Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island - Jamaica

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Don't believe the good reviews! Visited: January 2002 Posted by bbountas We booked a Honeymoon Beachfront Room, but when we arrived we were told we were going to get an upgrade. The room we got was at best a truck stop motel room with the smell to go along with it. It was not even on the beach, if you want to call it a beach. After two days of arguing our case with front desk and management we finally got moved. I also had other issues with this resort. It looks nothing like the pictures; there is no beach at all--my backyard is bigger. Watersports were closed down all week because of a little wind. Most of the employees were rude, especially the water activities crew. On the other hand, the courtyard restaurant had great food. We got to use the Sandals facility in Negril, which was excellent. It had a great beach, good service and the resort did not look rundown like the Royal Caribbean property. Take my advice and stay clear of Royal Caribbean and Montego Bay! 4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? A resort of pure luxury! Visited: November 2001 Posted by janinepaprota I went to stay at Sandals Royal Caribbean back in April. We had originally booked into another hotel close by, but had problems there so moved to this hotel. On arrival the staff was very friendly and because of our trouble with the old hotel they upgraded us to Grandeluxe Ocean View room with concierge service. We were taken to our room by the bellboy and were amazed at its location, right on the beachfront with a nice terrace next to the sea (room 123). We entered the room to find it nice and clean with a mini bar; we were so pleased. Once we settled in we wandered around the resort and were so happy with what we saw. Although the main pool was being refurbished we had enough good points to not let that get us down. We ate at the Thai restaurant on the island our first night; it was so nice. I felt like I was a queen with the way the staff treated us. The hotel served nice food with excellent service. The grounds were well kept and security was very good. Anything you ever wanted was here, you couldn’t ask for more. I would recommend this resort to anyone. The weather wasn’t too good. Often times it rained, so I wouldn’t recommend October and November to travel. Although the weather was bad the resort kept a smile on our faces. Would love to go back for certain. 3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We received outstanding service and treatment. Visited: October 2001 Posted by lrmunch My husband and I are in our 60s, and have been married for 40 years, so we are no spring chickens. We love the Royal Caribbean. It's close to airport, small enough to be personal, and if we want night life - off to Mobay we go. We have never been disappointed in any aspect of the resort. If there was a problem, when we brought it to staff's attention, it was corrected to our satisfaction. I'm a well seasoned traveler, and I love the Royal Caribbean, as well as other reviewers. I've stayed in 5 star resorts and haven't gotten the outstanding treatment I've received at Sandals. 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? It was the worst trip of my life. Visited: October 2001 Posted by dotsia My husband and I spent over $5600 for our much anticipated honeymoon. We chose Royal Carribean after much consideration. You can imagine our surprise when we arrived at the resort. The pictures in the brochure look nothing like the resort itself. The resort is dingy and dirty. We were never greeted with champagne or hand towels. We were in an ocean front concierge suite. Our room was a big disappointment. The sheets were stained, the TV barely worked, we were missing knobs on our shower, etc. The food was of poor grade. Bali-Hai was closed for dinner the entire 10 days we were at the RC. The pool was dirty, the hot tub was ice cold (and dirty) and there was no bartender to be found. Every night we went to dinner and were informed that they were out of certain items. The food was usually cold when served. On many evenings I had to venture into the piano bar from the restaurant to get our drinks. No waiters or waitresses to be found. The piano bar was gross. It smelled of rotten fruit and vomit. There was no real entertainment to be found on the resort. The main pool was under construction so the only pool around was the one near our room (Kensington Block). There was a hot tub there also. That too was cold. We tried to exchange our beach towels for new ones and were informed "sorry mon, no towels today". We had the same towels for our entire 10 day stay. All in all I have to say that it was the worst trip of my life. I will never go back!!! 3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? I can't wait to go back! Visited: August 2001 Posted by crilly_claire My husband and I stayed at Sandals Royal Caribbean last August for two weeks and we really, really enjoyed it. From the moment we arrived, it was just fantastic. Our room was upgraded upon arrival (Kensington Block) and it was beautiful. The staff was so nice. They were always smiling and were very cheerful and helpful. We loved the island and spent most of our days there. We either jumped in a kayak or caught the speed boat out. The watersports staff was also extremely nice. The food was great - I really cannot complain about it, except that I gained weight!! We enjoyed it so much that we have booked to go back this August /September for 15 nights and I just cannot wait! 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Absolutely perfect Weddingmoon! Visited: April 2001 Posted by tashawn Although I am honestly not the type to write reviews, I feel obligated to share my amazing experience about this resort, as I have been browsing this website long before we decided on where to stay and how to get married. I know first-hand how much the feedback from others can help! We were married at Sandals Royal and brought 23 family and friends with us. I am still in awe of the beauty and absolute charm of this resort. Not only were we all charmed by the atmosphere of the resort, but overwhelmed with the sincere graciousness of the people. Everything was as it should be—a perfect no-stress vacation! The pessimist in me had prepared to be slightly disappointed, as I figured nothing could be exactly like the brochures. Wow, were we ever in for a surprise! Although the brochure tends to exaggerate the colors a bit, it was as close to perfect as you could get, and not too far from how it actually was. Every one of our guests would return to the Royal Caribbean in a heartbeat and without question! The wedding co-ordinators, videographer, photographer and minister were beyond superb! We were Rev. Gordon's 7890th wedding, so he didn't miss a beat! There was absolutely nothing that went awry...nothing! If you are even considering this resort as a possibility, hesitate no further. I have seen Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals Inn, and although they are both unique and cozy in their own ways, I would 100% recommend the Royal Caribbean. Everyone has their own opinion, and I hope that mine can partially do this resort justice. It was absolutely perfect...really! 4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was an absolutely fabulous trip. Visited: February 2001 Posted by hunek This was our fourth trip to the Royal Caribbean, and we plan to return many, many times. Each time we go, we take friends with us because we are so impressed with everything. The accommodations are wonderful, the staff cannot be thanked enough. All of our requests are taken care of. Leighton, Omar and "Captain Kirk", "Albert" are fantastic staff - just to name a few. We will be returning in February 2003. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Our 8th was just about as good as our 1st. Visited: December 1969 Posted by ATraveler The Royal Jamaican (now once again the Royal Caribbean) has never failed to bring us back to this cozy, intimate and well run resort. The staff, food, and service has always been very good. The staff especially are the reason for our repeat visits to the Royal. The bartendars are the best. The food is always excellent, varied and presented very well. This resort (one of the 3 original Sandals resorts) is usually well kept for it's age and usually goes through renovation every 4-5 years. Even though the beach is small and not the best we have ever seen, it is kept clean. Bali Hai is the most interesting and unique of Sandals restaurants-very entertaining. The playmakers are lively and friendly. The rooms are always very clean and the entire staff makes us feel very welcome each time we return. 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Romance is here!! Visited: December 1969 Posted by turquoise96 What a sultry, exotic, romantic, and fun resort this was! The Jamaican people were so special. Every person, and we repeat, every person we met from the time we boarded our Air Jamaica flight in Newark to the beach/water vendors and staff at the hotel were smiling and waited on us happily. The food was spicy but delicious, and even vegetarians we met here were satisfied. Our second floor beach front room had a gorgeous view of the water and fabulous sunsets. Our vow renewal planned by Patria was better than our first one 15 years ago. We finally had our dream wedding next to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Bartenders were the best, and the snorkeling was thrilling with many colorful fish surrounding us. At this Sandals, you can find total peace and quiet or jump into the activities at the main pool. The beach was divided into 5 sections, each with its own swimming experience. Night life was great with bands and a fire eater one night. We have been to 2 Sandals now, and loved both! 2 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The BEST vacation EVER!!!!!! Visited: December 1969 Posted by LBIBUMS From the moment we were met by the Sandals rep at the airport, 'til the sad moment that we had to leave, this vacation was spectacular! From the General Manager, Mr. Hendricks, to every single staff member, we were treated like royalty! The accommodations were wonderful and the location was fantastic! (Close to beach, bars and restaurants!) The room service was very prompt and courteous. We had every meal here except for 2 dinners. One at The Inn (very dissapointing, sorry!) and an incredible dinner at Cucina Romano at MoBay. Bali Hi was also quite unique! The return guest cocktail party and dinner was a top notch surprise! All in all, everything about Sandals Royal Jamaican was first class all the way. We will be returning in September and are counting the days! 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? An absolutely wonderful vacation Visited: December 1969 Posted by noahsmommy1110 My husband and I had been married for 8 years and never did get a honeymoon but this vacation definitely made up for it. We had the concierge serve (Grand Luxe Honeymoon Suite) and I would definitely recommend that to everyone, they did all of our check-in for us, had wash cloths ready with champagne upon arrival, reserved our tours and dinner times for us, they totally helped make our stay that much more enjoyable. The bartenders at the Beach Grill were fun and interesting to be around; we looked forward to sitting there and drinking with the other guests. Friends were made at every turn!!! We had the opportunity to enjoy activities but if you chose to sit at the pool or beach, the choice was yours, absolutely no stress! Everything was clean and worked properly. The only drawback was when we went off the resort, the Jamaicans were very pushy with their products that it was almost unbearable. If you decide to go on any tours be sure to bring lots of singles, everyone demands tips. Sandals stands by what they say though, "NO TIPPING!" No one expects any tips and the service was just as good as if you were to tip. We slipped $10 to a wonderful man that cooked me something special and he was so happy and surprised. We will be going back next year and as often as we can after that. 4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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