Sandals and Beaches are sister brands owned by the same company, share the same luxury-included philosophy, and are often confused for each other. Here is the practical difference.
The short answer
Sandals Resorts are couples-only, ages 18 and up. Beaches Resorts are built for families, with kids clubs, water parks and Sesame Street character experiences. If anyone under 18 is traveling, you are booking Beaches.
What both include
Unlimited dining at every restaurant, premium drinks, tips, taxes, airport transfers, land and water sports, snorkeling, and most non-motorized activities are all included. There is no wristband and no à la carte nickel-and-diming.
Sandals: couples-only
Sandals has the larger footprint -- Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao and Turks & Caicos. Rooms range from garden views to overwater bungalows and Rondoval suites with private pools.
Butler service, candlelit dinners on the beach, and scuba diving included with certification make it a strong honeymoon, anniversary and babymoon pick.
Beaches: families welcome
Beaches operates in Turks & Caicos, Jamaica (Negril and Ocho Rios). You get everything Sandals includes, plus Pirates Island water parks, kids camps by age group, Sesame Street character breakfasts and parades, teen lounges, and included childcare hours at most resorts.
Beaches is also one of the strongest all-inclusive options for families with food allergies or autism-certified staff support -- their programs are unusually well-developed.
Which is right for you?
Honeymoon, anniversary, adults-only escape or friends trip: Sandals. Family vacation, multi-generational trip, or anyone under 18 in the group: Beaches. Want adults-only quiet but a family reunion later? Many of our clients do both over time.
We are Sandals and Beaches specialists, and we watch for promotions, resort credits and airfare offers on your dates. Request a free quote and we will match you to the right resort and room category.
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