Sandals Grande Ochos Rios opinions?

tris · December 3, 2010

Hey ladies!

So we're getting married at the Gran Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay Jamaica on April.28th/2011, afterward the week there with our guests we are heading to Sandals Grande Ochos Rios for our honeymoon. We have a honeymoon suite with concierge service booked.

SO my question. I was SO excited about the honeymoon. Our travel agent had rave reviews about both resorts and after looking at the Sandals website I thought it looked perfect for our honeymoon. Now I'm getting a little concerned because I'm reading reviews on SGOR and they're dreadful! I know there will always be complainers out there but I'd really love some re assurance from someone who's been there.

Thanks

JB321 · December 3, 2010

Hey!

I've read the same reviews. My fiance visited the resort in 08 and we loved it! Now we're going to have our wedding there in May 2011. Main reasons being that we loved the service we recieved and we're familiar with it. Plus it was affordable so I knew guests could there easily.

What I love about the resort:

So many things to do! There are shows, parties, activities such as golf, scaba diving. And so many restaurants to choose from. Plus the staff there was awesome! Never recieved such great service and we travel a lot!

What I not so loved:

Wish there was a bigger beach, but oh well still had a blast!

You and your guests will have a great time. The resort is so large it took us like 2 days to see the whole thing. I mean I still don't think we saw everything. I had a great time and I think you will too! Everyone is entitiled to their own opinions. But if your fun loving and love an adventure. I would def suggest this resort.

Also you should do their Dunns River party Cruise. It was a lot of fun! I think it was like 45 bucks. They took us snorkling and to the falls and we danced with different guests on the boat. It was so much time and we met great people.

tris · December 3, 2010

Thanks for the assurance, I really needed it. FI and I are not picky at all so I can't really see us having a problem. I've been on 5 different resort vaca's (4 Mexico, 1 DR, never JA though) now and always had nothing but good things to say. It will just be us too, no guests. Our guests will be at the Gran Bahia with us, our honeymoon is at Sandals.

When is your wedding day???

We'll be there April 20th - May 7th 2011

JB321 · December 3, 2010

Oh great youll have a ball! When we went there the first time, it feltl ike we on our honeymoon. I can't imagine how actual honeymooners feel.

Our wedding is on May 14th 2011. We just missed you guys! We get there on the 12th.

futuremrswalls · March 3, 2011

Do not fear!!! SGOR is incredible! Right now they are going through a lot of renovations so some restaurants etc are shut down but there is still plenty to do. We were married there December 1st 2010 and don't regret if for a second. Yes the beach is small, but the grounds more than make up for it. They also just finished their beach club which is awesome. Unfortunately it opened the day before we left so we didn't really get to use it a lot but some of our guests did and they loved it. The people there are also amazing. We also really liked how close it was to all of the touristy stuff.

I agree, you absolutely have to go to Dunn's River. It was an absolute blast. We however had our butler call a taxi (it was one of his friends) and he stayed with us all day. He gave us really good tips and even bought some local snacks to share with us to show us what Jamaica really is. This was probably one of our favorite parts about the trip!

The only thing we didn't really care for was the food. It was definitely far from fine dining but after talking to other couples staying at different resorts during one of the tours, it sounds like theirs may have been even worse.

Long story short, a vacation is what you make of it. Have a great time!