Is the Sandals Resorts worth it?

Question

I am trying to plan my honeymoon, and the Sandals Resorts look interesting. However, I am skeptic that it could be that nice. Has anyone been to one? Which one? Would you recomend it?

Answer 1

I copied this from another question I answered along the same lines... All in all, Sandals is amazing!

My husband and I were just in Jamaica in January for our honeymoon, and we stayed at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. It was truly amazing! This was our first time to Jamaica, and we really felt like we got to see and do alot! The great thing about Sandals is that you can transfer to other Sandals Resorts nearby, so we had dinner and activities a few times at the Sandals Dunns River.

The Sandals Dunn's River is much smaller and more intimate, and is Italian-themed. It's a nice resort and we had fun the times we spent there, but we would probably not choose to stay there. On the other hand, Sandals Ocho Rios is not specially-themed: it's tropical, Jamaican, etc. It is a very large resort, in fact it is literally two seperate resorts seperated by the public road. I beleive it used to be a Beaches Resort, so is activity-friendly. You can walk, or take a shuttle from the Riviera (beach) side, to the Manor (forresty) side and vice-versa. The two sides each have pools, fitness areas, restaurants, bars, night club, etc but they're not the same on each side, there's variety. We spent time on both sides, but our room was a villa on the Manor side, which we really loved. The Riviera side seemed less lively than the Manor side to us, but maybe that changes with the guests. The rooms/villas at the Riviera side seemed more resort-like, whereas the Manor-side villas were much more spread out, more private, and secluded. Plus there was a lot of lush trees on the Manor and the Riviera is more garden-like.

One great thing is the all-inclusive. And it truly is all-inclusive. All your food is included, but no room-delivery. All the activities/sports. I know there is a small fee for golf (equipment rental and maybe your caddy fees), and of course spa treatments aren't included. You get top-notch drinks (All the house drinks were great, house beer & wine - Beringer, house chamgpagne - Wyclif, house beer - Red Stripe, and all the hard alcohols you can think of, all included. The only alcohol you pay for is higher-end champagne or wines. But really, the house varieties are fantastic. I happen to live in California, where those wines & champagne are made, and are very popular). There wasn't anything that we wanted or needed that wasn't included, and we were there for a full 2 weeks, and had such a wonderful time on the included stuff.

Many people were dissapointed by the smaller beach at Ocho Rios. Personally, we thought it was great, not too small (but let's not kid, you can't take a long walk on the beach there). However, the Dunn's River beach was much larger and we took a nice long walk on their beach one day when we were there after dinner. The restaurants at both resorts were amazing, but Ocho Rios has way more choices (being so large), which was nice since we were there for 2 weeks, and wanted some variety. For nightlife, there are nightclubs, planned fun activities all day and night (dance lessons, cocktail parties, organized sports events/tournaments, shows every night, etc). And you can definitely get an ocean-view room at either Sandals Ocho Rios (both sides can get views, we had one) or Dunn's River. But, after staying there, I wouldn't pay extra for a room. We were always out doing activities, tours, at the main pools meeting other people... we spent hardly any time in our room, so even though we paid more to have an upgraded room with semi-private pool, we were only really there to sleep and change clothes, etc. I would go for the basic room (which is still very nice) next time and spend that extra money on tours, souveniers, etc. We took the "Katt" catamaran to Dunn's River Falls, and that was awesome! I would recommend it for first-timers.

I can't say enough great things about Jamaica or about Sandals. Both are spectacular, and I'm sure that anyplace will be great. No matter where you choose in Jamaica, make sure that you take your camera (we took it EVERYWHERE while we were there - there are so many amazing photo oportunities!!) and take plenty of film/digital storage! We came home with over 1,000 excellent photos, and luckily had brought our laptop to transfer our pictures off the camera everyday. Our 4GB card was filled in less than 4 days!!

HAVE A GREAT TIME! I would love to go back!

Answer 2

I think they are if you are very active and will use the many sports they offer.  Since drinks are included this will also offer value to those that drink.  In the highest category rooms you get a Butler and that is a very nice touch for a honeymoon couple.  The Sandals resorts are not cookie cutter. Only Whitehouse in Jamaica has been built from the ground up.  I suggest you find a local travel agent who can steer you to the right resort for both of you. Your local agent should be able to match any price you have seen for Sandals plus you get the use of their knowledge of all the resorts.

Answer 3

We went to Jamaica Sandals Montego Bay (not Sandals Inn) for our honeymoon, and I felt the same way when we were thinking about going. I am so glad we spent the money. It was worth every penny. They treat you like kings and queens. I think there were five restaurants that were all top notch, and all the drinks were top notch as well. The service was fabulous. You could do as much or as little as you want. The best part was that it is strictly for couples. There are no singles or no kids. Everyone is there for the same reason as you, and the resort caters to every need you have. You do have the ability to go to other resorts for no additional charge. We took a ride to Ocho Rios and had lunch at the Sandals there. It too was a nice resort. It is as good as it says. Congrats and I am sure you will have a wonderful time at whichever one you choose. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Answer 4

Sandals are the #1 resort for honeymoons. They are geared for your type of vacation. I would go to the one that fits what you like to do and is the easiest to travel to and is in your budget. They are all excellent and worth it.

http://www.sandals.com

Good Luck and congratulations!)

Answer 5

We absolutely love it!  We go to Sandals Negril, Jamaica every year.  You really should go to tripadvisor.com to see what other visitors have said about their experiences on this and any other resorts you're interested in.  I can spend hours there.  Planning is half the fun!  Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

Answer 6

I LOVED Sandals!!! It is very beautiful. Some of the pictures, I think, don't do the resort justice.

We stayed at the beach & villa resort in Ocho Rios. It was 2 resorts into 1. Our room was at the plantation and the beach rooms were accross the street. The rooms are AWESOME and we stayed in the standard room so I can imagine what the higher priced rooms look like. The staff was the best and they love to have fun.

We will definately be back. We want to try Nigril or Whitehouse next.

The only negative I can even say about the place was the drive to and from the airport. It was to long.