Comparing Sandals South Coast vs. Royal Caribbean
Both Sandals South Coast and Sandals Royal Caribbean are enjoyable Caribbean resorts that equally serve the greater purpose of serving their guests with the best in amenities, cuisine, relaxation, and overall experience.
So, if they are both so incredible, how does one go about choosing one? In this article, we will sift through comparisons of each resort to give you an informed basis to make the right choice to satisfy your needs.
Getting the Best Deal at Sandals Resorts

After deciding on the resort, we booked our trip directly on Sandals.com. We always check for the weekly 777 deal before booking to save on our room rate or other promotions going on, which you can see here.
Alternatively, you can always contact us to help you book your trip to Sandals, making sure you get the best price possible.
Sandals South Coast vs. Royal Caribbean Overview
Sandals South Coast is a secluded resort on Jamaica’s south coast, known for its vast size and impressive amenities. The resort features a stunning, long beach with plenty of private spots for relaxation, as well as multiple pools to suit every mood.
The resort is currently undergoing updates to a couple of its restaurants and bars, Sandals South Coast promises an enhanced dining and entertainment experience. However, one notable drawback is the journey to the resort, as the windy roads can make the drive challenging. Despite this, the tranquil setting and luxurious offerings make the trip worthwhile. Everytime we are at Sandals South Coast other guest tell us how much they love it!

Sandals Royal Caribbean is located near Montego Bay and has a private offshore island, multiple pools, and cozy beach areas to enjoy. While the beach is not as extensive as some other Sandals resorts, you are able to enjoy Sandals Montego Bay where the beach is much longer. My favorite thing about Sandals Royal Caribbean is the variety of food available both on resort and at Sandals Montego Bay.
Over the past five years, the resort has been expanding and renovating its accommodations, introducing a variety of new and modern room categories to suit every preference. The final rooms are currently being constructed at the far end of the resort.
Due to its proximity to the airport, occasional aircraft noise can be a minor inconvenience, but not as loud as at Sandals Montego Bay. Despite this, the resort’s sophisticated atmosphere and one-of-a-kind amenities make it an exceptional choice for a luxurious getaway.

Resort amenities and offerings
Both all-inclusive resorts offer plenty of play activities like PADI-certified SCUBA diving and equipment, paddleboards, kayaks, Hobie Cats, and state of the art fitness centers. They both have beaches to stroll, waterskiing, and nightly entertainment. Each resort also has optional cost spas that offer couples massages, facials, and classes.
Sandals South Coast is great for pickleball and has a 2 mile stretch of beach that feels much more private than Royal Caribbean.
Sandals Royal Caribbean features several pools and a water taxi to their private offshore island which features two restaurants and nightly bonfire festivities. The pools at Sandals South Coast are much larger than the ones at Sandals Royal Caribbean. Sandals Royal Caribbean also offers shuttles to Sandals Montego Bay and luxury BMW airport transfers for select suites.
While roundtrip airport shuttles, tips, taxes, and gratuities are all included at both resorts, Sandals Royal Caribbean scores slightly ahead with these additional options.

Dining and Cuisine
Both Royal Caribbean and South Coast resorts have an impressive 9 restaurants with exclusive access to premium liquors, Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Wines, and stocked bars in each room.
Sandals South Coast features an array of cuisines including the Patisserie, Café de Paris, an excellent seafood selection at Schooners Seafood Grill, Eleanor’s Caribbean Cuisine, Jasmine’s Asian Cuisine, and fine dining at Giuseppe’s Italian. It has a swim up bar and 7 bars in total.
Sandals Royal Caribbean uniquely features it’s Royal Thai restaurant on the private island, excellent Indian cuisine at Bombay Club and a more casual atmosphere at The Cricketers Club- a British Pub. Staying at Royal Caribbean also gives guests access by shuttle to the nearby Sandals Montego Bay and all its 12 restaurants like Butch’s Steak and Seafood or Tokyo Joes along with 6 bars as well!
Location and Nearby attractions
Sandals Royal Caribbean is on Jamaica’s north coast which is much more commercialized with a cruise port and local attractions. It is very close to the Sangster International Airport, just 10 minutes away which makes it a convenient option. Outside of the resort, visitors can access attractions like Dunn’s River Falls, Doctor’s Cave Beach, and Mystic Mountain. Excursions from Royal Caribbean feature shark encounters, Raggae Catamaran Cruises with snorkeling, atv rides, and ziplining.
Sandals South Coast is more of a natural, unspoiled environment. It is further away from the Sangster International airport (a little under two hours of driving) and has nearby protected lands. Outside of the resort, travelers can access beautiful Bluefields Beach, Lover’s Leap, the floating Pelican’s Bar, and Black River Safari to see crocodiles and various bird species. Additional cost excursions from the resort include deep sea fishing, rum tours, or swimming with dolphins.
Overall Cost
Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals South Coast compare very closely in price. Each resort has a tiered structure based on the accommodation choice. Room options vary from poolside hotel style rooms costing around 6,000 USD per week to private overwater bungalows which can cost up to 27,000 USD weekly. These amounts can vary greatly with seasonal discounts.
South coast tends to have more availability of middle range cost with nice balcony views of the coast, while Royal Caribbean’s private island adds an additional element of privacy for its overwater bungalows.

Which resort is better for a honeymoon?
Either option is an excellent choice for a honeymoon, however, it really comes down to what kind of honeymoon you would prefer. If you’re looking for a more tranquil experience in a natural environment, we recommend Sandal’s South Shore. It is further away from the airport and can be a little rough to get to but worth the added time. If you would prefer access to a few more social settings and a shorter distance from the airport, Royal Caribbean is your best bet!
Final Thoughts
Regardless of which resort you choose, it is bound to be an excellent experience. Sandals doesn’t beat around the bush with their offerings, service, cleanliness, and experiences. Enjoy multiple excursions or stay at the resort the whole time and you will never lack in enjoyment or things to do.