[Be sure to read part I first!]
We had four whole days and two travel days on our trip, and they flew by. On our third morning, we had to be at the beach early for our tour (8:45 – vacation early), so we ordered a room service breakfast to fill us up. The best thing about all-inclusive resorts is it’s all included! Fruit, an omelet, baked goods, coffee.
We booked a tour of St. Lucia through Our Toy Boat Tours, who had sold us on the experience the day before. Our journey started with a shuttle to a speed boat which took us 25 minutes up the coastline to the famous Pitons.
The boat ride was lots of fun, and we got to see a lot of the island, including the homes of Mick Jagger and Oprah (!!) and the cove where they filled Pirates of the Caribbean. That’s Oprah’s house I’m pointing to!
The Pitons were huge, and we got to snorkel underneath them. It wasn’t the greatest snorkeling ever, but I saw some beautiful iridescent fish, which I loved.
Our next stop took us to the town of Soufrière. Here, we hopped out of the boat and took a shuttle up the mountain to the Sulphur Springs Park where we got to dip into the mud baths that are fed by a dormant volcano. The springs were over 100 degrees and the experience was like soaking in a hot tub filled with stinky charcoal paint! (Nicer than it sounds!)
After a dip, we were encouraged to cover ourselves in the mud which is apparently “soooo good for the skin!” The ultimate spa treatment : ) Then we got to rinse it off again in the hot water.
We also went to a small waterfall, but it was way too cold for me to get in! On the way we stopped at an overlook to see the Pitons from up high.
Then, finally, we went on to lunch, which was amazing!! Our buffet was filled with local dishes like jerk chicken, taro root, plantains (my favorite!), beans, rice, and local tuna. This was my favorite meal, as it tasted homemade.
We also got to explore the town a bit, and enjoyed getting to experience a bit of the St. Lucian culture.
Back in the boat, we headed home through the famous Love Tunnel and sipped on rum punch and moonshine – yee haw!
That evening we relaxed by the bluffs pool for a bit, and had our second dinner at Neptune’s under the stars (I had a salad and a mixed seafood dish with shrimp and mussels). Dinner was followed by a Super Bowl party with a huge crowd in the big pavilion.
On our final full day, we had breakfast on our balcony again so we could relax a bit more before getting all sunscreened up for the day. Granola parfait, breakfast sammie, chocolate and strawberry crepes.
There are three Sandals resorts within about 30 minutes of one another, and you can visit, dine at and enjoy all of them no matter which one you’re staying in. So we headed over to the Sandals Grande to check out the beach there. The La Toc beach surf was quite rough, and there were red flags up most of the days so I never got in (T did a few times), but the Grande beach is calm as can be in a big bay, and a lot of the water sports like sailing and water skiing are housed there. There were practically no waves, so we did a lot of swimming around and floating on some big rafts.
Aside from the pretty beach, we were really glad we chose La Toc for our trip because the Grande just wasn’t….as grand! We loved the dramatic beauty at La Toc and the views – the Grande had a much more casual feel.
We had lunch at Barefoot By The Sea, and loved this lunch of blackened mahi, cobb salad and nachos!
We found a gazebo out over the water to read and relax in before heading back to our resort that afternoon.
For our final dinner, we went back to The Pitons restaurant, and I finally got to have the famous Chicken Roti. This reminded me of curried chicken salad cooked into a fried pastry. Delicious!!
The best dessert of the trip was the chocolate lava cake with coffee ice cream from the Pitons. It’s on the plate at the top right, with a sweet potato ganache on the left and a coconut pie bite on the bottom. #tripledessert
There are photographers all around, and guests can book a complimentary photo session, so we scheduled one to catch the sunset off the bluffs. I wanted to buy all of the photos from our shoot, but at $20 a pop, we settled on just a few to remember the trip by. This looks like a fake studio because of the flash, but it’s a 100% real cliff sunset!
Overall, we had a great time at Sandals. The hospitality was great, there was plenty to do, there was a lot of variety in restaurants, and the grounds were gorgeous. If you can swing it, stay on the bluffs! I’m not sure I would have been as happy to be down by the main pool area.
We didn’t make it to either of the reservation required restaurants, but we loved the beach-side al fresco dining, and the menus were extensive enough that we didn’t have to order the same thing twice (except for those lava cakes!!). I thought the food met expectations for a resort of this size, with a few dishes really impressing me and a few that left a bit to be desired. One part we really did think needed improvements was the lack of tropical fruit. I was expecting mango, passionfruit, papaya, and pineapple like I had gotten at previous Caribbean resort vacations, but they didn’t offer any of those – they just had cantaloupe, honeydew, grapefruit and even canned fruit. So that was a big disappointment (maybe we just hit an off week or something?). But you win some and you lose some, and overall we were very happy with our stay.
St. Lucia itself was so pretty, and we loved the friendliness of its people and the cuisine. I’d say I hope to return, but there are so many other islands to see! Let’s just say I wouldn’t mind going back soon : )
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
What a great trip! I really want to try the mud bath myself, sounds so fun haha!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Linda says
That last picture of the two of you is amazing!! So glad you had a great trip.
Chelsea says
That last picture!
Jodea says
We went to Barbados last year and it surpassed all my expectations. It was so beautiful and relaxing. We did AirBnB and hired a car which worked well – it was easy to get around and it gave us the chance to explore most of the island over two weeks. We stayed on the calm and pristine West coast but enjoyed the dramatic scenery on the East/Atlantic side. The snorkelling was fabulous. It was my first taste of the Caribbean and I’d love to return. St Lucia comes recommended too – hopefully my next stop!
Gloria says
This brought me right back to my honeymoon at la toc 14 months ago. We had 3 full days of rain so didnt get to do any day trips or head to any other resorts. But we loved our quiet time in the beautiful atmosphere la toc offers. We stayed on the side you guys did, so peaceful. I agree with the food, i expected a bit more but what we had was delicious. I’ve been a reader for many years and I’m so happy to see you happy!
Izzy | pinch of delight says
The photos are incredible!
It looks amazing and I hope you are having a wonderful time. x
Denise says
Sandals is known for it’s activities and watersports, etc.. Did you participate in any of the activities that they offer? I know you said you were glad you didn’t have a room near the pool area is that because it was loud like most AI’s are with the partying/loud music? Can you share more pics of the resort besides the food? I don’t mind food pics but I was curious what exactly the resort itself was like and what they offer and in terms of other all-inclusives are they actually worth it? I’ve been to several all-inclusives but wondered if Sandals/Beaches are overrated. Thanks!
KathEats says
Our resort didn’t have any watersports, but you could go to the Grande beach for that and do it all for free. We didn’t really have time while we were there at the Grande to do them, but if you were really into watersports I would stay there. There was golf at our resorts, which Thomas wanted to do, but it did cost a little extra (I think?). I think the all-inclusive is more about the dining and drinks, and I do think it was worth it.
Laura says
I want to go there now! We’re planning our 5 year anniversary trip and unfortunately due to the threat of Zika (we want to try for second baby soon) there are no “safe” places in the Caribbean to visit so we’ll be going to California instead. It’ll still be fun but I’m bummed we can’t go further south!
I checked out the resort rooms and it is definitely a splurge stay! Looks worth it though!
Danielle says
It’s not technically Caribbean, but check out Bermuda! I went last April and it was so, so beautiful (and its zika free!)
Kelli H says
The photos are beautiful! After having an entire week of rain this vacation looks like heaven! I need to feel the sun on my skin SOON!
Leah says
Beautiful pictures! What a fun vacation!
Lindsey says
What a dream!! I wish I could go to a sandals resort with my bf but he’s trying to get a security clearance from the gov and going out of the country makes the process even more complicated 🙁 But it looks like a wonderful time! It’s still on my bucket list for sure. And kudos to you for striking such a great food balance. I’m off to jelly-school now. (meaning I’m jealous ;)) hehe.
Aimee says
How do you come back from somewhere like that lol.
polly says
kath that last photo!! 🙂 looks like a honeymoon pic! 🙂
XOXO
KathEats says
<3
Kelly Mach says
Kath you really look beautiful! Good for you girl! Gorgeous pictures and now I need to go book a trip to St. Lucia :).
KathEats says
Thank you 🙂
Sam @ Hygge Wellness says
Wow!! That sunset picture is amazing. It really does look fake! lol And that overlook… amazing! Thanks for sharing.
Milli says
My husband and I honeymooned there almost 9 years ago! We stayed up on the bluffs, too…which definitely was more our speed. Revisiting the resort through your experience makes me want to go back. Glad you are sharing more about your new relationship.
Laura says
It’s soooo nice to see you so happy and it’s great to finally see Thomas! Yay, for love! <3
Landon says
Thank you so much for your report. My wife and I have decided to visit this resort in November. We are just having a hard time choosing a room. I will keep your bluff recomendation in mind. If you don’t mind answering, what is the atmosphere. Is it more relaxed or active. Or is it mixed and you can choose what you want? We like a nice combination of both.
KathEats says
The resort is almost like two in one – the lower area is a bit more crowded, has a bit of a party atmosphere with activities like pool volleyball, DJs and live bands. The bluffs pool is much quieter with beautiful views. The rooms on the bluff are also the fanciest with the best views.
The Many Thoughts of a Reader says
Wow, looks nice! I will have to add it to my list of we should go there someday! ha . We did Sandals for our honeymoon in Jamaica and I also felt the same about the fresh fruit offerings.
CARA says
That last photo is gorgeous!! What a fantastic trip!! If you don’t mind my asking, where in the world did you get that rainbow dress in the sunset photo?? We’re about to go on our honeymoon and I would love to buy it!!
KathEats says
Athleta!
CARA says
Thanks!
Karen H. says
Thanks for sharing you beautiful pictures! What a lovely place. That last pic deserves a frame, for sure!
Chelsea says
I recently got divorced and am in love again. It’s such a happy feeling but also fraught with emotions I never had to deal with the first time around, “Are people judging me? Should I care?” I have decided my happiness is the most important thing for myself, and it is so refreshing to see someone else embrace love. Your pictures are beautiful, and it looks like you had a lovely time.
KathEats says
Exactly. If you worry about what other people think you’ll be stuck in limbo forever. I’m happy for you too!