This tends to be one of the first questions my clients ask about Sandals Resorts when reaching out to me to help them book their stays. Seems that no matter how long they've searched the internet, the answer to their question is not exactly clear and that's what eventually leads them to me. In an attempt to help others understand I've decided to tackle this popular question in my blog post today.

First, I really should explain that not every all-inclusive resort is alike. The general idea for an all-inclusive resorts is that your basics are included. At most basic all-inclusive resorts this means your room cost covers the following:

• Meals at most restaurants on properties (at select resorts "speciality" restaurants may cost extra).
• All drinks including select alcoholic drinks (usually well liquor, the cheapest brands).
• If water sports are included then it will most likely be kayaks and hobie cats (sailing).
• If snorkeling is included it normally means that they provide the gear and you can snorkel in the water on the beach.
• WiFi at times may also included.

Sandals is proud to be a partner with Robert Mondovi wines, which means all guests have access to any of the six varietals (please note, this is always subject to change based on the partnerships deals Sandals has):

• Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon - Juicy plum and cedar aromas lead to profound blackberry, cherry, and tobacco flavors. Nicely toasted and caramelized by oak aging.

• Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Chardonnay - Vibrant tropical fruit and apples meld with rich cinnamon, maple and a hint of sweet vanilla spice. Medium bodied with a toasty finish.

• Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Merlot - Rich cherry and dark chocolate aromas are followed by enticing cocoa and toast flavors. Complex and full-bodied with well-integrated tannins.

• Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Pinot Grigio - Beautifully round yet refreshing nectarine and peach aromas and flavors with a peach-citrus finish. Un-oaked to preserve the wine¹s crisp, fresh character.

• Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Sauvignon Blanc - Lively and fruit-forward with grapefruit and passion fruit aromas and flavors. Bright, mouthwatering finish.

• Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Shiraz - Blackberry and rose aromas lead to lively berry, chocolate, and spice flavors and a light black pepper finish. Full tannins are beautifully balanced by bright acidity.

Sandals offers a variety of land sports as well:

• Golf (at select resorts with Sandals golf courses on property or near by)
• Croquet
• Beach Volleyball

• Basketball
• Lawn Chess

• Horseshoes
• Billiards Tables

• Bocci Ball
• Shuffleboard

• Table Tennis 
• Darts

• Day/ Night Tennis
• Chess

• Cards
• Rock-Wall Climbing (available at Sandals Ochi)

All Sandals properties have a fitness center available 24/7 that you can access using your room key. Inside you'll find the following:

• Complimentary Instruction
• Life Fitness® Equipment
• Treadmills
• Elliptical Machines
• Exercise Bikes
• Stairclimbers
• Free Weights 
• Yoga
• Aerobics
• Zumba®
• Aqua-cise
• Stretching
• Morning Power Walks
• Pilates

One of the reasons I personally love Sandals so much is the diversity of their water sports options. Most resort offer basic water sports like hobie cats and kayaks, but Sandals takes it a step further by offering the following:

• Hobie cats 
• Sailing
• Kayaking

• Paddle boarding
• Body boarding
• Aquatrikes

• Glass bottom boat tours
• Water skiing (at select resorts)
• Tubing (at select resorts)
• Wake-boarding (at Sandals Barbados only)
• Wind surfing

Sandals also includes unlimited scuba diving for all guests, but the catch is that guests must be certified to receive the complimentary dives. If they aren't certified, the resort has a certification program that costs a little bit extra. If interested, make sure to speak to your Sandals Specialists about the fees.

Sandals also includes a dynamic team to keep you entertained day and night. Whether it's live music or fun games at the "active" pools, an evening show, or live music at sunset, Sandals offers it all.

At select Sandals Resorts (Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Royal Bahamian) there are also off shore islands which are available to all guests via a shuttle boat. Those islands have restaurants, pools with swim-up bars, private lounge chairs and/or cabanas and hammocks, additional beach options, and spa services.

Anyone who wants to stay connected while at Sandals is in luck, the resorts offer complimentary WiFi to all guests throughout the property.

One thing that's great about staying at Sandals is that select resorts also offer complimentary exchange privileges.

• Montego Bay: Ability to stay at one of the three Sandals and visit the other two via complimentary shuttle.
• Sandals Royal Plantation: Guests staying at Sandals Royal Plantation can visit Sandals Ochi next door via complimentary shuttle van, but unfortunately due to its small size, Sandals Ochi guests cannot visit Sandals Royal Plantation in exchange.
• St. Lucia Resorts: Ability to stay at one of the three Sandals in St. Lucia and visit the other two via complimentary shuttle.

Club Sandals

Club Sandals service is available to any guests staying in a Club level suite or higher. What this means is that guests in these room categories will enjoy a private lounge for check-in and check-out and provide you with not only a comfortable place to relax but they have dedicated Club Sandals Concierge staff to assist with making restaurant reservations, booking tours and spa treatments, answering questions, making requests, etc. It's a nice extra perk to have. Plus Club level suites come with a fully stocked mini-fridge, in room bar, and room service in most cases, so that's always a plus.

If you happen to have booked a butler level suite, you'll have personal butler service included in your stay. This doesn't mean that someone will be staying in the suite with you or standing guard by your door all day/night, it simply means that when you need something there is an attendant on call (during the day) to bring you whatever you desire. Want a drink by the pool? The butler will bring it. Want your lunch brought to the beach? The butler will handle it.  Celebrating a special occasion? The butler will make sure you celebrate in style.  The butlers will go out of their way to make your stay memorable.

The entry level Weddingmoons package (Beautiful Beginnings) is complimentary at all Sandals Resorts, with stays of 3 paid nights or more in all room categories. This is a great option for couples looking to elope or having a small wedding ceremony with just a few friends or family.

Select Sandals Resorts also have their own private airport lounges at resorts in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Bahamas (Nassau) for guests arriving on those islands. Other airports have designated Sandals desks.

Even the transfers between the airport and resort are included. The best part is, unlike some other resorts that may offer these as an add-on or possibly even complimentary, the Sandals transfers go to the resorts non-stop. This means you won't have to stop at other Sandals properties along the way for dropping off guests.

Sandals has a strict no-tipping policy because tips have already been priced into your resort package. Sandals guests don't have to worry about digging into their wallet during their stay and that means you can give your wallet a vacation too. Just lock it in the safe, go enjoy the resort and you can check out with a zero balance at the end of your stay.

This is a feature you can pay extra for before you arrive on property or you can choose to book it while there. If you pay ahead of time, you won't have to worry about the additional charge on your room at check out.  This option allows you to dine, just you and your significant other, either as the sun is setting (6:30pm dining time) or after the sun sets and the stars come out (8:30pm dining time). This is only an extra fee because there are costs involved for set up and for private waitstaff service.

Sandals has it's own spa called Red Lane Spa, and it's available on every property. For guests wanting to experience a service they can pre-book them online, or when they have checked in. If you were lucky, you may have be able to take advantage of deals at the time you booked and received a spa credit or complimentary couples massage too, which would greatly reduce the spa cost or offer a service for free.

Sandals has it's own tour company, Island Routes, that makes tours and excursions available to Sandals guests on all islands. Tours generally are not included in the Sandals package, however at times, depending on promotions available when you book, you may received a tour credit. You may claim it once you've checked in and make a booking for your tour then. Or if you are paying out-of-pocket for your tour/excursion, then you can either book it when you are on property or pre-book it and pay for it ahead of time.

You may have seen the reoccuring deals for a complimentary catamaran cruise when booking select Sandals Resorts. If you booked your stay during certain time frames, you may have qualified to for the complimentary catamaran cruise promotion. If you did then you'll be enjoying the fun of a catamaran excursion free of charge! I did one in Ocho Rios and it was a blast. 

One of my favorite Sandals Resorts features are the private cabana beds over the water. Unfortunately, these are at select resorts (I wish they were at all resorts). For those that have them, this is a must to experience. Yes, it will cost you a little extra, and unfortunately you can't pre-book it before you've checked in, but it's worth every penny to me. You'll get your own cabana butler for the day and they'll bring you anything you need while you lay back and enjoy the water around you. It's true paradise!

This is another "must try" experience which is only available on certain islands (Jamaica and St. Lucia). There is the option for a private luxury car transfer or even a helicopter transfers to cut down on your transfer time for resorts that are farther away (such as 75-90 minutes like in Jamaica-- Negril, Whitehouse, Ocho Rios-- and in St. Lucia). I use the private transfers every time I travel to one of those destinations in Jamaica and I find them to be worth the money and then some. The car comes with a private driver, complimentary snacks and drinks (welcomed after a day of traveling), and free WiFi so you can stay connected while you're on the road. Prices vary depending on destinations and islands.