Anyone go the Grande Ochos Rios? Scott and I were thinking of going there for our 1st Anniversary. I am still not sure about going to Jamica. We are a signatire guest member so we will get a discount of $518. With the discount it will cost about $3500 for Concierge service. Can anyone tell me if this is a good price for 7 nights?
TracyInQueens
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That sounds good- about $500 a night, or $250 pp per day. Unless my math is off. But we paid more than that for a deluxe room in Dec. For concierge I think it sounds like a good deal.
Danielle&Scott
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Anyone else....
shamrock12472
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It sounds like an okay price. Since that is just about the start of hurricane season, I think you might be able to get a better price. I went to Jamaica and stayed at the Dunn's River Sandals. We had a lot of fun. The island itself isn't that pretty but that is because there is a lot of poverty ... like most islands. The resorts and water are beautiful. From Ochos Rios, you will be by the mountains as well.
MCDO15
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we were gonna do sandales but the cost seemed so high to us... im sure their are other great resorts/private islands for maybe a 1000 less. i have a small list at home
have you two ever cruised before? 7 days in one place was a major turn off... 7 days in 7 different places but with the same type of service worked very good
Danielle&Scott
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I dont know if I want to take a chance with a Cruise...I get sea sick, air sick, car sick etc....lol. Danielle has been on a cruise before though. We like the All inclusive idea, becase you get all food, all drinks, etc....and you dont need to carry any money on you. We enjoyed Sandals St Lucia so much on our honeymoon, and from what we hear....Sandals is the best all inclusive resort out there.....
We originally wanted to go to the Royal Bahamian, but we cannot afford that resort....It is very expensive there....We can only afford to go to Jamaica out of the Sandals resorts.
If you recommend going to a different All inclusive resort, let me know which one it is. We are interested in going to Bermuda, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, and other places too....
Thanks, Scott And Danielle
Danielle&Scott
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Can you use AAA at Sandals? Scott
tracyg
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that sounds good. Also they've expanded a lot since we went on our HM... so you're getting a lot more.
Butterflybride
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We're going to go to the Sandals whitehouse in Jamaica and we're staying in a concierge level suite for 5 nights and we're paying about $1000 more than you, so I definately think you're getting a good deal
nov04LIbride
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I think there are just as nice if not nicer lesser-known resorts out there for less. We went to Couples Swept Away in Negril for less than that price for a week, and it included all excursions and water sports which Sandals does not (scuba diving, etc). Ochos Rios is a much more rough drive than the drive to Negril, though both are about the same distance from the airport (about 1 1/2 hours). web site I loved Jamaica, and loved that we didn't have to worry about the food or water as you do in Mexico.
Danielle&Scott
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I have been doing a lot of reviews and in all the reviews that I have read they all say to watch your back and that Jamaica is not that safe and to watch your wallet.....
Its a totally different experience then St Lucia...I totally felt safe there....
Scott
tracyg
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we did some 'craft fair' tours in Ocho Rios, and I would NEVER do it again (and we were with a tour, not by ourselves)!!! They harass you to no end and they are SCARY!! I would stick to the attractions, and go with your hotel tour group. Don't go out on your own.
nov04LIbride
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Posted by Danielle&Scott
I have been doing a lot of reviews and in all the reviews that I have read they all say to watch your back and that Jamaica is not that safe and to watch your wallet.....
Its a totally different experience then St Lucia...I totally felt safe there....
Scott
You won't be going off by yourself when you are staying at an all-inclusive. Ours had a private beach, but there was no need for a wallet anyway because everything was included. We put our wallets in the safe the first day and didn't take them out til we left. As with any third world country, I wouldn't venture off by myself.
shamrock12472
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Posted by Danielle&Scott
I have been doing a lot of reviews and in all the reviews that I have read they all say to watch your back and that Jamaica is not that safe and to watch your wallet.....
Its a totally different experience then St Lucia...I totally felt safe there....
Scott
It is like that in most on most of these islands. I stayed in Jamaica and didn't have any problems as long as you stay within the resorts and tourist areas. I wouldn't venture on to a public beach by myself but I wouldn't do that anywhere.
Danielle&Scott
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What about at the airport...Was it safe there? How bad is the bus ride from the airport to OCHOS rios? The ride from the airport to the Grande St LUCIAN, was 1hr and 45 minutes of twist and turns, and up and downs of hills....Not a good ride at all. Once we were there we didnt want to leave to go to any of the other Sandals resorts because then we would of had to get back on that bus Scott
shamrock12472
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Posted by Danielle&Scott
What about at the airport...Was it safe there? How bad is the bus ride from the airport to OCHOS rios? The ride from the airport to the Grande St LUCIAN, was 1hr and 45 minutes of twist and turns, and up and downs of hills....Not a good ride at all. Once we were there we didnt want to leave to go to any of the other Sandals resorts because then we would of had to get back on that bus Scott
As soon as we walked off the plane, we went into customs which went very quickly. They even have entertainment. Once through customs, there was a sandals employee waiting for us. He took our bags and walked us out to the shuttle that brings you to the resort. The trip took about 1 hour and it was fine. The driver gave us a run down on the island, the politics and some history. Ochos Rios is right by 2 other Sandals and you just grab a shuttle and go.
shamrock12472
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Just a little more info... Jamaica had one of the nicer airports that I have to travel to in the Caribbean. When you are leaving, they have a ton of duty free shops where you can get some good deals.
nov04LIbride
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The airport is OK, but customs is not air conditioned. It was a HOT wait of over an hour. We got right on the shuttle to our resort. They gave us beer (Red Stripe!) and water while we waited. The ride to Negril took about an hour 15 mins. Ochos Rios is more hilly. Take some dramamine and you should be fine.
tracyg
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the bus to Ocho Rios was about 3 hours for us. And some parts were pretty scary (windy and narrow). But there was a lot of construction. They are trying to make their roads much better, so it may be a better ride for you. But you get to stop someplace and get food and beer (or whatever).
