If you’re planning a romantic break for two, then comparing Sandals vs Secrets may well be something to consider. Both are big names when it comes to finding an inclusive resort for adults, so how do you choose between Sandals resorts and Secrets resorts?
Let’s say you want to take your honeymoon in the Caribbean and have narrowed it down to two options. Assuming you’re happy with either the location, it may be down to whether a Sandals resort or a Secrets resort is best suited to what you want. Here we compare the similarities and differences between the two big players in the couples resorts market.
Both Resorts offer a similar quality of food and amenities, so we make the decision based on the location first. However, Sandals is generally our pick because of the higher level of service and amenities, and it’s laid back romantic atmosphere at most resorts. Sandals is geared toward romantic couples trips and Secrets has many more groups traveling together. Secrets is also generally a bit more affordable.
SANDALS VS SECRETS: QUICK COMPARISON
Sandals Resorts
- Couples Focused
- Not All Rooms have Room Service
- No Tipping(with a few exceptions)
- Laid Back Atmosphere(generally)
- Caribbean Locations
- Restaurants only
- Slightly More Expensive
- Airport Transportation Included
- Scuba Included
Secrets Resorts
- More Groups
- Room Service included
- Tips Accepted
- Livelier Atmosphere(generally)
- Caribbean and Other Locations
- Offers Snack Carts
- Slightly More Affordable
- Airport Transportation not Included
- Scuba not included
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to make an informed choice about which resort may be more worthy of your time and money. Let’s dive into comparing Secrets resorts vs Sandals resorts. Firstly, here’s a helpful summary of what each offers.
SANDALS RESORTS SUMMARY
- Adults only
- Couples focused
- All inclusive resorts
Sandals is a Jamaica-based all-inclusive resort operator. Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is the parent company of both Beaches Resorts and Sandals Resorts. SRI also owns some private villas and Fowl Cay Resort in the Bahamas.
Locations
- Caribbean: Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Room types
- Sandals Luxury
- Club level
- Butler Elite level
Rooms at Sandals belong to one of three room categories. Entry-level rooms are known as Sandals Luxury, and the middle type is Club Level. Club Level guests also benefit from free room service between 7 am and 10 pm.
The top level is Butler Elite. This level comes with butler service. There is also a sub-category: Love Nest Suites® have all the amenities of Butler Elite level accommodations, but are even more luxurious and private.
Inclusions
Food and drink
- Unlimited fine dining at all of the property’s restaurants
- Unlimited alcoholic beverages, including premium brands
- Unlimited snacks at any time
- Fully stocked in-room bars
Entertainment and activities
- All daytime and evening entertainment
- Unlimited use of the gym
- Unlimited land sports including tennis and volleyball
- Unlimited water sports, including instruction
- Motorized water sports at some resorts
- Included scuba diving trips for guests who are PADI® certified
- Golf green fees at selected Sandals golf resorts
Other
- All tips and taxes
- Return airport transfers
- Airport Arrival Lounge access in Jamaica and St Lucia
- Free weddings with a stay of three nights or more including ceremony venue, flowers and a cake
SECRETS RESORTS SUMMARY
- Adults only
- Singles, groups, friends or couples
- All inclusive resorts
Secrets is owned by Apple Leisure Group. This is the parent company of AMResorts. Secrets resorts also belong to the World of Hyatt. Dreams and Breathless resorts and spas are also members of this group.
Locations
- Caribbean: Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Martin
- North America: Mexico
- Central America: Costa Rica
- Europe: Bulgaria, Spain
Room types
- Junior Suite
- Preferred Club Junior Suite
- Preferred Club Suite
- Preferred Club Presidential
At Secrets, guests can choose between junior suites and the more luxuriously appointed range of Preferred Club rooms. These may be subdivided into further categories, depending on the view, such as ocean, garden or pool view junior suites.
The Preferred Club rooms tend to face the ocean for full frontal sea views. Preferred Club suites (without ‘Junior’ in the title) are the most spacious, attractive and well-equipped accommodations of all.
Inclusions
Food and drink
- Unlimited dining at every restaurant on the property without reservations
- Unlimited drinks including natural juices, soft drinks and premium brand liquor
- 24-hour room and concierge service
- Waiting service at the pool and beach
- Minibar refreshed daily with bottled water, juice, soft drinks and beer
Entertainment and activities
- All daytime and evening entertainment
- Unique experiences at each Secrets resort
- Oceanfront bars, themed parties and entertainment venues
SANDALS VS SECRETS: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
Similarities
Locations
Both Sandals and Secrets have resorts in the Caribbean. There are two Secrets resorts in the Dominican Republic, and the same number in Jamaica. Sandals has no Dominican Republic resorts. Secrets has no resorts in Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada or St Lucia, but there are Sandals resorts in all these locations.
Room types
Both Sandals and Secrets offer around four room types, depending on the property. These offer varying levels of luxury, and additional space, as you move up the list.
Inclusions
Sandals and Secrets are pretty similar in what they offer guests. Both offer unlimited dining and drinks, and premium brands are included in both cases.
Both operators include lots of entertainment and activities at their resorts. This applies to daytime and evenings. Water and land sports are offered at Secrets and at Sandals. You can also watch shows or attend parties at either, depending on the schedule at the resort you choose.
Guests
Both Sandals and Secrets are adult-only resorts.
Differences
Locations
If you want to stay at a Secrets resort, then you’ll find that most of the properties are in Mexico, where there’s a dozen to choose from. After Mexico, Secrets has three resorts in Spain. Then there are two in Jamaica and two in the Dominican Republic.
The Caribbean island of St Martin has one Secrets resort, as does Costa Rica in Central America and Bulgaria in Europe.
Sandals has resorts only in the Caribbean, where they can be found in Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Curacao, Grenada, Jamaica and St Lucia. Jamaica has the most, with seven resorts, and there are three in St Lucia. The Bahamas and Barbados have two apiece, and there’s one Sandals resort each in Antigua, Curacao and Grenada.
So all of the Sandals resorts are in the Caribbean. By contrast, Secrets has just four there, and most of its resorts are in Mexico, where there are 12. At Secrets, you can also stay in Europe, or in North or Central America.
Room types
One of the key differences between Sandals and Secrets resorts is that Sandals offers its Sandals Luxury level, and this comes without room service. 24-hour room service is included at all Secrets resorts, whichever room type you book. Butler service is also included with some of Sandals’ more upmarket room categories.
Inclusions
At Secrets you can walk into one of the resort’s restaurants without a reservation. Secrets guests can also benefit from 24-hour room service, whereas Sandals guests must book a higher level room category to get this.
The included activities with each company are comparable. In terms of differences, that really comes down to what’s offered at the individual resort you book. Secrets, for example, offers some experiences that are unique to that resort only. Sandals, for instance, may include golfing fees at certain resorts.
All tipping, gratuities and taxes are included at every Sandals. Tips are not included at Secrets.
Guests
Sandals resorts are geared toward couples. At Secrets, you can take a break as a group, a pair of friends or a solo traveler, as long as you’re not visiting with kids in tow.
SANDALS VS SECRETS FAQs
What’s the difference between Sandals and Secrets?
The main difference between Sandals and Secrets is where they are located. The bulk of Secrets resorts are in Mexico, while Sandals operates only in the Caribbean. Secrets resorts can also be found in Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Europe. There are five Secrets resorts in the Caribbean, while Sandals has 18 in the region.
The differences between Secrets and Sandals begin with the fact that the resorts are operated by different companies. Secrets belongs to the World of Hyatt program, so you can earn Hyatt points when staying at one of the resorts.
There are many similarities between the two types of resort. Both offer all-inclusive, deluxe resorts for adults only, and you can choose between several room categories with each operator. What’s included at each is also comparable.
If choosing Sandals resorts vs Secrets resorts, it may come down to where you want to go. Sandals operates solely in the Caribbean. There are seven resorts in Jamaica, and ten others in St Lucia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua, Curacao, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Secrets has fewer Caribbean resorts, and these are located in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and St Martin. There are also Secrets resorts in Spain, Bulgaria and Costa Rica. Most Secrets resorts are in Mexico, where you have a dozen to choose from.
The other factor to bear in mind is the market. Secrets and Sandals are both adults only, but Secrets permits singles, groups and friends to stay as well as couples. This means there may be more of a party atmosphere. In fact Secrets also lists themed parties among their resort entertainment options.
What’s special about Secrets resorts?
Like Sandals, Secrets resorts offer an adults-only, all-inclusive, luxury experience. Both include food, drinks, activities, entertainment and other services for guests. They also offer a range of room categories.
What separates Secrets is that they offer a wider range of locations across the world. You can find their resorts in Europe, Costa Rica and Mexico as well as the Caribbean. A bonus for World of Hyatt members is that points can be collected at Secrets resorts.
What is an adults-only resort?
Adults-only resorts don’t permit children. As there are no kids running around or making noise, this generally means you can expect a more tranquil atmosphere than at a hotel that welcomes families. Adults-only resorts such as Sandals and Secrets are often associated with romantic breaks, so many guests are couples who come seeking peace and quiet.
What is the difference between Secrets and Breathless?
Secrets and Breathless are actually owned by the same company. Secrets resorts are targeted at those seeking a more peaceful, romantic stay, while Breathless resorts have more of a party atmosphere. For a couples’ break, pick Secrets, or for a fun time with friends – old and new – it’s best to choose Breathless.
WHICH IS BETTER- SECRETS OR SANDALS?
There is no absolute answer to which is better between Sandals and Secrets. It really comes down to where you want to go. Once you’ve decided on an area it’s probably going to depend on what type of atmosphere you are looking for- livelier with friend groups(Secrets) or laid back and romantic couples focused(Sandals).
Comparing the location of each resort is the first step when picking between Secrets and Sandals. If you cannot decide based on that alone, next check out what each resort has to offer in terms of room types, restaurants, activities and entertainment. That way you can decide whether Sandals or Secrets is the best bet for you!
If you want to take a break with adults other than your partner, however, then you’ll probably want to choose Secrets. If you’re looking for a romantic trip with your partner, Sandals resorts are a great choice.
