Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

NatalieS Posted: May 12, 2005 07:39 AM

Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

If so, which resort did you stay at or would recommend?

Any warnings?

Thanks everyone.

MayBride06 Posted: May 12, 2005 07:41 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

My experience with Jamaica is that you would not want to leave the resort. We did that one time and felt like we were mobbed by the local in the shopping district. with that said, make sure the resort has a lot to do. With sandals you should be fine!

SweetCin704 Posted: May 12, 2005 08:07 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

We went to the Montego Bay resort & it was very nice & you can take a shuttle to I think it was the Royal Jamaica(?) resort which was 10 minutes away. The food overall was OK, nothing spectacular. They upgraded our room which was spacious and bright & had a balcony. There were activities all day or you could choose to do nothing. Overall age was probably mid-late 20's (generally) & there was at least 1 wedding a day. The staff was very helpful, friendly and accommodating. We found that on the beach right by them no outsiders bothered you (they have armed guards on the beach) & we ventured outside one night, not too bad, but I wouldn't want to walk alone.

The negative though is the airport was very close & at least once an hour you had a place literally just clear the resort (very loud), although you got used to it.

MayBride06 Posted: May 12, 2005 08:11 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

i forgot to mention if you go to Jamaica, stay in Negril! They are known for their beaches. Otherwise you may not have a beach to walk on at your resort. I also went to Runaway Bay and our beach was man made! Negril is better! I think they have a Sandals there!

STIX1130 Posted: May 12, 2005 08:32 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

my sister and her husband went to sandals jamaica for their honeymoon and loved it. and, there really is no reason to leave the resort, everything is there.

Robin404 Posted: May 12, 2005 08:50 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

I was at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica 2 weeks after they opened in February. Because it was a GRAND OPENING- I had booked the July before, we got the 40% off Grand Opening Sale.

We had a great time. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. The food was ok, nothing outrageous.

B/c it was only 2 weeks after the opening, not everything was completed. Some common areas didn't have light fixtures, not all the landscaping was done. All of that didn't matter. Everyone there was saying when it's complete it will definitely be one of the best Sandals. I've never been to another one so I don't know.

The only negative is that it's about 1.5hours from the airport, so you have to take this bus (provided by Sandals), but it goes through really poor areas.

We had no reason to leave the resort, we weren't near shopping.

The BEST PART OF ALL: one week before we were supposed to leave to go, we got a phone call saying not everything was completed, but to compensate: we will be given a FREE WEEK Stay (or whatever you had booked)- at ANY SANDALS. All we have to pay for is Airfare.

So I booked Sandals Grande St. Lucia for our honeymoon! They booked it with no problems what so ever.

Now I just have to get airfare and I'm set.

shamrock12472 Posted: May 12, 2005 09:11 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

I honeymooned in Jamaica at the Sandals at Dunns River. The resort was beautiful and the beach was very nice. There are a lot of activities that are included so you can do as much or as little as you want. We didn't wonder off the resort into the local towns but that was okay because one day they had a bizarre so you could shop if you wanted to. We were upgraded to a better room and it was beautiful. Recently redone and very spacious. The food was okay but I am a very picky eater. The service was great. Everyone was very friendly and very helpful. The resort was spotless. The spa services were the best I have ever had. The ride was a little over an hour outside the airport. On the ride to the resort and from the resort, they stop so you can shop if you want. They stop at places at are clean and safe.

We really enjoyed ourselves and would definatley go to a Sandals again.

NatalieS Posted: May 12, 2005 10:47 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all your comments. It has truly helped. I am 6 months pregnant now and we were looking to get away for a few days before the baby arrives for our 1 year anniversary. Jamaica seemed a good choice since everyone said you will stay pretty much in the resort which was what I was looking for. I just want to lay on the beach and eat. I didnt want to pick a location that had a lot of tours outside the resort b/c I would feel like I was missing out and didnt get to explore.

Anyone have any comments on how bad the airport traffic is over Montego Bay? Thats the only apprehension I have right now. But I think it will be better than spending an 1.5 hours on a bus in my pregnant state. So I might make do.

Good Luck with everyones planning.

I stayed in Maui and the Big Island, Hawaii for my honeymoon so if you girls had any questions about that, feel free to ask.

Thanks again

roe Posted: May 12, 2005 11:00 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

WARNING--DO NOT LEAVE HOTEL!!!
(we were warned by the staff there)

I personally did not like montego bay.

I would rather go to Aruba. There not much to do there either but enjoy the sun.

iffer042373 Posted: May 12, 2005 11:45 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

When I stayed in Jamaica I stayed at Cibo in Ochos Rios which was absolutly amazing you had your own private mini apartment it was great and you had to call for someone to pick you up to bring you to the main house and the restaurants were hidden and very romantic. It is also a little pricey. Someone I was dating at that time had won the trip and we had extended it and stayed at Breezes in montego bay which I would make sure your hotel has alot to do cuz we made the mistake of leaving the resort to just go to a shopping center across the street and was bombarded by locals trying to sell us things and trying to braid my hair. I wasn't to impressed with montego bay though I liked Ocho rios 10 times better

nov04LIbride Posted: May 12, 2005 11:51 AM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

Posted by MayBride06

i forgot to mention if you go to Jamaica, stay in Negril! They are known for their beaches. Otherwise you may not have a beach to walk on at your resort. I also went to Runaway Bay and our beach was man made! Negril is better! I think they have a Sandals there!

We stayed at Couples Swept Away Negril. From other guests, I heard the food was much better than Sandals, and the resort more beautiful. All excursions and activities were included in the price as well. We LOVED it--can't wait to go back. Sandals seemed more garish from the looks of the outside. Good luck! Couples page

shamrock12472 Posted: May 12, 2005 12:23 PM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

I just got back from Paradise Island in the Bahamas and loved it. There's a Sandals there as well as Breezes. Not a long drive from the airport. Quiet island and relatively safe.

NatalieS Posted: May 12, 2005 01:23 PM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

Hi shamrock,

Is breezes similar to sandals? Which would you say is nicer or are they about the same?I was on Trip advisor and the breezes seemed to get better reviews. What are there reputation if you know?

Thanks

ckgmwedding Posted: May 12, 2005 01:25 PM

Re: Has anyone ever visited Sandals Jamaica?

Check into San Souci in Ocho Rios- it is a 2 hour drive but there is an airport nearby and you could take an airplane shuttle from the main airport. They are an older hotel but very romantic and the food is supposed to be amazing. I am going there on my honeymoon.