Sandals Resorts - Jamaica

[TwinMom7]

Has anyone stayed at any of the Sandals Resorts in Jamaica? Trying to help future son-in-law plan a honeymoon. He has it narrowed down to Sandals (Ocho Rios) and the Couples resort in Negril.

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

 

[crs7568]

We spent our honeymoon at the Ocho Rios Sandals twelve years ago and loved it. You probably want to encourage them to stay at the resort unless they are on a guided tour. I did not feel like it was too safe to wander off alone. Along the beach wall we were approached a few times by people who wanted to sell hairwraps or marijuana, but they did not persist if you declined. The resort was beautiful and the food was great. However, twelve years is a long time so a lot may have chaged since then. Try looking for current reviews on epinions. I find that most reviews there are pretty accurate.

Caryn

 

[Big Dude]

Depends on what they like and what time of year they plan on going. Negril probably has the best beaches but is also the most touristy. The public beach is lined with vendors, bars, restaurants etc. The "resort" beaches tend to be manicured very nicely. I have been to Jamaica many times and have brought my children (ages 4-13) along for the experiences. Our last trip was a little less than a year ago.

Couples and Beaches resorts are all well kept and all inclusive. They do everything they can to keep you on the resort with the exception of some "guided tours" they offer to different tourist destinations. The 1st time I went to Jamaica I pretty much stayed on the resort and had a perfectly good time. I got to meet a lot of freindly people from Germany, UK, Canada and such but the only Jamaicans I met were the ones working. I wanted to know more about Jamaica so I kept in touch with a few of the "workers" I met and planned another trip.

I now have contacts in Jamaica that have taken me to some of the most beautiful parts of the island (places that the tourists don't go). My eldest son and I have gone fishing with a local fisherman, we have visited a meditation center in Cockpit country. We have been taken into local villages where we gave away toys to children who were forever grateful. We stopped at local restaurants (some seat 4 or 5 people) and enjoyed dishes like curried goat, ackee and saltfish, rice and peas, dumplings, jerk chicken and pork. We were able to float down the Martha Brae river on a 30 foot bamboo raft. Experienced the glowing waters of Glistening Waters. Ventured into the caves and swam in the "healing" waters of Roaring River.

We did all of the above without getting mugged or hassled in any way. Would I walk down a dark alley in Kingston. No, but I wouldn't do that in Jersey City either. Will you be offered marajuana to purchase? If you stay on the resort, probably not but if you go off, there is a good chance. All you have to do is decline and they will leave you alone. Vendors can be very aggressive at times, grabbing you by the arm and bringing you into their store/hut/tent etc. Higgling or bargaining is the norm at these shops. Don't be afraid to make counter-offers for souvineers. There is so much more I can tell you about Jamaica and If you or your future SIL want more information, give me a PM. I could supply you with a contact or 2 in Jamaica that will help them have a wonderful time if they want to go off property.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[huey duey & luey]

I stayed at the Sandals Dunn's River it was beautiful. It is newer than the Ocho Rios one it is about 15 min closer to the airport. I loved it and would definatley recommend it. I think Sandals is a great vacation.

 

[jel0511]

I again want to re-iterate that if you do go to Jamaica and DO NOT know locals, you're going to have to stay on the resorts property. I also believe that most beaches in Jamaica are public places, so you will find vendors there. Jamaica can be a scary place, I've unforunately heard too many stories from friends who've traveled there. Personally, if Sandals is what your future SIL is looking at, head to one of their other islands. We've stayed at Sandals Antigua and it was beautiful. My DSis spent her honeymoon at Sandals St. Lucia and she really liked it. What you have to remember is that Caribbean Islands are nothing like the US, with the exception of a few. Most are overrun with poverty and crime and really aren't very safe locations, with the exceptions of a guarded and secure resort. Antigua and St. Lucia aren't perfect either (Antigua being slight safer and less poverty stricken than St. Lucia) but are MUCH better than Jamaica IMO. The safest Caribbean Islands are those of course where money abounds; St. Barts, Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, Grand Cayman, Nevis, St. John, and really not Caribbean, but Bermuda.

 

[JKMastalski]

We loved Sandals St. Lucia. Stayed there for 9 days last October and had the best honeymoon we could have ever imagined. We spent alot of $$$ but it was worth every cent. We were waited on hand and foot. Best service, great people and wonderful food.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by jel0511
I also believe that most beaches in Jamaica are public places, so you will find vendors there. Jamaica can be a scary place, I've unforunately heard too many stories from friends who've traveled there.

I have got to agree here. About 8 years ago I traveled to Jamaica with a girlfriend,and I was truly scared. We left the resort one night to have dinner and we were aproached by seciurity who insisted on walking us to the restaurant (which was just yards away) with a loaded gun. Needless to say I won't be going back anytime soon.

Also a few weeks ago while on a cruise, we did a day trip to Sandals St Lucia, and I thought it was a little worn down. A little tired looking. We spent our honeymoon in St Lucia at Windjammer Landing and thought it was beautiful.

And lastly, one of our cruise stops was Barbados and we will definately be going back. We are looking at a Christmas trip with the kids.

 

[beattyfamily]

We stayed at a Sandals Resort in Jamaica but I can't even remember which one it was (I think it was Montego Bay)! It was 12 years ago this May.

It was very nice BUT I agree with others who said DO NOT GO OFF ON YOUR OWN. Stick with the resort.

If I had it to do again, I'd pick another Island!

 

[WDWHound]

We prefert the Couples Resorts over Sandels. Couples is less expensive and includes most excursions and scuba diving in the price. I highly recommend Couples Ocho Rios. have a look at couples.com if you are interested.

 

[suzannen]

Have to agree with others suggestions of looking at another island. I will never go back to Jamaica. DH and I left our hotel twice and had scary, intimidating experiences both times. There are too many beautiful islands in the Caribbean where you don't have to feel like a hostage in your resort.

 

[RAV]

We visited Sandals in Jamaica and had the worst trip of our lives. It was the first time that we ever departed early. There are so many fabulous resorts in the islands that I'm sure the honeymooners can do better.

 

[BostonTigger]

I'm glad you started this thread TwinMom, I just got engaged and am now in the process of looking for a honeymoon site. Keep them comming everyone, I could use some ideas. Thanks in advance.

Steven

 

[buzzlady]

Stayed at Sandals Montego Bay. I would never go back to Jamaica. We did go to the shopping area. A excursion was arranged through the resort. We were approached by a guy that made like he worked at the resort and remembered us from the night before. He wanted to "borrow" money and would give it back to us that night at the resort. Yeah right - I just happened to glance and see the driver that brought us to the shopping area nodding at this guy as he approached us. Everything clicked and I knew something was up. Luckily it was after we had been at the shopping area a while and we just said that we spent our money and gave him $5 so he would go on his way.

 

[WDWHound]

I am reading a lot about peoples fear of crime in Jamaica, and I feel I need to correct a view common misconceptions. We are returning to Couples Ocho Rios for our 4th visit in June. While it is true that you should have a guide if you decide to leave the resort, you can simply ask at the front desk and they will provide you with the name and phone number of someone you can trust. We have lleft the property several times this way and have never had a problem.

The Jamaica of 10, or even 5 years ago was a very different place than Jamaica is now. There used to be a lot of resentment against tourists and you had to be a lot more careful. In the last 5 years, this attitude has been changing, but Jamaica is still fighting the bad reputation it earned.

Yes, vendors are pushy at the tourist shopping spots. This is where the con men hang out as well. Our solution, we simply don't go to those places. You should also avoid Kingston, which still has crime problems. In general, I have found the people of Jamaica to be friendly, outgoing and kind. Don't let the images from a very small part of Jamaica spoil your perception of this remarkable island and its people.

 

[LtlTee]

I have my second trip to Jamaica coming up (only a month to go!). I wish that someone (like maybe my travel agent!) had warned me what it was like the first time I went. We were totally intimidated for the first two days, but we came to love this beautiful country. It is not advised that you leave the hotels on your own, but most of the hotels do run excursions and it is a wonderful way to see the country. I never felt like I was held hostage on my vacation. By the end of our first trip I couldn't wait to go back.
Yes, there are other Caribbean countries where one might feel safer. In the Bahamas I felt comfortable hopping on their local bus transportation many times for shopping and sightseeing. There are many beautiful islands to visit, but if the couple has their heart set on Jamaica, I would tell them to use common (safety) sense and have a wonderful time!

 

[Colleen P]

We stayed at Sandal's Ocho Rios (and had to stay the first night at Dunn's River as ours was over booked). Both were beautiful, and if you stay at one you can visit the other one to use the pool/beach and eat at the restaurants. Dunn's River was a bit more expensive, and I found I loved the lush gardens at Ocho Rios better than Dunn's. We had great food, wonderful service, excellent entertainment and a beautiful pool/beach. We still recommend Sandal's to anyone wanting a tropical vacation.

 

[Big Dude]

Oh yes. Jamaica is SOOOOOOOO dangerous! Believe me, I heard it from a friend of a friends uncles sister who had a bad experience there!

Nothing against cruisers, but most of what they see when they arrive in Jamaica are nothing more than tourist traps. I'm sure they are warned not to venture too far from the ship unless you are going on one of the CruiseLine tours. All of the locals know when the tourists arrive by cruise ship and you will get both the good and the bad vendors mixed in together at those places. If you are one of the people judging the entire island on what you see at a port, I feel sorry for you.

Here is a link to one of my trip reports (with pictures). Let me tell you that I was not afraid at ANY point during my trips to Jamaica and during this particular trip, I had my 4 year old with me!

Bad things happen all over the world. Have you read the headlines for your own hometown area lately?

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Big Dude
Oh yes. Jamaica is SOOOOOOOO dangerous! Believe me, I heard it from a friend of a friends uncles sister who had a bad experience there!

Nothing against cruisers, but most of what they see when they arrive in Jamaica are nothing more than tourist traps.

IMHO, most who have posted in this thread are giving first hand experiences; I was.

Also, I didn't see anyone mention cruising. We're talking about Sandals resorts.

I personally don't want to go back based on my experience. It's great that you feel differently. More power to you!

 

[Big Dude]

I'm sorry if I offended you beattyfamily. I just get so tired of negative comments from people hearing about "stories" such as:

I again want to re-iterate that if you do go to Jamaica and DO NOT know locals, you're going to have to stay on the resorts property. I also believe that most beaches in Jamaica are public places, so you will find vendors there. Jamaica can be a scary place, I've unforunately heard too many stories from friends who've traveled there.

Nothing beats 1st hand experience and I could appreciate your comments. Jamaica is not everbody's cup of tea. I hear a lot of negativity about Jamaica from people who have been on cruises that stopped there (my reference to cruisers). The area of Montego Bay where they dock is not the prettiest place. The port is used both for passenger service as well as commercial. Some people only see this part and assume the whole island is like that. (Sometimes I hear the same thing about people who only drive on the NJ turnpike thinking NJ is only industry)

Sorry again if I offended you.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Big Dude
I'm sorry if I offended you beattyfamily.

Sorry again if I offended you.

No offense taken and no need to appologize!

I know what you mean, though...I'm from NJ!!!