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Re: FYI (Reply to this comment)
by kboo
I'm having some problems updating my review after Candace's comment below...
but if you are reading this and you are one of the gay couples who's gone to Sandals recently, I encourage you to post a review and tell us if Sandals has really changed its ways!
kboo
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Feb 28 '05
12:44 pm PST
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FYI (Reply to this comment)
by Candice923
Sandals now welcomes homosexual couples to their resorts. Just thought I'd let you know.
Nice review.
Candice
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Feb 26 '05
6:19 pm PST
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Re: Not all that bad now, was it???? (Reply to this comment)
by kboo
Sorry for the late response to your comment.
I'm heartened to hear that Sandals now appears to welcome - or at least host - gay/lesbian couples. That definitely was not the case when we were there. Ahhh, progress.
Perhaps you misread my comment about Newark public transportation. I didn't blame the resort for the problem, but it was more colorful context for illustrating one serious issue with booking directly with Sandals: the lack of a phone number of any real person, anywhere when travel goes wrong. That, my friend, is information worth having when one decides whether to book a commercial (scheduled) flight, as the customer service with Sandals" appears to be quite bare bones. And, as I said in my review, this was apparent with a number of visitors to St. Lucia that week -- there was a major weather system that plowed through the East Coast around our day of departure. We made it to the airport just in time, but many missed their flights altogether. We met several people at the resort who arrived 1, 2, 3 days late because of the weather and difficulty re-routing and re-scheduling when they missed their flights (or their flights were canceled).
Finally, I stand by my remarks about the homogeneity of the resort. First of all, I did visit the resort some years before you did. But the fact that you were able to identify inter-racial and non-white couples so specifically suggests to me that they (we) are still well in the minority at these places. It's a little like saying your neighborhood's diverse because there's one black family in the neighborhood: your neighborhood's not ALL white, but you can bet that everyone in the neighborhood knows who "the" black family is. And again, that was the case when we were at Sandals St. Lucia - everyone at the resort knew us because we were Asian - as in, "Oh, you're our Asian couple of the week."
Sorry to rant on, but I'm glad you had a good experience at Sandals. We did meet some good friends while we were there, and we did have a pretty effortless vacation. But now that I know what it's like, I also know that I would choose differently on my second trip. Anse Chastanet is just down the road a bit, and I think it's more my style.
:)
kboo
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Dec 26 '03
4:39 pm PST
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Not all that bad now, was it???? (Reply to this comment)
by caspian321
I just (3 months ago) got back from my honeymoon at Sandal's St. Lucia. I was very surprised to see what you had to say in your review.
About half-way through my week, a large group of lesbians from England arrived. All were coupled up.
If you felt bored and trapped, that's your own fault, my new wife and I did many things on the island, with and without guides. It is your responsibility to enjoy yourself. If you don't like many of the cheesy excursions, find some of your own!
As for homogenized..I see what you're saying, we are a young American white couple, and it seemed that describes about 75% of the vacationers there, but there were many people from Canada, England (even before the group of gay women), Australie, and Germany. Those are the countries I remember meeting people from. There were several black couples, and one interracial couple that got married while we were there...a stunningly gorgeous black woman and a Nascar looking guy with a bushy mustache...odd looking couple really!
Also, I don't think it is fair to blame the hotel for the Newark public transportation system, or the little buses on the island...every island in the caribbean has those little shuttle buses and they are ALL equally cramped, however, in St. Lucia, they were ALL air conditioned, which was the exception in places like Jamaica and the Bahamas.
I do agree with you that the beach is poor there, but I don't think there is much they can do about it..mohter nature does what she wishes!
As for the food, I agree and disagree with you on it. I hate La Toc, it was bad food prepared well. Nothing like putting incredible sauces and herbs on a bad cut of meat or old fish!
The main buffet was a good standby, but we only really ate breakfast there and a couple of snacks.
Good review and very well done, even though I disagree with much of it. I rated it 'very helpful.'
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Jul 14 '03
12:34 pm PDT
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Re: What+a+fantastic+epinion (Reply to this comment)
by kboo
Thank you for the comment - after reading your review on the Carnival Imagination (?) I think I can say that the food is somewhat better at Sandals, but it's the same stuff, over and over...
kboo
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Aug 11 '01
2:01 pm PDT
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What a fantastic epinion (Reply to this comment)
by lilly1000
Thanks so much kboo, this was a great, detailed account of your trip. I have been considering a sandals vaca for a while after reading how terrific a resort it's suppose to be, but there's nothing like hearing about it first hand by someone who's been there.
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Aug 10 '01
7:50 am PDT
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Re: The+Stepford+Resort+&+Spa? (Reply to this comment)
by kboo
That would be so hilarious! Also, I wonder what would happen if you tried to book 3 people in a room?
reminds me of a question from the Newlywed Game-- "what is something you wish your spouse would do?"
After much hemming, hawing and blushing, one bride shyly hold up 3 fingers...
... at which point her husband goes, "No! I meant the LESBO THING!!"
Really, folks, that was too much information.
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Jun 20 '01
9:44 pm PDT
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The Stepford Resort & Spa? (Reply to this comment)
by Lobstergirl
Now you've made me want to go with a friend just so we can pretend to be horrific lesbians.
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Jun 20 '01
4:26 pm PDT
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Bad island vacations? You're the ideal candidate for Survivor! (Reply to this comment)
by soothsayer
This was a sharply detailed and entertaining review. Including the racial makeup of the crowd and your thoughts on the matter was a nice touch.
--Soothsayer
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Jun 15 '01
4:04 am PDT
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Comments from old review... (Reply to this comment)
by kboo
Comments on "Sandals St. Lucia: Like vanilla pudding, it's easy to swallow, digest, and forget." (15 total)
Comment Sorted by
Date Written
:-) (Reply to this comment)
by TresCrazyDiva
I always look forward to your travel reviews! You have a wonderful way of covering everything while keeping your reviews entertaining. Great job once again! Jun 08 '01
9:49 pm PST
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Life Lessons From A Sanitized Slice Of America In A Foreign Land (Reply to this comment)
by Fez_Monkey
You forgot to add the final lesson: When all is said and done it sometimes seems like a waste of money to visit a tropical island only to be surrounded by the best ideas that American Leisure Marketing Minds can create.
Again, you have confirmed my life-long bias against these corporate vacation mongers. Thank god you do this dirty work and not me. Hmmm, let me see if I got that right. I am thankful that you travel to the Caribbean, the South Seas, etc and not me? I must have a screw loose.
Oh, and I actually blushed at your subtle homage -- it was immensely flattering.
Hasta la Yuppie Vacationing siempre!!
PS: Did I ever tell you I played for the UCB water polo team my freshman year? Jun 08 '01
1:10 am PST
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the pre-dinner sex hour from 5-6pm? (Reply to this comment)
by juliette
oh my.
I never go anywhere (so far) but reading one of your reviews always "takes me away. " Thanks! Jun 07 '01
2:14 pm PST
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I Just Don't Get It... (Reply to this comment)
by caines
Why do people travel to places which have a distinctive culture, cuisine, what-have-you and choose to stay at the most homogenized (can we even say homogenized when speaking of this resort) places?
Well first, kudos kboo as usual. I always enjoy your reviews for being very informative and ever so slightly sarcastic. (We should hang out. My wife is not a big fan of the sarcasm and my brothers live too far away to have fun with them.)
Anyway, my experiences in the Caribbean, particularly in the Bahamas have been that bland is encouraged. While shooting for the Ministry of Tourism in the Bahamas we were steered clear of the people and places that were interesting and inherently Bahamian. Sure, we could show the vendors on the street and in The Straw Market, but that's like having someone shoot ads for New York City and being restricted to shooting hot dog vendors and the recently Disney-ized Times Square. I stayed at a very nice hotel in Nassau but it too was just a nice place for fair skinned folks to go, get overpriced drinks and food, which they could have purchased at home, and say they were in the Caribbean. Go figure.
The food thing would have killed me. I loooove to eat the local cuisine. That's part of why I travel. Although since becoming a vegetarian in recent years that gets kinda tricky... But being relegated to the same food you can get from any States-side restaurant really bites.
About the only true Caribbean thing you describe is the anti-gay vibe. Not much in the way of inclusion there. Being one of Caribbean heritage I am familiar with the odd ins and outs of this.
My wife and I would have kicked but in the Newlywed Game because we know all the stupid, freaky idiosyncrasies and dirt on each other. One of the endearing qualities of my wife. The ability to laugh at herself.
Thanks for taking us along. I'll get my vanilla pudding at the grocery store.
Bruce Jun 07 '01
1:58 pm PST
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So then does that mean.. (Reply to this comment)
by wahoodude23
... if we do plan on staying in our room and having mad [fez] monkey sex, you would recommend this place? But then again, why pay for the room when your own house is free :)
America in Jamaica... I might as well stay in America.
Wonderfully funny and thorough review :)
*wahoo* Jun 07 '01
12:52 pm PST
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Re: Sweltering+Heat+in+Winter? (Delete your comment)
by kboo
Thanks for reading, Ben! After a while, writing reviews on the same kind of stuff gets dull. Thankfully, Sandals has such great raw material that it wasn't difficult at all to add some levity here.
As a self-proclaimed Heat Wimp, I tend to melt any time the temp goes over 80F. Do you think my parents were trying to tell me something when they moved to Phoenix, AZ? (Note to self: discuss parental move with therapist...) Jun 07 '01
11:06 am PST
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Re: (Giggle) (Delete your comment)
by kboo
We attempted to participate--- we thought we could "clean up" (to use Dr. kboo's words) since we'd been together so long. I think the only question we got right was "Where did you go on your first date?"
Pretty pathetic.
As far as "footsie" under the table, that's usually me kicking Dr. kboo because he's talking too much about his work-related woes. (zzz!)
Jun 07 '01
11:03 am PST
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Sweltering Heat in Winter? (Reply to this comment)
by benho
My my, I fear what it's like in the summer time.
A bit more levity this usual this time, I found myself laughing more than usual. I like that.
I'm also amazed by how many wonderful exciting places you seem to make it to. At least, we get to relive them vicariously through your reviews.
great review as always.
-- Ben Jun 07 '01
8:51 am PST
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(Giggle) (Reply to this comment)
by Epicure
You and Dr. kboo participated in something called the Newlywed Game?! It must have been a riot! But don't pretend you're not one of those "sickly-sweet in love" couples. Did you really think Mr. Epicure and I wouldn't notice the way you two play footsies under the table each time we're at a restaurant? ;)
Epicure
p.s. I hope epinions realizes their mistake soon and restores you to your rightful position as travel advisor. Your travel reviews are the best! Jun 07 '01
8:01 am PST
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Re: Lively,+entertaining,+and+informative (Delete your comment)
by kboo
The heading of this comment might as well describe nwinston's performance in the talent show...
Dr. kboo took the challenge like a typical red-blooded American male at the carnival- made a fool of himself at the talent show to "win" me a pair of sandals...
Thanks for reading, Pam-- I am slowly rediscovering your reviews.
Jun 06 '01
9:37 pm PST
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Re: Agreed (Delete your comment)
by kboo
Aha. I doubt I'll be doing any all-inclusives any time soon- if you can't tell whether you're in Jamaica (or where in Jamaica you are) or St. Lucia, what's the point? You might as well just go to Florida.
Thanks for reading. Jun 06 '01
9:34 pm PST
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Re: Hmmm.+.+. (Delete your comment)
by kboo
For the chance to witness that, I would even book another trip to Sandals...
I'd also:
1. Go back to La Toc and ask to take the bone from my steak home as a "doggy bag"
2. Go snorkeling in the pool.
3. Ask to be a bridesmaid in a random on-site wedding. Jun 06 '01
8:17 pm PST
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Hmmm. . . (Reply to this comment)
by Sloucho
You say you want to ask a booking agent for a middle seat just to find out what kind of reaction you'll get. Well, I want to show up at the resort and DEMAND the room next to the utility closet. "I didn't come all the way out here to be rooked out of my view of the utility closet," I'll say. And then I'll book my massage under a different name and see if the masseuses are chatting about the crazy closet guy as they ignore me to chat with one another. Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do!
Jun 06 '01
6:56 pm PST
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Lively, entertaining, and informative (Reply to this comment)
by diverpam
I do enjoy reading your travel reviews!
Pam Jun 06 '01
6:00 pm PST
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Agreed (Reply to this comment)
by nwinston
with what you said - we went to sandals Ocho Rios
but it sounds the same. I enjoyed it and do
have the necklace but am not telling what I
did in the talent show :-)
Nancy
Jun 06 '01
5:55 pm PST
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Jun 13 '01
8:18 am PDT
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Before everyone gives me an "NH" on this... (Reply to this comment)
by kboo
I'm deleting the old review posted under "Sandals" just as soon as I can move the comments over here, too.
kboo
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Jun 13 '01
8:16 am PDT
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