There is a danger that visiting a place you’ve been dreaming about for years can meet with crushing disappointment when you eventually get there. In search of the destination, I packed my suitcase and prepared to finally see Jamaica in all its technicolour glory.
As a little girl, I remember watching Ursula Andress walking along a Jamaican beach in a re-run of a Bond film, carrying a conch shell and wearing little else but THAT white bikini, dagger hanging from her belt. I decided there and then that this was the island for me. Perhaps partly suffering from the delusion that I, too, could look this good but was mostly lured by azure blue waters, day-long sunshine. In later years, discovery of the hot and fiery cuisine and laid back culture truly sealed the deal for me.
It takes little imagination to understand how excited I was to finally find myself on my way to the honeymoon of a lifetime at Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa. After a smooth nine-hour flight from London Gatwick to Montego Bay, we embarked upon the hour-a-half drive south, unprepared for the many winding hillside roads that needed to be scaled to reach our destination. Those who suffer from motion sickness should take preventative measures, which I did on the way back, making for a more pleasant journey.
Safe to say, the sight of a turquoise Caribbean Sea quickly made me forget any queasiness as we turned down the never-ending driveway to paradise. As with all five-star hotels, you know you’ve reached the entrance as soon as you set eyes on a giant fountain. This structure seems the by-word for luxury worldwide and long may it be so, I love the grandeur.
Delighted to be led into a grand reception area to check in, we received a warm welcome, together with an ice-cold towel and a glass of rum punch to cool us from the heat of the late-afternoon sun. Our sea view suite was in the Dutch Village, the hotel is split into three country-named villages, designed to make finding your way around easier, and set along a two-mile stretch of beach.
The Dutch Village is one of the quieter areas, with its own pool and bar, best suited for those looking to relax in a more sedate environment, rather than the party going crowd who have the lively nature of the French Pool’s swim-up bar or the daytime activities at the Main Pool to choose from. The latter offers morning aqua aerobics classes and silly games and group activities in the afternoon.
Sandals’ luxury included policy means that all meals and drinks have already been paid for so should you choose to, you can graze from breakfast, through to lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and there’s even a post-party menu available from 11pm until 5am the next morning.
We were spoiled at eight restaurants and each time we thought we’d find our favourite, we wandered into another and fell in love all over again! So, in no particular order, breakfast at Bayside was certainly something of an experience but with so many buffet stations to choose from, rather overwhelming. Hot, cold, healthy, naughty, it’s all there but we preferred a simple omelette in our room – yes, room service is also included in the package.
It took us about a month after we came back home to get over the fact that we couldn’t pop to Blue Fields for a Jamaican patty or national dish, jerk chicken and rice and peas. The beachside dining option by the French pool became our favourite lunch spot and not just because we could stumble out of the water, dry off and be eating all within about 10 minutes. There are also three other lunchtime options, including the Jerk Pitt, smoky, spicy pieces of chicken served in a basket – simple food at its best doesn’t come more Jamaican than this.
There’s always an international buffet come nightfall but we preferred dinner on the terrace under the stars at Guiseppe’s for fabulous Italian food, or next door at Jasmine’s for pan-Asian cuisine. Look up to the European-style terracotta roof tops to see the resort’s peacocks settling down for the night, resting precariously with most of their plumage hanging over the roof’s edge into the night sky. It needs to be seen to be believed.
One of the most exciting discoveries on the food front were the pizzas made fresh to order at Guiseppe’s every lunchtime. A tasty pool-side snack but even nicer eaten during a lazy afternoon spent watching films in the comfort of a hotel suit. Sometimes a girl needs a day out of the sun. Even better news is that higher grade suits have a fully stocked bar so no you won’t go thirsty either.
Our favourite evening restaurant was Eleanor’s – fine dining and specialising in Caribbean cuisine, booking is advised, given the number of guests celebrating birthdays and anniversaries at this couples’ only resort. After dining, there’s a nightly show, including live bands and a talent night. Each evening, we headed up to the Martini Bar for a pre-dinner cocktail and when we had the energy, went back for a sing-a-long at the Piano Bar. It’s amazing how tired lying in the sun all day, added to the time difference from the UK, can make you but we only made it past 11pm twice during our two week stay.
Our suite had all the home comforts we needed and was larger than the average one-bedroom flat. A lounge area meant we were able to unwind in living space before retiring to a huge and most comfortable four-poster bed. Housekeeping made every effort to leave our room spotless night after night, leaving flowers on the bed, a bottle of champagne and a fruit platter.
It’s easy to see how Sandals has won its reputation as owner of some of the world’s most romantic hotels and you can feel the love as soon as you arrive. Every effort is made to give honeymooners a trip of a lifetime, like a special candlelight dinner on the beach. Couples are treated to a five-course meal served by white-gloved butlers as the sun is setting.
Famed for its Caribbean-inspired spa treatments, using regional natural products, the exclusive Red Lane Spa at White House is a must visit more than once. We tried the ‘Scents of Love’ couples massage – brilliantly relaxing and rejuvenating. A tranquil sanctuary, the spa offers treatment covering all disciplines, and facilities including, beauty salon, yoga and pilates studio, steam room, plunge pools and several intimate relaxation areas in secluded gardens.
After all that food and relaxation, it was time to spend a few active days burning off the extra calories and we learned to play basketball and shuffleboard with the assistance of two American friends. On other days, we went on a glass-bottom boat tour, played table tennis, billiards and beach volleyball. Fans of water sports can also go windsurfing, canoeing, snorkelling, sailing, water skiing and paddle boarding.
In terms of entertainment and sustenance, Whitehouse had everything two people require on holiday but what really makes the Sandals experience is without a doubt the staff. Each and every one of them was effortlessly and limitlessly charming, funny, sweet and kind and we left feeling like we’d made some great friends. I will long remember the fun had at the swim-up bar, sipping on cocktails, while watching the sun go down. A place where experiences shared and memories made. Next stop: Sandals Antigua!