Concerned about Our Sandals Decision
 

We recently booked our honeymoon at Sandals Ocho Rios. I've heard some questionable things about it lately. We are spending a lot of money on this trip and I don't want to have made the wrong decision. Can anyone give me reviews (good or bad) of your experiences there, and how would you rate it against any of the other Sandals.

Hi! Well any Sandals is a good decision but . . . I haven't stayed at Sandals Ocho Rios but stayed at Dunn's River (right by it) and visited Ocho Rios. I personally preferred Dunn's River to OR bu tNegril is my favorite. To each his own though. I think alot of it depends on your age and <BR>interests. Ocho Rios is secluded beautiful but VERY few activities compared to other Sandals. I thought it was geared to an older crowd. My husband and I are in our late 20s and like to be on the go all the time, snorkeling, waterskiing, going dancing at night, casino etc. Ocho Rios was definitely more laid back and if that is what you are looking for you will be fine. We went to Negril for Honeymoon and liked it best of all!

Topping!

I stayed at the one in Negril which was absolutely the best decision. The service was wonderful. The rooms were extremely clean and not all sticky and humid. The food was wonderful because so many restaurants were on site with different theme night. And they don't hold back with the drinks either. Very high quality for the food as well and lots of activities.

Well, whether it is a good decision or not really depends on your particular tastes, what you are looking for in a resort, your background as to your other travel experiences, and even which particular week you end up at a particular resort! I do have to say, if you are looking for a nice beach, you will not find one there - the beach is very small and narrow with extremely coarse sand. However, if you are not a beach person this may not matter to you - it does have a nice garden setting behind the main hotel building, with lush green grounds and 3 pools (1 is hidden and very secluded). As far as how it rates against other Sandals, Sandals itself ranks Ocho Rios lower than any other their other resorts with the exception of the Inn, and they price it less than any other resort with the exception of the Inn - so that should tell you something. As for how I'd rate it - well, with the exception of the Royal Caribbean, which we loved, I'm not personally a Sandals fan, and I would not return to Sandals Ocho Rios. That being said, I do know a couple who enjoyed their visit there. Again, it depends on your personal preferences and experiences.

This is one of Sandals oldest resorts and it does show its wear, don't get me wrong, it is nice but there are better options in that area, with either sandals or maybe couples that a good travel agent would be able to point out for you. A complaint is the waiting in line for meals....

My husband and I went there a couple years ago. It is ok but the beach is very small. For the money you might want to try Grand Lido Braco. There are lots of honeymooners at Braco, a younger crowd. 24 hour room service that Sandals doesn't have. And Braco has a great beach.

Sandals has 24 hr. room service just as Gran Lido does if you are in a concierge level room. I think they started this mid-1999. Also unlike Grand Lido you can have a fully stocked bar and refriderator in your room .