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What Is Not Included at Sandals Resorts? Honeymoon Extras Worth Budgeting For

September 13, 2026
couple walking hand in hand on the beach in bathing suits

If the price of a Sandals honeymoon makes you think, “Whew, that is a lot for an all-inclusive,” I understand. But it’s important to look at everything that included.

Sandals is one of the most inclusive all-inclusive brands I work with. Meals, premium drinks, entertainment, many activities, Wi-Fi, round-trip airport transfers, taxes and most gratuities are included. Nobody wants to do honeymoon math between the appetizer and dessert.

In all my years of planning Sandals honeymoons, I have never had a couple come home upset because they were blindsided by additional resort charges. Never.

That does not mean every possible experience is included. It means the extras are generally optional, and I make sure my couples know about them before they travel.

So what costs extra at Sandals Resorts?

  • Off-property tours and excursions
  • Spa treatments and spa products
  • Private candlelight dinners
  • Professional photo packages
  • Certain airport upgrades and VIP services
  • Tips for personal butlers, spa professionals, tour operators and some transfer drivers

Here is the important part: you do not need all of that to have an amazing honeymoon. These are enhancements, not missing basics. You can eat, drink, swim, enjoy entertainment and relax without constantly reaching for your wallet.

For the current brand-wide list, review the official Sandals guide to what is included. I also verify the details for the exact resort and room category because “usually included” is not the same thing as “confirmed for your trip.”

The Sandals honeymoon extras I think are worth considering

couple laying on bed on beach

A relaxing spa treatment

Personally, I love a spa treatment on vacation. After planning a wedding, finally relaxing may qualify as a medical miracle. You will NEED this! And who wouldn’t love a couples massage on the beach?

A private candlelight dinner

Many of my honeymoon clients rave about the private candlelight dinner. You already have unlimited dining included, so this is not something you need to purchase just to eat well.

What you are paying for is the moment: a romantic setup, often on the beach, just the two of you, with a dedicated server. If that sounds like your kind of honeymoon memory, it can absolutely be worth it. If both of you would rather grab dinner and get back to the pool, skip it with zero guilt.

Professional honeymoon photos

Professional honeymoon photos can be worth it. You get beautiful pictures without trusting a stranger to hold your phone and somehow cut off half the sunset or your head!

An off-property excursion

Catamaran excursions are especially popular with my clients. They let you experience more of the island while still keeping plenty of resort time. Other couples enjoy fishing or waterfall excursions; there are so many to choose from. Or you can choose to do nothing but relax because believe me, you will need that!

people in a boat on blue waters

A smoother airport arrival

Shared round-trip airport transfers are included. Private luxury transfers come only with select top-tier Butler suites at select resorts, so I verify your exact accommodation.

Whether paying for a private transfer is worth it depends on the island and the distance. In Saint Lucia, the drive from Hewanorra International Airport to resorts in the north can be long and winding. I may recommend a private vehicle, ferry transfer or helicopter option, depending on what is available and comfortable for you.

Some Jamaican resorts can also be more than an hour from the airport. On a shorter or more direct route, the included transfer may be perfectly fine.

What about room service and Butler tips?

Room service is included in Club Level and Butler Level accommodations. The hours and menu can vary, so I confirm the details for the resort and room you choose.

If the budget allows, I love a Butler Elite suite for a honeymoon. The added service can remove even more little decisions once you arrive. But I will not tell you to stretch for that Butler suite if your credit card says NOPE!

If Butler Level is outside your comfortable budget, Club Level is often my minimum recommendation for honeymoon couples who want concierge support and included room service. Because waking up and having breakfast roll into the room while you stay in bed is exactly the kind of serious decision-making I support.

If you are comparing those options, read my guide to Sandals Club Level vs. Butler for your honeymoon.

couple lying in the pool in loungers while being waited on by a butler

Should you reserve Sandals honeymoon extras before you arrive?

Yes. I recommend reserving must-have spa appointments, excursions and romantic experiences before you travel.

The reason is simple: I do not want you spending the first day of your honeymoon standing at a desk trying to organize everything. Popular appointment times and experiences can have limited availability. If you have a Butler suite, your butler can help with arrangements, but even a wonderful butler cannot create an opening that does not exist.

Timing matters for the resort itself, too. Here is how far in advance to book a Sandals honeymoon if you are sti

ll deciding when to begin.

couple laying on lounge chairs in a pool in front of a thatched roof bungalow

How I help couples build a realistic Sandals honeymoon budget

My initial proposal shows the major costs: the resort, airfare and travel insurance.

Airfare is not automatically included in the price you see advertised by Sandals. I include it in the complete proposal when flights are available. If the airlines have not released the schedule yet, I provide an estimated airfare range and explain that the final price cannot be confirmed until the flights are booked.

That step-by-step guidance is part of what to expect when working with a travel planner. My job is to give you the right information at the right time, make clear recommendations and keep the mental load off your plate.

Is Sandals worth the price for a honeymoon?

For the right couple, absolutely. I know the price can make you pause at first. But before you compare it with a regular hotel or a less expensive resort, think about what you’ll actually spend over seven nights. All meals, drinks, entertainment, water sports, airport transfers, gratuities. At a regular hotel, you may also be paying for taxis every time you want to go out to eat. Think about having to decide where to eat out for every meal. Those little charges have a way of becoming one BIG number. And many other all inclusive resorts, you are charged for some activities: like bowling, lazy rivers, water parks, all water sports, and more. These things add up!

At Sandals, so much of that is already included. You can order another drink, try a different restaurant or spend the afternoon on the water without doing honeymoon math every five minutes. Spa treatments, excursions and private dinners are there if you want them, but you don’t need to buy extras to have a wonderful trip.

That’s where I come in. I help you choose the island, resort and room that fit you, then talk through which extras are actually worth your money. You focus on getting married. I’ll handle the honeymoon details.

Ready to plan a Sandals honeymoon without the overwhelm?

If you want a honeymoon that feels easy from the first conversation through the flight home, let’s talk. I will help you compare the real total cost, narrow the options and decide which extras are worth it for the two of you.

Schedule your honeymoon consultation with GG Mack Luxe Travel and let me take this decision off your plate.

hammock on the beach with the blue waters in the background

Frequently asked questions about Sandals honeymoon extras

What is not included at Sandals Resorts?

Common extras include off-property excursions, spa treatments, private candlelight dinners, professional photo packages, private cabanas, certain scuba courses or rentals, specialty wines and selected airport upgrades. Exact offerings vary by resort.

Are tips included at Sandals Resorts?

Most gratuities are included, and Sandals employees generally cannot accept tips. Personal butlers and spa professionals are exceptions. Guests may also tip third-party excursion guides and some transfer drivers.

Are airport transfers included at Sandals?

Shared round-trip transfers between the designated airport and resort are included. Private luxury transfers are included only with select top-tier Butler suites at select resorts. Paid private or alternative transfers may be available.

Is room service included at Sandals?

Room service is included for Club Level and Butler Level accommodations. Service hours and menus vary by resort and room category.

Are water sports included at Sandals?

Many land and water sports are included, and some resorts offer motorized options. Activities vary by property. Scuba certification, refresher courses and certain rentals may cost extra.

Should honeymoon extras be booked before arrival?

Reserve anything you consider a must-do before travel when possible. Spa times, excursions and private dinners can have limited availability. Leave room for spontaneity, but do not leave your top priorities to chance.

How much extra should we budget for a Sandals honeymoon?

There is no universal amount. Start with the resort, airfare and travel insurance, then choose optional experiences that fit your interests and comfortable budget. Current prices should be confirmed for your dates and resort.

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