Sandals Halcyon Beach Extras Worth Adding To Your Saint Lucia Vacation
The Sandals Halcyon Beach extras available during your stay give you plenty of ways to add something different to your Saint Lucia vacation. You can spend a day exploring the island with Island Routes, book some time at Red Lane Spa, have professional vacation photos taken or do a little shopping without leaving the resort. None of these are things you need to add to have a great vacation, but they are worth knowing about before you arrive.
I think it helps to know what is available before you travel rather than discovering all of your options after you check in. Saint Lucia is an island worth exploring, especially if this is your first visit, while a spa treatment or professional photo session may be something you want to plan for if you are celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary. Even the Beach House can come in handy when you want a souvenir or realize something you meant to pack is still sitting at home.
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You will see opportunities for these extras around Sandals Halcyon throughout your stay, and you can decide how much or how little you want to add. Let’s look at Island Routes excursions, Red Lane Spa, SnapShots photography and Beach House shopping, along with what I think is helpful to know about each one before you spend the extra money.
One of the things I love most about an all-inclusive is that the money you would be spending on food and drink can be use for other things on your vacation. From pictures to adventures, and so many other things. I know that a lot of clients have questions about vacation extras, so let’s talk about some of those questions before I go into details.
Planning Your Sandals Halcyon Beach Vacation Extras
Once you start thinking about adding a few extras to your Sandals Halcyon Beach vacation, the next questions are usually about timing, budgeting and how much you should plan before you arrive in Saint Lucia. You don’t need to schedule every part of your vacation in advance, but knowing how some of these extras work can help you decide what is worth planning ahead and what can wait until you are at the resort.
You can book Island Routes excursions before your vacation, and I would consider doing so if there is a particular experience you don’t want to miss. Some tours only operate on certain days, while private or smaller experiences may have limited availability. If you aren’t sure what you want to do, you can also wait and talk with the Island Routes team at Sandals Halcyon Beach, who can help you compare the excursions available during your stay.
There isn’t one extra-spending budget that works for everyone because it depends on whether you want excursions, spa treatments, professional photos, souvenirs or a combination of several extras. I would decide before traveling which experiences are most important to you and budget for those first. You can then leave room for spontaneous purchases without feeling like every extra is adding an unexpected expense to your vacation.
Sandals Resorts operates as a cashless resort for most purchases, so eligible extras can generally be charged to your room account during your stay. This makes paying for things such as spa treatments, professional photos and purchases at the Beach House convenient without carrying cash around the resort. It is still a good idea to keep track of your purchases and review your account before checking out.
If your reservation includes resort credits or promotional credits, check the terms of the specific offer before assuming they can be used for any vacation extra. Credits may have restrictions on eligible purchases, minimum spending requirements or where they can be redeemed. If you aren’t sure, ask at Sandals Halcyon Beach before making a purchase specifically because you expect your resort credit to cover it.
Look at the length and location of each excursion before filling your vacation schedule, because a full-day trip around Saint Lucia is very different from a shorter experience that still leaves you time at the resort. For a weeklong vacation, I like the idea of choosing one or two excursions that you are genuinely excited about and leaving the rest of the trip open for Sandals Halcyon Beach. This gives you a chance to explore Saint Lucia without coming home feeling like you barely had time to enjoy the resort.
There is no right combination of extras for every Sandals Halcyon Beach vacation. Some couples want to spend most of their time at the resort and add one special excursion, while others want to explore more of Saint Lucia. Knowing what is available before you travel makes it much easier to decide where you want to spend both your vacation time and your extra vacation budget.
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Now that the practical planning questions are out of the way, let’s take a closer look at the excursions, spa experiences, professional photography and shopping you can add to your stay at Sandals Halcyon Beach.
Island Routes Saint Lucia Excursions From Sandals Halcyon Beach
If you are staying at Sandals Halcyon Beach and have never explored Saint Lucia, an Island Routes excursion is one of the extras I would put near the top of the list. It can be very tempting to settle into a routine around the pool and beach and never leave the resort, but there is so much more to Saint Lucia. The island has mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, volcanic landscapes, small communities and a coastline that looks completely different once you get out on the water.
Island Routes Adventure Tours offers excursions for Sandals Halcyon guests, and you can talk with the Island Routes team right at the resort. There are options for couples who want an active day, people who would rather spend their time sightseeing, travelers who want to get out on the water and those who would prefer something private. You can also look at the current tours on Island Routes before your vacation, which is what I would do if exploring Saint Lucia is an important part of your trip.
One thing to keep in mind is Saint Lucia’s geography. This is a mountainous island, and getting from one area to another can take longer than the distance on a map might suggest. Some excursions take up a good portion of the day once transportation, sightseeing and stops are included. That isn’t necessarily a negative because the drive itself gives you an opportunity to see more of Saint Lucia, but it is something I would consider before filling several days of your vacation with tours.
The Island Routes information available at Sandals Halcyon highlights several very different ways to experience Saint Lucia:
- Pitons Sunset Cruise: Seeing the Pitons from the water is a completely different experience from seeing them by road. The Island Routes information at the resort highlights a private five-hour cruise that takes you along the coast for views of the Pitons before ending with sunset on the water. This is one I would consider if you want beautiful Saint Lucia scenery without spending most of your day traveling around the island by car.
- Bamboo River Rafting: This excursion has a much slower pace. Instead of speeding along the coastline or packing several attractions into one day, you travel along the river on a bamboo raft surrounded by tropical scenery. It could be a good choice if you want to get away from the resort and experience another part of the island without choosing something particularly strenuous.
- Drive And Snorkel Experience: If you like the idea of being on the water but want something more active than a traditional sightseeing cruise, this experience puts you behind the wheel of a 17-foot speedboat. You cruise along Saint Lucia’s coastline and add snorkeling to the day, so getting there becomes part of the fun rather than simply transportation between stops.
- Soufrière Experience: If this is your first trip to Saint Lucia, Soufrière is an area I would strongly consider seeing. This part of the island is home to many of the landscapes people picture when they think of Saint Lucia, including the Pitons and the island’s volcanic scenery. The Island Routes information at the resort highlights a 6.5-hour Soufrière experience. Depending on the specific tour you choose, excursions in this area can combine several natural and cultural attractions into one day.
- Chocolate Decadency: Saint Lucia has a long history with cacao, which makes a chocolate experience more than simply an excuse to eat chocolate on vacation. The excursion highlighted by Island Routes focuses on the island’s chocolate heritage and local treats. I would consider this one if you enjoy food experiences and want to learn about something with a real connection to Saint Lucia.
- Private Horseback Beach Ride: The private horseback beach experience highlighted by Island Routes lasts approximately two hours, making it one of the easier options to fit into a resort day. It gives you a chance to do something different without committing most of the day to an excursion. You could head out for your ride and still have plenty of time to come back and enjoy Sandals Halcyon afterward.
These aren’t the only Island Routes excursions available to Sandals Halcyon guests. Depending on your travel dates, you may find boat tours, snorkeling, hiking, ziplining, waterfalls, sightseeing tours and private experiences. Tour schedules and availability can change, so I would look at what is actually operating during your vacation rather than choosing solely from a brochure or an older excursion list.
Prices vary quite a bit too, particularly when comparing a shared excursion with a private experience. Instead of including prices here that could change before your vacation, check Island Routes for current pricing. I would also look at what is included in the price, the length of the excursion, cancellation policies, minimum ages and any health or physical requirements before booking.
I wouldn’t feel like you need to book an excursion for every available day either. If you are spending a week at Sandals Halcyon, one or two excursions can give you a chance to see Saint Lucia while still leaving plenty of time to enjoy the resort. If you have already visited the island and seen the major sights, that is when I would look at some of the smaller or more specialized experiences instead of repeating the traditional sightseeing day. Coming home to a good meal after an excursion can make your stay even more special.
Red Lane Spa At Sandals Halcyon Beach
Red Lane Spa is another Sandals Halcyon Beach extra worth considering, especially if part of your vacation plan involves doing as little as possible for an hour or two. Spa treatments are an additional cost, so massages, facials, body treatments, nail services and other spa appointments are something you will want to include in your vacation budget if they are important to you.
I would look through the Red Lane Spa menu before you travel instead of waiting until you arrive to figure out what sounds good. That gives you an idea of the treatments available and what you may want to spend. If you want a particular treatment, a couples appointment or a specific time of day, it also makes sense to arrange it early rather than waiting until the end of the vacation.
A few Red Lane Spa treatments worth looking at include:
- Himalayan Salt Stone Massage: This treatment incorporates warm Himalayan salt stones into the massage. If you like the idea of a massage but want something a little different from a standard treatment, this is one that may catch your attention.
- Lavender Massage: This is more focused on relaxation and could be a better fit if you prefer a gentler massage. If the goal is simply to shut everything off for a while and relax, this is one I would consider.
- Caribbean Glow Treatment: This 90-minute treatment is more of a complete body experience rather than simply a massage. It focuses on body care, firming and toning, so it may appeal more to someone looking for a longer spa treatment.
- Mindful Pedicure: You don’t need to book a lengthy massage to enjoy Red Lane Spa. The Mindful Pedicure combines a traditional pedicure with a foot ritual and warm Himalayan salt stones. After traveling and then spending your days in sandals, this could be a nice vacation treat.
If you are traveling for a honeymoon or anniversary, I would also look at the couples treatments offered during your stay. A couples massage can be an easy way to add something special to the vacation without taking an entire day away from everything else you want to do at Sandals Halcyon.
Think about when you schedule your appointment too. I wouldn’t put a relaxing massage into the middle of a day when you are also trying to fit in an excursion, dinner reservation and other plans. A spa treatment followed by an afternoon at the pool sounds much better. Another option is to schedule it after you have spent a few days exploring Saint Lucia and are ready for a quieter day at the resort.
Red Lane Spa menus, treatment availability and prices can change, so check the current Sandals Halcyon Red Lane Spa menu when you are planning your vacation. It is much easier to decide whether you want to splurge on a treatment when you already know what is available and have included the expense in your vacation plans. There are always spa staff walking around to help you book your next experience.
SnapShots Photography At Sandals Halcyon Beach
How many vacations have you come home from with hundreds of pictures of the resort, plenty of selfies and very few really good photos of the two of you together? The SnapShots Photo Center at Sandals Halcyon gives you the opportunity to have professional vacation photos taken without handing your phone to another guest and hoping at least one picture turns out well. You may also see the SnapShots photographers around the resort during your stay, capturing couples and different moments around the property.
Sandals Halcyon has plenty of pretty locations for vacation photos, including the beach, gardens, pools and tropical landscaping. If you are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday or another special occasion, this can be a good opportunity to get some professional photos together. I would stop by the SnapShots Photo Center early in your stay if this interests you and ask how the current process works, whether you need an appointment, when you can view your photos and what the available packages cost. Knowing the pricing beforehand makes it much easier to decide what you want instead of waiting until you are looking at dozens of photos you love.
If you know you want professional pictures, pack at least one outfit that both of you feel good wearing and think a little about what you want from the session. You don’t need to turn it into an elaborate photo shoot unless that sounds fun to you. Maybe you simply want one great picture from Saint Lucia that you can frame when you get home. Talk with the SnapShots team about timing as well, especially if you are hoping for photos on the beach later in the day. Sunset doesn’t last very long in the Caribbean, so a little planning can make a big difference.
As part of the Island Insiders Club benefits, we get a free 5×7 photo. While you can’t use one from the photo shoot, they take plenty of candids around the resort in order to take advantage of it. We generally get the one they take at the Island Insiders Club Tuesday night dinner.
The Resort Shop For Shopping At Sandals Halcyon Beach
The Resort at Sandals Halcyon is one of those places you may not think much about before your vacation, but there is a good chance you will wander through it at least once while you are there. Part of the fun is simply browsing to see what they have. You may want a Sandals shirt, hat or another souvenir from your trip, especially if you like bringing something home from each resort you visit. Inventory changes, so I wouldn’t go into the vacation expecting one particular item to be waiting for you.
The Resort Shop is also useful for much more practical reasons. It can come to the rescue when something you were positive you packed is actually still sitting at home or when you run out of something halfway through the week. Depending on the current inventory, you may find sunscreen, toiletries, beach items, clothing, hats and other vacation basics. You may pay more than you would have at home, but there is something to be said for being able to pick up what you need without leaving the resort and spending part of your vacation shopping for necessities.
If you are looking for souvenirs, take a little time to browse instead of automatically grabbing the first Sandals item you see. Resort-branded merchandise can be a fun reminder of where you stayed, but I also like looking for something that feels connected to Saint Lucia. What you find can vary from one visit to another, which is part of the reason I would stop in sometime during the vacation rather than leaving all of your shopping until departure morning. The last thing you need when your transfer is coming is to suddenly remember you wanted to buy something at the The Resort Shop.
And leave a little room in your suitcase if you know you are someone who likes bringing things home. It sounds obvious until you are trying to figure out how to fit another shirt, a hat and a few souvenirs into luggage that was completely full when you arrived. I would still pack your important toiletries, enough sunscreen and anything you know you will need rather than relying on the resort shop.
If this is your first trip to Saint Lucia, I would put exploring the island high on the list. There is too much beyond the resort to never leave Sandals Halcyon. After that, think about why you are traveling and what you enjoy doing together. An anniversary couple may decide professional photos and a couples massage are worth adding, while someone returning to Saint Lucia for the third or fourth time might skip the traditional sightseeing tour and put that money toward a private experience instead.
Colombian Emeralds At Sandals Halcyon Beach
Colombian Emeralds is another shopping option right at Sandals Halcyon Beach, although I will admit this one isn’t really for me because I am not much of a jewelry person. If you are, though, it is worth knowing that it is there. You can browse jewelry, watches and gemstones without having to leave the resort, whether you are seriously shopping or just want to take a look while you have some downtime.
I can see this being more appealing if you are celebrating something during your vacation. A honeymoon or anniversary in Saint Lucia gives you a pretty good reason to pick out something special, and a piece of jewelry can become one of those things that always reminds you of the trip. You don’t have to be looking for a huge purchase either. If something catches your eye and fits what you want to spend, it can be a much more personal souvenir than another T-shirt or something that eventually ends up tucked away in a drawer.
Since jewelry isn’t something I normally shop for, I am not going to pretend I can tell you which piece to buy or whether a particular item is a good deal. If Colombian Emeralds is one of the Sandals Halcyon extras that interests you, take your time, look around and ask questions about the pieces you like, pricing and any purchase details you want to understand before buying. And if jewelry isn’t your thing either, that’s fine too. This may simply be one of those resort extras you walk past on your way to something else.
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Amazing Savings Await You!
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That is really the benefit of knowing about these Sandals Halcyon Beach extras before you travel. None of them are necessary to have a great stay, and you don’t need to add everything. They simply give you more choices when deciding how you want to spend your time in Saint Lucia and what will make this particular vacation memorable for you.
Ready To Book Your All-Inclusive Vacation To Sandals Resorts?
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Hi, Jennifer. these vacations, where do the flights leave from? If I am in the midwest (US) would the vacation price include flying out of KCI?
You do make a person want to hit send once reading your post!!
All the best.
Debra @ Life Captured
Hi Debra,
So KCI would have you connecting in Miami for most flights. I always suggest doing 3 legs to your trip. So KCI to Miami the night before and overnighting, then Miami to St. Lucia. On the way home you would do St. Lucia to Miami to KCI. I actually have a client flying KCI in two weeks and that is how they planned their travel. Flights are always separate and should not be part of your room budget.