Sandals has a line of resorts that are especially designed and targeted to families.  These Sandals owned resorts are marketed under their Sandals “Beaches” brand.

Beaches are the best Sandals resorts for kids.  The have tons of amenities especially designed for families. Sandals has a total of four of these kid friendly resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos.

Click below to book online and save up to 65% off in 2010 and 2011:
Save up to 65% at Beaches Resorts.

If you are a single parent, Beaches Resorts is waiving the Single Supplement fee (up to $190 per night) at all locations! Single Parents who book 3 nights or more at any Beaches Resort will enjoy the Single Parent Welcome Receptions, Single Parent Social Cocktail Receptions, Kids Movie Night and more! This offer must be booked by July 31st, 2010.

Your kids will love these resorts.

If you are considering a Sandals vacation at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios in 2010 or 2011, we have a great promotion code that you can use when you book online at sandals.com.

When using the code, guests who book 3 nights or more will receive a FREE Island Routes Catamaran Cruise!

Taking advantage of this 2010 Promotion Code is easy,  simply click the image below to go to the Grande Ocho Rios page on the Sandals site, and enter  SGOAFF when making your online reservation.

Booking details for this promotion:

Booking Window: July 21 – August 4, 2010

Travel Window: September 1 – December 28, 2011

Blackout Dates: December 27 – 31, 2010

Discount Code: SGOAFF

The Sandals resort deals are as attractive now as they have ever been with discounts up to 65% off.  The deals are valid for travel in 2010 and 2011.  They have current deals at all of their 13 resorts in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, and the Bahamas.

Here is a complete listing of Sandals Resort Deals.  Each resort is listed and the current deal at that resort.

Alternatively, you can go directly to the Sandals site here: Last Minute Deals are available at Sandals Resorts!

By booking directly on their site you are sure to get the best deal available.

More Information about Sandals Resorts:

We have several resources to help you pick the best Sandals Resort:

• Best Sandals Resort - We list the resorts from top to bottom with the pros and cons of each resort.
• Best Sandals Resort in Jamaica
• Best Sandals in St. Lucia

A tip:  Booking between March and July will usually get you the best deal at a Sandals resort.

A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many bungalows include being detached, low-rise (single, or one-and-a-half storey/story), and the use of verandahs.

We have put together a list of Barbados bungalows:

Sunset Crest Barbados – A selection of bungalow homes in Sunset Crest Resort.  Walking distance to beaches, shopping, and dining.

Sunset Crest Villa

Inchcape Villas – A collection of Barbados bungalows near Silver Sands Beach on the south coast of Barbados.

Inchcape Barbados

Calypso Rentals – Broad selection of traditional Barbados bungalows and cottages, even traditional chattel houses.  Rates from under $100/night and up.

Calypso Rentals Chattel House

Sea U Guest House -Located on the less developed and more rugged west coast of Barbados, Sea U has a selection of bungalow style accommodations.

Sea U Guest House

White Lillies - 3 bedroom bungalow located on the west coast of Barbados.  Walk to beach.  Home has a Jacuzzi.

White Lillies Barbados

Rockley Resort Barbados  is a small and affordable golf community on the south coast of Barbados.  It is located walking distance from one of Barbados’ best beaches – Accra beach.

Rockley resort is a 70-acre resort located on the southern coast of Barbados approximately 20 minutes from Grantley Adams International Airport and 10 minutes to the capital city of Bridgetown.

It is also walking distance from many local shops, a supermarket, and banks.

Rockley Resort is arranged as a series of seven small groups, of attractive two story buildings, and most of the accommodations have access to a pool. Each group is located within the par 36 Rockley golf course.  Some accommodations offer complimentary golf.

Most of the units are independently owned and are managed by individuals or small property managers.

If you are looking for a deal at Rockley resort, here is a list of Rockley resorts that are currently running specials:

Rockley Apartments Barbados – Save up to 10% this summer (2010)

Alpha Barbados – Save up to 15%

Plum Tree Apartments Barbados – Save up to 29% this summer (2010)

Now Jade Riviera Limited time sale:

TWO DAY ONLY SALE – Expires Soon – CLICK HERE

$89: SAVE 55% + $200 Resort Credit
• Regularly $198 | Now ONLY $89
• FREE Golf and 2 Kids Stay FREE
• Valid Dates for BookIt.com® Special: Stay Now – Aug. 15th
•Book By: MIDNIGHT July 9th

If you don’t get this deal in time, the Now Jade Riviera Cancun, formally known as Now Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa, is currently running a great stay one night get one night free deal plus $200 in resort coupons.  The deal must be booked on their website.

Now Jade, a setting of splendor on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, features 550 spacious, contemporary suites. Each suite, inspired by the turquoise hues of the Caribbean Sea, offers the following amenities:

• King size bed or two double beds • Private balcony • Jacuzzi for two • Marble floors • Bathrobe and slippers • Gilchrist & Soames luxurious bath amenities • Hair dryer • Direct dial phone • Cable TV • Mini-bar refreshed daily • Electronic safe box • Electronic keyhole • Alarm clock with MP3 player docking station • Air-conditioning with individual control • 24-hour room service • Coffee and tea maker • Iron & Ironing board

You can find more information about this deal on the Now Jade website.

See all our Cancun Travel Deals

Which is the best Sandals in St. Lucia?  Like with most things, it depends. In this case it depends what you are looking for in a resort.  Each resort has its own pros and cons and we have listed them below.  However, we decided to rank them anyway.  Based on reviews from across the internet we have ranked the 3 Sandals resorts in St. Lucia.  Additionally we have included each St. Lucia resorts’ overall ranking in the Sandals chain of 12 Sandals resorts.  This is up to date through 2009.

If you are considering Sandals resorts on other Islands, we also have a complete ranking of all Sandals resorts.

The Best Sandals in. St Lucia:

1.  Sandals Grande St. Lucian (#4 overall)

Set on its own spectacular peninsula, this resort provides panoramic views in every direction.  Situated on some of calmest waters in St. Lucia, its sheltered beach offers views of both nearby Ft. Rodney, and a scenic harbor.

What people love about Sandals Grande St. Lucian:

• Great pools
• The beach is beautiful although it is a little small
• The resort is in a very scenic location
• The Simon Says tour is excellent
• Very good selection of watersports
• The spa is excellent, but pricey

The common complaints about Sandals Grande St. Lucian:

• Too many pesky peddlers on the beach
• Many guests expect more amenities and features to be included (like room service)
• Many guests are surprised to find out the resort is not new (it is a refurbished older hotel)
• The resort often hosts conference guests which was is an unexpected drawback to vacationers
• The drive from the airport is long, and bumpy
• There are rocks in the water at the beach (not always soft sand below your feet)
• When the resort is full it feels crowded
• Extras are expensive (e.g. spa, internet, bottles of wine in your room, resort shop)

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• Some rooms have good views while others have poor ones, like facing a construction site.
• Some guests expect more from the rooms at this resort.
• The entertainment is enjoyed by some while others find it to be a little lacking.

The latest deals at Sandals Grande St. Lucian

2. Sandals Halcyon Beach – St. Lucia (#7 overall)

Sandals Halcyon St. Lucia boasts classic Caribbean architecture and tropical gardens. Three restaurants are highlighted by the legendary Pier Restaurant, the island’s most impressive dining experience set directly on the sea.  This resort caters to a slightly older crowd.

What people love about Sandals Halcyon Beach:

• The resort is in a good location and the island views from the resort are excellent.
• The resort is quiet and peaceful, which was a plus for most of the visitors, a minus fora few.
• Most visitors appreciated the well maintained landscaping and gardening at this resort

The common complaints about Sandals Halcyon Beach:

• The resort buildings and rooms are dated
• Too many stray cats on the premises
• This resort typically attracts an older crowd, and the entertainment is limited.
• Some rooms are situated near a road that runs by the property which can be noisy
• Younger visitors often complain there are not many visitors of a similar age, and the resort is very quiet

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• Resort is not situated on a spectacular beach.  Some liked the beach while others did not.
• Some positive and negative reports on the overall friendliness of the staff – mainly positive.
• Some people comment on the limited watersports while others enjoy the options provided

The latest deals at Sandals Halcyon

3. Sandals Regency La Toc – St. Lucia (#9 overall)

Set within the 210-acre La Toc Estate, Sandals Regency La Toc is located on a secluded half-mile beach and a breathtaking bluff. Unique among Caribbean beaches, the water is emerald-green due to its depth- hence the resort’s nickname the “Emerald of the Caribbean.”

What people love about Sandals Regency La Toc:

• Friendly staff at this resort
• Very good on-site entertainment provided by Cowboy Eddie
• Great Island views from the resort
• The ability to visit and dine at the other two Sandals resorts in St. Lucia

The common complaints about Sandals Regency La Toc:

• The drive from the airport is long, windy, and bumpy
• Not a lot of  young people (this may actually be a plus depending on your perspective)
• The lobby area of this resort is dated
• The age of the resort is apparent
• Lots of mosquitoes
• Lots of cats wondering the premises

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• The rooms rooms are a little run down and dated
• It’s not the biggest or best beach you will find among Sandals resorts.
• The landscaping and condition of the resort grounds appeals to some an not others.
• The 9 hole golf course is not a place for avid golfers, but nice as a recreational activity
• Spa
• Food – like most Sandals resorts some liked the food while others didn’t.
• Snorkeling

The latest deals at Sandals Regency La Toc

There are several fantastic resorts in St. Croix, but there are currently no St. Croix all inclusive resorts.  The Divi Carina Bay resort in St. Croix has in the past offered all inclusive packages, but as of this writing, there are none offered.  If you are going to stay in St. Croix and you want an all inclusive vacation, you should inquire with The Divi Carina resort as they may begin offering them or create one for you.

Go here for a comprehensive listing of hotels in St. Croix.

Here is a site with a listing of St. Croix hotel deals

Barbados March Activities

This page is focused on things to do in Barbados in March.  We have another page if you are interested in looking full list of things to do in Barbados that are available year round.
The highlights of the March calendar include two events:

Sandy Lane Gold Cup (Horse Racing)

Sponsored by Sandy Lane Resort and the Barbados Turf Club, this thoroughbred race is considered to be the most prestigious in the Caribbean. It’s also among the top few annual events on the Barbados social calendar. Run since 1982, the race is as much a chance for the upper echelons of society to show off their finery and the hoi polloi to enjoy a good party, as it is a competition to decide the best horses and jockeys. To get things off to a festive start, the race is preceded by a performance of the Royal Barbados Police Force Band, along with a parade of dancing majorettes and stilt walkers.

The kickoff of the Oistins Festival, most of which takes place in April, but there are several other things to do during the month.

Here is a more complete calendar of things to do in Barbados in March.

If you haven’t completed your planning, check out these Barbados vacation deals.

New Sandals Resort in Bahamas opened in January 2010

Sandals Resorts International has opened a new Sandals resort.  This is now the 13th Sandals resort in the Caribbean.   Sandals acquired the former Four Seasons resort in the Bahamas and converted it to a luxury sandals resort.

The resort has been renovated and modified to meet the expectations of the Sandals clientele including the addition of an expansive new pool complex and additional dining establishments.  The resort will opened January 2010.

And yes, you can get a deal to this new resort:

Here is some more information about Sandals’ newest resort:

“This is a remarkable moment in the history of Sandals Resorts,” Stewart said. “We are acquiring one of the most spectacular pieces of real estate in the Caribbean, which was operated by one of the world’s most highly regarded hotel companies. This is a reflection of all that Sandals Resorts has accomplished and a tremendous opportunity to further demonstrate our commitment to providing the very best vacation in the Caribbean. We look forward to bringing our Luxury Included® experience to this special property, which has been kept to impeccable standards.”

Sandals Emerald Bay Resort is set along a one-mile stretch of white sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. According to Stewart, the all-suite resort will offer a selection of 190 “magnificently-appointed” luxury accommodations with styles that range from beachfront villas to charming bay house settings – all oceanfront, all extremely spacious and all serviced by butlers trained by Sandals Resorts through the company’s exclusive partnership with the Guild of Professional English Butlers.

This will be the first ever Sandals Resort to include a fully-protected stand-alone Marina. The Emerald Bay Marina by Sandals offers 133 slips and is equipped to accommodate and service yachts up to 300 feet in length. Open to the public, the marina also features a welcoming clubhouse with a full-service restaurant including al fresco dining on a spectacular wraparound terrace, pool, a world-class Red Lane® Spa.

See all Sandals resorts deals

Which is the best Sandals resort?  Note: we haven’t ranked this one yet.