Anyone been to Sandals resorts in Bahamas or Jamaica? Thinking of going late May/Early June with the Mrs.

Thoughts on which one to target & which ones to avoid? Restaurants to eat at, etc...

Have you looked at Excellence, Secrets, or Iberostar Grand resorts

We've been to the Excellence in Playa Mujeres. Not sure I would return though. I have not looked in to Secrets or Iberostar

I think you will have better service in Jamaica

But don't get me wrong, the beach is absolutely stunning in the Bahamas. Everywhere I've been in the Bahamas I just found the service to be very lackluster. Definitely on island time. I do have clients that go there in love it, but I'll try to set expectations ahead of time. They have recently remodeled most of the rooms in Bahamas.

I would steer clear of Ochi. Negril will be your best beach in Jamaica. I Negril and South Coast are my top sellers in Jamaica.

There's any other questions I can answer let me know.

I have been to around 7 or so different Sandals properties over the last 20 years and I would rank the experiences below that of Excellence, Secrets, and Iberostar Grand properties. the worst service I had at a Sandals was Grand Bahamian.

Have you been to both Secrets Saint James and Wild Orchid? Cliffs if so?

Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma is one of my favorites so far - easy travel in/out vs. Nassau. White Sand beaches, etc. Just got back from there last week, but stayed in a VRBO with friends this time. With that said, if you are looking for a place like Nassau with other things to do - Exuma is not it - pretty much just an remote island.

Sandals South Coast is one of my least favorites (water was full of grass).

My wife stayed at Sandals Royal Bahamian and it was ok, but she would rather have stayed at Baja Mar.

Yes…they are the same resort with different themes. They share the same restaurants, bars and amenities I believe. Wild Or hid I think is a closer walk to everything

If you are a foodie not all of their properties are the same food wise. Also important to consider what you want your travel time to be to the resort once you land. In 2021 I personally went to Sandals South Coast, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay. In 2022 I went to the newly renovated Sandals Royal Bahamian and was a huge improvement since my last trip there in 2020.

My clients love Sandals Southcoast and both located in Montego Bay but also love the Bahamas locations. My contact info is in my signature if you have any questions.

Wife and I have been to sandals royal plantation in Jamaica. food and service were pretty good. Place was a little dated

We have been to a lot of places in the Caribbean, our favorite by far has been to was Spice Island on Grenada. Perfect food, weather, island, beach, water, service.

Trying to find something that has a direct flight from Houston other than a Mexico beach. Why we've narrowed it down to Bahamas or Jamaica. I'm okay with catching a puddle jump from Nassau to Exuma if we have to though.

Dominican

MillerLatte said:

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Trying to find something that has a direct flight from Houston other than a Mexico beach. Why we've narrowed it down to Bahamas or Jamaica. I'm okay with catching a puddle jump from Nassau to Exuma if we have to though.

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We normally connect through Miami. Nassau is a cluster (or used to be), but nice to preclear customs.

edit to add: Global Entry is almost a must regardless of where you fly back through.

Sandals Emerald Bay is my favorite resort I have ever been to. Food was fantastic, pool was cold, beach was absolutely incredible. Rooms were awesome, truly have no complaints except how hard it was to get to being a United Airlines customer.

My wife and I did Sandals Montego Bay for our honeymoon because we could leave Houston on a direct flight and be sitting on the beach with a drink in our hands by 2:00 and use Southwest points for travel. Food/drinks and service were all good. I would recommend them if ease of travel and and a quick plug and play relaxing vacation is what you are looking for. We had global entry and upgraded to the VIP airport service in Jamaica to make getting to the resort a breeze.

I've been to Sandals Southcoast. Would recommend.

The drive from the airport isn't fun (unless the Chinese mega-highway is done yet) but after that it's magical.

I got Married at the Sandals Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas. Fantastic property, fantastic service, fantastic all around. We loved the no kids thing, and the whole atmosphere was upscale and fun. I'll be back for sure

JMac03 said:

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I think you will have better service in Jamaica

But don't get me wrong, the beach is absolutely stunning in the Bahamas. Everywhere I've been in the Bahamas I just found the service to be very lackluster. Definitely on island time. I do have clients that go there in love it, but I'll try to set expectations ahead of time. They have recently remodeled most of the rooms in Bahamas.

I would steer clear of Ochi. Negril will be your best beach in Jamaica. I Negril and South Coast are my top sellers in Jamaica.

There's any other questions I can answer let me know.

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Thinking about Sandals Ochi. Why steer clear?

It's just more of a party atmosphere than others and rooms are very dated. Although tbey are started a refurb. That's why it always prices the cheapest. If I can help let me know, email is in signature. I've sold it a bunch. Just always set expectations.

MillerLatte said:

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We've been to the Excellence in Playa Mujeres. Not sure I would return though. I have not looked in to Secrets or Iberostar

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Just booked a honeymoon to Excellence in Playa Mujeres. Did you not like it there or just want to do something new?

The resort itself is great. The food and service was some of the worst I've had/experienced. Also had to get tested for covid on the way back to the states and that was a giant pain.

South Coast is not in Montego Bay. It's about a hour and a half away from Montego Bay. Not sure if you were implying that South Coast was in MB, but that is how I read it.

It's OLD!!! Royal Plantation may be a little better option as it's all butler service and the grounds are a bit nicer.

I read it as South Coast and then the two that are in Montego Bay.