Sandals Ocho Rios Honeymoon

We spent most of our week just relaxing by the beautiful Caribbean Sea or next to one of the three pools; however we did venture off the resort on a couple occassions. There were many different day trips offered by the resort. We went on a shopping trip and we also climbed the world famous Dunn's River Falls - which was amazing.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

I would not advise renting a car in Jamaica. Sandals offered transporation from the airport to the resort. Once at the resort any excursion you sign up for provides transportation. The roads in Jamaica are in poor repair and farm animals seem to have the right of way.

We booked a Premium Catagory room. The room itself was equivilant to a nice hotel here in the state. The room had a king sized bed, satellite television, and french doors that opened to our own patio - complete with patio set.

The bathroom was fine. Everything worked and that's what matters most, but for a resort that caters to couples I would have liked to see a whirlpool tub for two.

The Reef Terrace in Sandals Ocho Rios is the resort restaurant featuring Jamaican/Carribean cuisine. The restaurant is on a terrace located outside the Piano Bar. The trees are trimmed in white lights and the tables illuminated only with a gas hurricane lamp. Seating is quite limited - there are no more than 20 tables, but we never had a problem getting a seat. All of the tables have a view of the sea, but those seated along the edge of the terrace have an amazing view of the coastline as well.

The waitstaff is very attentive, often coming back to the table to see if there is anything that you need.

The food was excellent. My husband and I visited this restaurant twice during our stay at the resort. The Port Antonio Jerk Pork Chops were wonderful.

Valentino's is the only restaurant at Sandals Ocho Rios that requires reservations. Reservations can be made only the day before you would like to dine. Valentino's is the most formal of all of the restaurants at the resorts. The offer white glove service. The night we dined at Valentino's there were two bridal parties in the room.

Valentino's offers a nice menu of appetizers, salads, pastas, entrees, and desserts. While this is billed as the best restaurant at the resort, it was not our favorite. The food was good and the service wonderful, but we felt that the Reef Terrace provided a more romantic atmosphere.

When we first arrived at the resort we were concerned that Arizona's had closed because we could not find it anywhere on the resort. Later that evening, our fears were calmed when we saw staff members setting up tables on the beach. That's right. Arizona's is set up every night right on the beach - just a few feet from the water. What a great experience to have a very romantic dinner next to the Carribean Sea. One night we watched a cruise ship drift off into the horizon.

Arizona's offers a southwestern menu. Instead of offering a selection of appetizers and salads, there is a salad bar. The entrees varied from tacos to steak, and everything we had was wonderful.

Bayside was the one restaurant that served three meals a day at Sandals Ocho Rios.

Breakfast is buffet style and included a selection of fresh fruits, cereals, a buffet of hot dishes, an egg station/omlette bar, and a variety of breads and pastries. Often a hostess would meet you in the restaurant and direct you to a table. Coffee was brought to you by a waiter. This was my only complaint. It was often difficult to get someones attention to bring you coffee.

Lunch is also buffet style with a salad bar, hot dishes, and a sandwich station.

Dinner at Bayside featured an International Menu. We were seated on the balcony overlooking the beach for dinner. The service and food were good, but again we felt that the Reef Terrace was the top choice at the resort.