Sandals Inn Resort – Montego Bay – Jamaica Hotels – Debbie's Caribbean Travel Resort Reviews

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Sandals Inn – Montego Bay  ~  Reviews Posted – 2

Sandals Inn – Montego Bay

Calvin and Patty — Clarkston Wa. USA

May 2003

Well, when we first arrived in Jamaica we were impressed with the friendly natives. The customs line was long but we had put our shorts on in Atlanta and were dressed for the heat. We easily found the Sandals desk in the airport and they loaded our bags (NO EASY TASK, LOL) and wisked us out to the bus area and within 5 minutes we were in a private cab and on the way to the Sandals Inn. When we arrived we were very impressed by the service. (We have several countries stamped in our passports and have never received such an easy check in to a hotel) We were shown to our room after receiving our Champagne and lotion bag. That is where it started to go bad. We noticed that our bag that contained our digital still and video cameras and portable DVD was missing. I went to the office and they went on a search and had taken it to another guests room. We got it back in a few minutes and went back to the room to start unpacking. That is when we realized that our room had no noise control or personal privacy. We were stuffed in a room with the front facing the noicy pool area, you could actually hear the phone ring in the office and our bathroom was on the service hallway and with the shutter system we could see and hear the staff in the hallway and them us. Well, back to the office I marched and the little gal behind the counter admitted that our room was to be on the second floor in the back (quiet) but somene was ill and could not check out until after 5PM. So we did not unpack and waited. It was an easy wait, we explored the grounds and found even more friendly staff and guests. After dinner we went back to the office and still no room change and the hotel was full. We went out the front of the hotel to see the beach across the street. It was small and very full. There must have been 100 local kids and family on a postage stamp sized beach. Then the local drug lords approached us to start a relationship. They took no for an answer and we went back into the hotel grounds. (we did meet another couple there who had a knife pulled on them the the drug guys, so be careful) We decided to hop a Sandals bus to see the other hotels to upgrade to. It so happens that our bus took us to the Royal. Well, when my sweetie saw that place she wanted to know why I had not booked there? It had a beach and was more to her liking. We returned to the Sandals Inn and had some company and drinks and food from the little late snack bar and went for a late night swim in the nice pool there. The next morning the terrible noise out side our room prompted a quick trip to the office to see about our room change. The new person at the front desk knew nothing about our room change so I headed to the manager’s office. I complimented him on his staff, they really were better then great, and explained that we were to be married here and that the wedding setting was not what my lady had invisioned. I said please move us to the Royal. Well it took 36 hours, but they came to us and said that they were moving us to the Montego Bay. (we were willing to pay for the change but they did not ask, so we did not pay, lol) I started packing and my sweetie had seconds thoughts about moving because she had met such nice fun people and she was getting comfortable there.

However, we did move and when we got to the Montego Bay hotel we went through the check in again and had the champagne and this time a cool cloth and with in a few minutes they brought us another lotion bag and a room key. Our room was just over the activity pool and on the 2nd floor. It was noisey too, but we decided at that point to unpack and make the best of it. We are glad we got moved there, instead of the Royal. The beach was great. We had a beautiful wedding there, and if you get married there be sure to get the video they make. It was quite professional as were the photos they took. We elected for the private lobster wedding dinner out in one of the gazebos, made my new wife SMILE. Then next morning they brought us breakfast in bed with Champagne, woo hoo. However we had to rush the food down and forego the wine becasue we were headed for open water diving with Renee and Big "D" and the rest of the guys. They guys have some great names, like "Fastcar", Fabian, Lotoya, Johnnie B Good and Terry-Ann, Denton, Hecto, B.B and all the rest. Great Staff. The room was not special, the grounds were not as colorful as we were used to from our trips to the Dominican Republic and the price was more then we usually pay, but we had a wonderful time and met some great people.(If you are a diver, you get a free tank of air per day and that is worth a lot) We will probably go back in the future just becasue of the people and to celerbrate an Annivesary. So to sum things up, if you want to have a small friendly atmosphere and met great friends like Dan and Mary, go to the Sandals Inn. The food there was also very very good. If you want to snorkle and dive and play with all the water toys go to Montego Bay Sandals.(younger crowd) The planes are loud but you do get used to them. They tell you to wave and kiss your partner when they go over, we got in a lot of kiss’in. But you know ,when our 12 days were up we were hoping that when our plane went over the hotel, that everyone would wave to us. I almost booked there again for Christmas this year but we decided on the RIU Mambo instead just for varity. The rooms are not the greatest but the beach, the staff, the guests and the Jamican people are a great vacation.

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Sandals Inn – Montego Bay

Adina

Halifax, Nova scotia

July 2002 My husband and I went to Sandals Inn in Montego Bay from June 27-July 4. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and would highly recommend the Sandals Inn to anyone looking for the Sandals experience at a more reasonable price. It is still not cheap by any means but it is a bit more manageable than the Royal Carribean or Mo Bay. We went to Mo Bay the days we wanted to spend at the beach. It has a beautiful beach with lots of huts for shade. The sand was beatiful. Although the Royal was the nicest looking of the three Sandals in Montego Bay, the beach appears to be man made and is lacking. The shuttle ride is short from the Inn to the other two resorts so it is easy to enjoy the restaurants and beaches at the other two resorts. Don’t go to Sandals Inn if you want to be right on the beach as the only beach access is across the street and is a public beach. The only water sport the Inn offers is snorkling which is done from a glass bottom boat. We went on the 10am trip one day and saw a lot of fish and beautiful under water scenery. The guide even took us to Marguaritaville to go down the waterslide and to play on the trampolines for 10 minutes which was nice. The best thing about the Inn is that you always feel like you are coming home at the end of the day. The staff there seem much friendlier than the other resorts and are a lot of fun to be around. The Inn never feels crowded and it is nice to spend a day by the pool. The room was comfortable and the whole Inn was kept EXTREMELY clean. My husband and I often commented on how everything including the outside of the verandas seemed to be cleaned daily. The only thing that might bother noise sensitive people is that the Inn is at the end of the "hip strip" so there is a lot of action outside of the Inn in the evenings, well into the morning. We hardly noticed once the air conditioner was on but I know it could bother some people. The food at all three Sandals resorts in Montego Bay is excellent. Definitely make reservations for the Thai restaurant at the Royal and the Italian restaurant at Mo Bay. Both were outstanding. We also went on two day trips – one to Negril and one to Dunn’s River Falls. I would highly recommend the Dunn’s tour. Don’t be intimidated by the climb up the falls. It is a lot easier than it looks. We spent the afternoon at Sandals Negril (not very impressive) and Sandals Dunn’s River which is a beautiful resort. The beach seemed nice there too but not as nice as Mo Bay. If you do the Dunn’s tour don’t be afraid to go shopping in the market. I went in with another Canadian woman and we had no problems. I quite enjoyed bargaining with the merchants. If you are not interested in what they are offering a simple no thank you will do the trick. I would love to return to Jamaica and I would definitely consider staying at the Inn again.

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Last updated May 4, 2003

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