Sandals Royal Caribbean
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Panoramas (16) Room & Suite (2102)
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About
4.5
#5 of 17 all-inclusives in Montego BayLocation
4.5
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.6
Value
4.2
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
It’s true, the adults-only Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay Jamaica has its own private island. On this island, you’ll find Bali-inspired beach cabanas and an intricately positioned Thai restaurant, seemingly awaiting your arrival. This and all the other luxurious elements at the resort, like the Over-the-Water Private Island Butler Villas with infinity pools and Tranquility Soaking Tubs for two in select rooms, were created for that ‘WOW’ factor—and wow it will. With accommodation options like the Swim-Up Crystal Lagoon Suites, 9 distinctive restaurants, 5 bars including swim-up bars, land and water sports and more, the odds are in your favor for a truly memorable vacation. While in Jamaica, don’t miss out on activities like bamboo river rafting, catamaran cruising, and even ATV adventures to make the most of your stay.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Diving
Free airport transportation
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Adult pool
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Snorkeling
Tennis court
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Karaoke
Table tennis
Nightclub / DJ
Free shuttle or taxi services
Airport transportation
Shuttle bus service
Business Center with Internet Access
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Salon
Adults only
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Butler service
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Room features
Private beach
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
VIP room facilities
Iron
Flatscreen TV
Laptop safe
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Luxury
Centrally Located
Location
Mahoe Cl, Montego Bay 167 Jamaica
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 44 out of 100
44
Sangster Intl Airport
2.4 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
83 Restaurants
within 5 miles
Reviews
4.5
8,953 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Sandals Royal Caribbean is often celebrated for its impeccable cleanliness and pristine grounds, although some guests have encountered housekeeping delays. While opinions on the rooms vary, with a few lacking expected amenities or needing maintenance, the resort's location is universally lauded for its stunning views and convenience. The atmosphere, brimming with lively entertainment, contributes to a festive experience, though it may not suit those seeking tranquility.
Service experiences are mixed; some guests commend the attentive staff, while others report frustration with service delays. Despite the diverse and appreciated amenities, including exceptional butler service, some guests feel the resort does not provide sufficient value for the price.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Lively
Rooms
Mixed
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Outstanding
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel's Favorite
From the moment we arrived at the Sandals Arrivals Lounge at the Sangster Airport at Montego Bay, Jamaica, we were well cared for.
A hostess tagged our bags and welcomed us into the lounge for refreshments while we awaited our transport to the resort. We booked a butler suite, so our transfer was a private car. Upon our arrival at the resort our bags were taken to our room and we were escorted to the Club lounge to await our butler. More refreshments were offered here as well. Kady (The best butler in the world) gave us a tour of the resort and showed us to our room where she had prepared some non-alcoholic champagne for us, and we toasted our "welcome home." Sandals is an all inclusive resort, but we do not drink alcohol. Fortunately, we were able to avoid awkward moments because they ask for a butler survey before arrival. Kady already knew our preferences and had our fridge stocked with sodas, waters, juices, etc. We stayed in a Crystal lagoon Honeymoon one bedroom butler suite. Comfy bed, large bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower; and a large balcony which we enjoyed A LOT!. We gave Kady our list of restaurants we wanted to enjoy and she made all our reservations. We also told her where we would like to be located on the beach, and she set up two loungers in the shade with towels and a stocked cooler. Our second butler was Akine. (Also wonderful!) These two hard-workers kept us spoiled - bringing treats to us at our chairs, and when we mentioned that we would like a regular chair rather than a lounger, Akine found two NICE padded chairs and set them up for us instead of the loungers. There were three other workers that we found to be great. Isheeka made her rounds serving people on the beach. She is probably primarily there to take care of the people who do not have butlers, but she made no distinctions. She would always ask us if we needed anything and she was so very pleasant and friendly. And Malik, one of the workers with the daunting task of sweeping and keeping the beach pristine. He would give us a fist-bump and chat a moment as well. Food was good. Service at the al a carte Restaurant for breakfast was slow, but they also have a self-service buffet for folks who want to get in and out quickly. They have a 24/7 coffee/tea area with a machine for cappuccinos, but no specialty coffee stations for flavored drinks. There are exchange privileges with Sandals Montego Bay, so we took the transfer shuttle a couple of times to check out that resort for dinner. The shuttle runs every hour. I wish they ran every half-hour. The Royal Caribbean Resort is more compact. Not a lot of walking to get from place to place compared to other, larger resorts. Montego Bay was much larger with more rooms and a huge beach AND they had specialty coffees, hard ice cream choices and crapes. It was neat to get to enjoy both resorts.
We really enjoyed the French Restaurant the most. The scallops appetizer gained high praise from hubby. We had strong winds and red flags at the beach so all beach activities were closed for our 4 days. So we didn't get to go out on any of the complimentary watercraft other than the dragonboat that takes people from the resort to their private island. That was a bummer but no fault of the resort. Gives us something to look forward to next time.
A hostess tagged our bags and welcomed us into the lounge for refreshments while we awaited our transport to the resort. We booked a butler suite, so our transfer was a private car. Upon our arrival at the resort our bags were taken to our room and we were escorted to the Club lounge to await our butler. More refreshments were offered here as well. Kady (The best butler in the world) gave us a tour of the resort and showed us to our room where she had prepared some non-alcoholic champagne for us, and we toasted our "welcome home." Sandals is an all inclusive resort, but we do not drink alcohol. Fortunately, we were able to avoid awkward moments because they ask for a butler survey before arrival. Kady already knew our preferences and had our fridge stocked with sodas, waters, juices, etc. We stayed in a Crystal lagoon Honeymoon one bedroom butler suite. Comfy bed, large bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower; and a large balcony which we enjoyed A LOT!. We gave Kady our list of restaurants we wanted to enjoy and she made all our reservations. We also told her where we would like to be located on the beach, and she set up two loungers in the shade with towels and a stocked cooler. Our second butler was Akine. (Also wonderful!) These two hard-workers kept us spoiled - bringing treats to us at our chairs, and when we mentioned that we would like a regular chair rather than a lounger, Akine found two NICE padded chairs and set them up for us instead of the loungers. There were three other workers that we found to be great. Isheeka made her rounds serving people on the beach. She is probably primarily there to take care of the people who do not have butlers, but she made no distinctions. She would always ask us if we needed anything and she was so very pleasant and friendly. And Malik, one of the workers with the daunting task of sweeping and keeping the beach pristine. He would give us a fist-bump and chat a moment as well. Food was good. Service at the al a carte Restaurant for breakfast was slow, but they also have a self-service buffet for folks who want to get in and out quickly. They have a 24/7 coffee/tea area with a machine for cappuccinos, but no specialty coffee stations for flavored drinks. There are exchange privileges with Sandals Montego Bay, so we took the transfer shuttle a couple of times to check out that resort for dinner. The shuttle runs every hour. I wish they ran every half-hour. The Royal Caribbean Resort is more compact. Not a lot of walking to get from place to place compared to other, larger resorts. Montego Bay was much larger with more rooms and a huge beach AND they had specialty coffees, hard ice cream choices and crapes. It was neat to get to enjoy both resorts.
We really enjoyed the French Restaurant the most. The scallops appetizer gained high praise from hubby. We had strong winds and red flags at the beach so all beach activities were closed for our 4 days. So we didn't get to go out on any of the complimentary watercraft other than the dragonboat that takes people from the resort to their private island. That was a bummer but no fault of the resort. Gives us something to look forward to next time.
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Arrive early for the shuttle from one resort to the other.
Make restaurant reservations...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The resort itself is in a great location that its only minutes from the airport to get here. It is a smaller resort but you meet some great people that you develop good relationships and makes the trip enjoyable to hangout during your stay if you are the social butterfly. The resort definitely has a good variety of cuisine type restaurants to choose from depending on food. With the current COVID status, the staff is very conscious and all wear masks for the protection of guest and staff. The resort offered different things to do from water activities to beach sports to make your stay enjoyable and relaxing. The water at this location was amazing so clear and you can see the sea life around you from the stingray to fish.
Our butlers Igy and Nicole provided extremely great service and made sure that are stayed was very pleasant. They were very friendly, easy going, and very attentive butlers. They would come by to ensure we were taken care of from reserving chairs to drawing baths for the wife at night. I am sure everyone will have a different butler to request I highly recommend these two for sure.
The playmakers Warren Brown, Elmo, and Calvin are fantastic entertainers. These guys will make sure your stay here at the resort is entertaining and enjoyable during the day and nights. Big shout out to Warren Brown who didn't hesitate to set up Bubble Ball Soccer on our request .... fantastic game that brings lots of laughter and fun. Make sure you request if you have a group of people to do the game with. Overall the entertainers are on point but be prepared to be called
Our room was in a great location with its own pool if we wanted to just chill but extremely close to the main pool and beach. My only complaints we did have a few mishaps overall with the room from toilet handle kept breaking, safe issues, and one of the bed beams came off but the staff took care of those issues. The planes would fly overhead every now and then but was not all that bad if you didnt let it get to your fun. Overall, I loved our stay here, the awesome people we met, and will definitely come back again in the future.
Our butlers Igy and Nicole provided extremely great service and made sure that are stayed was very pleasant. They were very friendly, easy going, and very attentive butlers. They would come by to ensure we were taken care of from reserving chairs to drawing baths for the wife at night. I am sure everyone will have a different butler to request I highly recommend these two for sure.
The playmakers Warren Brown, Elmo, and Calvin are fantastic entertainers. These guys will make sure your stay here at the resort is entertaining and enjoyable during the day and nights. Big shout out to Warren Brown who didn't hesitate to set up Bubble Ball Soccer on our request .... fantastic game that brings lots of laughter and fun. Make sure you request if you have a group of people to do the game with. Overall the entertainers are on point but be prepared to be called
Our room was in a great location with its own pool if we wanted to just chill but extremely close to the main pool and beach. My only complaints we did have a few mishaps overall with the room from toilet handle kept breaking, safe issues, and one of the bed beams came off but the staff took care of those issues. The planes would fly overhead every now and then but was not all that bad if you didnt let it get to your fun. Overall, I loved our stay here, the awesome people we met, and will definitely come back again in the future.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Some tips is bring any necessities like sun block, meds, sanitizers, allergy meds, and bug spray...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shawn Redhead, Owner at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Oct 15, 2020
Hello and thank you for taking the time to share your review of Sandals Royal Caribbean. We were very happy to read your review as it seems we were successful in our endeavor to provide you with an unforgettable vacation, filled with memories that you will cherish for years to come. We remain dedicated to offering a service where we go above and beyond for our guests and we very much appreciate your positive words. We look forward to hosting you again in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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We were supposed to travel in April but due to Covid we had to postpone. We rescheduled for October but last minute decided to move trip up to August while borders are open and travel is accessible. With the constant changes we wanted to avoid another cancellation. We are so glad we went when we did!!
Although, I was nervous traveling due to all the extra health screenings and added necessary paperwork, it ended up being seamless. We purchased Club Mobay which made our travel experience effortless. A representative met us as we got off the plane and she walked us through the whole process. Lines were very long so having this added benefit got us to the resort my faster. The whole process was about maybe 20 minutes.
The resort was absolutely stunning, beautiful, and immaculate. We were very impressed with the cleanliness of all the areas even the restrooms near the pools were spotless .
Our room was definitely one then highlights of our trip . We stayed in The Honeymoon Grand Lux suite in the Buckingham building (Third floor). It was exactly what the pictures portrayed. The only surprises were that it was actually even more awesome in person. View was spectacular of the water, balcony was roomy and the tub was our favorite part. Beds were comfy as well!!
Food was surprisingly excellent! Jerk chicken at the Jerk shack was out of this world. Coconut shrimp was delicious at Spices . Bombay food start to finish was our favorite dining experience. Italian was decent as well especially the salads! Our only criticism for food was the desserts we’re just ehhh. We’re not really breakfast fans but the buffet was good and so was the French restaurant. Service was terrific at most of the restaurants.
Our butler Nigy and Jack were a added bonus. We were surprised with the hot bubble bath one afternoon and that was my husbands highlight of trip. We weren’t liking the fancy snacks they were dropping off so we told them and from then on they dropped nachos which we loved. We were happy they listened! Don’t forget to tip your butlers . Bring some cash to give them if they do a fine job.
Our favorite spots to spend our time were the quiet sections which were the Kensington area, the island and the Lagoon pool. We don’t like being around loud so these areas were very private. Beaches are very small but we knew this when we booked so we weren’t surprised. We made the best of it.
Although, I was nervous traveling due to all the extra health screenings and added necessary paperwork, it ended up being seamless. We purchased Club Mobay which made our travel experience effortless. A representative met us as we got off the plane and she walked us through the whole process. Lines were very long so having this added benefit got us to the resort my faster. The whole process was about maybe 20 minutes.
The resort was absolutely stunning, beautiful, and immaculate. We were very impressed with the cleanliness of all the areas even the restrooms near the pools were spotless .
Our room was definitely one then highlights of our trip . We stayed in The Honeymoon Grand Lux suite in the Buckingham building (Third floor). It was exactly what the pictures portrayed. The only surprises were that it was actually even more awesome in person. View was spectacular of the water, balcony was roomy and the tub was our favorite part. Beds were comfy as well!!
Food was surprisingly excellent! Jerk chicken at the Jerk shack was out of this world. Coconut shrimp was delicious at Spices . Bombay food start to finish was our favorite dining experience. Italian was decent as well especially the salads! Our only criticism for food was the desserts we’re just ehhh. We’re not really breakfast fans but the buffet was good and so was the French restaurant. Service was terrific at most of the restaurants.
Our butler Nigy and Jack were a added bonus. We were surprised with the hot bubble bath one afternoon and that was my husbands highlight of trip. We weren’t liking the fancy snacks they were dropping off so we told them and from then on they dropped nachos which we loved. We were happy they listened! Don’t forget to tip your butlers . Bring some cash to give them if they do a fine job.
Our favorite spots to spend our time were the quiet sections which were the Kensington area, the island and the Lagoon pool. We don’t like being around loud so these areas were very private. Beaches are very small but we knew this when we booked so we weren’t surprised. We made the best of it.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shawn Redhead, Owner at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Aug 16, 2020
Hello and thank you for taking the time to share your review of Sandals Royal Caribbean. We were very happy to read your review as it seems we were successful in our endeavor to provide you with an unforgettable vacation, filled with memories that you will cherish for years to come. We remain dedicated to offering a service where we go above and beyond for our guests and we very much appreciate your positive words. We look forward to hosting you again in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We just returned from Sandals Royal Caribbean. It was, as usual, fantastic. The rooms are clean and always appointed - bath towels are replenished twice a day, coffee once a day and if you run low on anything it is just a phone call away. The food is excellent and the desserts are unbelievable. The best thing about this resort is the staff. I have never met such an accommodating and friendly staff. We had butler service and our butlers were Steve and Nicholas. Steve was our butler from last year and he is doing a great job mentoring Nicholas. Nothing was ever too much trouble. Another person that made the trip wonderful was Tremain who is a lifeguard and takes care of the pool. He always had fresh flowers for us and they were greatly appreciated. We also worked with Trudie for 2021's booking and as always, she was very helpful and so sweet. There are two new restaurants this year: La Tavolo which is an Italian restaurant and it is very good and Bombay which is Indian cuisine. It is very spicy and was too spicy for us, however, the food was presented beautifully and if you like spicy food, you will love it. A must is the chocolate chip cookies in the tea area - they are always available!! This is our second year at Royal Caribbean and have already booked for 2021. My only regret is that we did not start coming here earlier in our Jamaican travels. Of all of the resorts we have stayed in over the years (10 years) this is by far the best.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AvlonB, Online Review Coordinator at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Apr 4, 2020
Hi there, We are most delighted to read that you and your spouse had an amazing stay here with us and that your your butler team and other team members were instrumental in making this happen. Your review is greatly appreciated and we do hope that we will be welcoming you back to one of our resorts in the future!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
In the midst of Covid-19, we needed to get away and this was perfect! American Airlines did not do a good job getting us there and we arrived a day late from a different city. I called Sandals and they immediately changed our dates so we could still have the same amount of time at the resort. The staff had noticed that we were not there and made sure that our massages were rescheduled and our rooms were ready for the next day. When we finally arrived, everyone was fantastic and got us settled into paradise quickly.
First, I am a celiac, which is one reason to choose Sandals resorts. Their culinary staff makes sure that everything at breakfast is labelled and I stay healthy during my stay. Our butlers, Rayo and Duwayne made sure that everything for my meals was in order and assured me that the staff of every restaurant could take care of me. We enjoyed Rayo and Duwayne so much that we want them back when we return next year!
If you choose to spend a day in a cabana on the island, Romario will take great care of you! He made sure that we got a tour of the island and always had a drink and our meals.
As far as the spa staff, they are wonderful. We enjoyed our massages with Georgina and Cordelia so much that we scheduled a second one. Avonlie was one of our masseuses on that one and it was so relaxing too! The spa staff will definitely take care of you.
The entertainment staff is always going. During the day, the DJ at the pool or the beach start the party and it continues into the evening. Calvin is amazing, we listened to him play the saxophone whenever we could. Crystal Champagne and Chynell (Peanut) are fabulous singers and Trix, Elmo, Crazy Warren will keep you watching. We danced to all different types of music - thanks to the DJs, DJ Flames and the other (I'm sorry, I did not catch his name).
If you are debating about this resort, just do it! Check in and relax in paradise while bartender Dre serves you fabulous drinks for a week. You won''t regret it!
First, I am a celiac, which is one reason to choose Sandals resorts. Their culinary staff makes sure that everything at breakfast is labelled and I stay healthy during my stay. Our butlers, Rayo and Duwayne made sure that everything for my meals was in order and assured me that the staff of every restaurant could take care of me. We enjoyed Rayo and Duwayne so much that we want them back when we return next year!
If you choose to spend a day in a cabana on the island, Romario will take great care of you! He made sure that we got a tour of the island and always had a drink and our meals.
As far as the spa staff, they are wonderful. We enjoyed our massages with Georgina and Cordelia so much that we scheduled a second one. Avonlie was one of our masseuses on that one and it was so relaxing too! The spa staff will definitely take care of you.
The entertainment staff is always going. During the day, the DJ at the pool or the beach start the party and it continues into the evening. Calvin is amazing, we listened to him play the saxophone whenever we could. Crystal Champagne and Chynell (Peanut) are fabulous singers and Trix, Elmo, Crazy Warren will keep you watching. We danced to all different types of music - thanks to the DJs, DJ Flames and the other (I'm sorry, I did not catch his name).
If you are debating about this resort, just do it! Check in and relax in paradise while bartender Dre serves you fabulous drinks for a week. You won''t regret it!
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Date of stay: October 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shawn Redhead, Owner at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Oct 20, 2020
Hello and thank you for taking the time to share your review of Sandals Royal Caribbean. We were very happy to read your review as it seems we were successful in our endeavor to provide you with an unforgettable vacation, filled with memories that you will cherish for years to come. We remain dedicated to offering a service where we go above and beyond for our guests and we very much appreciate your positive words. We look forward to hosting you again in the near future.
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wonderful husband took me to Sandals Royal Caribbean last week for my birthday.
Since there are almost 7000 reviews, I am going to limit mine to advice:
1. Use a travel agent! They cost you nothing and can make an enormous difference. We worked with Michael McHugh with Dream Makers Vacation Services. He knows Sandals inside and out. He arranged some nice extras, and got us booked in exactly the room we asked for. We were in the best room for our room type-directly oceanfront with a balcony/porch on the first floor. Others who paid the same amount for the same room type were in rooms that weren't nearly as nice. We stayed in the concierge level and LOVED the room service-it was on time, beautifully served, and lovely to have as an option.
2. Listen to your travel agent and book Club Mobay for at least your arrival. We were on the sand with drinks hours before others who stood in line. Sandals is not an inexpensive vacation, so why be cheap about a small fee to bypass literally thousands of people in the Montego Bay airport?
3.Skip the clothing optional "beach". It's tiny, no beach, just 6 chairs and stone steps into the water. Go to St. Martin instead.
4. Dine at Le Jardinier and skip Butch's. Our french dinner was fabulous. Great service, wonderful food, relaxed atmosphere. And, to further compliment the restaurant, there was a rain shower and they had to move the restaurant inside at the last minute. There was no inconvenience for the diners-the room was beautifully decorated with lovely background music. My husband had cordon bleu and I had lamb shank. Both dishes were delicious!
On the other hand, Butch's was a disgrace and Sandals should be ashamed of themselves. We had a 6PM reservation, and from the moment we sat down, we felt like we were in a horse race in second place with a jockey beating us to go faster. Our waiter wanted us to order all courses including dessert the moment we sat down and they attempted to take our plates every time we put down our forks.The food was sub par to put it kindly. My husband's "prime rib" was full of gristle, and my steak Diane was thin, lumpy, and overcooked. Maybe they were overbooked for later in the evening and told their staff to get rid of the earlier reservations as fast as possible. My husband commented that he had had better food and service in a Golden Corral. Truly horrible.
Since there are almost 7000 reviews, I am going to limit mine to advice:
1. Use a travel agent! They cost you nothing and can make an enormous difference. We worked with Michael McHugh with Dream Makers Vacation Services. He knows Sandals inside and out. He arranged some nice extras, and got us booked in exactly the room we asked for. We were in the best room for our room type-directly oceanfront with a balcony/porch on the first floor. Others who paid the same amount for the same room type were in rooms that weren't nearly as nice. We stayed in the concierge level and LOVED the room service-it was on time, beautifully served, and lovely to have as an option.
2. Listen to your travel agent and book Club Mobay for at least your arrival. We were on the sand with drinks hours before others who stood in line. Sandals is not an inexpensive vacation, so why be cheap about a small fee to bypass literally thousands of people in the Montego Bay airport?
3.Skip the clothing optional "beach". It's tiny, no beach, just 6 chairs and stone steps into the water. Go to St. Martin instead.
4. Dine at Le Jardinier and skip Butch's. Our french dinner was fabulous. Great service, wonderful food, relaxed atmosphere. And, to further compliment the restaurant, there was a rain shower and they had to move the restaurant inside at the last minute. There was no inconvenience for the diners-the room was beautifully decorated with lovely background music. My husband had cordon bleu and I had lamb shank. Both dishes were delicious!
On the other hand, Butch's was a disgrace and Sandals should be ashamed of themselves. We had a 6PM reservation, and from the moment we sat down, we felt like we were in a horse race in second place with a jockey beating us to go faster. Our waiter wanted us to order all courses including dessert the moment we sat down and they attempted to take our plates every time we put down our forks.The food was sub par to put it kindly. My husband's "prime rib" was full of gristle, and my steak Diane was thin, lumpy, and overcooked. Maybe they were overbooked for later in the evening and told their staff to get rid of the earlier reservations as fast as possible. My husband commented that he had had better food and service in a Golden Corral. Truly horrible.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Book with a knowledgeable travel agent! Ours got us room 4116, floor 1
oceanfront...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were a little hesitant to go on vacation during Covid but Sandals did not disappoint!
It was our first time at a Sandals Resort and they went above and beyond to make sure you were safe while there! They always had you put hand sanitizer on before entering any restaurant or staffing area. The entire staff wore masks all week long and your room was disinfected at 16 different areas (I think that was the number). A shout out to Cion (C.C.) our concierge, to Kawayne our Butler at the cabana on the island, Dervol our waiter at La Tavola, and especially our girl Crystal Champagne- the event host and all around great gal!! She named us “Magic Mike and Mrs. Magic Mike” after the dance off. Lol. You all went above and beyond to help our stay be great!!! Sadly I didn’t write down our housekeeper for our room for the week but she did an excellent job keeping our room fresh :)
It was our first time at a Sandals Resort and they went above and beyond to make sure you were safe while there! They always had you put hand sanitizer on before entering any restaurant or staffing area. The entire staff wore masks all week long and your room was disinfected at 16 different areas (I think that was the number). A shout out to Cion (C.C.) our concierge, to Kawayne our Butler at the cabana on the island, Dervol our waiter at La Tavola, and especially our girl Crystal Champagne- the event host and all around great gal!! She named us “Magic Mike and Mrs. Magic Mike” after the dance off. Lol. You all went above and beyond to help our stay be great!!! Sadly I didn’t write down our housekeeper for our room for the week but she did an excellent job keeping our room fresh :)
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shawn Redhead, Owner at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Aug 16, 2020
Hello and thank you for rating our resort! It truly was a pleasure having you stay with us at Sandals Royal Caribbean. We appreciate your positive feedback and definitely look forward to hosting you again in the near future for another great vacation experience!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I would highly recommend Sandals Royal Carribean to any and everyone. With regards to cleanliness our room was sparkling and tended to every day and with COVID measures in place every staff member was complaint with wearing a mask at all times and they were constantly disinfecting every area allowing for the appropriate dry time to ensure adequate cleanings. From the moment we arrived at the resort we were treated with excellent hospitality. Our butlers were readily available at all times to ensure we were comfortable and satisfied with our services! Even in the time of an emergent situation the staff responded quickly and provided superior care to ensure we were properly taken care of. The views are beautiful with plenty of areas to relax, the bartenders were fun and always happy, and the restaurants all had delicious food! If you’re looking for a moment in paradise, I would recommend this resort.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shawn Redhead, Owner at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Aug 2, 2020
Hello and thank you for rating our resort! It truly was a pleasure having you stay with us at Sandals Royal Caribbean. We appreciate your positive feedback and definitely look forward to hosting you again in the near future for another great vacation experience!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
All guest have a private BMW service to and from the resort due to covid-19. We went to check in the club lounge, greeted with a drink and while waiting I mentioned I was hungry. They immediately paused the process to take us to get food and more drinks. Then showed us our room after lunch.The resort just opened the day before. Our room did not have working a/c but Cion was on it. She demanded a new room for us on the phone and took us to a bigger suite after sending someone to check the new room's a/c first. I love the push for impeccable customer service. The resort was not crowded. Hammocks available at all times, big swings, empty clothing optional side of the beach, and all non motorized water sports available when we wanted them. No waiting. I had 2 whole pools for myself. Floating up to the pool bars for drinks in the sun was amazing. Crazy Warren activities were hilarious we did the couples game, did the bull rides, joined the dance contest, saw the reggae contest and watched the beachside flips (jaw dropping) and laughed at all of Crazy Warren's antics. His energy was the very spirit of good times in Sandals! On a sanitary side we all had covid-19 tests before entering the resort. The chairs, tables, menus and placemats were cleaned in between uses. There were mandatory hand sanitizing before entering restaurants. Everyone who worked there wore masks. The buffets were no touch, a worker walks with you and puts the food of your choice on your plate. Everyone was nice, Shane hooked me up with a good margarita finally, rum drinks are the resort's specialty. New rum cocktails featured everyday. The Sunday one was my fav. Bartenders were cool. Every couple was deliriously happy and fun to be around. It was only 3 days but seriously we all need a break like this!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shawn Redhead, Owner at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Jul 9, 2020
Hello and thank you for taking the time to share your review of Sandals Royal Caribbean. We were very happy to read your review as it seems we were successful in our endeavor to provide you with an unforgettable vacation, filled with memories that you will cherish for years to come. We remain dedicated to offering a service where we go above and beyond for our guests and we very much appreciate your positive words. We look forward to hosting you again in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We have been loyal Sandals guests since our honeymoon 30 years ago. We have traveled to many resorts and always had a great experience. Then we decided to go to Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica. This was the worst Sandals experience in all our years of traveling. The main issue was the room. Upon arrival we were told the room we booked was not available due to maintenance issues and would be ready the following day. We were put in an "upgraded" room for the night. We arrived late due to airline issues and were so tired we just went to the room and went to sleep.
We had to pack in the morning and went to the pool. We stayed in touch with the butler throughout the day regarding a room and we did not get our room until after 4PM that day.
Now the horror started. For the next six days we lived with 15 to 20 beach towels on the floor of the room. The shower leaked and flooded the room, the A/C leaked every other day and flooded the other half of the room and the room was continuously hot and there was condensation on the ceiling and walls the entire time we were there. Maintenance people were in our room almost daily for hours trying to fix the A/C and the leaking shower. The refrigerator was not working. It was replaced and the new one was a piece of garbage as well and kept nothing cold.
We spent the entire week in a flooded room with maintenance people in and out of the room. It was truly disappointing and deplorable.
The only thing that saved any part of the vacation was the pool staff and out butlers. We just decided to spend as much time out of the room as we could.
Please note we booked a Walkout Swim Up Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Butler Suite. We had no idea the Lagoon would be our actual room.
The Loyalty and Travel team spent a lot of time at our room and they gave us 33,000 points which equals about $825.00 or one night for a future stay at a Sandals resort. It is a nice gesture but our entire week was impacted by the deplorable condition of the room. We booked this room with the intent of using the Swim Up Lagoon and having our room right there to have drinks and the associated amenities of a functional room. Due to the constant maintenance staff in our room and the need for towels from the entry throughout the entire room so you did not slip on the tile floor, the room was essentially a waste of money. We spent the week at the pool or beach and barely used the room or the lagoon. Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica - NO!
We had to pack in the morning and went to the pool. We stayed in touch with the butler throughout the day regarding a room and we did not get our room until after 4PM that day.
Now the horror started. For the next six days we lived with 15 to 20 beach towels on the floor of the room. The shower leaked and flooded the room, the A/C leaked every other day and flooded the other half of the room and the room was continuously hot and there was condensation on the ceiling and walls the entire time we were there. Maintenance people were in our room almost daily for hours trying to fix the A/C and the leaking shower. The refrigerator was not working. It was replaced and the new one was a piece of garbage as well and kept nothing cold.
We spent the entire week in a flooded room with maintenance people in and out of the room. It was truly disappointing and deplorable.
The only thing that saved any part of the vacation was the pool staff and out butlers. We just decided to spend as much time out of the room as we could.
Please note we booked a Walkout Swim Up Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Butler Suite. We had no idea the Lagoon would be our actual room.
The Loyalty and Travel team spent a lot of time at our room and they gave us 33,000 points which equals about $825.00 or one night for a future stay at a Sandals resort. It is a nice gesture but our entire week was impacted by the deplorable condition of the room. We booked this room with the intent of using the Swim Up Lagoon and having our room right there to have drinks and the associated amenities of a functional room. Due to the constant maintenance staff in our room and the need for towels from the entry throughout the entire room so you did not slip on the tile floor, the room was essentially a waste of money. We spent the week at the pool or beach and barely used the room or the lagoon. Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica - NO!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Shawn Redhead, Owner at Sandals Royal Caribbean
Responded Aug 11, 2021
Thank you for taking the time to share your review of Sandals Royal Caribbean. We sincerely apologize if your stay with us was not more reflective experience you have come to expect from a Sandals resort. Our rooms do undergo regular maintenance, and in the event that there is a breakdown without our awareness, then our team normally reacts quickly to resolve the same. I am glad to see that Resort Management did assist with the concerns about your room which were brought to their attention; however we are saddened to note that it seems you continue to have an unsavory impression of our brand despite their speedy action and the goodwill gestures which they were happy to extend in consideration of your experience. At this time, if you have not already done so, we invite you to reach out to our Customer Relations team at customersupport@sandals.com with the details of your stay and we would be happy to continue discussions with you. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to be able to welcome you again in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We don’t do excursions but as long as you book with a reputable company you’ll be fine. I recommend island routes. They are a part of sandals and are on site. They will make sure you’re completely safe. We know several people that book with them every trip.
Yes. The only place that clothing is optional is in the specific area. Visit the bar before you head over there.
We went there at the end of June 2024. The construction was to the right of the gazebo that they use for the private dinner that you can purchase. While it made the resort a bit more compact, I don’t believe it affected our vacation at all. You could sometimes hear a saw or something, but it’s kinda like the planes that are there- it just melds in a bit and I didn’t have any problems with dust at all. I hope this helps.
On the map, the Kensington is no longer used. There is construction beside the Edinburgh which is where we stayed. I believe the Balmoral is being rebuilt
At the Royal Caribbean this should not be a problem . It is a very small resort and everything is close. We went to dinner at the other Montego Bay resort and that was laid out so there was definitely more walking .
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"Depending on your expectations - this maybe fine. But it feels like the Best Western of Resorts"Read full review
"If you can afford Butlers, I would recommend. It may be hard to find a good spot at the beach and pool without them."Read full review
"DJ is really loud until late. Just plan to stay up late! Leaf blower at 6:30am every morning. Bring ear plugs or just get up and enjoy!"Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$622 - $928 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
sandals royal caribbean hotel montego bay, sandals royal caribbean montego bay, sandals royal caribbean resort jamaica
LOCATION
CaribbeanJamaicaSaint James ParishMontego Bay
NUMBER OF ROOMS
272
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingSANDALS ROYAL CARIBBEAN - Updated 2024
Frequently Asked Questions about Sandals Royal Caribbean
Which popular attractions are close to Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Nearby attractions include Fantasy Tours Jamaica (4.9 miles), Uton's Private Tours (4.2 miles), and Rose Hall Great House (4.0 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free breakfast, and a pool.
What food & drink options are available at Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sugar Mill, Mystic India, and Juici Patties.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness center during their stay.
Does Sandals Royal Caribbean have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Sandals Royal Caribbean offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Sandals Royal Caribbean have airport transportation?
Yes, Sandals Royal Caribbean offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Does Sandals Royal Caribbean offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business center, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Are there any historical sites close to Sandals Royal Caribbean?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Rose Hall Great House (4.0 miles), Barnett Estate Plantation (4.4 miles), and The Cage (3.2 miles).