Best Sandals Resort In Jamaica: Tips To Help You Choose The Right One

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You’ve seen the commercials on TV and you are intrigued by what you see. The time has finally come but you have questions. What is the best Sandals Resort in Jamaica? You ask 5 different people, and they will have 5 different answers. Today I am sharing what I consider to be the best, at least from what I have experienced so far.

Ever since I first trip to Sandals Resorts in 1997, we have fallen in love with the brand. Initially, we were away from the resorts because life took over and caring for our family came first. In 2017, we returned after a 20-year hiatus and our true obsession began.

Let me clear, at this point in time I have not visited every Sandals Resort in Jamaica, so my recommendations are based only on the ones that I have personally visited . For the resorts I have not visited personally, I have had Dan Bagby chime in who has been to all of them. I also included resources to help you decide which is the best Sandals Resort in Jamaica for you to visit.

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Choosing A Sandals Resort in Jamaica Based on Price

Of course, the price comes into play when choosing a Sandals Resort. The prices vary significantly from the cheapest rooms at Sandals Ochi to the exclusive over-the-water villas at Sandals Royal Caribbean. Overall, you’ll find Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril to be the most affordable.

Ready to get started? We will begin with the closest one to the airport and work our way around the island.

Best Sandals Resorts in Jamaica

Let’s talk about the original Sandals Resort in Jamaica first. After all, isn’t the beginning a very good place to start?

Sandals Montego Bay

Discover a slice of paradise at Sandals Resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This idyllic (and the very FIRST resort) destination offers a unique blend of relaxation and adventure, where you can unwind in the lap of luxury or embark on thrilling activities. From snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to indulging in gourmet dining experiences, every moment at Sandals Resorts is designed to create unforgettable memories.

Whether you’re strolling hand in hand along the beach or sipping cocktails by the pool, you’ll find yourself immersed in the laid-back island lifestyle.

Pros To This Resort:

• Proximity to the airport. Sandals Montego Bay is just a short 10-minute ride from the airport, which is great if you are only staying a few days.
• Nice beach area. The beach area here is clean and great for swimming. If you are beach people, this is the place to be!

Cons To This Resort:

• Proximity to the airport. Wait, didn’t I say that was a pro? Well yes, but keep in mind, being close to the airport means that you get all the airplane noise. But it is brief, and after a time, you tune it out and will continue to enjoy your trip.
• Doesn’t have great pools. If you are like us, this resort has really terrible pools. They are small and crowded, and don’t have enough seats.
• Not enough shaded seats. This isn’t solely a Montego Bay problem, unfortunately. It is rampant at all Sandals Resorts. Luckily, as you can see from the picture above, we were able to find seats under a tree.

Read More About: Sandals Montego Bay

Sandals Royal Caribbean

This resort is our absolute heart resort. If you have been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know that Sandals Royal Caribbean is where we spent our honeymoon in 1997 and went back in 2017 to renew our vows.

To me, this is one of the best Sandals Resort in Jamaica because of the size of the resort, the location compared to the airport, and the staff. If you are looking to take a short trip, this is definitely the best Sandals Resort in Jamaica where you will get the most for your money.

Pros To This Resort:

• Compact and easy to navigate. If you have mobility issues, SRC is relatively flat and easy to navigate. Currently part of it is closed for renovations so it is easier to get from one end to another.
• Close to the airport. This resort is a short, 15-minute drive from the airport, so it is a definite plus!
• Private island. This has the best pool, the Jerk Shack, and an amazing restaurant. You can’t go wrong!

Cons To This Resort:

• Not enough pool chairs. Unfortunately, once again, Sandals falls short with pools chairs that have umbrellas, and this resort is the same.
• No coffee shop. I love getting up early in the morning and having coffee while I read. From what I understand, a coffee shop is in future renovation plans.

Read More About: Sandals Royal Caribbean

Sandals Dunn’s River

This is the newest Sandals Resort, and it gets my vote for the BEST Sandals Resort in Jamaica. And that is saying a lot considering how much I love Sandals Royal Caribbean. Sandals Dunn’s River is a next level resort and is worth all the hype!

This was also the first resort where we had butler service, and I have to send out a shout out to our butlers Shawn & Tenneil for making it so memorable.

But seriously, this resort is absolutely amazing, and the Rum Bar & Blum coffee shop are two of the main reasons.

Pros To This Resort:

• 99.98% of this resort is a pro, so my best advice is to just come here. Book the highest level room you can comfortably enjoy (we got the new TSKY room at a fantastic price with the 777 sale) and be prepared to be wowed by this resort.

Cons To This Resort:

• The ride from the airport. Look I am reaching here because the ride wasn’t that bad because we booked a private transport with Inside Tours Jamaica. Our driver was fantastic and made the trip fly by!
• Service at Edessa was exceptionally slow. I tried to chalk it up to them being new, but it was both at breakfast and dinner. The food was delicious once it finally made it to the table.

Read more about: Sandals Dunn’s River

Sandals Ocho Rios

If you want something that is more budget-friendly, then Sandals Ochi is for you. It is an older resort, and it is not new & shiny. But don’t let that stop you from going. We went there in October 2022 for my 50th birthday. We had an amazing time. Yes, it was older. Yes, the rooms were a bit outdated. But the staff there more than make up for it. We got an entire week in a great room for under 3K, thanks again to the 777 sale.

Pro Tip: If you want to do something special, rent a cabana on the hillside. Miguel and Ricardo are the best cabana butlers out there!

Read more about: Sandals Ochi

• Sandals Ochi Honeymoon Hideaway Club Level Garden Cottage Room Review
• Sandals Ochi Beach Resort
• Why You Need To Visit Sandals OCHI All Inclusive Resort in Jamaica

Pros To This Resort

• Fun staff. I have mentioned many times that the people are what keeps me coming back to Jamaica. The staff here were awesome.
• Great snorkeling off the beach. If you are unsure about snorkeling on a boat, there is a great spot down near Ochi Beach Club that is perfect for seeing fish and barely needing to swim. You can check out my YT channel for a great video of snorkeling here. (Hey, remember to like and subscribe!)
• Lots of restaurant choices. One thing is for sure, you will never go hungry here. Tapas on the beachside and the Jerk Shack on the hillside were my favorites.

Cons To This Resort

• Drive from the airport. There is a 90-minute ride to this resort. I recommend using private transport instead of the resort provided because of waiting for passengers and making a stop. It turned into a 2-hour trip, and we missed most of day 1.
• Resort split into 2 sides. This is a huge resort that is split into two sides. You need to take the HOP to get from one side to another. While it is a bit of a wait, it is an air-conditioned ride and not that big of a deal.
• Outdated. I love our room because it had the old Caribbean feel, but many of the rooms are not renovated.
• Lots of stairs. If you have any trouble with mobility, this resort is not for you at all. Stairs everywhere.

Sandals Royal Plantation

There are a ton of readers out there who will argue that Sandals Royal Plantation is the best Sandals Resort in Jamaica because of the all-butler concept. This is probably the most polarizing Sandals Resort. The rooms are very traditional and many have not been renovated in a long time. Surprisingly the big fans of the resort want to keep it this way.

Pros To This Resort

• Personalized Experience. Since every room gets a butler and the resort is small, you get amazing service all the time. Your butler will keep an eye on you and bring you drinks and food throughout the day. We also loved the beach service which was the best of any Sandals resort.
• You can visit Sandals Ochi. The restaurants and activities are slightly limited at Sandals Royal Plantation, but you can always take the 5-minute shuttle to Sandal Ochi for tons of restaurant options and a more lively atmosphere.
• Lots of nearby activities. The Ocho Rios area is home to some of the best attractions in Jamaica including the Blue Hole and Dunn’s River.

Cons To This Resort

• Outdated Rooms. Many of the rooms here have not been updated in a long time. They feel more “rustic” than other resorts. The good this is this keeps the price on the lower end.
• Lots of stairs. If you have any trouble with mobility, this resort is not for you at all. There are a lot of stairs to get down to the beach.

Here are a few resources about Sandals Royal Plantation that you will find helpful in deciding if you want to book this resort for yourself.

Read more about: Sandals Royal Plantation

• Sandals Royal Plantation Resort Review
• 5 Things You Likely Didn’t Know About Sandals Royal Plantation
• Honeymoon Always Sandals Royal Plantation Review

Sandals South Coast

I will say, I was only at this resort for a short time while I was on a blog press trip. But since my visit the resort has been renovated. Most of the rooms have been renovated in the last 3 years so it has a new feel to it.

Read more about: Sandals South Coast

• Sandals South Coast Rondovals
• Sandals South Coast Review
• Snorkel and Hike Sandals South Coast Review

Pros To This Resort

• Large, beautiful layout. This resort is fairly accessible as well, which is great for those who need to use assistive devices.
• Awesome restaurants. Again, another great selection of restaurants and bars at this location. You are sure to find something you will love.

Cons To This Resort

• Ocean swimming area is not the best. While the beach is amazing for walking, the actual swimming area wasn’t. Lots of sea grass and thick, goopy mud. We are not ocean people, so it wasn’t a deal breaker for us.
• Long, windy, bumpy road to the resort. If you are prone to motion sickness, make sure you take motion sickness pills before this ride, and I highly recommend a private driver.

I know they have made many improvements since this picture was taken in 2018, but it still isn’t a completely smooth ride. I just want you to be aware.

Sandals Negril

Sandals Negril continues to be a favorite among Sandals fans. The resorts is on the Seven Mile beach in Jamaica and faces the sunset. The nearby Rick’s Cafe with it’s cliffs make for a perfect excursion few miss out of. Almost all of the rooms are beachfront and new rooms have been constructed in the last few years.

Pros To This Resort

• Beautiful Sunsets. Every night you get to see a beautiful sunset, possibly from the comfort of your room or at one of the beachfront restaurants.
• Cozy Vibes. Since the resort is spread across the beach it never feels crowded.

Cons To This Resort

• Too Quiet for some. With only one pool that is on the small side, it is pretty chill. Some people find the resort too quiet.

More About: Sandals Negril

• Sandals Negril Resort Review
• Everything You Need To Know About Sandals Negril
• A Guide to the Romantic Sandals Negril

I hope you enjoyed a look at the seven amazing Sandals Resorts that you can visit in Jamaica. Enjoy these great posts about general Sandals Resorts information.

General Posts About Sandals You MUST Read

Are you ready to pick from the best Sandals Resorts in Jamaica? Or have you already been to these resorts and have your thoughts for the best one. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know, I LOVE talking with fellow Sandals Resorts fans. Happy traveling!

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