[A Legal Beagle]

After getting wed on the 29th April. (A brilliant day which surpassed all expectations) we have booked a last minute trip to St Lucia:

St Lucia Luxury Holiday Vacation Resort - Sandals Halcyon Beach

Never been before and it looks amazing. Going on the 28th May so not long

Just thought id ask if anyone has been here and can provide some hints/tips on the do's and dont's. No jokes about the wife please

Whats peoples experiences of the resort? any excursions recommended?

whats best to use as insect repellant?
- I am guessing the currency is US dollars?
Ive also read that some people have been taking excursions from the people on the beach, despite being advised not to. Would you book one with them or book with Sandals direct?

Look forward to hearing some great ideas

[A Legal Beagle]

anyone? :-)

[Flipper]

I spent part of my honeymoon in St Lucia 20 years ago. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't offer much advice other than I am sure we had some jabs before we went.

I would be interested in what you think of the Sandals resort as we have considered going back several times.

Have a great time.

[JimmyMac]

We went to the exact same place for our honeymoon in november 2010 and I can honestly say its the best place I have ever been, absolutely wonderful and the whole honeymoon couldnt have been any better!

First things first, say hello to Agnes! She is an utter legend there, been there about as long as the resort has been around and never lets your glass get empty at the bar. The staff were all fantastic but she's like the mother to them all, you'll know who I mean when you see her :D


Theres two main pools, one is the quiet one and the other is where you'll get asked to partake in the usual kind of activities, they never push you for them though, if you say no they wont start hounding you. We spent most of our time at the quieter pool as there was generally more sunbeds, one big tip there would be to get up early and save one as they go very quickly!

The restaurants are cracking, marios do a fabulous italian and was probably our favourite. When you arrive find out when the bookings become available at the other restuarants at other resorts, only a few need bookings but once you know when they are available get to reception a good ten minutes before so you can have your pick. You have to try. Book La Toc and Kimonos, both of which are at the La Toc resort, shuttle buses run regularly to take you up there.

I loved the fact that all drinks were premium brands, choice of god knows how many bourbons and whiskys and they will make up most things including shooters! The local beer, Piton, was very good and the wines were quite nice too. You don't tip either, its just not done at any sandals so don't worry about doing it.

We visited each of them, La Toc and the Grande are very much where the americans go, lots of whooping and generally over the top, whilst Halycon was much more for the europeans and as such the atmosphere suited us far more.

Enjoy the various entertainment nights, the casino night is a great laugh and if you go to the karaoke, don't miss one of the staff (forget her name) murdering Bonnie Tyler hits, its bloody hilarious! Get chatting to Everton, scrawny looking lad but he seems to lead most of the nights and can always be found with his favourite phrase "Happy Times". Afterwards take advantage of the piano bar, its open till 6 am and we had some absolutely great nights in there, Mikey(i think it was mikey) often works the bar (spitting image of Jamie Fox and hands the size of shovels) and he will make any drink you can imagine!

As for the tours, we didnt go on any as unfortunately for us the island had been hit by a hurricane the week before we went so most things weren't on. However do book via the resort, it can be a little more expensive but you do get a guaranteed tour and your covered for cancellations, the pitons tour seemed most popular allowing you to visit the pitons and the volcano.

Above all, get chatting to people there, we met a couple who it turns out live two doors down from my aunt and we still see them quite often now, meeting others made the honeymoon as our nights became even more enjoyable.

I can't think of much else at the moment but if I do i'll post, if you want to know anything else just drop me a PM or ask here

Hope you have an amazing time, we are already planning our trip back for one of our anniversarys :D

[JimmyMac]

how was it?

[apul]

So good he's still there?

[A Legal Beagle]

Ha ha, I wish

Jimmy, Its everything you said it would be and more!

When we arrived at the airport and passed security. we were greeted like royalty!

Accommodation exceeded our expectations not to mention the mini bar with optics topped up every night!

Agnes, is a Legend! I knew who you meant as soon as I saw her! First thing she did is suggest a BBC cocktail to my wife and we never looked back. Agnes is lovely, she is the life and soul of the paradise pool and bar. It is as you suggested the quieter pool of the 2, which we preferred.

As for food, everywhere we tried served cracking food. WQe found the Pier restaurant to be the best.

Sadly we never got round to go to La Toc. Although we did go to the Grande St Lucian. As nice as that was, we preferred the Halcyon, less noisy and 'in your face'. In fact a lot of people who we spoke to preferred the Halcyon over the Grande.

All the staff were unbelievably happy all the time. Even the cleaners or security guards!! I have never known anything like it! Always willing to chat and say hi on passing. Compared to staff at hotels/resorts over here!

We managed a few trips, one of them was to Pigeon Island. Managed to climb to the top, in sandals!! (excuse the pun!)fantastic views and so quiet. Also went on a old rum mill tour which included a foot ferry trip to Marigot Bay. That was lovely. Managed to grab a couple of bottles of rum from the local distillery for less than £5 each!

The themed nights were good. The first night was a bunch of fire eaters! That was impressive, not forgetting the casino night. That was great too.

We also met some great people! We got on well with some of our friends across the pond as well as some from over here and plan to keep in touch.

The only regret is not being able to do everything we wanted to in a week! St Lucia offers so much.

People commented about how expensive Sandals are etc...blah blah. Its very much an adage of you pay for what you get. Perfect Paradise. Best relaxing, luxury holiday I have ever had I wopuld defo go again(probably the last for a while with two kids)

We plan to go back one day...... maybe....*fingers crossed*

[JimmyMac]

Glad you enjoyed it, have to say it really surprised me too, I was waxing lyrical about the place when I returned, just really couldn't fault them at all, the service all round was impeccable.

Really can't miss Agnes can you, such a lovely lady and so often found singing to herself, don't think i've ever seen someone happier in their job, I honestly think she has been there as long as the resort has been around!

Agree about the other resorts, found them to be packed with "whooping" americans and whilst those resorts were certainly grander I found the Halcyon to be far more relaxing and tranquil and seemed to have more brits and people that I could get along with.

We'll be going back too, already suggesting our 10 year anniversary as an option but we shall see what comes about in that time

[Garry123]

Glad you enjoyed it .

We go in four weeks, woohoo.

[JimmyMac]

Same resort?

[Garry123]

We are staying at the Grande.

[JimmyMac]

You've got "barefoot by the sea" at your resort, lovely place to go for a meal

As I mentioned previously, definately find out when the reservations are available for the other resorts and book into kimono's, great experience

[A Legal Beagle]

Originally Posted by Garry123

Glad you enjoyed it .

We go in four weeks, woohoo.

You will enjoy it. St Lucia is fantastic

Make sure you visit the other resorts. We didnt go to the La Toc unfortunately, but make sure you go the Halcyon and say to Agnes!