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Sandals Antigua Day Pass?


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Has anyone done day passes at the Sandals resort? Would love to hear feedback if you enjoyed and thought it with the $100/pp charged for only day use 10am-6pm. Our ship leaves at 4:45 so we would only be able to stay until 3:30 to leave ample time to get back. Also if you have gone before did you really only get access after 10? We get into port at 7:30 and I hate to waste time. I would like to go as early as possible even if we have to just wait on the beach for a bit (all Antigua beaches are free). Lastly how did you reserve a day pass and how far in advance? Their website isn't very helpful. I called the 800 number and they said I had to call the hotel directly which I did, and they told me I would have to call back only a week before our date which sounded odd to me.

 

 

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Caral2004, that is disappointing to hear but I am glad I am not the only one frustrated and considering something else! I can be impatient sometimes but this is ridiculous to not be able to get a straight answer. I still have a couple months but unless I am able to get in contact with someone directly at the hotel by email and get a better vibe of confidence, I will definitely do something else. I don't want to risk getting to port and not having a plan.

 

 

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You may want to check out Blue Waters resort which is about 10 minutes from the port. I went there in December and got a day pass $65 or $125 inc drinks/food. I had emailed the hotel ahead of time so Security would allow access. Beautiful resort with 3 pools to use as well as a few beaches. Prince Harry recently stayed there as well![

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Adults Only pool

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Edited by Janedoe2012
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You may want to check out Blue Waters resort which is about 10 minutes from the port. I went there in December and got a day pass $65 or $125 inc drinks/food. I had emailed the hotel ahead of time so Security would allow access. Beautiful resort with 3 pools to use as well as a few beaches. Prince Harry recently stayed there as well![

 

Wow thanks for posting this! We will be in Antigua in 2 weeks on Jewel and we were planning on trying to do a day pass at Sandals but Blue Waters looks much nicer. Seems like others are having a hard time communicating/reserving Sandals anyway so I've emailed Blue Waters to reserve.

 

Do you remember how much the taxi far was between port and Blue Waters?

Edited by entrepreneur83
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It wasn't anything more then $25 for the taxi and 15 minutes maximum for the taxi ride. Just be sure you bring an email with confirmation from the resort. Security gate personnel actually called the front desk before they let us pass thru. We arranged for our cab driver to come and get us at 330 and we had enough time he drove us past the Sandals. it looked very nice but I definitely thought we made the better choice going to Blue Waters. The resort also supplied the beach towels and had a nice change room/shower facilities so don't worry about bringing the cruise ship ones.

Edited by Janedoe2012
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It wasn't anything more then $25 for the taxi and 15 minutes maximum for the taxi ride. Just be sure you bring an email with confirmation from the resort. Security gate personnel actually called the front desk before they let us pass thru. We arranged for our cab driver to come and get us at 330 and we had enough time he drove us past the Sandals. it looked very nice but I definitely thought we made the better choice going to Blue Waters. The resort also supplied the beach towels and had a nice change room/shower facilities so don't worry about bringing the cruise ship ones.

 

 

Excellent, thanks so much for the info! We are definitely going to do Blue Waters over Sandals. I emailed the reservations office to reserve day passes so hopefully they'll get back soon.

 

 

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Janedoe, thank you! I agree with the PP, I would choose this resort over Sandals as well. I am beyond frustrated with the lack of response from them at this point. I also emailed Blue Waters tonight and hope I will get a response and take my business there instead.

 

 

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I forgot to mention the staff came around the pool a few times during the day with complimentary fruit kabobs- we really felt spoiled the whole day! Rates below include taxes

 

I found the email that Carol from Blue Waters sent me with the details:

 

The rate for our passes and what they include are as follows:

 

Entry only: Includes use of facilities – lounge chairs with towels, water sports, changing rooms

Price: US$65 per person

Drinks, lunch and afternoon tea – charged as taken.

 

Breakfast, lunch, beverages, lounge chairs with towel, water sports, changing rooms

Price: US$120 per adult

US$80 per child (6-11yrs)

 

Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm

 

This can be purchased at reception on check in. We just ask that you inform us beforehand so that we can let the security on the front gate know that we are expecting you.

 

If you require any further information then please let me know.

 

Kind Regards

Carol

 

 

 

Carol Warner / Reservations Manager

Blue Waters Resort & Spa

uk: 0870 360 1245 / usa: 1 800 557 6536

e: carol@bluewaters.net / w: http://www.bluewaters.net

Edited by Janedoe2012
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Thank you Janedoe! I assume the $120 rate that includes "beverages" means alcoholic beverages? Do you know what types of brands were included? Also if you can't get there until 10, did you get breakfast by the pool straight away to space it out from lunch? We will want to leave by about 3:30 since we are only in port until 4:45 and don't like to cut it too close. Trying to decide if only 5 hours is worth the cost. I wish these places would let you arrive earlier than 10.

 

 

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Fairly certain the $120 992a47c2a884b30a5e4746a140bb770e.jpg67ee6032e00d84e62dfe11aa3f306686.jpgdid. We did the $65 package because we had breakfast on the ship. I think between lunch and 3 pina colodas I spent about $40 US. The bar at the pool closest to the buffet/lunch restaurant was pretty extensive with their selection. THey didn't serve breakfast pool side, but the view from the lunch area was spectacular.

 

I know it's tough deciding on how to budget or spend $. Yes, we probably could of gone to Valley Church beach, and rented a couple of chairs and an umbrella for half the cost, but we had decided we deserved a day of pampering. Besides we found fantastic pricing on day resort passes in St Kitts and St Lucia so we still came in underbudget for our week. (both that allowed us in before 10am)

Edited by Janedoe2012
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Hi Tink23- In St Kitts we went to Palm Court Gardens that is about 5 minute cab ride from port. $12 to use infinity pool/loungers. Great atmosphere, great service. http://www.palmscourtgardens.com/. No need to pay before you arrive, just email for reservations. Opens at 900am or 930am

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We honeymooned at Sandal's Grand Antigua. It's a beautiful resort with lots of space. Many different pools- some with swim up bars, mats to lounge on, tables & umbrellas (in the pool), some with activities like water volleyball, etc,. The beach is pretty and very quiet, but calm water so my husband & I didn't last there long (my husband is a ride the waves kind of beach goer). We preferred the main pool's active & fun feel. Although, be warned that on any of the beaches locals will approach you to sell stuff since the beaches are public. It wasn't bad and a nice "no thank you" was all they needed. They had tons of restaurants & an awesome Pizza stand. A few shops. An ice cream place. The spa was amazing! They also had a pool room with other games. There was also a small casino next door. (this was about 5 years ago so I don't know if it's still there)

 

I'm not surprised to read about your trouble communicating with them though as the workers seemed aloof at times. Our room came with a butler so luckily we didn't have to deal with the front desk at all. If you can somehow get through, I don't think you'll regret spending your day there. It's a gorgeous resort with a lot to offer.

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Thank you for the detailed review MissMet. I really do hope we get through and have a better connection with them. I am researching other resorts and options for our day to have something else booked in case but will follow up with Sandals again when it gets closer and see what they say.

 

 

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I know the OP moved on from Sandals, but I wanted to add this here.

 

I got a response today from Sandals Antigua! My travel agent passed along their contact sheet b/c I'd been having problems getting a hold of anyone through info I'd found online. The first email I sent got bounced back. I tried again by emailing a different person and I got a response!

 

Here is who I emailed: Jeune Carryl jcarryl@grp.sandals.com

Here was the response to my general inquiry:

 

"On behalf of our General Manager, we will be happy to accommodate your day pass request for two persons.

 

The rate for the days pass is US$ 100 per person – 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

 

Payment can be made at our Front Desk at the time of arrival. Security will escort you to pay on arrival.

 

The pass includes all food and beverage offered at the restaurants and bars,

access to the pools, various watersports activities (hobie cat, paddle boards, kayaks, sun beds etc.,

 

Please let us know as a pass will have to be written prior to your arrival."

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