building. I often tell my clients that Sandals does luxury and romance with as much thought and attention to detail as Disney does fun and education. I will be encouraging my clients to be the first to stay in the new walkout suites with private fire pit.

[UPDATED: Construction on Balmoral Tower is now complete. See details of the rennovation here.]

This resort has many public areas where couples gather in the evening after dinner to chat and listen a local steel drum band or dance to the softer sounds of a jazz band. The most picturesque of these is the Beach Deck. This large, tiered wooden deck sits overlooking the resort's main beach and has large couches and beach-style arm chairs with overstuffed pillows all grouped around several fire pits and tiki torches. The sounds of the ocean, the bright stars, the sand under your feet, the fire, the music, the conversation is all intoxicating - a very authentic Caribbean experience.



The Sandals Ladies both agree that the private island here is the resort's most unique feature. One-half mile off the white sand beach of Sandals Royal Bahamian is Sandals Cay. The resort runs an hourly water shuttle to and from the island. On our ride over, the beauty of the turquoise water and the clear blue sky was breath-taking.



A member of the Sandals staff referred to Sandals Cay as "Summer camp for adults." And it is. When you first step off the ferry, you are greeted with rum punch and other iced beverages on the pier. As you walk up on to the island, you see spacious white sand beaches on either side of the pier with views of all the resorts that line the beaches of Nassau as well as any cruise ships that may be in port. Next, you will arrive at the pool with swim-up bar.



This quiet pool is surrounded by luxurious cushioned love-seats and is adjacent to the resort's seafood restaurant Cafe Goombay, which is open for lunch and dinner. Narrow pathways disappear in several directions from the pool and restaurant. As you walk along these quiet pathways, you come across many cozy little hideaways for couples including tree swings, hammocks hung between tall palm trees, and thached-roof cabanas with cushioned lounge chairs for two.



Each private spot is perfect to enjoy the day with gorgeous views of the sand, water and sky. From the backside of Sandals Cay, you may spend hours contemplating the horizon of bright blue sky and deep blue water that seems to go on forever. Should you choose to continue along the path that leads East, you approach the Zen Garden and Red Lane Spa. Here, the Sandals spa staff offer individual or couples spa services in one of four private cabanas with views of the ocean.



There is no need for sound machines in this spa. You will enjoy the sound of real waves crashing on the rocks as you experience complete relaxation.

Although they say there is always a party at The Cricketer's Irish Pub, this resort is probably not for those looking for lots of night life on resort. But it is for couples that enjoy plenty of time on the beach and/or by the pool. The resort has a quiet pool and a more lively pool, both of which are very impressive with swim up pool bars and heavy wooden deck chairs with stuffed cushions. This resort is perfect for couples that like to find a cozy little hideout and spend the day together. The food here is fabulous, and the staff is very friendly. This resort is also ideal for those that wish to gamble - there is gambling within walking distance - and shop. The large downtown shopping area of Nassau is a $1.25US bus fare away. The flight from Atlanta to Nassau takes less than 2 hours, and the drive to the resort from the airport is around 10 minutes. And that's just MOST of the features of this resort that I wanted to share...

Maybe Sandals Royal Bahamian will be your next great Escape to Elegant Romance!