Honeymoon Discussions

Sandals Ocho Rios

Has anyone been to Sandals Ocho Rios?  They are having a really good special right now, but we are reading a lot of mixed reviews on it.  Some people love and some people hated it!  We don't know what to do!!  Has anyone been there or know anyone who's been there?  HELP!!!

Re: Sandals Ocho Rios

  • I have been there.  It totally depends upon what you are looking for.  If you want a good beach, this is definitely not the place to go as the beach is virtually non-existent.  Most of the rooms are really far away from the ocean too so if an ocean view is important to you make sure to book an oceanfront room.  The "villas" they offer are not very nice and they are on the side of the resort away from the beach...you have to cross a road to get to the beach or take a shuttle.  We booked an oceanfront room and then were told we were "upgraded" to a villa in the hills when we arrived.  We had read reviews of this happening and I even called to ensure that it would not happen...but it did.  There was nothing they could do the first night and they even admitted that they oversell the oceanfront rooms all the time.  We were VERY VERY angry.  After many complaints and meeting with the hotel manager we were comped one night and given a free night to use at at a later date and they also gave us a free private dinner and a $100 resort credit.  In the end they made us happy but we didn't appreciate the "upgrade" especially after we called to confirm it wouldnt happen.If you are looking at one of the suites just make sure that you know they are outdated and not very "luxurious."  The rooms on the beach side have recently been upgraded and are much nicer.  If you are set on Sandals in Ocho Rios I would definitely recommend Dunns River. We took advantage of the shuttle there almost every day.  The food is better there and so is the beach.
  • Thanks for the advice.  We are finding more and more bad reviews of Sandals Ocho Rios and now are re-thinking.  We were both just so excited to get what seemed like such a great deal for the price.  We don't want to spend WAY too much money, but we want to be in a nice place that makes for a great honeymoon!  Anyone have any suggestions on wonderful places to go for under $4000-5000 for 7 days??
  • Stay at the RIU in Ocho Rios - we went there in May for a week. It is literally right next door to the Sandals but has an awesome beach and gives you that all-inclusive convenience. Two pools with swim-up bars, nightly entertainment, and much more beach than the Sandals. ;-)
    The Bump ate my signature. DD - Apr 2011 DS - expected June 2013
  • We just went to Ocho Rios for our HM and it was awesome!!   The villa that we were in was very nice, not outdated at all!!   Yes, you have to take the shuttle to get to the beach if you are on the Manor side, but it isn't that bad, they come very often and you hardly have to wait.    The beach area is a little small but it was not bad at all when were there.  The pool area is awesome and all of the restaurants were delicious.    There are also a lot of great local excursions that you can do, which were all well worth it.  There is great nightly entertainment and the playmakers are awesome.  Everyone there was so friendly and many of the staff members, including the bartenders knew our names by the end of the week it was so cool!   We were very happy with our stay and we plan on going back for our 1 year anniversary.  
  • we stayed at Dunns River and loved it!  In my opinion, I wouldn't be as happy at the Grande Ocho Rios, however for a deal, my husband and I might go there.  I would say for your honeymoon, go to Dunns or go to Negril. A previous poster mentioned the Riu, one thing to keep in mind, it is huge!!!  If that doesn't bother you, then go for it.  I prefered Dunns where I could leave some things on a chair and jump in the pool, etc.
  • I stayed at the Riu Ocho Rios the year it opened.  This would not be a good choice for a honeymoon unless you don't mind being at a very large resort with tons of people, kids and little "real" privacy.  There are so many people there that there are lines at the buffets sometimes.  I'm not saying you have to wait long, or that waiting is the problem, but who wants to line up on their honeymoon.  There are some sit down restaurants but not nearly enough to avoid the buffet every night.  Riu's are fairly European so the food may be different for a lot of Americans. 
  • My fiance and I were at Sandals Ocho Rios this past June.  We had a lovely time  (but how would you not when you are in the Caribbean?) but I would Not recommend this resort for your honeymoon.  I think that if you have never been to an all inclusive resort before that you may like it but this was the 3rd all inclusive we have done and for the "Sandals" name we were Extremely unimpressed.  Also the great deal that you mentioned they are having right now...we got the same deal when we booked in February.  I'm pretty sure that this 60% off deal they claim to offer is a Huge marketing ploy to get you to think you are getting a deal. Having said that, we have been to much nicer resorts that were much cheaper - you just need to do a little research.  I would recommend apple vacations.  They treat  you well and always have someone on site at your resort to tell you the ins and outs...where to go and not to go...and what excursions to do and not to do.  Good luck!
  • I stayed at Sandals River Dunn and and food was great...And that's all good I have to say about them. The rooms were outdated, not luxurious at all. The beach smelled of pot almost all day and the vendors stood on the property line and screamed at you all day long. The tripadvisor reviews are very misleading.
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