Help! It's between Sandals Royal Carribean/Priviate island(Mo Bay) and Ochos Rios

[jennie]

We have finally.....woohoo!!!!..... chosen the Riu Tropical Bay to have our DW at and stay 1 week. When our guests leave, we will then change resorts for our honeymoon. My FI and I have finally narrowed it down between Sandals Ochos Rios and Sandals Royal Carribean Private Island.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions from a recent stay in 2008 or 2009??

Thank You all in advance.

[rurbanski]

We are getting married at Sandals Royal Caribbean in June. I would also like to hear from others about the resort. There doesn't seem to be as much information on here about this resort as the others. Reviews that I have read on trip advisor have been pretty good and it seems to be a smaller resort which is what we liked.

[budgetjamaicabride]

I haven't been to Sandals Royal Caribbean since 2001 but LOVED it. I know there have been renovations since so I am sure it is even better. I have some pictures if you would like them, you can PM me. It was pre digital camera, so I would need to scan them in.

 

I am getting married at Breezes Runaway bay and you are right, there are certain resorts in JA that are most popular... mostly because of the size and ammenities, but you still get great info here and there are lots of JA brides.

[Britni]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennie We have finally.....woohoo!!!!..... chosen the Riu Tropical Bay to have our DW at and stay 1 week. When our guests leave, we will then change resorts for our honeymoon. My FI and I have finally narrowed it down between Sandals Ochos Rios and Sandals Royal Carribean Private Island. Does anyone have any suggestions from a recent stay in 2008 or 2009?? Thank You all in advance.

I see you posted awhile ago, so perhaps you already made up your mind. But I just got back from my 3rd stay at Royal Caribbean. We will be getting married there next yr as well. We love it because it is very mellow there and the service is excellent. It's not as much of a "party" resort, like say Sandals MoBay, but we really like the laid back atmosphere. There is a french restaurant there we really enjoy, plus a great Thai restaurant on the private island. If you have more specific questions about that resort, I would be happy to help!

Britni

[jjurick]

I just got back last Sunday from Sandals Royal Caribbean for our honeymoon. We loved it. Make sure you splurge and get the ground level swim up suite with butler service. It was amazing. If you have any questions, please PM me. I'd be more than happy to help out.

[rurbanski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britni I see you posted awhile ago, so perhaps you already made up your mind. But I just got back from my 3rd stay at Royal Caribbean. We will be getting married there next yr as well. We love it because it is very mellow there and the service is excellent. It's not as much of a "party" resort, like say Sandals MoBay, but we really like the laid back atmosphere. There is a french restaurant there we really enjoy, plus a great Thai restaurant on the private island. If you have more specific questions about that resort, I would be happy to help! Britni

Britni,

I'm so glad to hear from someone who has been to Royal Caribbean!! We are getting married there next month and I have been anxious about the wedding locations at this particular resort. If you know the wedding locations at Royal, what do you suggest? Any input or help would be apprecitated!
We are getting super excited so anything you have to share would be helpful.

Thanks so much!!
Ronda

[Britni]

I do not know the locations officially, only from what I have seen in past stays. You can have it on the beach, which is lovely. I have also seen a couple getting married on one of the piers under the gazebo-type things they have. This is probably a very pretty place as well, but it can get especially windy out there from what I could tell. There is also another area that is more of a "garden" with an open style gazebo which is very pretty with the natural flowers. If you want, I believe I have a photo of myself standing in that area, if that helps you get a better mental picture. PM your email and I can send it to you.

 

Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with!

 

Best,

Britni

[budgetjamaicabride]

I saw a wedding the last time I was there in the pier gazebo. It was beautiful, but a small wedding... maybe 5-7 people.

 

I have pictures from my last stay but it was 2001, so things may have changed since then.

 

THe other part I love about this one is that you are not literally NEXT TO the airport. At the Sandals Mo Bay, the waiters at the restaurants wave to the planes when they go by! Also... you have rights at all properties on the island, so when you are looking for a party, head to Mo Bay for an evening. We did. Otherwise, I loved the laid back feel of Royal!

[montegobay09]

I stayed at the RIU MoBay which is so close to the Sandals Royal Caribbean that we could see some people dining in one of the restaurants! We have friends that stayed at the Sandals in Ochos Rios and they liked it but said that the resort was dated and not kept as well. Service was great though.

From what I saw at the Royal Caribbean and from what I've heard from friends, it is spectactacular and more of a honeymoon resort since it is layed back and so quaint. I agree with jjurick that the ground level swim up suite would be absolutely amazing! We wish we would've stayed there for a honeymoon...even if it was only for 2 nights. It was beautiful. (I love the cabanas!!)

[Jaymibaby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rurbanski We are getting married at Sandals Royal Caribbean in June. I would also like to hear from others about the resort. There doesn't seem to be as much information on here about this resort as the others. Reviews that I have read on trip advisor have been pretty good and it seems to be a smaller resort which is what we liked.

We just booked our wedding for Sandals Royal Caribbean in June as well! What is your wedding date?