My husband and I honeymooned at Sandals Dunns River Golf Resort and Spa (SDR) in August of 2001 for one week. I will do my best to cover bases someone considering booking there might want to know.

Background Information on Us

My husband and I are in our late 20's. This was our honeymoon trip. Our goals were pampering, good food, to try all inclusive for the first time, to get in some SCUBA diving and land tours, and to enjoy being newly married. We are moderate drinkers, love good food, and like a mixture of adventure and relaxation on our vacations. We do not golf, so that aspect of the resort will be left out here entirely, sorry :)

We went in August and stayed in the "honeymoon concierge" level room, which costs extra but included extra amenities. I will try and remember which are only included at this level as best I can.

Air Jamaica
As a side note, I had the best airline experience of my life on Air Jamaica. I found out later they are rated one of the top 5 airlines worldwide, and for very good reason.

Quick Resort Background
* Sandals is a resort for couples only, meaning no singles or children allowed. The (sometimes kind of cheesy or forced) focus is on romance and pampering.

* SDR is, from what others told me, one of the nicer Dandals. It was in my opnion far nicer than Sandals Montego Bay, which we visited briefly on our departure.

* The resort was about a 2 hour bus ride from Montego Bay. Many have complained about the ride in other reviews. We found it interesting to see more of the non resort countryside. The drivers *are* crazy there though.

*And honeymooners are EVERYWHERE, I would guess 80-90% of the guests there! So be prepared for a couples atmosphere.

SDR is a luxury resort that is called "ultra all inclusive", meaning absolutely everything is included, no tipping allowed.

* Meals and snacks are both casual and upscale, buffet and a la carte, and available 24/7.

* Drinks are unlimited, any brand including premium, and flow freely :)

* All activities are also included in the price, including watersports and SCUBA, which typically aren't included at an "all-inclusive".

* Guests are also allowed to use the other Sandals properties amenities at no charge Sandals Ochos Rios is about 10 minutes away. Spa services (massages etc.) cost extra.

Amenities
Sandals did have a beautiful property. The 2 pools each had swim-up bars, and were beautifully maintained. They had 4 large jacuzzis that we used, hot and cold plunge pools, tennis courts, a beautiful, well kept beachfront with no vendor access (believe me, you'll appreciate that!) and well maintained, quality sporting equipment. They also have a nightclub, which although it wasn't exactly "hopping" provided a venue for some (much better than anticipated) nightly shows and dancing. The second pool bar becomes like a jazz bar at night, which was fun.

The Spa
The spa is beautifully appointed in marble and hardwood, with knowledgable and friendly staff. It includes free access to saunas, a whirlpool, and hot and cold plunge pools, which were exhilarating. The open-air gym is also located there. (Why would anyone want to exercise open air - no air conditioning - in the heat of Jamaica, on vacation?)

I found the spa pricing very reasonable, and the services were extremely well executed. We had a "couples massage" package for @200$, which included side by side full body massages, a hydrotherapy bath, salt glow rub, etc for about an hour and a half. Heavenly!

They also offer waxing and hair and makeup appointments at reasonable cost compared to stateside salons.

More on Food and Drink
There are 5 restaurants at SDR, plus 24 hour room service at the concierge level room. Most require "resort casual elegance" dress except for Windies and the Pool Beach Grill. Only Kimonos requires reservations.

* Room service is available, full menu, 24 hours a day for the suite concierge guests. It was very well done - we had ours for breakfast most mornings, setup out on the patio. This was a nice touch for those looking for some privacy, or just to relax and not dress up for dinner.

* The beach grill is your typical snack bar, with good food quick, prepared to order. It is open almost 20 hours a day. They cook burgers, dogs, chicken sandwiches and fries to order, and also have self-serve warmers with nachos, sandwiches or pizza you can take.

* Windies is the buffet style restaurant for breakfast and lunch, and a casual Caribbean style restaurant at night. It was actually my least favorite at night, but the buffet was good. More of a casual atmosphere than the others.

* Kimonos is a Japanese restaurant and entertainment all in one. Chefs cook with full flair in front of you, singing etc., tableside. It was a neat experience, one I would definitely make reservations for early.

* The Internationale is a white glove service, international style restaurant. This was our favorite; the menu changed twice while we were there, and the food was excellent with equally good service.

* The Italian concept, I think called Ristorante Amore , was pretty good, although I was not "blown away" by the food or the service there. It in my opinion was around the same level as your average Olive Garden, good but not spectacular.

Overall Food Summary

This was my issue with the food at SDR - I thought it quite good, and the variety was great - we didn't get bored as I feared we might with an all inclusive. However, this isn't 5 star restaurant food, which the website and brochures would lead you to believe it was.

The Internationale was the closest to fine dining, but the buffets were similar to what we got at the Wyndham Aruba's general lunch buffet, and we found the overall dining experience in Aruba far superior. We're not food snobs, but we felt a little misled after the brochures built up the cuisine to be this incredible experience. It was fine, but not fabulous.

They also had theme night dinners while we were there, which were a lot of fun and well executed.

The bars were fantastic, with excellent drinks, premium liquors, fun bartenders, and good ingredients. They pour heavy, for the most part. Prepare to drink lots of rum!

Activities

The all inclusive also includes all watersports, including SCUBA, which is typically not included even at an all inclusive resort.

* Golf is also included, but you are required to use a caddy, which you do have to pay for(@15$). I believe lessons are also free for golf. There is a full course and also a pitch and putt course.

* I know tennis lessons are included, and the facilities were very nice, and lit for night play.

SCUBA
Let me just say that all inclusive SCUBA was like a dream come true for us. Non-certified divers are required to take a (free) resort course before being allowed to join a dive trip. For anyone considering SCUBA, this is a great deal, because we paid 80$/pp in Aruba for a similar course. After the course they are allowed one dive per day.

Non-certified divers are allowed 2 dives per day say the brochures. We were not offered that opportunity, it seemed only one trip per day went out. We were taken on a deep dive though, which we didn't expect, and offered the opportunity to go on a wreck dive (I think that one was not Sandals-sponsored though, I think the guides were freelancing on their day off. We still gladly would have done it, but it was on the day we left.)

Most fellow divers on the trips were beginner to mid-level divers, as are we. The dive leaders were great - really showed us some neat things underwater and kept a close watch on us and monitored both our safety and our comfort level. The equipment was pretty good - we also brought a lot of our own with us. All the dives we went on were boat dives.

However, the diving in Ochos Rios, Jamaica is disappointing compared to other Caribbean islands. There just wasn't a whole lot to see in general. The guides made the best of it though, and the visability and water temperatures were a treat for us New England cold water divers!

The Rooms
The Rooms were really beautiful at the Suite Concierge level. They included a small sitting area, 4 poster king size bed, a fully stocked refrigerator and bar, again all included, balcony with a great view, decent closet space and drawer space, and robes for use in the room (not a free gift but available for purchase, and we liked them enough to buy two.) The Suite Concierge service also got a daily NY Times news fax, which I wasn't too excited about before getting there, but was a nicer touch than I expected. Decor is your typical Caribbean resort decor, but quality furniture, done with class.

Sandals offered a "hospitality room" to us to change in on our last day, when checkout was before our flight time. This was a very nice touch, as it allowed us to fully enjoy our last day there.

However....I don't know if it was indicative of a regular room's amenities and decor, which we otherwise didn't get to see; sad thing is, I think it was. That said, I would have been furious if we ended up in a room like that for the price we (would have for non-concierge) paid! There were no mini-bars or refrigerators (That is suite concierge only, I know), no real closet to speak of, Holiday-Inn quality furniture and decor, and no view. No 24 hour room service at that level either.

Suite Concierge Service
Yes, it was worth it, absolutely! Throughout the review, I go into more fully what is included, but in a nutshell: The rooms are better, the 24 hour room service is available, drinks and refrigerators are in your room, you get the NY Times fax, the concierge makes all reservations etc. for you, and there are special functions for concierge guests only.

I am not one to really go for the "special club" privilege carrot, but the amenities at this level are what I would have expected/imagined Sandals to be normally. If we had not booked concierge level, I think I would have been quite disappointed at the amenities offered, particularly in the rooms quality. In short, if you're going to Sandals, definitely do it right!

Tours and Trips
This could be a whole review in itself, but briefly:

* The Blue Mountain Bike Tour was absolutely, completely fabulous. Well worth doing. It involved a 2 hour bus ride into Jamaica's Blue Mountains, where the coffee is grown. We then took a 20 mile, leisurely bike ride (all downhill - minimal pedaling) through the rain forest. This was our chance to see non-resort Jamaica, and it was wonderful!

* Little known hint - there is a new park called Dolphin Cove in Ochos Rios. As of our visit, Sandals does not yet sell it because they do not have a contract signed; the concierge wasn't allowed to mention it. It was awesome though! There are 3 price packages, we chose the 1 hour, 2 dolphin swim for 120/pp. It was a once in a lifetime experience!

* We did not do the Dunns River Falls tour , but I hear it is really worth doing. I also hear vendors there are extremely aggressive, so be forewarned.

* "Booze Cruise" tours were also offered, but I didn't see the point as they were pricey and booze is free at the resort anyway?

Jamaica as a Destination in General

I heard mixed things about Jamaica as a destination, some true, some not. Yes, it is a poor island, which can lead to feelings of guilt at your extravagance. Yes, vendors are somewhat aggressive. And yes, if you indulge in smoking things other than tobacco, it will be easy to come by in Jamaica. And yes, prepare to hear a lot of Bob Marley - I thought it was a cliche, but oh boy, is he still popular there! People are very laid back, and for the most part quite friendly.

We were not hounded by vendors - in fact, they can't get near you if you stay on property. We were not offered drugs at every turn, and never at the resort. The countryside is more beautiful than I expected. Drivers there are insane :)

Final Analysis

Looking over my review, I want to reiterate that we had an absolutely wonderful time! I loved the property, and we had a beautiful, romantic, and fun week. SDR is well run, with a friendly, very competent staff. The amenities are great, and going worry free for the week was something that just made our vacation outstanding.

My review focuses a lot on cost and value, because I do think a vacation is a large investment, and a honeymoon in particular has an emotional as well as a financial investment to it. Do I regret anything about our decision to go to SDR? No. Would I book again next year? Not really.

It was a special occasion kind of place to me. I do feel it is a little overrated, or perhaps our expectations were a shade too high. For what we were looking for, it met almost all our goals, with the dining being a little disappointing, and the diving (not SDR's fault certainly) better in other places, although the dive operation was very well run.

I would definitely recommend this as a honeymoon pampering destination to anyone looking for a mixture of relaxation and activity, a beautiful setting, and a truly all-inclusive concept. For a run-of-the-mill vacation, I would go back to Aruba or explore other all inclusives in the Caribbean.



Recommended: Yes