Photo Tour: Sandal’s All-Inclusive Couples Resort in Barbados

By Melanie Reffes, Special for USA Today

Sandals is the largest all inclusive resort in Barbados. Photo buy phentermine wholesale Credit Melanie Reffes

Sandals Barbados is the latest addition to the all-inclusive, adults-only chain. On Dover Beach where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic, the resort is fifteen minutes from the Grantley Adams International Airport and is compact enough not to need a Sherpa guide to get around. Next door to Sandals Barbados, Sandals Resorts will open Sandals Royal Barbados on December 20 which will include the signature romantic Rondovals, Millionaire Butler Suites and Skypool Suites. Perks for couples include the Red Lane Spa, four bars , five restaurants and a “Stay at One, Play at Two” where guests can access the amenities at both resorts.

Sandals Barbados has the largest river pool in the Caribbean. Photo Credit Melanie Reffes

The only resort in Barbados exclusively for couples also lays claim to the largest river pool in the Caribbean, longest lagoon pool on the island and 280 rooms in 14 categories including secluded swim-up suites. Amenities that aim to please are the giant soaking tubs, kayaking, boogie boards and snorkeling and for certified divers, scuba is also on the house. The Carnival Party every Monday, Chocolate Buffet on Wednesday and Bajan Street Jamboree on Saturday are worth checking out.

Crystal Lagoon suites come with giant tubs and Butlers. Photo Credit Melanie Reffes

For an upscale touch, Personal Butlers – there are 61 butler suites served by 13 butlers – are trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers and happily arrange island tours, make dinner reservations (2 restaurants require reservations), unpack the luggage and serve dinner en-suite.

Cafe des Paris is in the middle of the resort and is easy to find. Photo Credit Melanie Reffes

The resort is top-shelf with rooms generously stocked with big bottles, outdoor rain showers in the Red Lane Spa, 11 restaurants including the first Indian eatery in a Sandals Resort and a New York-style hot dog stand, 7 bars, Parisian-style Café that opens early and an English pub that stays open late for a pint, bangers and mash and friendly game of billiards.

Snag a comfy couples couch for an afternoon siesta. Photo Credit Melanie Reffes

There are so many pools and so many sun loungers that relaxation by the water never gets crowded. Weddings are such a pleasure for the staff that you’d think they were the ones getting married.

If you prefer classes, Red Lane offers an early morning Yoga class that’s not to be missed. Photo Credit Melanie Reffes

If unlimited drinking, eating and soaking up the rays aren’t enough for you, sign up for yoga in the gazebo, cooking lessons with Chef Tony and for a special treat, find the chief groundskeeper named Markson for an impromptu nature lesson. Bring your camera for snaps of the ruby red flamboyant trees, delicate yellow African Trumpet flowers and tiny birds nibbling on freshly baked brownies.

The combination of Flamboyant Trees and blue sky is prettier than a postcard. Photo Credit Melanie Reffes

And then there are those little extras that make a big difference, like resort-wide Wi-Fi (it’s really fast!), exceptional staff from security personnel to concierges, Blue Mountain coffee as a nod to the owner of Sandals Resorts (Butch Stewart is from Jamaica), air conditioned elevators in all the buildings and Caribbean-themed paintings on the patios that add a warm artistic touch.

For more images, see the original article at USAToday.com