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What happens when you bring your son on an adults-only vacation

Eve Chen, USA TODAY
·4-min read

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I went to an adults-only resort with my grown son, and it was one of our most memorable family vacations.

It was our first mother-son trip, our first time traveling abroad together, and his first all-inclusive stay.

We visited Sandals’ newest destination, Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

It may not seem like the most obvious choice since Sandals Resorts is known for romantic getaways, but as the company’s Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart, told USA TODAY, “Everyone's welcome.”

Here’s what we experienced.

There are 15 different room categories at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They include swim-up suites, beachfront villas and over-the-water bungalows.
There are 15 different room categories at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They include swim-up suites, beachfront villas and over-the-water bungalows.

What I liked

Nestled between verdant mountains and the bluest waters I’d ever seen, the whole resort was stunning.

“It's all about finding the absolute perfect site,” Stewart said, adding the company had been in talks with the Vincentian government for more than 20 years before opening Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “We've never been motivated by doing anything except building the most extraordinary resorts, and if that means waiting 10, 15 years to enter a destination, to find the right land to develop and then put the most amazing real estate on it, we've done that over and over.”

My favorite activity was riding beachcomber bikes across the sprawling property dotted with palm trees and pools. I was a little wobbly initially, but my son stuck close by until I got the hang of it.

Beachcomber bikes are sprinkled across Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Guests are welcome to use any bike they see available.
Beachcomber bikes are sprinkled across Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Guests are welcome to use any bike they see available.

He enjoyed the resort’s snorkel and kayak tours, as well as exploring on his own with the wide variety of water sports equipment available to use for free. Because he’s an adult, I didn’t have to worry like I would with my younger kids, but that didn’t stop me from reminding him to make good choices and wear sunscreen.

Mealtimes were another highlight, marked by tasty food and unhurried conversations at a variety of restaurants on property. Our favorite was Buccan, which serves farm-to-table Vincentian cuisine. The rice was so good, I sheepishly went back the next night to ask for more. Equally memorable was our server, Chareez, whose warmth could fill a room. All the resort staff were so friendly.

“We hire attitude and we train skill,” Stewart said. “That's like the magic formula of Sandals.”

Tropical fruit is served with spices at Buccan, a restaurant focused on Vincentian cuisine at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Tropical fruit is served with spices at Buccan, a restaurant focused on Vincentian cuisine at Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

What surprised me

I was surprised by how much was included in our stay. I knew lodging, food and drinks would be covered, but I imagined there would be a la carte fees for various activities, like on cruises.

With the exception of spa treatments, pretty much everything on property is included, even gratuities. That includes free PADI-certified SCUBA diving and the ability to ask water sports staff to take you tubing or wakeboarding on demand, pending availability.

Guests may check out sailboats, kayaks and more to explore at their own pace.
Guests may check out sailboats, kayaks and more to explore at their own pace.

“My father's famous saying was don't nickel and dime the customer,” Stewart said. His late dad, Gordan “Butch” Stewart, founded Sandals.

Because everything was included, all my son and I had to worry about was what to do and when to eat.

'We don’t do mass tourism': Get off the beaten path in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

What I would’ve liked

Because so many guests are couples, most rooms only have one bed. My son and I shared a one-bedroom with a separate media room, where he slept on the couch. He probably would’ve been happy sleeping on the floor just to be at the resort, but I wish there were more room configurations for non-couples.

There is one two-bedroom villa suite at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which books up quickly.

Most Sandals accommodations only have one bed, but the luxury resort chain is introducing new room configurations for different types of travel parties.
Most Sandals accommodations only have one bed, but the luxury resort chain is introducing new room configurations for different types of travel parties.

Sandals also just introduced its first two- and four-bedroom villas at Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, which is being touted as “the ultimate friends’ getaway.”

“And we're building rooms that have twin beds,” Stewart said. “You can connect them, they'll slide together. We actually have a model room being built right now in our big design studio in Miami, so more flexible accommodation.”

Finishing touches were being added to the over-the-water bungalows during our visit to Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They have since opened.
Finishing touches were being added to the over-the-water bungalows during our visit to Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They have since opened.

Is it worth it?

It depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for the cheapest possible Caribbean vacation, no.

“We're never going to be the cheapest date, so to speak,” Stewart said.

However, if you’re looking for a luxurious all-inclusive in a postcard-perfect setting, it may be. “We will ensure that no one outperforms us in value,” he added.

Terraced pools face the ocean at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Terraced pools face the ocean at Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“On average, expect the cost of a Sandals vacation to end up somewhere between $4,000 and $7,000 for a 7-night stay, per couple (two adults) – excluding flights,” according to Sandals' official blog.

Prices will vary widely by destination, trip duration, choice of accommodation, and time of year.

The reporter on this story received access to this experience from Sandals. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Adults only: A different kind of family vacation