Couples vs Sandals
 

We have settled on doing an all inclusive for our honeymoon in Jamaica. We are looking at Couple and Sandals resorts. The thing that is confusing me is the price discrepancies between the two. A top notch room at Sandals is 2-4 times the price for a top notch room at Couples. Can anyone shed any light on this? Is the quality at Couples poor? Is Sandals just over priced? Are they comparable?

If you have stayed at any of these resorts, which do you recommend? Thanks:)

We have stayed at 2 Sandals and not any of the Couples. Yes, Sandals is overprived (IMHO). There butler catagories are ridiculous. They have successfully brought back the class system based on room catagory purchase that went out with the Titanic. (again IMHO)

We had the same decision for our 10th wedding anniversary for next July. We decided on Ocho Rios, which really doesn't have that great of a selection of adults only AI's. However, we really did want to see the area of Ocho Rios more than the resort. We debated on the newly remodled Couples Tower Island vs. Sandals Dunn River.

Couples offers in their base price a few off resort excursions. Be aware they are offered on certain days, can not be booked ahead and fill up fast. (so the forums tell me) Their new pool is blah. We really don't like the nudity factor Couples promotes. Not our style. The suite rooms look nice though and are priced well below Sandals. They don't offer the butler service, which keeps prices down for having to pay for that service.

Since we've been to 2 Sandals we already we know what we are getting into. The brochure pictures are not a true depliction of the resorts itself. We had good food and service at one Sandals and horrid at another. We enjoyed the size of their pools and swim up bars. In the end, we picked Sandals Dunn River based on a few factors. We chose the lowest catagory room and used our SSG points. We also are using miles for our airlines tickets. This keeps the price well below brochure price. We also prefer their pools. If I had to pay full price including airfare I would have went with Couples just to try a new experience and keep the price down.

What area of Jamaica you are staying in? In Negril, I would pick Couples Negril over Sandals Negril. Sandals Whitehouse will be closed Aug 18 through December for updates. In Ocho Rios, Sandals Grande is huge and spread out. You'll need a golf cart shuttle to get to the beach area. Sandals Dunn River is smaller and directly on the beach, but does cost more than the Grande. Sandals has their loyal followers and the dedicated critics. I fit somewhere in between. If they would truly advertise what they actually offer and lower their price, they would be a better resort.

Wow thanks so much! We are looking at Sandals Negril. We are not too into the tours off the resort. We are looking to lay on the beach, swim in the ocean, eat too much and relax above all. We will be going next April. Is the butler service worth the cost? Which one did you have a bad experience at?

I would suggest that you read the reviews and the forums on Trip Advisor before making a decision. Really good info. Also look at the pictures. It would be a shame not to get off the resort and see the natural beauty and culture of Jamaica. You can sit at an AI resort anywhere, but not see the wonderful Island of Jamaica. If you just want to lay on the beach and swim, I would pick a different Island with a better beach and less to see and do off the resort.

IMHO, the butler service is not worth the cost. I really don't need and/or want a butler. However, some people like their service. The only thing I really do see the convenience is that they can reserve you a beach chair, bring you drinks to the beach and make restuarant reservations even at the restaurants that don't take reservations. Do you think extra $$$$+ to the cost of your room is really worth that? Only you can decide.

The best time to go to a Sandals in the fall between Sept. and Nov. Their rates are lower because is it's off season. However, they are having a sale at many of their resorts if you book right now. Just like the rest of the industry, the ecomony has hurt their capacity.

We stayed at the Royal Bahamian in Nassau, which we did like. We didn't care for the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia. However, we loved the Island. Not all Sandals resorts are created equal and each have a different personality, which is why we are going to try them again for the first time. But, don't get your expectations too high for quality food, accomendations or services and you'll be fine.

I know many people who have been to Jamaica that did not have such great or "safe" experiences with the culture there. Im sure we will get out a bit, but we are not looking to travel far from the resort.

To answer your question I saw posted on another forum. Yes, I would pick the Iberostar over Sandals. There are less expensive and you'll get more bang for the buck. If we chose to stay in Montego Bay, I would stay there no questions. Their resorts in Mexico and the DR get very good reviews.

If you go with a a resort sponored tour there should be no problem with seeing the Island.

Do they have those at the Iberostar? Im having trouble figuring out what is included there other than food.

The Iberostar will have a tour desk and a list of tours that they offer with prices. Outside tours/excursions are not included in the purchase price of the room and/or package. The only hotel chains that I know of that includes some tours in their base price is Couples and the Sun Palace resorts in Mexico.

I found this on the Iberostar web-site for Jamaica:

"Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall is truly the best value for your perfect vacation in the Caribbean. Thanks to the all-inclusive model, you get more for your money. Besides the four specialty restaurants you'll also have access to four more at the Ibeorstar Rose Hall Suites and three more at the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach. Not to mention 24-hour room service on top of a specialty menu for breakfast. Premium alcohol and soft-drinks are also included. In your large accommodations you'll find a whirlpool along with slippers and robes, plus you'll have a choice of seven different types of pillows. All-inclusive also means butler and concierge service along with at least one free round of golf at a nearby course."

Kinda wish we were staying there instead of Sandals, but we want to see the attractions in Ochi Rios. Maybe next trip.

We have been to Sandals five times. Our most recent stay was in March/April of this year. We stayed in a honeymoon penthouse suite. We thought it was worth doing this suite level. The butlers can make your entire trip into paradise. They can do many things and it is up to you how much you want them to do for you. Ours set up our chairs for us every morning with two towels as we requested and put flowers out a few times. They brought us down a cooler of bottled water. They brought a tray of drinks around to those clients of theirs as they sat at the beach or around the pool, unasked. They made reservations for us every night. They brought us an appetizer every evening when we went back to our room. They offered to run a rose bath for me and to iron an outfit. People have them bring a bottle of champagne to them every day, they have them bring lunch to the pool, bring an item from the room that they forgot - a book, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. They give you a cell phone to contact them. They'll check on you throughtout the day and make sure you're ok and ask if they can do anything for you.
In Jamaica, we stayed at the Sandals in MoBay. The island has much to see and we did leave and see a number of things. I would encourage you to do the same, especially if you wouldn't get back again. The food was very fresh and they had a lobster night that we really liked.
I know that the Iberostar has a small beach and a problem with seaweed in the ocean. So, if the ocean is a big deal, one may be disappointed. Also, there is not a good alcohol selection at the pool bar. Important to most people.
Obviously, we would recommend Sandals to someone that is interested in an AI as it's beaches are nice and the swim-up bars are great.

All-inclusive resorts in Jamaica include all food and drink (including alcohol). Some of the cheaper ones don't include top-shelf liquor; but most people choose an AI for the quantity rather than the quality of the alcohol. Sandals and Iberostar both have premium alcohol. Most AIs include all non-motorized watersports; some offer resort dive courses. I believe that Sandals includes golf if there is a nearby course (not sure about Negril .... their course is in Ocho Rios), so that's a consideration if you are interested.

Couples is cheaper than Sandals because it's not nearly as fancy or upscale. I've only stayed at Couples Negril, and while I really like the beach there (the beaches at any of the resorts you've mentioned are far superior in Negril than in Montego Bay), the rooms were pretty basic, the bathrooms more so. I think Couples Swept Away is a little better and more upscale, and the sports facilities there are really top-notch if you want to play tennis or want to be really active.

The Iberostar Grand is the company's upscale option, and it's every bit as nice as a Sandals, if not more so.

All the resorts have tour desks and offer island tours and activities for an additional charge. But these tours are never included. Negril is generally a better place to go if you want to go off-resort. It's a little more relaxed than MoBay, where you can get hassled if you go into town (though not nearly as much as in years past).

We are not heavy drinkers. My fiance doesnt drink at all and I drink little. We do love to eat though, and after a massive lifestyle overhaul and many pounds lost, I think we are looking for a little gluttony on this trip. We are more concerned about the food quality than the booze.

So Negril has a better beach than Montego Bay? That is important to us! We love to snorkel and hate sea weed.

Sorry, but I'm afraid you are going to be disappointed if you really want to snorkel. Negril isn't a great snorkeling beach, nor is MoBay for that matter (well, Doctor's Cave, the public beach in town might have decent snorkeling). There is good snorkeling at the Rocks in Negril, however.

Can I ask why you "settled" on an AI and Jamacia? From your comments it's really not what you are looking for. I love AI resorts and defend them reguarly, but they are not the best place if your looking for amazing food and don't drink alcohol. Ie; you're wasting your money. However, I have found that some of the really nicer AI's in the Mayan Riveria area of Mexico do have some really good food, but for the price, if you're not drinking the alcohol, your not getting your monies worth.

I also agree that Jamaica is not the best destination for snorkeling. It's OK, but most avid snorkelers go somewhere else if their main goal is to snorkel. Jamaica is about seeing the beauty and culture of the Island. If you're hesitant to get off the resort to see it then again you are wasting your money. Be advised that Doctors Cave Beach is were the cruise ships drop off their passengers - crowded. And, the rocks are just that, rocks and no beach.

If you truly want an AI with good food, a great beach and snorkeling I would suggest Secrets Maroma outside of Playa del Carmen. And again, get off the resort and see all the amazing things the Island has to offer.

If you want a great beach, good snorkeling, good food (not AI) and not get off your property I would suggest Turks & Caicos. That Island is all about the beach and water.

You can go to the Beaches resort in Provo if you insist on an AI property, but I think KVRs points are well-founded. Given your interests, you'll probably do better without an AI resort. Cozumel might be a good destination if you want really great snorkeling. Even there, however, you can do better at a non-AI resort if you're not a heavy drinker.

Or if you are willing to spend a little money, you could get the meal plan at Round Hill. The snorkeling there isn't too bad, but the beach is small.

Wow...you really read a lot into the fact I said we are "settling". Maybe I should have said we decided on it?

This is all very helpful, thanks!

We were initially looking at southern Mexico, but it seems that many of the beaches there are eroded....right?

Only Cancun has a issue with eroded beaches right now. Go past Playa del Carmen to resorts in the Riviera Maya and it's not a problem. I would suggest Secrects Maroma, Secrets Capri, Iberostar Grand Parisio, Eldorado, Dreams Tulum, and the Akumal Beach Resort.

Also the Dominican Rebuplic has some really nice beaches with large huge AI complexes. A great area if your not wanting to get off the resort and just want to use the resorts facilities.

I think what we're really trying to persuade you of is the idea that an AI resort may not be the best choice for you, nor will Jamaica if your primary interest is snorkeling. But it's ultimately your decision. KVR is completely right about the beach situation in the Yucatan.

I have been to Couples Swept Away twice already and am planning a third trip this December. I am very picky and to me this is the best all inclusive ever. It isn't fancy and grand like Sandals but it is beautiful and the food is amazing. The room is simple but very romantic. I like the simple wood and white bedding.
The seven mile beach in Jamaica is one of the best and I have walked passed the Sandals there and it really doesn't compare to Couples. Couples has a real Jamaican feel to it and it is very Romantic. Just read the tripadvisor ratings and see.
Also, the reason couples is so much cheap is because they have a special deal going on now until August 31st 50% off.

Having just come back from Negril and actually leaving some places even though they were paid in full let me give you a different idea. If it's just cost, the Riu is all inclusive and is very nice for the price. However, my suggestion is to split your vacation (moving hotels is 15 min and $5-10 taxi ride). Do a few days in the cliffs at Tesning Pen where you can snorkel. Then go to Idle Awhile (owned by Couples owner) on the beach. You'll be centrally located on the beach so you can go wherever and the rooms are large and nice. This way you will get to see all parts of Negril and stay at nice places paying only for what you need.

We stayed at the RIU Tropical Bay in Negril before it became a "palace" hotel. Of the 13 AI resorts we've been to, I have to rate it the worst. The food was awful and the atmosphere not much better. The second worst was Sandals Grande St. Lucia. Only because the food was really bad and the service was equal to that. At their prices it should have been so much more. I personally would not recommend at RIU hotel unless the person knows that they are low budget, family friendly AI's and the old saying of you will get what you paid for comes to mind. One exception is the RIU in Aruba, which is so overpriced compared to their other resorts, I can't believe anyone would pay those prices for AI in Aruba since Aruba has so much variety of great dining options.