Anyone vacationed at Sandals in Jamaica?

[lykaon78]

My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon:

We've got it narrowed down to a cruise or five nights at Sandals (probably Snadals Inn) in Jamaica.

We are concerned about how inclusive "All-Inclusive" really is.

Please share some experiences either negative or positive.


-lykaon78

 

[Stifko]

Where is it? If it is the one in Montego Bay, it is not that great. I don't like all inclusive deals either. Get a cheap hotel in Nigrel and eat at the restaurants around town. Pretty much evrything is negotiable so be ready to haggle.

 

[chickendinner]

Dont know kinda curious myself.

 

[BDawg]

We found Sandals to be overpriced and overhyped. My wife and I stayed in the Couples in Ocho Rios for a week on our honeymoon and loved it.

All inclusives is as inclusive as you want it to be. We were fed great food by our resort for every meal, unlimited drinks. We had a bar on the beach for 24 hour a day snacks if we got hungry outside of the 4 hour meal windows at their different resturants.

They had all kinds of activities you could do inside the compoud from snorkeling to horsback riding, they had gardens and nature walk. We took a guided tour hiking up the Ocho Rios falls which was really cool.

If you want out, there's nothing to keep you in, but since it's Jamaica, they don't recommend you leave.

Really, there was nothing more we could have wanted...except less rain.

I think we paid about $4000 for the entire trip, including air fare and our own jacuzzi villa...oh, and the side benefit, they showed the playboy channel on TV at night.

 

[Goosemaster]

oh, and the side benefit, they showed the playboy channel on TV at night

Get the phone number

 

[lykaon78]

The 'Still Curious' Bump

 

[Pacfanweb]

<<If you want out, there's nothing to keep you in, but since it's Jamaica, they don't recommend you leave.>>

I agree. There are a few places that are worth seeing. I went to Sandals Negril on my 1st honeymoon, and the big thing to leave and go see is Rick's cafe. We took a booze-cruise to see it.

My experience mirrors Bdawg's. Inside the compound looks just like the brochure. All you can drink and eat.....beware, a lot of the food is very spicy, and they like to load the desserts with rum.

I will say this: you will not believe how slummy it looks outside the compound. It was an hour and an half ride from the airport in Montego Bay to Negril, and from the looks of it, that must be one poor country.
It's like night and day when you drive through the gates of the compound.

One other bright spot: Sandals Negril is right next door to a resort called Hedonism............which is a nudie place. I checked out a kayak and cruised by there several times.

Edit: I almost forgot, you will encounter NUMEROUS locals that will try to sell you pot. They sometimes get a bit pissy if you decline.

 

[aphex]

Strangley enough, i have two friends that are there on their honeymoon RIGHT NOW. I'll let cha know how it was when they get back.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
<<If you want out, there's nothing to keep you in, but since it's Jamaica, they don't recommend you leave.>>

I agree. There are a few places that are worth seeing. I went to Sandals Negril on my 1st honeymoon, and the big thing to leave and go see is Rick's cafe. We took a booze-cruise to see it.

My experience mirrors Bdawg's. Inside the compound looks just like the brochure. All you can drink and eat.....beware, a lot of the food is very spicy, and they like to load the desserts with rum.

I will say this: you will not believe how slummy it looks outside the compound. It was an hour and an half ride from the airport in Montego Bay to Negril, and from the looks of it, that must be one poor country.
It's like night and day when you drive through the gates of the compound.

One other bright spot: Sandals Negril is right next door to a resort called Hedonism............which is a nudie place. I checked out a kayak and cruised by there several times.

Edit: I almost forgot, you will encounter NUMEROUS locals that will try to sell you pot. They sometimes get a bit pissy if you decline.

Hahahahaha You will have A LOT more fun at Hedonism II next door to Sandals Negril....although I wouldnt advise it as a honeymoon destination.

We go to Hedonism II or Hedonism III every year. I love Jamaica.

 

[SALvation]

I went to the one in the Bahamas last year. Although it is expensive, it was a fantastic trip. Pretty much everything is included. All of your meals, drinks, and outdoor parties are free. There is also no tipping anywhere in the resort. They had a ton of stuff to do like tennis, basketball, pool, 7 restaurants, their own mini-island, free scuba diving and snorkeling.

All of the rooms were pretty big and they are all tilted so you have an ocean view no matter what. All of the restaurants are kick ass and it was nice not even having to tip the staff. Every night there is some big activity like a huge beach party.

The only thing we paid for was to rent a jet-ski for about an hour. Other than that it was completely inclusive. A great trip and I would go again.

 

[Muadib]

All-Inclusive is the only way to go in Jamaica. It's really too dangerous to wander around during the day, so looking for restaurants at night is insane.

 

[lykaon78]

So we booked our stay in Ocho Rios. I stopped by a travel agent and (contrary to popular belief) they found me a great deal on the flight with Delta. $300+ cheaper than any website. So we upgraded to a nicer room at a better resort.

Any suggestions for tourist spots?

I've heard Dunn's River Falls is a big spot. Any others?


-Lykaon78

 

[HappyPuppy]

My 30th anniversary is coming up in September and my wife and I have yet to go on a honeymoon. We will be going to June Lake again. It is an awesome environment.

Of course if you talk to my wife you might get a different story.

I don't know what the hell this has to do with the topic, but I just thought I would throw it in.

 

[SoundWave]

I am Jamaican Chinese, go figure...Anyways, as others have said it is advisable you stay in the resort compound. Jamaica is an extremely dangerous place, especially places like Kingston where locals wouldn't hesitate to mug tourists (mostly at night). I recall a couple months ago a tourist bus was "jacked" enroute from the airport to a resort, nobody was harmed but it is a demonstration of how gutsy the locals can be.

If you are going to tour the island make sure it is arranged by the resort...Places to visit
Dunns Rivers Falls
James Bond Beach (made famous by Goldeneye)
Green Grotto
Lovers' Leap
Make sure to eat lots of Jerk dishes and the national dish "Ackee and Salt fish"