| From: Tammy, Jacksonville |
| Date of Stay: August, 2008 |
| For all the hype about Sandals Resorts, I was quite let down. The eleven restaurants they so proudly boasted about were only open at certain times. During the afternoon only two fast dining areas were open on each side of the resort. Both of which had horrible food! Every afternoon the set of the fixings for nachos then claimed to never had the nacho chips!! There was nothing to do in the day except lay in the pool (which was very nice but gets boring after a day or two). All activities were scheduled after 9pm so for those who like to have fun during the day..stay somewhere else. The price was definately not worth the stay at this hotel! |
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| From: Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous. |
| Date of Stay: July, 2008 |
| We arrived at the Airport on time and the waiting area was nice. They had cold red stripes waiting upon arrival, but no snacks. Our bus ride was 1 hr 45 mins. as I expected. Upon arrival, we were greeted and escourted to our roons via golf cart. For almost two days our room was HOT. We tried to give it the benefit of the doubt the first night. We notified them the 2nd day and they finally arrived at 9:30p.m to give us a new air unit. Monday was a good night b/c of the street jamborree. Friday was good b/c of the beach party. Otherwise, it was boring. You MUST walk everywhere. The luxury in this vacation slogan is over rated. The food was not the top of the line. Get your jerk chicken in a local place. The air in Valentinos was broken. I needed a cup of ice to keep cool. The beef was good in there. Market place- breakfast & lunch were good. Orchids was good. Drinks are only the premium drinks in Jamaica, not US. The service was very slow in the restaurants at night. The property is somewhat of a 2 & 1 deal. If you are staying near the manor house , you have to catch the bus across the street to go to the beach. Don't have too many drinks, you'll need your energy to walk. |
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| From: Jamaine, Philadelphia, PA |
| Date of Stay: February, 2008 |
| Sandals Grande Ocho Rios exceeded our expectations. This was our first time to this resort and we were very pleased. The all inclusive is the way to go. This was our Honeymoon and we stayed in the Romeo and Juliett villa which was very private and we had 24 hr room service. Very Pleased |
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| From: Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous. |
| Date of Stay: June, 2008 |
| This resort was really great ! Food was good,service was good. Location was excellent.The security was also a plus and always visible. Staff was very pleasant and always helpful. I would definitely stay again. One thing........all resorts need to work on a shuttle service from airport and back. We got picked up by the wrong carrier and were taken all the way back to the resort. The cost needs to be addressed. To many different prices given. On the phone I was quoted one price but when I arrived at the airport it was more. They have you because you need to be transported to the resort. Since there is such a distant to the resorts in Negril they all should provide shuttle service for their guests even at a low cost. |
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| From: Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous. |
| Date of Stay: June, 2007 |
| This Sandals resort is well organized and provides a good overall carribean experience. The trip from the airport takes about 1 1/2 hours but our tour guide was very well versed in the history of the island and his comedic talents blended in very well which made the ride seem much shorter. The hotel is clean and the staff is trained to help you enjoy your stay. It is an all inclusive resort which eliminates the need to worry about meals or drinks. The food was prepared to our taste and the presentation was also done well.We ate somewhere different every night. The beach was a little disappointing but acceptable.The resort is self contained and everything that you need to facilitate a good vacation is on site. I would not reccommend venturing out of the resort grounds by yourself, we got the distinct impression that it could be a little hazardous. Most of the locals we met were very friendly and i would consider going back sometime in the future. |
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| From: Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous. |
| Date of Stay: April, 2008 |
| Hotel is in need of major renovation. Stayed in best room, was old,decor is "dog-eared,"bathroom was circa 1950's. Food was of poor quality. Resturants advertised as"World Class" is in name only. Most entree's alway's lacked one of it's ingredients because the were "out of it"(i.e. Shrimp etc) every day it was something different. There is virtualy no beach to speak of. If you don't like going up and downs stairs this is not the place, you have to use stairs every where. Liquor is a "well drink" liquor(cheap label) unless you ask for premium. However, all bottles are measured pours and you have to request a double pour to get a decent drink. If you ordered a Gin/Vodka and Tonic you got the local variety unless you requested premium and there is not a fresh lime to be found.There is a saying that " you never get some thing for nothing" Sandles has this operation down to a science and what yo get is not worth what you paid for it. This was my first time atSandals Resort and I would not take a chance on another one do to this experience. |
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| From: Melinda, Nashville, TN |
| Date of Stay: September, 2006 |
| The bedroom was very spacious and had all the necessary ammenities. I really liked the balcony with a little table and two chairs for a change of senery. The bathroom was big enough for even me. The resort had everything we needed, so we didn't have to leave. There was a variety of restaurants within the resort so we never got bored with the food. What I liked most about the resort is that it was all-inclusive so we didn't have to carry money around with us. Anything extra, like the giftshop or the spa services, allowed you to charge it to your room instead of having to carry cash or credit cards around with you. What my husband liked the most is that the alcohol was free. |
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| From: Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous. |
| Date of Stay: January, 2008 |
| DO go to Jamaica, DO stay at a Sandals, DO NO GO TO OCHO RIOS. Transportation issues ruined our vacation. By now you have heard it is a 2 hour bus ride to the resort. Doesn't sound so bad? It took us 5 HOURS to get to our room. 20 mins to clear customs and get bags, 40 minutes standing at the Sandals counter, 1 hour sitting on the bus in the parking lot, 2 hour bus ride, 45 minutes for "group check in/sales pitch" and 15 minutes to get to the room. Arrived Jamaica 1:30 arrived room 6:40. Then the key did not fit the door, On return trip flight left at 1:45 they made us leave the room at 7am, on the bus at 8 am, got to airport 10:15, sat around for 3 and half hours. Could have spent that time in the sun. The hotel is lovely, the staff is incredible, the food is the best I have ever had anywhere, so we would stay at any other Sandals again, Private cab to/from airport is 120 each way for 2 people. Would have been better than bus, but very expensive. PS the golf course is and hour away from the resort so don't choose it for "free golf" which costs 65 if you rent a cart and clubs. This is why I picked Ocho Rios over Negril or Montego Bay, huge huge mistake on my part, Should have read Fodors guide which says don't pick Ocho Rios. The "beach" is non-existent at this resort, barely a tiny little strip of beach. |
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| From: Reviewer has requested to be kept anonymous. |
| Date of Stay: July, 2007 |
| My husband and I have been visiting this same resort since 1994. We have been there on 9 different occasions over the years and were even married there in 1999. We feel like it is our 'home away from home'. Although the resort has gone though several owners and changes since we first started going, we still enjoy it all the same. We are avid divers and love the diving crew there. They cater to our every need. It's the staff that makes the trip for us. We have become good friends with several and keep in touch over the years. The grounds are lush and beautiful. There is always something going on and I feel very same laying on the beach by myself while my husband goes into town with one of his Jamaican Brothers. |
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