We went to Sandal's Regency St. Lucia in February of this year and this was our first time ever staying at a Sandal's Resort before. Never in all of our travels were we so disappointed in the service and overall cleanliness in any of the other places we have stayed.

Check in was as a group and very lengthy, we were given a room other than booked, with no explanation. (It turns out that I was glad, because the people in those rooms complained of big cock roaches)

Outside our door one evening was a DEAD BAT with it's wings removed??? There was an odor of spoiled food lingering and construction was two doors down.

The beach had trash on it, and rats ran by my feet as we walked to dinner. Server's watered down my diet coke in front of me. Complaints resolved nothing nor did our travel agent complaining to Sandals.

My fiancee Jean and I recently returned from a mid-March six night stay at the Sandals Grande in Castries, Saint Lucia, W.I. We had a wonderful time.

We flew into the Vigie Airport from San Juan International airport. First-time visitors there should be prepared for an invigorating landing - the airport's runway seems to begin at the water's edge. After checking through the airport, our Sandals rep. drove us to the resort without incident. Our luggage had missed the flight, but the American Eagle rep. at the airprort was very polite and helpful and the luggage showed up at the Resort later that evening. The Grande is beautiful. The grounds are wonderfully maintained. Our room was fine. The maid service, especially the consistency of the turn-down service, checking for towel needs, etc., was very good.

We had a concierge room and the service was very good. Whenever we had a question, needed dinner reservations or more water or soda, they were very helpful.

If you want to make a dinner reservation at the Regency or the Halcyon, make it as soon as you get there. We got into Kimonos at the Regency only because there was a cancellation. All of the restaurants were excellent, the service very good.

Our favorites were Marios at The Halcyon, Toscaninni's at the Grande, Kimonos at the Regency, The Pier at Halcyon. The Bayside buffet and the Beach outside restaurant were also very good. Josephones has very nice chocolate crepes!

The highlight of our vacation was th ebeautiful Pigeon Island nature reserve next door to Sandals. it has some medium rigorous hiking and absolutely breathtaking views of the Atlantic and Rodney Bay and the mountains beyond. The gentle beaches are great for our amateur level snorkelling and hanging out. (The cruise ships and resorts do a day trip there.) Pigeon Island costs five bucks to get into - the admission is good for the day - and beach chairs are two bucks for the day. Between snorkelling there, hanging out on the beach, hiking, going to the other resorts to dine, and hanging out at the very nice pools (only one small complaint - the construction noise next door to the pool we liked the best - but that was hardly Sandal's fault and the noise wasn't all the time) we had a great vacation. We are going to explore further inland the next time we are there. We wanted to familiarize ourselves with one end of the island at a time - plus we don't always enjoy the long car rides on unfamiliar roads that some 'tours' become. But as far as we could tell,the people who availed themselves of the tours had no complaints.

We can't emphasize enough how professional and responsive the staff was. They also aren't kidding about 'no tips'. We tried a couple of times when we first arrived and were turned down politely. We have never stayed at a Sandals before but will certainly return.

My wife and I went there for our honeymoon October 2004 and were disappointed. I have never submitted a review before but I don't want people to have the same expectations as us. Don't get me wrong, the resort was nice but in my opinion way over priced. I've stayed at better resorts for a lot less. I would say this resort is a 3.5 star.

When we arrived at 1:45 in the afternoon, we didn't get a room until after 6:00 instead of 2:00 like we were promised. Our bags didn't arrive until 9:30 at night so our first day was wasted.

Our room was downgraded and the explanation we were given was simply "we're overbooked and there's nothing we can do". As a result, we couldn't order room service because it wasn't available in the room they downgraded us to even though it was available in the room we paid for.

Our room was really small, musty/smelly, really far from the beach, and had lizards (I know this comes with the territory) The beach is public and there were more locals (mostly children) on the beach than people staying at the hotel Bartenders would tell you how little money they made out of the blue

Breakfast buffet area flooded with birds feasting at the tables on people's leftovers because they staff are too busy chatting to clean the tables when someone is finished. They do bring you to your table well and bring you coffee and juice right away though. Food overall was really good.

One night there was a group of 10 people that came back from the "Booze Cruise" really loaded and decided to go swimming completely naked in the main pool, alongside the nightly entertainment. The staff would bring them bottles of liquor and glasses in the pool. They got better service than anyone else I saw at the resort. Also, they seemed to think it was very amusing to pee in the pool. Needless to say, we couldn't use the pool the rest of our time there.

The Spa services I had were top notch, the only annoying thing was you were solicited to go to the Spa every time you walked through the lobby.

Here is my review. We had an awesome time. Thanks Sean (Hlywud) for taking the time to calm my nerves after seeing such trash posted on some web sites! It truly was a dream vacation for us! We some minor issues, but NO PRESSURE, NO PROBLEM MON! :)

Just returned from spending 7 glorious nights in the Sandals Regency, La Toc, St. Lucia. We left Toronto (1 hour late.. thanks to de-icing the plane!) on February 14, and returned Feb 21st (also 1 hour late... due to weather conditions in Toronto)

I am usually one that writes long reviews but to save some time and in order for me to get back to my routine I will not be doing that. Instead, I suggest you read Hlywuds' review who traveled on January 31st. It's on the money, precisely to the point! So if I do repeat something that was previously written, sorry!

Weather: Fantastic! It was a bit wet the first couple of days.. just some scattered showers, and clouds then it only seemed to rain at night, but they sure do get some rain. However it hovered between 29 - 30 C all week.

We were in room 70 over the Honeymoon suites, just by the tennis courts.. but in the middle section. The room was fabulous! No holds barred. 4 poster mahogany bed, king-sized! Lovely French period furniture, mahogany as well. Nice curtains and 2 wing chairs, 2 night stands. Makeup table with a chair (although I preferred the bathroom lighting) Ceramic on the floor (bring some old slippers, I did, makes it more comfy, I don't like walking with sandy shoes) Having a room in the lowest category, I was a bit apprehensive thinking that I would get a smaller bed.. no way at Sandals.. All their resort rooms have king beds! The location of this room is also one of the quietest areas. Sure we had a small hill to climb (we were at the left, top side of the resort) but I just loved it! Our room was over a plunge pool room, no balcony or patio (which I did miss, but we were able to open 2 sets of windows) Just wonderful hearing and seeing birds flutter by. We also had a view of the ocean, and could see the cruise ships entering the sea so that was nice. I will post some photos once I get these sorted out!

Coffee maker in room, (not necessary in an all inclusive but for those who can't wait, it is available) there was also a walk in closet,.. with lots of storage.. an iron and ironing board too, as well a nice sized safe. Plus good news for us ladies who can't leave without their curling irons... plug it in by the coffee maker.. it will accommodate it! It's by the mirror as well, very convenient. Room was clean.. and big! lovely colors. We were so shocked to come back on our first night and noticed our bed was turned down and fresh towels replaced with the wet ones we had just used after our shower. This happened every night, except our last, so I am not sure if we were just left out or if it happens to all on their final night. But NO PRESSURE, NO PROBLEM MON! You will hear a lot of that.. and there were NO PROBLEMS.. not one so ever... the only thing that went amiss is my salad not coming one night at the Pavillion Restaurant.. but I didn't miss it as I was almost full!

We didn't visit the spa, but the grounds around it are nice. The Exercise area was awesome. All kinds of equipment to be used.

Well one thing that was amiss was the red flag days. Out of 6 (I can't comment on our arrival day) it was red for 4 of them. My husband loves the water and can handle the waves, but Sandals policy is when the red flag is up, no one is to go in. However this is why you have the option to spend your days at the Halcyon or the Grande. Their beaches are relatively more calmer and you'll find lots of watersports (water skiing and water tubing (totally fun) at the Grande.) Just don't complain, get on the shuttle and go. It's for your safety and also for the better for all. There is nothing worse to see on vacation, than someone being pulled out of the water because they were hurt or had drowned due to inexperienced swimming skills. The ocean is a powerful force of nature and one that must be respected. But they also have one of the largest pools in the Eastern Caribbean, great photo opportunities too.

Do try and hook up with another couple and take a private tour together. I received a tip from Hlywud to call up Yasson and arrange a tour with him. Well thanks for the tip! He actually showed me your card Hlywud and Yasson says hello! He's a great young fella... and has access to a few cars as his brother is in the tour/taxi business. We were in a Mitsubishi SUV, air conditioned and full of comfort. It beat the heck out of traveling with 8-10 other couples. The price of the tour was $140.00 US and we seen the southwest part of the islands. This price is good for up to 4 people. And he brought us drinks in a cooler and also some snacks. However, after our huge breakfast, we couldn't eat anything. So if you wish his cell number, please email me. Again highly recommended and for your info, most tours started at $65 US anyway, so for an extra $5.00 US a person, you will get a wonderful air-conditioned car, and can stop at anytime. Please stop at Castries and go to the market.. mementos there are cheaper than at the resort shop.

I will add to what's been said. For those of us who have gone to Cuba or the Dominican and I bet even Mexico and said, "what bland food... no taste etc." your mouth will not be prepared for what you will be getting at the Sandals Regency. Our regret was not being able to stay 14 nights and be able to eat at all 3 resorts at a pace. It was one treat after another, meal after meal. Even breakfast was something out of this world. Bagels, toasts, Crab cakes and poached eggs, pancakes, French toast (massive!)...omelets that would fill you up completely (made to order too and they were quick in doing them!) Fresh fruits, cheeses and cold cuts too. But one bit of advice, which is a shame if you can't do this ahead of time, if you can reserve your dinners before even leaving home.. do so! Email the concierge dept. one week before leaving. We did before hand and were able to secure our reservations for Kimonos, and La Toc. Make sure you get a confirmation and bring it with you. I had one mixup but it was honoured at Kimonos when our number and name did not show up on the list. Unfortunately I missed out on The Pier (at the Halycon, for Seafood) which is amazing from what we heard. But that's ok.. now we HAVE to go back!

Another remark about food, the water is safe to drink and no one that I knew was ever sick! And I never heard one complaint about anything. The only thing I did find strange was the disco which is pretty much the only place to get a drink after midnight, was not busy at all. So I guess people sleep early to rise early. We tend to call it a night at 2:30 a.m or so and are still up at 7:30. The only thing that I found a bit negative was the amount of rap being played. Having been exposed to the 70's disco era I would have expected a better selection of music. But once again NO PRESSURE, NO PROBLEM MON and we went with the flow! We closed the Disco twice that week.

The employees treated us like we were special people. They didn't know if we were in a standard room or in the bluffs, it didn't matter to them. Everyone was polite, obliging and went out of their way to make sure you had the holiday of your life. If something was not right, they made it right. We had no snobbish remarks, didn't at anytime sense that they were ignoring us. Just lovely and kind people they all were. For many of us it was our first time. For many others there… it was their 6th!

So this is my "mini" review. We had a blast. I will admit that I had tears to shed on my final night. This was our second best holiday ever. I was relaxed and content. All my co-workers see a calming in my face, although my tan could have been darker, my holiday has given me a glow. I am so relaxed and am ready to tackle this world until I go on another holiday. I am not one to go to a resort twice in a row, but if the opportunity came up again, I would be there in a heartbeat.

My thanks to all the staff at the resort and also, and you will probably think I'm losing it.. thanks to Air Canada Vacations and the Sandals Executives for allowing this spur of the moment special that came up over New Years Weekend.. Yes... for those of us, that were not very hung over and seen it, it's our best find yet! I waited 6 weeks to go on this holiday, not knowing what was waiting for me. I will definitely keep my eyes open at the same time next year! The price for us both to go would have got us in Cuba or the Dominican for 2 weeks in a 4 star resort. We received 6 star quality in my opinion. Worth every penny we paid and in the end that's what counts.