We have returned from Jamaica and we had a blast! It was a long couple of days, lots of tours and meetings, but we did have some downtime to enjoy all the beautiful beaches of Jamaica had to offer. Amber and I were training to be Sandals Specialists to make it an easy process for our brides to set up both their honeymoons and/or destination weddings. We arrange for our brides to speak to a bridal concierge service who finds the Sandals resort that best fits your needs. We were brought there to see the resorts first hand so that we knew what we are referring our brides to. It was a gorgeous island and began with a short almost 3 hour plane ride from Atlanta to reach sunny Jamaica. We had a 2 hour bus tour of the island to take us to the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. Our resort was a mountainous resort, built into the St. Ann mountain range. It was very rustic with small villas in groups of fours, lots of lush vegetation, and very quiet and serene. The only downside to our resort was that it was a 5 minute bus ride across the street to get to the beach. All of the other Sandals resorts are beach side, but our resort was more meant to focus on forest and we had some gorgeous pools. I have several pics from each Sandals resorts that we toured. Not all of the Sandals resorts on the island were toured by our group, however, there were several more in Negril and Whitehouse.
Here is Amber and I enjoying what Jamaica is known for, Jamaican Rum Punch, and let me tell you, it will kick your butt. It's Rum with a little fruit punch. On our bus tour to the resort, we stopped at a market on the side of the road and they had Jamaican Jerk chicken and Rum Punch. The jerk chicken is delicious!
When we arrived at the resort, the staff really treats you like a King or Queen. At all of the resorts, the motto for the staff is whatever you want, we can do as long as it's legal. Jamaican's really want to pamper you whether you're at one of the more mid range resorts or a high end resort. This was the sitting room that was at the entrance of our villa. It overlooks lush vegetation and a private pool that you share with 3 other rooms in your villa.
This was the small kitchenette that we had with a refrigerator that is stocked with soft drinks, bottled water, and the Jamaican brewed Red Stripe beer. If you have your particular favorites, we can call ahead and have them stock your fridge. That is one perk of going through us to reserve your resort because we can request room upgrades for you, as well as make special requests for you.
This was our private pool area. Very relaxed and secluded with the coverage of the vegetation.
Our bedroom with a King size bed and a great view into the forest like setting.
This was our bathroom with a shower/tub. The only thing that we were disappointed in for our resort was the bathroom. We wished it would have been a little more roomy and a more "romantic" set up, especially for those who are honeymooners.
This is the gorgeous ocean view that we have from the pool. Since it is set into the mountain, you're overlooking the ocean. I've never seen green and blues like I saw here.
Sandals is known for their exotic pool areas with a swim up bar. There is a separate area for the hot tub and there are cabanas lining the pool that you can rent for the day and have personal concierge service the entire time you're there, bringing you as many drinks and towels you could need.
You can see the cabanas and the swim up bar better in this picture. Soooooo relaxing. We didn't partake of the pool, because we opted for the beach. How often are you on a beach in Jamaica?!?! Now here are some beach pictures to make you jealous! ;)
Amber being creative in the sand! She was looking for a cute moment to scrapbook! :) We're such nerds! :)
This is the pier that separates the areas of beach. This pier was such a relaxing place to sit and take in the surroundings. They have a lot of weddings and receptions set up on this pier. Amber and I took advantage and pulled up a chair after a long day of travel and took a snooze in the warm sun. The weather was incredible, no humidity!!!
Can you belive that blue?! These pictures do not do it justice! From the pier you could see down into the water and see the fish swimming around. No where in the US can you do that!
This was the beach, or Rivera, side of the resort where we would catch the bus on our mountain side and ride over to the beach. A little inconvient, but only a short 2 minute ride if that. Small, but calm, beaches were separated by the piers. White, soft sand and close to the bar to take advantage of your all inclusive privileges for the strawberry daiquri you've been craving!
This was the walk from our villa. Everything is up hill here, so there are Jitney, or golf cart, stations where they will take you down to the main resort building with the resturants and pool. Incredibly green!
Here we are, bright and early, to start our resort tours. It was a long day, but a lot of fun talking with fellow planners from the south and getting to know the Sandals resorts first hand.
We toured our resort first, and this was the view from the hilltop villas, concierge level, that has 24 hour butler service.
The locals came and cut open coconuts right off the tree and we got our coconut of coconut milk. It was actually pretty refreshing, but you have to be a coconut lover.
One of the Sandals resorts Chef's came and fixed us two of the island staples beach side, Jamaican jerk chicken and coconut fried shrimp. I'm not a seafood eater, but that coconut shrimp was wonderful. All complimented with Jamaican rum punch.
The food shot!
Amber taking in the sights!
After our lunch at the Sandals Grande, the wedding planners were setting up a Preston Bailey reception on the pier. They will do a ceremony or a reception anywhere that you want to do it on the resort. All of the Preston Bailey receptions are color coordinated with linens and florals. Preston is introducing two new wedding collections with real flowers. The current are silks, however, if you want real they are available, but with a pricing difference.
Wouldn't this be an incredible view for a reception?
Watersports beach
They set up a mock reception for us to see what they do for a wedding and then the set up for a cake, champagne, and hor's dourves reception.
Our next stop was Royal Plantation, which isn't under the brand name of Sandals, but is a Sandals owned resort. The entrance only shows the chic, refined, elegant setting that is this resort. This is the high end resort on the island of Jamaica. One of the, if not the, highest priced resort of Sandals properties. All of the guests who stay at Royal Plantation are brought onto the resort by private transfer. This resort is the epitimy of high end service, voted best all inclusive resort.
All of the rooms had white crisp linens, mahogany woods, spa bathrooms, walk in closets, and beach views.
Seating area in each room with a bar. The bar is stocked with premier liquors, however, if you have favorites you would like to have we can call ahead and have that list taken care of for you! The bar, however, is only for all-inclusive plans. This is the only resort that isn't all-inclusive priced. It is a separate cost.
Beautiful, beach view rooms.
This adorably decorated foyer opens up into an open air lounge with satellite tv and pool table, sitting area for afternoon tea served everyday for all guests, and the resturants and pool area.
This adorably decorated sitting area is one of two where afternoon tea is served for all guests.
Piano bar lounge
Picturesque pool area overlooking beach and ocean
Cute pier created with lounge seating and a lifesize chess board.
One of the many locations on Royal Plantations property that you can have your wedding ceremony and/or reception. At the Sandals resorts everything stops for weddings. Their bride and groom are their top priority. Anything happening at the resort that will interfere with a wedding is postponed until the ceremony is over.
Another enticing ocean shot.
A balcony shot of Amber and I at the Sandals Dunn's River resort with both mountain and beach side views.
This is one of the rooms at Dunn's River with the Honeymooner's turndown service with the fun towel animals.
Honeymooners, or anyone, can request a candlelit dinner on the beach, as an additional cost. They set up this cute bamboo enclosure so you feel you're all alone with seating for two and candlelit dinner. It comes with your selection of a four course meal.
The last day of our visit we visited the Royal Caribbean Sandals resort that is in Montego Bay close to the airport. This was our greeter on arrival, a large male peacock trying to impress us. Several of the resorts had peacocks roaming around the grounds.
Open air seating for lunch and dinner
Garden cafe that is open only at night by reservation only for dinner.
This is the swim up river that is connected to the River Suite rooms. A two floor section of the resort that has your own area to swim up to your room. This river is connected to the larger pools. These are butler service rooms, which are one of the top priced rooms.
The Sandals Royal Caribbean has it's own private island where guests can be boated out to the island where there is plenty of spots for sunbathing. It has one resturant, Thai, that is only open at night, so for food during the day there are spots for snacks. There is also a side of the island that is "clothing optional" for those of you who are more daring.
Beachside Cabana bed rentals is where you can relax in the shade and this is by reservation only for an extra cost.
This was the English pub resturant that is the heart of their nightlife, being open till 2:00a.m. Surprisingly, there were a lot of resturants that were inspired by other countries, Thai food, Hibachi, English pub food, Italian, and of course seafood is a big staple.
Here is us soaking in the few rays we did receive in our free time on the beach. This is myself, Amber, and two other planners we met on our trip. Cassie from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and Chris from Palm City, Florida.
We had a fabulous time in Jamaica and highly recommend it! We wish we would have been able to take in more of the sights of Jamaica and enjoyed the resorts more, but we had a wonderful time anyways. Our next plan is St. Lucia winter of next year to tour the St. Lucia Sandals resorts!
If you have any questions or inquires, or are wanting to set up your Sandals Honeymoon, please contact us directly by phone 615.428.4983 or email at adelightfulday@yahoo.com and we will put you in touch with our own personal bridal concierge service through Sandals who will arrange your entire honeymoon for you! Happy planning!
Mary Alice Sublett
Amber Housley
Leigh Hosek
Stephanie Mahoney
Kerren Barker
Jessica Vantrease
