Like every girl, I not only wanted a dream wedding, but I also wanted a dream honeymoon. While some stay traditional and have the groom plan the entire honeymoon as a surprise, my groom-to-be knew me very well and decided to let me be a part of the planning; I was oh so thankful for that decision. We found a travel company at one of the bridal fairs we attended and had them help us narrow down our search. We knew we wanted somewhere tropical, not in the United States, and somewhere neither of us had been before. We finally decided to go to the Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas! I had, of course, heard of Sandals resorts before, but I wasn’t sure if they would really live up to their hype. But oh goodness gracious did they ever! Here are 5 reasons you should book your trip to the Sandals Royal Bahamian TODAY!
Everything is All-Inclusive
Yes, there are tons of all-inclusive resorts out there, but not like Sandals. They have thought of things to include that I didn’t even know I wanted until it was presented! You will never be hungry or thirsty and there are so many exciting adventures and activities that are included in your stay.
The Food and the Drinks
I’ve been to other resorts where the food is really only great in one restaurant and just so so everywhere else. At Sandals, all of the food is delicious! The Sandals Royal Bahamian has 10 restaurants and 8 bars. Two of the bars are swim-up bars in two of the pools. The drinks are all delicious and the bartenders are always willing to create new concoctions for you to try! Out of the 10 restaurants, there is only one where you have to make a reservation. There really is a cuisine for everyone and it is all just so delicious! One night, we had dinner at 5 PM and then went to a different restaurant at 9 PM for a second dinner. I’m not even embarrassed to tell you that. They also stock your room daily with sodas, water bottles, and juices. You also have a full bar with vodka, rum, tequila, and gin. It is ALL included in your all-inclusive fee! There is also daily room service that is delicious!
You feel like Kings and Queens
The second you step foot in the Sandals lounge at the airport, you immediately feel like royalty. They escort you to their private bus and drive you to the resort. Once you arrive, they immediately offer you a cold towel and a drink. They have you sit in their beautiful hotel lobby and help you check-in on an iPad. While you are checking in, they take your bags and have them delivered to your room. The staff then gives you a tour of the resort as they walk you to your room. That is just the beginning. Every staff member we encountered was FABULOUS! They wait on you constantly and will stop what they are doing to do mini photo shoots with you. The resort is absolutely spotless, but we hardly ever saw people cleaning! They are very sneaky.
The resort also doesn’t overbook. We never had a problem getting a table, finding a cabana or pool chair, or having plenty of space in the pool.
The Private Island
The Royal Bahamian has a private island that is only a 5-minute boat ride from the resort. You can take a boat every hour starting at 9 AM with the last boat coming back at 6 PM. They had a restaurant, pool and swim-up bar on the island. They also had a spa on the island! You can check out snorkeling equipment at the resort and take it to the island to snorkel. It was so secluded and romantic. It felt like an absolute dream! There were hammocks in the water, comfy beds and cabanas on the beach, and private cabanas overlooking the ocean. We were just walking the island and stumbled upon this cabana. We camped out here for about 3 hours. It was absolute paradise.
The Activities and Excursions
When you arrive, you are advised to meet with the concierge to schedule your tours for the week. There is a schedule in your room for that week’s activities and tours. All of this is included in your stay! Quick Tip: Make sure you plan out your week the first day you arrive so that you don’t miss out on any of the activities. While only one of their restaurants, Kimonos, requires reservations, you will want to reserve your spot as soon as possible! It is very popular and their spots fill up fast! We took a snorkeling cruise, went on a shopping trip and tour of the city, and a rum tasting at John Watling’s Distillery. This was honestly the best Pina Collada I have ever tasted! They have paddle boats, sailboats, water trikes and kayaks that you can check out for the day. They even have a giant chess board on the property! Sandals also ropes off their area of the beach and water to ensure that guests of the resort are the only ones on that part of the beach. If you are interested in excursions outside of Sandals, there is a travel agency at the resort that will help you book additional excursions during your stay. They have truly thought of everything!
If you are looking for a relaxing and exotic getaway, I highly recommend the Royal Bahamian. That was our first Sandals experience, but we are excited to go to Sandals Ochi in Jamaica this summer for our first wedding anniversary! I hope you enjoy your vacation as much as we did! Check back for highlights from that trip soon!