Sandals - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

by Alison Eglin

For our FAM trip we visited several Sandals properties in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

The resorts all included roundtrip non-stop shared transfers. Upgrades to private transfers are available at a cost.

Tips/Gratuities - Sandals/Beaches have a no tipping policy to ensure all guests receive a quality resort experience. Exceptions - Butlers, Off-Site Shuttle drivers, Spa Services, Pro Services.

Guests can book off-site excursions very simply at any of the resorts by going to the excursion desk.

Resort - Sandals Ochi

Vibe: Youthful / Energetic

Resort Details:

● All-inclusive

● 16 restaurants

● Countless pools and hot tubs

● Beach Night Club

● Speakeasy - Live indoor entertainment venue. Looks like a small hobbit house

● The resort has two sides: the beach side and the jungle side. A complimentary shuttle runs between the two sides, approximately a 5-minute drive.

○ Beach Side: Here you will find most of the on-site restaurants, most of the hotel accommodations, and of course the beach. The beach is beautiful but small, about one hundred yards in length.

○ Jungle Side: On the jungle side you will find the resort villas, which are more of a home-style retreat. The villas all have shared pools with 1-3 other villas. Groups have the option to book entire villas. The villas are an uphill walk from the main lobby. Guests can request a golf cart up and down the hill if needed. Since it sits on the hill, many of the villas do have an “Ocean View” although they need to take the shuttle to go to the ocean. Some of the Villas are Butler service, which includes 24/7 on call service.

Activities:

● Tennis courts, ping pong, table tennis, shuffleboard, beach volleyball, and organized fitness classes

●They have an off-site 18-hole golf course for resort guests. A complimentary shuttle is available between the resort and golf course; a 15-minute drive. Green fees are complimentary; however, golfers are required to purchase a cart and caddy to play

● Complimentary watersports, including paddle boarding, kayaks

Resort: Beaches Ocho Rios

Vibe: Family Friendly

Resort Details:

● All-inclusive

● 7 restaurants

● 5 Pools

● Kids Club

● Pirates Island Waterpark

● Day and/or Night babysitters available

● Autism certified center. Certified Autism babysitters available

● Accommodations - The largest rooms sleep up to 5 people. Connecting rooms can be requested but are not guaranteed

Activities:

● Day/Night Tennis Courts. There is an on-site pro for anyone wishing to take lessons

● Sesame Street Adventures - Planned daily Sesame Street activities, option upgrades to VIP experience available for an additional cost for character breakfast, nighttime tuck-Ins and photo shoots

● Wednesday Night Foam Party

● Arts and Crafts center, available for kids and adults

● Kids Activity Club

● XBox Sponsored game room

Resort: Sandals Dunns River

Vibe: Upscale / Luxury Resort

Resort Details:

● All-inclusive

● 12 Fine Dining Restaurants

● 5 Large Pools and 2 river pools

● This resort is what you think of when you think about Sandals. Everything is upscale and newly renovated/modern, long white sand beach, high end restaurants and an upscale vibe. My pictures do not do this resort enough justice (I included one of my own and the other pictures are courtesy of Sandals).

● Oceanview Sky Suites with private infinity pools available. Coyaba Sky Rondoval Villas are yurt style cottages with private rooftop balconies with an ocean view. For couples who book the Rondoval Butler Package, they will have a private telescope and an interactive night sky experience.