Sandals resort

[punchbuggy]

Sandals St. Lucia is fantastic! The ride from the airport is a bit long....hour on a bus through the mountains...if you can afford to take a helicopter, it's well worth it (quicker) but the bus ride with the rest of the tourists is a blast too! Have fun!!

 

[mkd20012001]

mkd, since you've been to Sandals before, any info you have about what to bring or what to do would be great

halfangel: I'm jealous. I'd love to escape from this snow right now!!!

insect repellant, sunscreen, conditoner (they have shampoo and conditioner there but bring your own conditioner)

You dont need to bring a haridryer, the one there is fine. They also have aloe vera in your room.

A couple of sundresses will take care of dinner attire. For men two pair of khakis and some polo/button up shirts would work. I try to limit the amount of clothes I bring. You will not even wear everything you pack. Bring at least 2 bathing suits. Sometimes they take a while to dry.

Bathing suit cover ups work great for breakfast and lunch. The majority of the time I was in my bathing suit and a cover up.

If you plan to do any excursions make sure you bring proper clothing/shoes for them (water shoes, old pair of tennis shoes for hiking, old pair of clothes for atving, etc)

If there are any restaurants that need reservations do that immediately as they book up quickly.

That's all I can think of right now, if you have any questions just ask!

Have a great time!

 

[CalvertNewbie]

insect repellant, sunscreen, conditoner (they have shampoo and conditioner there but bring your own conditioner)

You dont need to bring a haridryer, the one there is fine. They also have aloe vera in your room.

A couple of sundresses will take care of dinner attire. For men two pair of khakis and some polo/button up shirts would work. I try to limit the amount of clothes I bring. You will not even wear everything you pack. Bring at least 2 bathing suits. Sometimes they take a while to dry.

Bathing suit cover ups work great for breakfast and lunch. The majority of the time I was in my bathing suit and a cover up.

If you plan to do any excursions make sure you bring proper clothing/shoes for them (water shoes, old pair of tennis shoes for hiking, old pair of clothes for atving, etc)

If there are any restaurants that need reservations do that immediately as they book up quickly.

That's all I can think of right now, if you have any questions just ask!

Have a great time!

Great advice. Completely agree with tennis shoes and an outfit or 2 that you don't mind getting filthy. Hubby and I did the zip line excursion and tennis shoes were a must, flip flops would fall off. They also told us that we should wear pants for that but I only had capris which were fine. We did the ATV tour and got ridiculously muddy.

Like mkd20012001 said, make those restaurant reservations in advance because the nicer ones fill up very quick. Also, make your reservations for the excursions you're interested when you first get there.

 

[stars24]

Thanks, that was very helpful!

I would have never thought of insect repellent. I was mostly curious about how many "dressier" clothes we would have to bring, as we're mostly shorts/tshirts people... So I feel much better now... Thanks again.

 

[mkd20012001]

Thanks, that was very helpful!

I would have never thought of insect repellent. I was mostly curious about how many "dressier" clothes we would have to bring, as we're mostly shorts/tshirts people... So I feel much better now... Thanks again.

You don't have to get very dressed up unless you want to. I just bring a few sundresses and nice sandals some nice capris work also. I would not recommend heels because they are a pain in the sand. I bring two pair of khakis for hubby and like 4 dress shirts/polos. You will see a lot of the younger guys just in shorts and a polo. I don't find that they are very strict with the dress code.

Also, 2-3 nights a week are usually themed buffets (beach party, street jamboree, etc.). You can wear whatever you want for those.

 

[Pinkflamingo]

mkd, since you've been to Sandals before, any info you have about what to bring or what to do would be great

halfangel: I'm jealous. I'd love to escape from this snow right now!!!

Great suggestions from the other posters!
Also remember since you will be at one of the properties in Montego Bay, that you have exchange privileges with the other 2 Sandals in that area and complimentary transfers between the 3. Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay is my favorite, and the Thai restaurant out on the private island is fantastic! You can also visit the other Sandals resorts in Jamaica as well, but transfers aren't included for resorts outside of the city you are staying in.
There will be alot of activities already included for you to participate in (scuba, snorkeling, kayaks, etc.) but you can make tour reservations ahead of time if you want. Any restaurant reservations should be made first thing when you arrive.
Also remember to sign up for the Sandals Select program when you get home, you will get enough points upon enrollment for $250 off your next trip!

 

[sexy_pants]

Great suggestions from the other posters!
Also remember since you will be at one of the properties in Montego Bay, that you have exchange privileges with the other 2 Sandals in that area and complimentary transfers between the 3. Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay is my favorite, and the Thai restaurant out on the private island is fantastic! You can also visit the other Sandals resorts in Jamaica as well, but transfers aren't included for resorts outside of the city you are staying in.
There will be alot of activities already included for you to participate in (scuba, snorkeling, kayaks, etc.) but you can make tour reservations ahead of time if you want. Any restaurant reservations should be made first thing when you arrive.
Also remember to sign up for the Sandals Select program when you get home, you will get enough points upon enrollment for $250 off your next trip!

How close are the 3 Sandals locations? I'm looking at Ochos Rios for the fall for my trip. What are the other 2 locations? Is 1 better than the others??

 

[Chasey_Lane]

How close are the 3 Sandals locations? I'm looking at Ochos Rios for the fall for my trip.

I want to visit Ocho Rios via cruise just to enjoy Dunn's River Falls.

 

[whome20603]

I want to visit Ocho Rios via cruise just to enjoy Dunn's River Falls.

I went on that very cruise, I was in 8th grade but still...I climbed the waterfall

Plus we went to the 7-mile beach in the Cayman Islands and to Cozumel Mexico

 

[thurley42]

How close are the 3 Sandals locations? I'm looking at Ochos Rios for the fall for my trip. What are the other 2 locations? Is 1 better than the others??

Ocho Rios and Dunn River Falls are like a 15 minute bus ride apart....Montego is about 1.5 to 2 hours away....

Dunns River is nice...has a little golf course in front (like smaller than Par 3) gorgeous architecture and I think a little more intimate...

Ocho Rios is split into two sections, the Garden Villas and the Oceanfront..you have to take a shuttle from one to the other because you cross the road..but it's literally 30 seconds...both sides have equal amounts of amentities...the ocean side is more hotel style rooms while the villas are your own private area with a pool (which is what we had)

Villa side has the great pool, lots of activies during the day...alot of fun!

The new Sandals in Emerald Bay just opened in January...got the magazine about it a few weeks ago..looks amazing...gonna hit that one up sooner than later...

 

[sexy_pants]

Ocho Rios and Dunn River Falls are like a 15 minute bus ride apart....Montego is about 1.5 to 2 hours away....

Dunns River is nice...has a little golf course in front (like smaller than Par 3) gorgeous architecture and I think a little more intimate...

Ocho Rios is split into two sections, the Garden Villas and the Oceanfront..you have to take a shuttle from one to the other because you cross the road..but it's literally 30 seconds...both sides have equal amounts of amentities...the ocean side is more hotel style rooms while the villas are your own private area with a pool (which is what we had)

Villa side has the great pool, lots of activies during the day...alot of fun!

The new Sandals in Emerald Bay just opened in January...got the magazine about it a few weeks ago..looks amazing...gonna hit that one up sooner than later...

THANKS for all the info! The hubby is interested in Ochos Rios but i don't really care which one we go to. We are just going to go, our yearly vacation.

Yeah, when looking online at the pics of the places to stay in OR, it showed how some were much further away. I'm not sure which i would prefer?! If you're more of a beach person, would you suggest the ocean side? If you're more of a bar drinking at the pool, would you suggest the villas??

Where is Emerald Bay? Sandals has a magazine? I might have to check that out

 

[thurley42]

THANKS for all the info! The hubby is interested in Ochos Rios but i don't really care which one we go to. We are just going to go, our yearly vacation.

Yeah, when looking online at the pics of the places to stay in OR, it showed how some were much further away. I'm not sure which i would prefer?! If you're more of a beach person, would you suggest the ocean side? If you're more of a bar drinking at the pool, would you suggest the villas??

Where is Emerald Bay? Sandals has a magazine? I might have to check that out

well, the beach only has a small area to swim in, so...I personally would say get the villa..more privacy. It's only a 30 second shuttle back and fourth so...not a big deal either way..you will be hitting up both sides for the different restaraunts anyway...I would say the pool rocks during the day..alot of fun...plus it's nice to hit up in the middle of the night when there isn't anyone there...both sides have nice gym, the villa has a huge rock climbing wall....

I think Emerald Bay is in the Bahamas.....once you stay at Sandals you can sign up for SSG (Sandals Signature Guest) you get the mag, better rates, discount deals...it's great! and when you go back they throw a reception for members every week...they gave us some jewelry and some bottles of rum!

 

[sexy_pants]

well, the beach only has a small area to swim in, so...I personally would say get the villa..more privacy. It's only a 30 second shuttle back and fourth so...not a big deal either way..you will be hitting up both sides for the different restaraunts anyway...I would say the pool rocks during the day..alot of fun...plus it's nice to hit up in the middle of the night when there isn't anyone there...both sides have nice gym, the villa has a huge rock climbing wall....

I think Emerald Bay is in the Bahamas.....once you stay at Sandals you can sign up for SSG (Sandals Signature Guest) you get the mag, better rates, discount deals...it's great! and when you go back they throw a reception for members every week...they gave us some jewelry and some bottles of rum!

Sweetness!!

 

[Pinkflamingo]

How close are the 3 Sandals locations? I'm looking at Ochos Rios for the fall for my trip. What are the other 2 locations? Is 1 better than the others??

The 3 Sandals in Montego Bay are maybe 15-20 between each.
Each resort has it's own "personality" so to say 1 is better than another, it depends on the person.

The resorts in Ocho Rios are the Sandals Grande and Sandals Dunns River.
Sandals Dunns River will be closing July 31 of this year, so if you are going in the fall Sandals Grande Ocho Rios will be your only option in that area.
Sandals Grande Ocho Rios is a HUGE property with over 500 rooms on approximately 100 acres.

 

[Pinkflamingo]

I think Emerald Bay is in the Bahamas.....once you stay at Sandals you can sign up for SSG (Sandals Signature Guest) you get the mag, better rates, discount deals...it's great! and when you go back they throw a reception for members every week...they gave us some jewelry and some bottles of rum!

The new Sandals Emerald Bay is in Exuma, Bahamas.
All 183 suites are oceanfront and butler category! There are some great grand opening rates right now too.

 

[mkd20012001]

The 3 Sandals in Montego Bay are maybe 15-20 between each.
Each resort has it's own "personality" so to say 1 is better than another, it depends on the person.

The resorts in Ocho Rios are the Sandals Grande and Sandals Dunns River.
Sandals Dunns River will be closing July 31 of this year, so if you are going in the fall Sandals Grande Ocho Rios will be your only option in that area.
Sandals Grande Ocho Rios is a HUGE property with over 500 rooms on approximately 100 acres.

Why is Sandals Dunns River closing? I was just there in November and the general manager didn't say anything about it. All he could say was how much he loved working at that resort.

 

[Pinkflamingo]

Why is Sandals Dunns River closing? I was just there in November and the general manager didn't say anything about it. All he could say was how much he loved working at that resort.

This property is leased but not owned by Sandals. From my understanding they were unable to come to an agreement on lease terms, therefore Sandals is not renewing their lease. The lease formally comes to an end in May but guests can travel thru July 31.

Hopefully something will change at the last minute but I've not heard any indication that it would (and attended a conference last week where the VP of sales and marketing for Sandals spoke to our group).

 

[CalvertNewbie]

This property is leased but not owned by Sandals. From my understanding they were unable to come to an agreement on lease terms, therefore Sandals is not renewing their lease. The lease formally comes to an end in May but guests can travel thru July 31.

Hopefully something will change at the last minute but I've not heard any indication that it would (and attended a conference last week where the VP of sales and marketing for Sandals spoke to our group).

Wow, that really sucks! I loved it there.

 

[mkd20012001]

That does suck! I still think I liked Ocho Rios better than Dunn's River though. Hopefully something will happen and Sandals will keep it.