Interview With: Amanda Lucas
Company Name: Sandals Resorts
Head Office Location: London
Can you tell us a little bit about Sandals?
Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic holiday experience in the Caribbean. All Sandals’ resorts are Luxury Included®, offering stunning beachfront locations; a choice of à la carte restaurants, from white-glove dining to barefoot elegance; all premium brand wine and spirits, including an exclusive partnership with California’s legendary Beringer Vineyards; luxurious accommodations in a range of categories; unrivalled watersports including the Caribbean’s largest PADI certification program; Butler Service for truly indulgent pampering; Sandals Weddings by Martha StewartTM; and signature Red Lane® Spas, with services and treatments inspired by the region.
Where are the Sandals resorts?
Currently there are 14 Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts located in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and The Bahamas.
Which of your resorts can couples get married at if they are looking to marry abroad?
All 14 Sandals Resorts offer our stunning Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart™. In fact, the Beautiful Beginnings wedding theme even comes free of charge with a stay in a concierge category or above!*
What service can couples expect if they choose a Sandals resort for their wedding?
With six exquisite wedding themes designed exclusively by Martha Stewart, Sandals Weddings feature coordinated colour palettes, beautifully designed wedding décor, complementary bouquets, invitations, cakes and favours, along with à la carte items, creating a memorable experience to suit every couple’s unique preferences. All Sandals’ weddings also come with a personal wedding planner who will work with the bride and groom, taking care of every little detail.
What type of packages does Sandals offer to couples on their honeymoon?
All honeymoon guests will receive the following:
- Upon arrival, bottle of chilled sparkling wine elegantly arranged on ice bucket.
- On first night, turndown service will include flower petals on the bed.
- On one morning, the couple will receive a breakfast in bed served with fresh flowers
We also offer special ‘Romance’ and ‘Luxury’ packages (at additional cost). These include the following:
Romance ($1800)**
- Exclusive private transfer from airport with fruit, champagne and chocolate
- Private four-course dinner oceanside for two
- Breakfast in bed
- Rose petal bath for two
- Couple’s champagne massage — 50 minutes
- Scrapbook and honeymoon photo session
- One complimentary 5 x 7 honeymoon photograph
- Romantic Sunset Cruise (varies by resort)
- Picnic for two on private offshore island (Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Royal Bahamian)
- Massage lesson at Red Lane® Spa
Luxury ($1500)**
- Private transfer from airport
- Butler for-a-day unpacks while you enjoy wine, fruit & cheese poolside
- Private four-course courtyard dinner for two with wine flighting (locations vary by resort)
- In-room couples massage — 50 minutes
- Pre-made dinner reservations at gourmet restaurant Gordon’s
- One-day reservation poolside with beverages and snacks of your choice
- Private sunset photo session on the beach
What is the best thing about honeymooning at a Sandals resort?
The best thing is that everything is included, from gourmet meals, to delicious cocktails to exciting water sports. This means that couples can leave their worries and wallet behind and spend their honeymoon dedicated to each other.
What makes Sandals resorts so different from other luxury resorts?
The Sandals’ Luxury Included® difference is the unique combination of quality, choices and world class award winning service. At Sandals Resorts we pride ourselves on our top-of-the-range products; from à la carte restaurants, benefiting from our established partnership with California’s legendary Beringer Vineyards, to an extensive range of water sports — Sandals Resorts is now one of the largest dive operators in the Caribbean. Our ‘Butler Service’, offered in partnership with the Guild of Professional English Butlers, represents the ultimate in luxury pampering, attending to guests’ every need. This includes private in-suite check-in, unpacking and packing as well as any extra special request (such as a moonlit dinner) that individual customers may require. Sandals Resorts was also one of the first operators in the Caribbean to offer European style spas, and these Red Lane® Spas are now featured prominently in all of our establishments.
Do you have a favourite resort and why have you chosen this one in particular?
It would have to be Sandals Emerald Bay, as this was first resort to have all butler-serviced suites, and also features an absolutely stunning white-sand beach, a Greg Norman designed Championship golf course, and five amazing restaurants. This resort truly is the epitome of the Luxury Included® experience.
What is the best thing about your job?
I love the way in which I am able to build such a great rapport with the bride and groom throughout the planning process. A wedding is one of the most important events in a person’s life, and it is great being able to be a part of this and to help couples create the day of their dreams. I also really enjoy hearing from returning couples who share stories of their happy day.
Do you have a top tip for choosing the perfect honeymoon location?
Every couple has different interests and so there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution when creating the perfect honeymoon. Some people will see a romantic outing as a hike up a mountain range, while for others it’s basking in the sun and enjoying a side-by-side massage. Your honeymoon is the most special holiday of your life so make sure that the experience is tailored to your particular interests and needs, rather than just picking an idyllic destination.
Where can I find out more about Sandals?
Call 0800 742 742 or visit www.sandals.co.uk.
* Except Sandals Emerald Bay
** The Luxury Package is available in St. Lucia and Bahamas only. The Romance Package is not available at Sandals Emerald Bay. Packages do not include accommodations.
