Best Sandals in Jamaica: We Rank All The Jamaican Resorts

Which is the best Sandals in Jamaica?  Well, there are 7 Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, and most of them are excellent resorts, but only one can be the best Sandals in Jamaica.  Following up on our previous article, where we told you the Best Sandals Resort in the Caribbean, this article merely takes the same information and summarizes which Sandals Resort in Jamaica is the best.  Of the 12 Sandals resorts in the Caribbean, 7 of them are in Jamaica.  The resorts in Jamaica are ranked 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12 overall.  The two best Sandals resorts are in Jamaica, but the three lowest rated ones are also in Jamaica.  There is a significant difference in the cost and the quality of the properties ranked at the very top and very bottom of this list.

This article is updated for 2010.

The Best Sandals in Jamaica:

1.  Sandals Whitehouse – Jamaica

On the untouched South Coast of Jamaica, Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa is a 50-acre seaside resort within a 500-acre reserve. It is in a rather isolated location and so your vacation will be primarily limited to the expansive resort grounds. It is the newest of the Sandals resorts, and is the very best Sandals has to offer.

The Best Attributes of Sandal Whitehouse:

• It is a new resort with excellent facilities
• The whitehouse resort has an excellent and beach that is notably private
• Great selection of pools
• Spectacular views

The common complaints about Sandals Whitehouse:

• The resort is secluded and the drive is long
• There isn’t much to do nearby the resort
• There can be very long waits at the restaurant
• Too much upselling for spa services
• Service is not to expectations of many guests
• The resort is large and you may have to walk quite a bit, especially from the French Village
• The snorkeling is average at best

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• Most feel the rooms are excellent, but not all rooms have the same quality view, and some guests are expecting larger rooms
• The resort is not noted for its entertainment, and some guests feel it is a little sedate

The latest deals at Sandals Whitehouse

2. Sandals Negril – Jamaica

One of the most popular of Sandals resorts, Sandals Negril is set on one of the longest and best stretch of Negril’s famous Seven-Mile Beach. Sandals Negril Resort is close to shopping and lies in the midst of great night life and tourist attractions like Rick’s Cafe and Margaritaville.

The Best Attributes of  Sandals Negril:

• Very nice and large beach
• Good diving excursions
• Good snorkeling
• The staff is very friendly and helpful
• The facilities at the resort are outstanding from the pools to the gardens to the exercise room

The common complaints about Sandals Negril:

• Lots of drug peddling on the beach
• The resort is a long drive from the airport
• The resort staffers are constantly upselling features like the spa
• The pool area can be very loud
• The nightly entertainment does not meet the expectations of some guests
• Some guests complain about the advantages or lack thereof of not having a butler

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• Rooms – mostly guests like their rooms, but some guests feel they are a little dated and run down.  It depends on where your room is.

The latest deals at Sandals Negril

3. Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio – Jamaica

With a $24-million redesign and significant upgrade in 2005, this Sandals resort is better than ever. During its redesign, it went heavy on the Italian theme and that is apparent throughout the resort.

The Best Attributes of Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio:

• Very friendly staff
• The atmosphere at the resort is quaint and appealing to most guests
• There are always good activities going on at the resort
• The entertainment at the resort is noteworthy
• Many guests comment on the quality of the massages at the spa
• There is a pitch and putt golf course very close to the resort which is a nice perk not available at other resorts

The common complaints about Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio:

• Because Jamaica is not that far south (relatively), and some of the pools are shaded, the pool can be a little cold in winter
• The beach is a little smaller than many guest expect
• The drive from Kingston is quite long – 2 hrs
• The beach is not as clean as returning guests have come to expect.

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• This is not a brand new resort so the buildings and rooms are a little dated
• There are lots of activities and entertainment at the main pool which some people like and others don’t – can be a little loud.
• The golfing is adequate but not outstanding

The latest deals at Sandals Dunn’s River

4. Sandals Grande Ocho Rios – Jamaica

Newly remodeled, this resort offers two resort experiences in one, spanning the lush foothills of the St. Ann Mountains on the Manor side, down to Jamaica’s most sought-after stretch of coastline on the Caribbean Riviera side. It is closer to the sea than any other resort in the area.

The Best Attributes of Sandals Grande Ocho Rios:

• The resort has lots of activities throughout the day
• The staff at this resort is notably friendly
• Guests note the very nice selection of pools
• The resort is well manicured and the landscaping is very attractive
• Access to nearby Sandals Dunn’s River is a plus for many guests

The common complaints about Sandals Grande Ocho Rios:

• Long ride from the airport
• Although there is golf, it is not free when you consider the caddy and other charges.
• Getting a reservation to the restaurants without a butler is difficult or impossible at some restaurants

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• Nice beach, but a little small
• Very large resort that may require using shuttles depending on where you are staying
• Some guests like the quality of the rooms, others don’t
• The golf is adequate but not outstanding

The latest deals at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios here:

Save up to 65% plus 1 Night Free and a $250 Red Lane Spa Credit at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort

5. Sandals Montego Bay – Jamaica

The original Sandals, this resort is set on Jamaica’s longest private white-sand beach. Originally the Bay Roc Hotel, it was designed by Edward Durrell Stone, one of America’s most famous architects and creator of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Today, it offers a lively, upbeat scene where the party doesn’t stop until you do.

The Best Attributes of Sandals Montego Bay:

• Nightly entertainment is noted by many guests at this resort
• This resort is noted for its party atmosphere, which most guests liked, while some others did not
• Very friendly staff
• Great beach
• Many guests note the benefits of the multi-resort privilages

The common complaints about Sandals Montego Bay:

• The resort is close to the airport and so plane noise is an issue for some guests
• Because this resort seems to attract a party croud, running out of alchohol is a problem noted by many vacationers
• The problem of drug peddlers is noted by many guests

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• Some guests note that the rooms are dated
• The pools are a little small and can be chilly in winter

The latest deals at Sandals Montego Bay

6. Sandals Royal Caribbean – Jamaica

Situated just outside Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean is an active Sandals destination with plentiful activities.  It is known for it’s private island just a short boat ride away.

The Best Attributes of Sandals Royal Caribbean:

• Many guests comment on the excellent entertainment at this resort
• This resort has lots of activities throughout the day
• The staff is very friendly
• There is a nearby private island which many guests enjoy

The common complaints about Sandals Royal Caribbean:

• Mosquitoes in rooms
• Noise from the nearby airport
• Too many pool activities – not peaceful enough
• Many guests complain of the peddlers on kayaks in the water
• The pools can be cold in winter

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• Some guests feel the rooms are dated
• Good beach, but a little small

The latest deals at Sandals Royal Caribbean here:

Get 3 Nights Free plus save up to 65% and a $250 Red Lane Spa credit at Sandals Royal Caribbean. Click Here!

7. Sandals Inn – Jamaica

Located in Montego Bay, Sandals Inn is the smallest of the Sandals resorts with only 52 rooms.  This resort is a good way to get the Sandals experience without the big price tag – especially if you utilize the nearby Sandals resorts.

The Best Attributes of Sandals Inn:

• Most guest note the very friendly staff at this resort
• Because this is one of the cheaper Sandals resorts, many guest like the ability to utilize the facilities at the other nearby Sandals resorts

The common complaints about Sandals Inn:

• The resort is on a very busy street that can be noisy into the night – room selection will impact this as well.
• The beach is very small and is across a small road from the resort – it is also public and sometimes crowded with locals
• There is less entertainment at this resort than most guest expect

Features that received mixed reviews (some positive, some negative):

• The rooms are hit or miss for many guests

The latest deals at Sandals Inn here:

Save up to 65% at Sandals Inn!

Related:
• Best Sandals in St. Lucia: Which Sandals Resort in St. Lucia is the Best
• Best Sandals Resort: Top Rated Sandals Resorts Rankings
• Best Jamaican Resort According to T+L
• Sandals Emerald Bay Resort: SAVE 65% at the New Sandals Resort in The Bahamas
• Best Hotel Deals in Jamaica – The Best Cheap Hotels in Jamaica