A romantic escape at Sandals Saint Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Resort Overview, Buccament Bay
by Gigi Bors-Koefoed
As the boat rounded the last volcanic cliff, Buccament Bay came into full view with majestic ridges cradling the crescent shape of the bay, revealing Sandals Saint Vincent’s private oasis. I enjoy an element of surprise when I travel, so I went blindly but excitedly into this Caribbean country situated just miles off the coast of South America, easily accessible by direct flights from Miami. Exiting the small airport to be welcomed by the warm island air flushing my face, the smell of the ocean and its lull in the marina summoned the vacation butterflies and a desire to explore this beautiful island.
Transport to the resort by boat was a statement introduction, as overwater bungalows came into view. It was evident that its natural environment played an instrumental role in the resort’s aesthetic. It was intentionally designed to blend in and stand out with its winding pathways, private villas, and outstanding landscaping, giving a sense of strolling through a beautiful village, complementing the resort staff’s greeting of ‘welcome home’, a sentiment fitting to our one-bedroom garden villa with a private pool and butler service, providing ultimate privacy and relaxation every honeymooner desires. The villas have a separate butler door to the kitchen, where scrumptious treats awaited us each morning and afternoon. Although it took me a couple of days to get used to the idea of a butler, the ease of the stay was accentuated by service such as setting the pool chairs early in the morning with towels and a cooler of our preferred drinks, and any reservations on-site. In addition to the beauty of strolling through this ‘private village’ were the free cruisers available around the resort. You just pick one up, ride it, and leave it wherever for the next guest to enjoy, encouraging a sense of playful exploration.
Overwater Bungalows
Sandals St. Vincent is strictly a lovers’ paradise. Romantic packages extend beyond weddings to include anniversaries, proposals, and even babymoons. For a stress-free wedding, the resort offers a comprehensive experience, no matter the size of the wedding party. Each couple is taken care of pre- and post-wedding planning, including marriage paperwork and romantic dinners. During my stay, I had the honor of witnessing an elopement by a beautiful, composed bride in a lace gown walking regally along the path to the picturesque overwater chapel where her groom awaited with a big smile. The white open-air chapel, prominently placed, is a serene venue with a glass aisle and an expansive ocean vista where guests gather for sunset viewing with a cocktail in hand.
Wedding Chapel
Garden Villas
Date nights at the resort are never the same as couples have a choice of twelve restaurants with international flavors. For me, the standout was the local delicacy Buccan, a name that originates from Indigenous South American and Caribbean languages referring to a wooden frame used to slowly roast meat over a fire. The communal dining concept is an adventure in culinary experience, serving guests at a relaxed pace with a variety of locally sourced shareable dishes, where the spices drive the flavor. Each table is supplied with small dishes containing spices such as coconut seasoning and ram spice, making the meal a series of small experiments. It is the most distinctly local experience the resort offers, and the most memorable.
Buccan Restaurant
The resort has a way of creating excitement and leisure simultaneously. Its serene environment is calming, while Buccament Bay is a treasure of natural landscape, punctuated by verdant volcanic ridges, towering coastal cliffs, and black sand beaches that simply call for exploration. Luckily, many activities are included in the booking package, and we took the opportunity to snorkel along a barrier reef, which proved to be an exhilarating experience. Beyond the colorful marine life, what truly amazed me was viewing a 30-foot reef drop cradling the cliff, with the vast open ocean just beyond it, creating an impressive visual of earth and the ocean meeting and parting.
Buccament Bay barrier reef
Sandals Saint Vincent has mastered the art of delivering an upscale resort experience in a quiet, dignified way. It exudes tranquility and leisure while the beauty of Buccament Bay reenergizes. There was no loud music early in the morning, and each amenity was designed with couples in mind, from leisure and activities to romance. It is possible to visit the resort for five days and feel as though you have escaped for ten. My favorite moments were the quiet afternoon hours while the guests were getting ready for dinner in their villas; I would stand outside and watch the mist lightly cover the top of the ridges while dusk settled in, and marvel at how the resort and its pace complement Buccament Bay. For couples, the resort feels like a luxurious home away from home, making it an especially fitting place to celebrate love.
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Photography: Sandals Saint Vincent
