Sandals Whitehouse v. Sandals Antigua

[honeybadger]

We are looking at Sandals Antigua or Whitehouse in Jamaica for our 10 year anniversary....any suggestions?  We did the Grande St. Lucian for our honeymoon.

I think monkeygirl18 has been to both, right?  Any thoughts?  We're probably looking at August 2016, so we have plenty of time...

ETA: tagging monkeygirl18

[monkeygirl18]

Yes, we have been to both. We prefer Whitehouse over Antigua. Actually, we just came back in March from our second time at Whitehouse. As for which one, it really depends on what you are looking for as they are both very different.

Whitehouse is secluded, the beach is long (roughly 1.5 miles including going off Sandals property which, is a must as it is just beautiful) but not as nice as Antiguas. There are rocks*coral* and a lot of the sand has been washed away *they are working on fixing it*, the water is murky as there are slight waves as well as wind that churns up the sand, there are jelly fish at times as well as sea urchins (water walkers are recommended). That being said, we had no issues with the above and spent 6 of our 7 days lounging on the beach and playing in the water. Whitehouse also has more eateries, all rooms are ocean front/view *depends on what floor you are on*. That being said, the rooms are a bit dated however, Sandals is in the process of renovations (I believe Italian has been renovated, French is next and then Dutch*where we stay*)

Antiguas beach is narrow, there are vendors, the water is clearer than Whitehouse but it was still to churned up to snorkel. Antigua has two sides (Caribbean and Mediterranean). We stayed in Mediterranean and honestly, it felt like any hotel here in the US (it was nice yes, but if I'm in the Caribbean, I want a Caribbean feel), we booked Mediterranean as the rooms have an ocean view (far off in the distance much like the ocean view rooms at Sandals Grande St. Lucian) and have walled private balconies (the Caribbean side seemed to either not have an ocean view or the balconies were railed not walled).

The night life feel at both seemed to be the same...not much. That being said though, we were at both in March which as we have found out seems to draw an older crowed (although, some can really drink

Excursions are closer in Antigua (the speed boat tour and sting ray city were amazing!) but Whitehouse also has some really good ones (Pelican bar itself is ehh but the catamaran out and back was a booze cruise and when I say booze cruise I mean it

Food I won't comment on as it is really subjective. I will say that personally, Whitehouse was better.

There is a lot more about the two so hopefully this works,

www.kristiandkerry.com

That is the link to my website where I have travel reviews and a ton of photos.

All that being said, from what I see on TripAdvisor and those we have spoken with at Whitehouse, those who loved the Grande St. Lucian love Whitehouse. We know that we do as we have been to both twice and are currently booked at Grande St Lucian for next year.

Please feel free to ask me whatever questions you have and I will do my best to answer.

Happy planning