Sandals & Secrets for a Girls' Getaway: What to Know Before You Book

Planning a girls' getaway and eyeing Sandals or Secrets? Great taste — they're gorgeous, adults-only, all-inclusive resorts. And yes, despite the romantic reputation, you can absolutely go with friends. But these brands are built first and foremost for couples, so a little honesty up front will help your group pick the right resort and know exactly what to expect. Here's the real scoop.

First, the Honest Truth: These Are Romance-First Resorts

Both Sandals and Secrets are designed with couples in mind. That means an adults-only (18+) atmosphere, rooms built around a single king bed, a two-person-per-room minimum, and plenty of couple-oriented touches — candlelit dinners, sunset cruises, couples' spa treatments. None of that stops a group of friends from having a wonderful time (bachelorette parties and girls' trips happen all the time), but you'll want to go in knowing the vibe leans romantic and relaxing rather than rowdy.

Why They Still Work Beautifully for a Girls' Trip

If your idea of a girls' getaway is being pampered rather than partying until dawn, these resorts genuinely shine:

• Adults-only calm. No kids anywhere, so it's quiet and grown-up.
• Truly all-inclusive. Meals, drinks, tips, and most activities are covered — no awkward bill-splitting.
• Standout spas. Perfect for a group pampering day.
• Gorgeous beaches and pools, with watersports included.
• Beautifully run and safe, so no one in the group has to play trip planner.

Sandals vs. Secrets: The Quick Difference

Sandals is Caribbean-only — think Jamaica, St. Lucia, Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Grenada — and leans the most couples-focused of the two. You can explore the Sandals resorts here.

Secrets is adults-only as well, with a romantic-but-slightly-more-social feel and a wider map that includes Mexico alongside the Caribbean. You can browse Secrets and other resorts here. Both stick to king-bed rooms, so a group of three or four will need adjoining rooms or a villa.

A Few of Our Team's Favorites for a Girls' Trip

When we picture an adults-only girls' getaway ourselves, a handful of resorts come to mind first — and most are in Mexico and the southern Caribbean, where the adults-only brands often have more flexible room layouts than Sandals' king-only rooms:

• El Dorado Maroma (Riviera Maya, Mexico). A Lomas Hospitality favorite on one of Mexico's most beautiful beaches.
• Secrets Playa Blanca (Costa Mujeres, Mexico). A brand-new adults-only Secrets on a calm, white-sand stretch near Cancún.
• Secrets Aruba. Adults-only ease on an island that sits below the hurricane belt — a smart pick for storm-season dates.
• UNICO 20°105° (Riviera Nayarit, near Puerto Vallarta). A sleek, design-forward adults-only resort that opened in 2025 on Mexico's Pacific coast.
• Sandals Curaçao. Gorgeous — just a heads-up that, like all Sandals, the rooms are king-bed only, so a girls' trip means bed-sharing.

Booking Tips for a Group

• Three or more? Plan on at least two rooms — every room is built around one king bed.
• Ask for rooms close together. A certified agent can request adjoining or same-category rooms so you're all near each other.
• Look at villas and suites if you want shared space — some properties offer multi-bedroom villas ideal for a group.
• Want more buzz? Some resorts have livelier nightlife than others — we'll steer you to the right one for your group's energy.
• Consider a celebration package. Both brands do bachelorette and milestone celebrations well.

Traveling With Kids? Choose Beaches Instead

One important note: Sandals is strictly adults-only, so it isn't an option for a trip with little ones. Its family-friendly sister brand, Beaches Resorts, delivers the same quality with kids' clubs and water parks — the better pick for a multi-generational or family getaway.

Curious what one of these adults-only resorts is actually like? Take a look at our spotlight on Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets for a feel of the experience. And whatever the occasion — a girls' trip, a honeymoon, or an anniversary — we'll match you to the right resort and make sure your rooms are right next to each other.