Couples Sans Souci All Inclusive - Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Couples Sans Souci All Inclusive, Ocho Rios hotel review Visited: November 2011

Posted by FlagRez

My wife and I just returned from Couples San Souci on November 19th, 2011 after eight great nights. This was our second trip to this resort and third to Couples (Tower Island was the first).

Although we had been here before, I always looked for reviews about the Au Naturale side, but only found limited comments. Since there is plenty of information about the textile side, I thought I would take this opportunity to give detailed information about the "other side" since I would only be repeating all of the great things everyone else had to say about the rest of the resort.

The Au Naturale side is perfectly secluded from the rest of the resort with a natural mountainous barrier in between. If you would like to conveniently take advantage of all it offers, you may want to stay in blocks A, B or C since they are the closest. Once there, it is impossible for other resort goers to see you unless they want to join you.

The beach itself is small, but not much smaller from the main resort. It is nice to stroll along it, but walking into it can be a bit challenging since there are many small rocks to walk over. Bring water socks if you can. You can also take lounge chair cushions out there and just float.

There is a river that flows into the ocean which borders the beach. This will bring some cold water in which can be quite refreshing. There is a vacant hotel visible from the beach, but I think voyeurs would be hard pressed to really see anything. Locals may come along the river on the public side to try to sell you something. Simply wave them off, and they will not bother you. There are plenty of cabanas and lounge chairs along the beach and I never saw all of them taken.

After 5 p.m. be prepared for the gawkers. This is what we called the people who are allowed to come from the textile side to see the "sun set". We always said we will show them a "moon rise". They will come over with their cameras and this is the only time photos are allowed (unless you get there early in the morning when no one is there). We really didn't like the idea they could come over dressed the way they want, but we could not visit their beach "dressed" the way we want.

The pool is very nice and has a grotto, which is fun to walk through. Water splashes down from the top and makes a great way to cool off. Although the pool is not large, we were able to get a volley ball game going. Unfortunately, this took some prodding from the staff (not quite sure why).

The pool also has a swim up bar which seats about eight people. Seating around the pool is plentiful with plenty of umbrellas. We never had a problem finding a lounge chair in the shade.

The bar is a full bar offering every imaginable drink. My only complaint was that it was not always ready to go at 10 am (hey, it's 5 O'clock somewhere!). This was not the fault of the bartender, but those who stock it. We had a couple of days that we had to wait about an hour for ice. One of the days, out of eight, it ran out of ice and beer around 4:30.

Lunch started at 12:30. Hamburgers with all the fixings were served every day along with nachos. Each day a variety of three different dishes were offered - fish, jerked chicken, vegetables, rice and the like.

We only went to the main resort one time for lunch just to see what they had. After that, I did not feel it necessary to return. The food on the au naturale side is just as good.

The activities director was present every day with a variety of trivia games. They were fun to play and could result in a free bottle of rum, so I highly recommend participation. Other than that, you are pretty much on your own. But who needs an activity director when you have friends and a good bartender?

You cannot go wrong with the au naturale side of Couples. The only thing you could do wrong is visit it on the last day of your vacation. I can't tell you how many people we spoke to who said, in the past, this is what they had done and completely regretted it. Had they discovered it the first day, they would have been there the entire time.

One common reason is the people. Everyone we spoke to said the people on the au naturale side are much more friendly. This is the primary reason we go there. It is very easy to strike up a conversation and make friends with people who are not pretentious or phony. You are who you are.

3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful.

Did you find this helpful?

Couples Sans Souci All Inclusive, Ocho Rios hotel review Visited: October 2009

Posted by anne_mon64

I am not a very picky person. I just want people to be aware of the fact that this place does not look at all like the pictures they post on their web site.

The service was horrible. I rarely saw a smile on one person in the lobby. The gentlemen who ran the guest services made it seem like he was too good to help anyone. He was so preoccupied on his cell phone or the computer.

The quality of the room was way below average. The furniture actually had spots of rust coming through the fabric. You will have to climb back up a mountain to get to your room once you go to the beach.

The restaurant service (or lack thereof) was very disappointing, too. For example, I ordered soup at one and it was never brought to me. When I brought it up to the server he said "Oh, did you order soup?" I said yes, and he said he would bring it right over. Needless to say, I never got it.

On another occasion, I stood at the beach bar for ten minutes and was never helped. I actually saw two other people walk up next to me and get helped. Keep in mind it was not busy. There were only two other people at the bar when we finally just walked away.

If you buy anything in the gift shop, check the receipt. We were overcharged even with the label price on everything.

We experienced way more bad than good here. The only things that hold this hotel together are the social directors, Miguel and Shellie-ann, and the food. I have to say the food was the best I have ever experienced, though.

7 users found this review helpful. 15 found this review unhelpful.

Did you find this helpful?

Couples Sans Souci All Inclusive, Ocho Rios hotel review Visited: August 2008

Posted by honeyxjx

We stayed in Sans Souci in August 2008, and had a wonderful time.

The hotel and grounds were welcoming, charming, and clean. The staff was very friendly, and the food was to die for. We had a penthouse suite with views over the ocean. It was pure bliss.

It was an amazing holiday. There were lots of excursions, too. We visited Italy on our engagement, and didn't think anything would top it. Boy, were we wrong.

We are going back next year. I can't wait. It is certainly worth a visit, although don't tell everyone - we don't want to spoil it!

15 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful.

Did you find this helpful?

Couples Sans Souci All Inclusive, Ocho Rios hotel review Visited: February 2008

Posted by comcastuser

My husband and I got married at the Rose Hall Resort and Country Club in Montego Bay, and honeymooned at the Couples Resort San Souci.

I was very disappointed upon arrival at the outdated decor, and it got even worse as we got to our room. The room was dark, and the furniture was dirty and outdated.

The resort sat on a cliff, and to get from our room to the beach and restaurant was a hike. The restaurants were mediocre - if not bland. We paid in full before arrival, and if it was not for that I would have returned to Rose Hall.

The one nice thing was that most excursions were included in the fee. However, at $500 a night, this resort was a let down.

3 users found this review helpful. 8 found this review unhelpful.

Did you find this helpful?