We recently came back from 5 days, 4 nights at Sandals Grande in Ocho Rios. Before I provide more detail about our experience, let me just say that we like to travel and have been to Jamaica before, staying at other hotels so our experience is compared to other hotels in the Caribbean. If this is your first time traveling, take this review for what it's worth...

Overall, we found Sandals to be you get what you pay for. We went fairly last minute so it was relatively cheap and that was what Sandals turned out to be.

This is a good place for young couples (20 - 22) on their honeymoon and/or 40-somethings that want to party at the pool and drink all day. It's not a place for couples that want to lay low and relax. If you are not a big drinker or don't want to sit at the swim up bar all day, this may not be the place for you.

The pros of the resort are the grounds (beautiful, but most of Jamaica is) and the beach area. There are only a few chairs with any shade so get there by 10 or so to reserve one if that's what you want/need. Before dinner, I recommend sitting out on the dock in one of the swings - it might be the only quiet place at the resort.

The cons - the food was average at best, and we waited almost every night for about an hour regardless of the restaurant we chose. This was more frustrating because there were plenty of empty tables, but with an all-inclusive, there is no incentive to get people who are waiting seated.

The two main pools on the riviera side (beach side) have swim up bars, but they play Jamaican music from 10am - 6pm. It's loud and as with modern Jamaican music (not Bob Marley), it is very sexual and crass. The guests that we saw spend most of their time at the pools with the music had a large amount of body art (i.e. tattoos), sequin bikinis, and were smoking up a storm, in the pool.

If you want quiet to read and/or nap, you have to go to the Garden Pool, it's the only place you cannot hear the music. The "hidden" pool is right next to the ampitheater and a mini-power station, not the most scenic/quiet place.

Our room had a garden view, which was fine, we didn't pay for a beach view; however, the bathroom is woefully outdated and the toilet continued to run the entire time we were there (despite our requests to have someone look at it).

Before we left for our trip, we read all the reviews and we tried to take them all with a grain of salt, especially the bad ones. Everyone needs to have their own experience, but in our opinion, if you have traveled at all, this will not be the place for you. We were extremely disappointed in Sandals - it felt like the McDonald's of resorts, little personalization, spring break-like, and dilapidated.

If you want to go to Jamaica, I'd recommend splurging and looking for deals at hotels that offer an all-inclusive package, but not everyone at the resort is on that plan. The food and accommodations will be much better.

well,well, june 20th,08 our finest vacation started, who could remember your last name after seeing hundreds of people everyday, well the people of sandals did even all the shuttle crew .. how is that for feeling special..
it was our 20th anniversary and our room was decorated for the occation everyday with a beautiful note.. how special are we?
food ,all you had to do was think and there was some.11 res-turaunts. food from all over the world..and hamburgers and chicken 24hrs. a day..how cool is that?
music right around the next tree, you learn to dance with-
out wanting too.i feel JAMAICAN how cool is that maan?
the schedualing is so right on that you don't miss a thing, you might miss the shuttle but in 10mins. another one to pick you up.
i have a sweet tooth, and i knew that in the registration desk there was always cookies, they welcomed me every time i passed by..so three pounds later you just can't thank the staff the help the crews and sandals for all they have put together..
even the guest left their problems home sandals puts you at ease.. met new friends,contacts for business..
can't explain it all but one thing for sure, hope you understand how i am trying to say this, we (8 of us) left jamaica, sandals, ocho rios, and all the people of ocho rios, in our hearts.. once i was home ,cought some T.V. and there was a track meet , i found myself rooting for the jamaican team, and will do so during the olympics...we will see you again...thanks rick

My husband & I stayed at the Sandals Grande Ochos Rios from June 23-30. I can honestly say that the resort is very average. We had an excellent time but only because of each others company.

If you are planning to go to this resort - no worries... you will have a good time. It's what you make of it. Here are some pointers to help you.

1. No reservations for restaurants unless you have a butler. Therefore, if you don't have a butler plan on being ready and heading for dinner by 6pm at the latest. Otherwise you will have to eat at the grill (consisting of burgers/fries/nachos/cheese sauce). We complained to the concierge because we like to eat our dinner later around 730pm which is impossible if you don't have reservations. We were lucky enough to get two reservations booked.

2. Don't expect a modern resort. The resort is very old and in some areas appears it is falling apart. We stayed in a Plantation villa 1 bedroom suite with pool on the Manor side (which is basically in the hills - the riviera side is down at the ocean). These two areas are seperated by a busy road. When we got to our room our reaction was "ok this is alright"... the bedroom furniture is gorgeous... the plants and flowers around the resort are also beautiful. The bathroom was cracked, leaked water, moldy corners and floor was nasty... kitchen didn't use but was old and had dirt in between stove and cabinets... kind gross but that's not what the holiday was about....

3. Tours - we did the Kat to Dunns River (also known as the booze cruise)... This was great on the way there... we stopped half way to snorkel which was very cool. then we port and do the climbing of dunns river... outstanding. At the top of the river, you get harassed for tips... which was expected. Then back to the Kat... On the way back, it was so windy and the ocean had white caps... the boat went up and down and up and down - not enjoyable at all... I was very sick. The bartendar was very nice... gave me a big plastic bag to puke in...lol - this happened to approx. 13 other woman... didn't see any men get sick.

We also went on the horseback riding through the ocean. Only comment on this was breathtaking. Amazing. A must do!

All in all a good vacation but don't expect much and you will be fine. If you are expecting "SANDALS" quality and believe you are going to be getting what you see in the brochures, on tv, etc. you will be upset. It would basically be like a 4.5 star resort in mexico.... very basic... has some nice aspects... food was nice... people are nice... very nice vacation... nothing outstanding... nothing horrible. It all depends on what you make of it.

We just returned from our weddingmoon at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Jamaica. This was our 2nd visit to this resort. We visited in 2006 and loved it so much we decided to get married on the resort. The employees at Sandals were all gracious, courteous, and fun. We had a few issues in the beginning with some prepaid credits, but after that smooth sailing. We loved our room, the beach, and especially the gazebo on the water. (We thought of it as our own private gazebo). The wedding was beautiful. Our wedding consultant Annette took care of everything. The photographer, and videographer took alot of time and effort to make our pictures the best ever. Another photographer , Leon, also made taking pictures fun. He was awesome. The food was delicious. The resort was clean, and the beach was raked often. There were many things to do including watersports, and excursions. We went on the dune buggy excursion and had a blast!! We also did the shopping excursion. The locals are very pushy. All in all i would give the resort a 10 out of 10. We are thinking of going back to Jamaica, but next time bringing the kids to Beaches. Great Vacation, Great Wedding, Great Fun!!!!!