Sandals Ochi Beach Resort

Sandals Ochi did not disappoint. We flew into the small airport in Ocho Rios and from the time we cleared customs it was a vibe. Sandals had an area outside to the left for you to freshen up, cool down, have snacks and drinks while waiting on your ride to the resort. Once we arrived at the resort we were greeted with cool minty towels for our face and neck. We were escorted the butler elite area were they had drinks and mini deserts for us to partake in while waiting on our butler and checking to see if our room was ready. Our room was not ready due to us arriving fairly early. Our butler Shenae came to greet us and escorted us to the jerk shack to enjoy some lunch. The food and drinks were very tasty. We had the option to change clothes to take a dip in the pool while we wait, walk the grounds, or head back up to the lounge. We opted to wait for our room to be ready while having drinks in the lounge area. Shenae came back to escort us to our room and let us know how butler service work. We enjoyed the golf cart ride. The resort is huge and has multiple sections so there is a bus called the "Hop" that runs every 10mins this is very helpful and it is always on time. Our Butlers were amazing!!!!! Shenae explained how the butler phone works, and she informed us the Daniel would also be our other butler. When I tell you they were both AMAZING, kind, funny and extremely helpful at all times. They both made reservations for us at multiple restaurants, reserved cabanas for us at the pool, put in our room service order for the day we didn't want to leave the room for breakfast, and put in food orders from the manor multiple nights for us and delivered it to our room. Shenae called to check on us when she hadn't heard from us one day by 12 due to us hibernating in the room. She and Daniel both met us at each restaurant when we had reservations to check us in, get our drinks started and make sure we were settled before dining. Room: We stayed in a butler suite along with 3 other neighbors, two upstairs and one next door. It was very nice and peaceful we had our own private pool area for the four of us. Our first morning there my husband took a nice swim at 6:30am haha. Our bed was very comfortable, the safe was a challenge, but I found the trick to make it work. the mini kitchen was stocked daily with beverages and a cheese or fruit tray due to my shellfish allergy. They would alternate it was nice and refreshing to come into this after a long day out. Our butlers had written down our daily speakeasy code and any reservations that we had coming up. The bed was comfortable for us as well as the air. Everything worked fine and we had plenty of space for our luggage and clothing once it was delivered. The housekeeper came daily to freshen up our room during the day and for turn down service at night. There was a button near our door for privacy or service I thought it was pretty cool. We enjoyed the dual shower sprayers and the shower gel with aloe helped our sunburns. The Management Team: On my husband's actual birthday it just so happened this was the day that the management team came out to the pool deck to introduce themselves and their departments. My husband was called up to the pool deck they had friendly banter about singing for his birthday. They then had Ms. Kayan sing happy birthday to him and she did her thing she can saaaaaang it was amazing and made my husbands day. My husband was known as the birthday boy and the guy that had the password to the speakeasy for the night. The Entertainment Team!!!!!!!!!!!! They are amazing from the top Lady O, Damein (Breezy), Panda, and there was another young lady with locs I forget her name she gifted my husband a wooded shot glass with his name carved in it, but they were all amazing and never forgot us. It didn't matter what side of the resort we were on those were our people! The trivia games at the main pool was very entertaining, soca night at the theatre was fiya and they served us drinks during this time! The beach party, and the speakeasy were also a vibe. Kayan sung multiple songs at the speakeasy on the night of my husband's birthday, and although she sung to him on the pool deck earlier that day she still performed another special happy birthday to him at the speakeasy. We danced and partied in there. There is a password to get in if you're in a Butler suite they have it written out for you. There are other ways to get the password though. Activities: Some water sports were included my daughter and her husband enjoyed those. They also have tennis courts which we saw, basketball my son in-law enjoyed, a pool table, and the large chess game are all enjoyable if thats your thing. Food: The food and drinks did not disappoint and I consider myself to be a very picky eater. Each restaurant has a signature drink and most of them were delicious. The Reef had a beautiful view but take bug spray for your clothing due to it being near lots of greenery. The Manor was delicious they gave us so much food I didn't have space for desert. I did have our butlers bring desert to our room though on a different night from the Manor. Kelly's Dockside has a beautiful view of the beach and sunset we enjoyed the food here so much that we dined two nights in a row Vista Gourmet also has good food and an amazing sunset view. We had an issue about seating and our Butler Daniel got everything situation for us. We did have a long wait due to our seating issue. Lady O saw us waiting and asked if we were okay. My husband informed her that we had been waiting a bit too long she went over and checked on things for us as well. The hostess was very apologetic and the senior person at that section of the restaurant also continued to check on us to make sure everything was going well. We ate at the food truck (Sweet Wood) on the beach while on that side and it was delish. The birthday cake they had in the room for my husband was a nice surprise, he liked it so much he wanted another slice. This spoke volumes about the cake as he only eat homemade cake that I bake. My daughter and son ate at Soy, Tapas on the Riviera, the Mariner, and Le Gourmand they were both pleased with their food. (They stayed on the club level Rivera side) Pools/bartenders/Cabana: The amount of pools the resort has and the fact that you do not have to only stay on your side you can enjoy all the perks is amazing. The main pool cabana guy Miguel does not miss a beat he makes sure you have food and drinks whenever needed hands down my fave cabana person beef patties, and the jerk shack were our go to pool food. There is other food you can order while there. The bartenders at the swim-up bar make sure your drinks are to your liking and will make a mystery drink if you ask haha Shoutout to Basil, Shane, and Samira for keeping the party going at the bar. Samira is on the beach side and she helped us out with drinks while we were on that side. Loyalty Desk: Keisha at the loyalty desk in the Riviera is a vibe she matched my husband's silly energy and got us booked for another trip. Con: The only con I have are the amount of cats that are at the resort. It was a disruption for me during dinner time and while I do understand the propose of having some cats, I think it was a bit excessive. We had a pool outside of our suite and I didn't enjoy it due to me not waiting to lay out or swim and have cats on/near me. All and all a great vacation! if you are looking for good entertainment, some old charm, but also a laid back scene I say give sandals Ochi a shot. If you are looking for a complete party scene, crowd of young people, and modern resort this isn't for you. Read less

If you're staying at Sandals Ochi, do yourself a favor and make sure you catch Kayan perform! From the moment she stepped on stage, she completely captivated the audience. Her voice is absolutely incredible, and her energy, charisma, and connection with the crowd made every performance unforgettable. Kayan doesn't just sing—she creates an experience. Whether she was performing classic favorites, reggae hits, or getting everyone up and dancing, she brought so much joy and life to every evening. Her talent is truly world-class, and she made our vacation even more special. We've been to many resorts, but Kayan stands out as one of the best entertainers we've ever seen. Her passion for music shines through in every song, and you can tell she genuinely loves what she does. Thank you, Kayan, for making our nights at Sandals Ochi so memorable. We can't wait to come back and see you perform again! Read less

The whole experience with Sandals was wonderful, I cannot say enough good things about staff. The staff was always courteous and joyful. Everyone we met was happy and pleasant to deal with. They went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed our stay at Sandals Ocho Rios. I'm a foodie and love to eat. We ate at the Jerk Shack on the hillside which was awesome, I had the spicy my wife had the mild. Hell sauce is hot and flavorful but not ultra hot. The chicken had that crusty blackened flavorful coating and was ultra tender inside. Valentino's Italian was also excellent, wife had the lasagna which has flavorful cheese hard to describe but it was really good. I had the fish appetized which was delicious, and the main course was red sauce chicken parmesan. I also ate off the main beach by the swimming pool; Burnt ends and fried shrimp, the burnt ends had a spicy jerk bbq sauce which was phenomenal. My wife ate at the Pizza place by the other pool and it was oven fired pizza and it rivaled some of the stateside pizza I have eaten. You cant out eat or out drink what is available here either. I went to the bar and asked for a Rum and Coke, Crystal the bartender made a drink referred to me from Basil( Valentino's Staff ) with Wray and Nephew Rum Cream, Appleton's Rum, and Coke; it is essentially a dirty soda with Rum. Super smooth and tastes great. Rooms were always clean, when you leave take down your privacy sign so room will be cleaned and fridge restocked. We also did the jet boat tour; Akeem and Clark were great,(Island Route Tours), they both helped me out with my knees and back to get baptized in the falls, maybe this was the Blue Hole. Absolutely need to do that people, the water is cool and refreshing. You will need the cool water because its hot and tropical which is too be expected. We also did the Dunn's Falls hike960 feet high through the water, wow that will be your exercise for the day if you don't hike or are an avid gym person. Dunns' Falls had cool water and gorgeous hike. Little scary but the Guide is who helps you up as well as your fellow tour members. In regards to tipping please bring plenty of cash 300-400 as you will need it to tip as well as purchase gifts outside of resort. ($20-40) Your tour guides, lifeguard, captain, on any excursions as well as their staff are keeping you safe while out on tour. Please tip well and nicely because they are there to keep you safe while on tour. ($20-10)Also your airport porters for luggage, immigration porter upon arrival as they will escort you through the airport and to the Moobay Lounge which has great food, clean water, sodas, and alcoholic beverage service both entering and leaving the country. ($10-20)These staff members of the of airport make it faster to get to the resort.($10-20) Also restaurant staff outside the resort your at can be tipped as deserved. There are also other persons who help you along the way tip them as well. Make sure to do your immigration C5 before entry as you will get through airport customs faster also and porter will be waiting for you by name. I would highly recommend bringing a carry on and one large piece of luggage per adult. My reason for this is so you have enough room for any gifts you buy while in Jamaica. DONT put anything you bought in your carry on OR personal bag; they will take it at Jamaican TSA. I lost BBQ sauce 10oz and Jerk Chicken seasoning 8oz, my bad. BUT they also took my wife's nearl empty Bath and Body lotions and sun tun lotion, BUT not the resort skin care products lotion. Also if you need to be under the 50lb bag limit you only pay the airline carriers extra baggage fee NOT the overweight fee which can be $100. Id also bring plenty of sunblock and bug spray with DEET. none of the essential oils or you personel concoction that has worked somewhere else. None of that stuff worked but the DEET products, we got eaten alive the first night. Also bring a couple of bathing suits and rinse off in the pool or ocean after the excursions, the water from the falls or blue hole have a stench, BUT if you swim in the pool the chlorine will remove the smell. Also bring only one nice set of dress clothes for the fine dining restaurants as you'll only wear them there otherwise hey are too hot. Bring beachwear and plenty of cool wick clothing. I would do the shopping trip either you can but the same goods in the resort for much cheaper SERIOUSLY. If you want to try seeing the other hotels make requests at the front dest they first day your there so there is time to check them out. The HOPS will take you between the hillside and beach hotels or a RED plate resort only taxi to goto other Sandals resorts. That driver will need tipped also. I cant think of much else but what a great trip, absolutely lovely people and culture, I met so mnay other couples and people from other countries what a pure joy. I was so relaxed I could actually turn my brain off, IF your law enforcement or military you know what I mean. TO THE OCHO RIOS STAFF, I CANT SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH. WE ARE ALREADY BOOKED FOR NEXT YEAR Read less

I recently stayed at Sandals Ochi, and unfortunately, my experience was not what I expected. While the resort itself was okay, several incidents made the trip very disappointing. During our stay, some of the male staff members in certain restaurants made us feel uncomfortable and treated us in a way that felt biased and prejudiced. That type of treatment really affected our overall experience and made us feel unwelcome. Another very upsetting incident happened when my fiancé was urinated on by bats. It was a disgusting and unpleasant experience, and it made our stay even more uncomfortable. Between that and the way we were treated by certain individuals, I left feeling very disappointed. I have stayed at Sandals Grande before, and that experience was excellent compared to Sandals Ochi. Because of these negative experiences, I did not enjoy my stay the way I hoped I would. I hope Sandals takes these concerns seriously and works to improve the guest experience, especially when it comes to fairness, respect, and cleanliness. Read less

This was our visit to Sandals and it will not be our last! On day 3 of our trip I was already looking to book our next one. Shevy and Kayann were an amazing butler team. They both went above and beyond to cater to my food sensitivity… Shevy went back and forth from hillside to beach side to meet my request for GF pizza. My hero that day! We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary during our visit. On that day, Kayann surprised us while we were at the beach with a delicious shrimp lunch (one of our fav meals all week!) She set up lovely decorations, a bubble bath, and an amazing GF dessert for our evening. We felt taken care of but not smothered by our butler team. Every request we made was met with a smile. The resort did an amazing job catering to my gluten sensitivity, having many options available and even met requests. They had a gf chocolate cake that was amazing!! Every meal we ate was delicious! The beach was glorious- such clear waters! Our Romero and Juliet suite with private pool and hot tub was perfect! Bed was comfy. Having the sitting room separate from the bedroom was nice as I slept in and my hubby was an early riser. My only complaint about the room is that the little waterfall by pool runs 24-7 and is a bit noisy so it’s difficult to hear when room service/housekeeping knocks on the door. We will return for sure! And we’ll be requesting Shevy and Kayann as our butler team! Read less