We booked our honeymoon directly with Sandals as we wanted to fly Air Jamaica, which was not offered on the web site. The booking of the stay and flight was not problem as we still received the internet discount. A week prior to our departure we received a call offering an upgrade on our stay for an additional 300.00 dollars. I am very happy that we did not take the upgrade as it would have meant us staying on the Manor side of the hotel, not near the ocean. This was not explained during the call. Granted it is only one block from the water, you still would have to take a bus back and forth, and the buses only run every hour. The house keeping was hit or miss, we would sometimes get fresh towel, and sometime not.
We stayed in the Grove Manor, which is on the Rivera side a three story older building. The room was nice, but with some ware as it is probably one of the oldest buildings. The grounds were beautiful and well kept. The water was beautiful the beaches clean and freshly raked every morning by staff. The food as good in all areas, some of the breakfast service was slow in Valentino. One problem is that they have limited serving times and nothings open after 10 pm although the bars stayed open until 2 am. , but did not open until 10 am. The swim up bars were only open until 6 pm, although the pool was open later. Once the swim up pool was closed you actually had to go back into the hotel to either the sports bar on the beach or the bar up stairs to get a drink, which was a little inconvenient, but not the end of the world.
If you want to make a reservation at Kimono's at Dunn's River, you need to do it the night you arrive. Apparently they only take 6 couples a night from Sandals Grande at the Sandals Dunn's River. It is a very nice restaurant and we did have a great time, but it was difficult getting reservations. Dinner at the Reef Terrace was great with the ocean waves in the back ground and service under the stars by candle light.
We did the Katt tour to Dunn's River Fall, highly recommended, the sail was great, snorkeling was fun and the Fall's were a blast, we realize now why they don't serve the drinks until on the way back to the hotel. This is also known as the booze cruise. The Bob Marley jeep safari was a blast and the ride up thought the mountains was worth the money in itself. The Red Stripe is alway cold and an tap.
We spend a day down at Sandals Dunn's River, because if you stay at one you can play at two. We just relaxed and played on the beach that day, jerk chicken at the grill is a must. This Sandals seemed to have a younger crowd and had beach activities during the afternoon, which other may have had and we missed..
We also visited Margaritaville and Island Shoppes in Ochio Rios, had a good time there and did some shopping.
All in all we had a great time and hated to leave, we will be back in Jamaica, maybe for our 1 year anniversary.

What can be said about a visit to Sandals Grande? Total luxury, after the initial shock of the late night trip on the bus which decided to pick other people up outside the airport gates! Then drop off all over town, we arrived at the hotel, to be welcomed by name into the hotel, the staff were wonderful and realised that we were tired so bent over backwards to organise us and get us to our room, from then on it was the most wonderful, romantic, beautiful, relaxing holiday we've had, 5* treatment, fantastic food in every restaurant and spoilt for choice on where to eat. Fantastic pool bar with 5star (bar mans name!) who customised the cocktails to suit tastes, and had ours made on the bar when he saw us coming, by the end of the stay he knew 1pm we'd be there and the drinks would be waiting, what service!
We've since been to Florida, Sri Lanka and The Maldives, although all very nice, for service, choice, comfort, peace and pure luxury none have come close to this holiday, i would recommend anyday!

We loved Sandals Ocho Rios Grande in Jamaica!! It was the perfect location for a honeymoon and we would recommend the place to anyone, in fact two of our best friends are coming for theirs as well!! The staff were so incredibly nice and have the best attitudes! The service is incredible and the location has so much to offer! The watersports on location are a blast and they offer a safe and very fun tour to Dunns River Falls, a must see!! The food is delicious and the drinks are made to order at your request 24-7! They pick you up at the airport and the moment you arrive on the property you are welcomed by the friendly staff and feel right at home! The rooms are so clean and luxurious! We loved this resort, we definately weren't ready to leave, but we cannot wait to return!

We visited Sandals Grande Ocho Rios on June 7-12, 2008.
It was our honeymoon and we were really looking forward to a luxurious and relaxing getaway.
We knew about the ride from the airport so that was not a big deal, however the Sandals experience was very VERY dissapointing.
The location was beautiful, right on the beach. However the resort was very run down. Nothing like the pictures.
Even the pools were run down, cracking cement, chipping paint. The pictures depict a different story.
We were on the Riviera side, we could walk downstairs and be right on the beach. There were many restaurants on our side... we thought that was a plus, however we did not realize that only one was open for a buffet lunch and the other two were snack bar type spots.
The food was awful, hands down terrible. They had the same 6 or 7 items at each restaurant, just prepared differently, italian, asian, american -chicken, steak, snapper or seafood mix.... it was by no means fresh, definately frozen.....

The service was also so very slow, there were two restaurants Arizona and San Gennario that offered an appetizer/salad bar to start the meal, however the two restaurants were outdoors/open air so if are not the first group to sit down, you will get soggie veggies and chips. I am not a picky person, and my husband is a typical guy, likes anything, but both of us were really un-impressed by the food.
The service at the bars was fast, when you walked up to the bar was good, you could always get a drink quick. The bartenders were always nice, that was a plus.

When you ordered a drink at dinner....well that would take a long time. Especiailly if you order a soda, forget it, on several occasions we had to get up, leave the restaurant and get our own drinks to bring back and drink.

They tell you tipping is not allowed, that is not true, on every excursion that you go on- everyone expects a tip, and the tell you.
I understand the drivers are contractors and don't work for Sandals, however they should tell you BEFORE. We expected if Sandals were setting up the excursions, they were Sandals trips.
No this is not true, they are contractors hired to drive you and tour you and they want $$.

The Dunns River Fall was fun, however bring a water proof camera and water shoes, or strap on sandals--don't buy anything at the gift shop! The camera's are close to $20, watershoes are about $20 and cigarettes are $10 a PACK!!
Also bring $$ as the tour guides ask for tips. The falls are fun, a bit scary and don't forget to tie your bathing suit tight!

Overall I was VERY dissapointed in our honeymoon- I hate to say that because we made the best of it, we enjoyed being together and spending the lazy days on vacation. However we thought we were going on a luxury vacation, when really it was just ok.
I would NEVER return to a Sandals, they have false advertsing and they give inadequate service and this is NOT a spot for honeymooners. Maybe a good spot for a getaway to enjoy the all inclusive booze....but that is it.