rated the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach and Villa Resort as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: FLIGHTS. We travelled with First Choice whom I have to say we wouldn’t normally even have considered. We flew on their Star Class Premier upgrade and it was absolutely terrific! No queuing at check in, great service, great food, and the ten hour flight was a breeze. Extra Legroom, quality airline food served on REAL crockery. We were boarded first, and disembarked at MB first. Also, on the way home, when they do the baggage search at MB,by flying SC Premier you are taken to the front of the queue and allowed to proceed very quickly.
Well worth the extra money!
I had heard some horror stories about arriving in MB. Lot of nonsense. I have found it FAR worse going through customs in Newark. Just go with the flow and pretty quickly you will be through and on your way.
We were greeted by sandals staff, offered a drink, and boarded on to the coach. The journey down to SGOR is fine. If like us, you have already spent two days from leaving home to get to MB, a couple of hours on a coach is nothing! Ironically, the “moaners” tended to be those who had short flights who left home the same morning!
ARRIVAL AT SGOR We arrived in SGOR and to be honest, we did not have the best of starts. We had several very serious problems in our room however, as Sandals management excelled themselves in making it up to us, I am not going to publicise the problems we had. I feel it would be unfair to sandals now, as they really did “fix it” in many ways. What I will say is that IF you have a GENUINE complaint, do take it to the top. I overheard a wonderful American saying “Keep that squeaky wheel turning”..how true it is!
THE RESORT is split into two sides. It really is much easier to get around than you initially think. It’s a bit like having a vacation on a huge cruise ship where you have to find all the nooks and crannies, and discover what you like and dislike. The buses between the two resorts and terrific, and late at night, there always seemed to be a happy buzz as people travelled between the two sides. You soon get the hang of it and realise that it IS only a matter of minutes to go from one corner of the resort to the other.
Initially we were on the Riviera side but then moved to the Manor side. We probably preferred the Manor side overall, but often popped back and forth between the two.
ACCOMMODATION: In short, our initial room on the Riviera side (without mentioning the REAL issues), was the pits. It was well below the standards of any hotel we had stayed in during the last ten years and badly in need of renovation. It certainly did not match our expectations of value for money for the cost we had paid. We moved to a one bedroom concierge suite in the Manor House. There are only two of these suites in the manor house and we absolutely loved it. It may not have suited everyone and we were asked to view the room prior to accepting it. It had a huge double balcony which overlooked…well…the front entrance and the car park mainly. Now, to many, this would not be acceptable, however, we live in a very rural area with no neighbours and are surrounded by beautiful views of mountains and sea every day of life.
For us, the activity and “comings and goings” were much more fun and we just loved this suite! We had such laughs late at night and there was always something going on out there. I guess we were being “nosy neighbours” but as we don’t have such activity at home, it really was a great novelty to us.
The suite was divided into two sections, a lounge area and a bedroom area. The bed, well…being Scottish we’re no’ very big! We christened it the “punty” bed as after several drinks my husband had to give me a “punty” up to get into it at night, and then he would duly take a massive run and a pole vault to join me! Wonderful stuff!
Absolutely loved that bed! The lounge was huge and much more in tune with what we expect from a holiday hotel room.
We had a fully stocked bar with everything from beers and juices to spirits and champagnes. We also had a full room service menu and enjoyed breakfast a few times out on our balcony. The bathroom is fine. Nicely fitted and although small, had a great shower and vanity area. Furnishings throughout the suite were beautiful.
Whilst there, we took a site inspection of other suites and came to the conclusion that for future visits, we likes the Romeo and Juliet Suites, the four penthouse suites in the Riviera building, or either of the two suites which we were in. We didn’t fancy the idea of a shared pool at the villas but I guess those must be wonderful if you are travelling with another couple.
FOOD: We are food producers and “know our stuff”and we were pleasantly surprised at the quality and choice of food on offer. There is something for everyone and having spent 14 days there, we certainly managed to dine in all areas. The ONE exception to the rule was Valentinos which we thought was totally overrated, dreadful service and not a patch on San Gennaro or Orchids.
We enjoyed having breakfast in Orchids as it was so peaceful and we prefer table service. The buffet breakfast however was very good, just very busy at times. One thing to note…if you have like I do, poor eyesight in the dark, take a little pen torch with you in your purse… my husband had to read the menu out to me on several occasions as I couldn’t see the menu at night in a few of the restaurants.
BEACH, POOLS AND WATERSPORTS: The beach, no, its not the best we have seen BUT its fine. Its still got that wonderful aqua water, lovely sand, and is really nice. We never had a problem obtaining any of the watersports activities, and loved it! The pools, I guess in the end our favourites were on the Manor side.
We are early risers so never had a problem getting a cabana each day at the Manor Pool, and we loved the little waterfall pool beside the main pool for a quick cool plunge. There is so much choice that really, if you cant find something that suits you then you must be hugely difficult to please!
We didn’t go snorkelling. Having spent six weeks last year in the Red Sea we were a bit “snorkelled out” so gave it a miss this time.
TOURS! I guess we are just plain lazy! We didn’t do a single thing. Some may find that wrong but we have been all over the world, from safaris to cruises, visited so many Caribbean islands we have lost count, and really, we just felt so happy and relaxed in the resort we didn’t feel the need to get “out there”.
We know we will go back again, but for us, this time was very much about discovering sandals itself and enjoying the concept of SGOR. We did make a short trip to SDR but we thought it too small for us and after a while got a bit bored and wanted back “home”. To us, SGOR offered us more choice but that’s just our opinion.
SPA: We did the champagne bath for two followed by a couples massage. That was really nice only problem was our bath was a bit cold so if you do this, before the therapist leaves the room, check the water temperature. It was nice though and you are given about 25 minutes of privacy in the bath with champagne and fruits before you have your couples massage.
I also visited the hair salon for an “up do” which was excdellent. Prices for all spa treatments are about the same as one would expect in any nice Spa.
BARS: The bars are all great although I guess our favourite was the Piano “polo” lounge on the manor side. The Piano bar on the Riviera side is much smaller but many prefer it. I guess its just a case of “different courses for different horses”. Nicoles… bit of a dive really. We only went in there on a couple of occasions and yeah…staff do overstep the mark in here. I think a couple of them will dig their own grave in here eventually.
STAFF.. Wonderful! Yeah..they are all hoping for a little tip here and there at the end of the day..but they do it with style! Tipping DOES go on.. we laugh at the badge which says they wont accept tips…don’t think so! Some are more deserving than others. You must use your discretion and if you do tip…do it VERY discreetly! How can you not though..how can you not give a little something when they give us so much.
Our housemaid did however refuse tips so I made her a parcel of gifts with clothes, perfumes and nice toiletries. She was lovely and diligent throughout our stay.
DRESS CODES: Now…this IS a joke! WHAT dress code? We really don’t mind those who “dress down” (apart from in Orchids where we did voice complaint at dress codes being ignored!). We don’t look down our noses at those who don’t dress up at night so WHY did we feel intimidated throughout our stay because we DO dress elegantly at night.
We lost count of the number of times we were asked “Did we just get married”, “Were we out celebrating something?” THIS is how we CHOOSE to dress. We appreciate that Europeans do have a different outlook to dress than others, and we respect others for how they choose to dress so for goodness sake, live and let live both ways eh! In our country, people would be refused entry to clubs and restaurants for what some may consider as “resort casual” at SGOR. Men here would not be seen dead going out at night to dine in shorts! BUT we recognise that everyone is different and entitled to their own preference. So please, if you see people at night who choose to dress elegantly, don’t stare, don’t gawp at them…do not intimidate them, it is THEIR choice.
We are British and have always loved American/Canadian style resorts. We love being in the minority not the majority but some British may not like this. We LOVE the fact that the bars aren’t filled with British Football fans screaming at the TV.
We love our American and Canadian friends. I guess, if you are from the UK and considering a holiday here you will have to take this into consideration. We love the forward friendly manner in which an American will stop to talk to you, yes… there are loud voices..but they sure are friendly voices!
In Sandals, if you are from the UK you will meet few fellow citizens. You WILL be surrounded by American and Canadian folks, so either love it or hate it this is what it is. You don’t get coachloads of Brits coming in. To us, this is a joy, to others it may not be but accept it if you want a sandals vacation as this is how it is.
We love meeting new people from all over the world and the joy of SGOR is that although everyone is friendly, no one really invades your space and if you want time alone, you can easily find it. You can do whatever you want here.
Join in a party and dance the night away, or find a quiet hot tub for two with a bottle of champagne and the stars as friends. No matter what you want, SGOR has it!
One last comment..the BEACH PARTY…for the celebration of the 1st anniversary…wow..it was fantastic!
OH and the best part of all…NAE WEANS!
Hello to all the smiling folks we met out there, we have come home relaxed, and with friends from both sides of the Atlantic who have made footsteps on our heart forever.
As we say in Scotland “HASTE YE BACK” for we sure will be!
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rated the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach and Villa Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Stayed at SGOR (Now known as Sandals Grande Ocho Rios)for two weeks arrived 26/12/2005.
The hotel is in two parts, the Riveira side (Beach side) and the Manor side. All guests check-in on the Manor side and then transferred to Riveira side by coach, or if you're staying at the Manor, by golf buggy to your rooms. Our room was upgraded from a "Bamboo Grove Deluxe Room" (Riveira side) to a Villa (Manor side) (Villas are four one bedroom apartments, with small kitchen and lounge, they all share a small pool). Villas are "dotted" around the grounds of the Manor side of SGOR which are very pleasant surroundings.
You will continually see cleaning staff around the hotel, the rooms were immaculate and the fridge always stocked well (soft drinks, no beer).
There are about 9 or so restaurants for you to enjoy (they are not all open every night - on themed evenings they close some restaurants in order to utilise the staff elsewhere).
Orchids (Asian style food on the Manor side) and Valentinios (Italian on the Riveira side) are very popular and can be difficult to get to eat in due to the fact they don't take bookings, but they will "waitlist" you for the night, with normally a 45 minute wait. Orchids, not that great on taste side but quality of food is good, Valentinos is good, however, there is another Italian restuarant, also on the Riveira side called San Gerranos which is just as good, and no waitlist (the menu is pretty much identical - the only real difference is San Gerranos guys can wear shorts, Valentinos, has to be long trousers and closed in shoes!)
All resturants have a small but nicely selected menu and good quality menu. My only complaint would be that I would have liked more Caribbean food and less "American" food.
The staff cannot be faulted, they work very hard and I found them to be charming and pleasant. Also delighted that you have chosen Jamaica to visit as a holiday destination.
There was nightly entertainment not forgetting the daily activities ongoing every day. However, we're not the kind of people that wish to be "entertained" so can't really comment on the standard, however, the "playmaker" staff I did see were always enthusiastic and charming (not overly pushy) so I'm sure the entertainment was entertaining.
We like to try different countries, so would probably not book this hotel/resort again, however, if I found a real bargain, I wouldn't turn my nose up.
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KATHY from LIVERPOOL travelled to Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach and Villa Resort with
KENWOOD TRAVEL
on a couples holiday.
