Our Review of Sandals South Coast in Jamaica
Sandals South Coast (Credits: Sandals 2024)
If you're looking for secluded Caribbean getaway, Sandals South Coast in Whitehouse, Jamaica may be the perfect spot. This all-inclusive resort boasts overwater bungalows, white sand beaches, and unlimited dining and activities.
As Sandals Resorts experts, we recently visited to experience it firsthand. In this review, we’ll share what to expect in terms of levels of room accommodations, dining and bars, land and water sports, and other amenities offered exclusively at this resort.
Quick Resort Facts:
Around 90 minutes from Montego Bay Airport
Unlimited dining at 9 restaurants
7 bars, including swim-up bar
4 pools and 4 whirlpools
Included water sports and land sports
Day and night entertainment and live shows
Over-the-Water Bungalows
Serenity Over-the-Water Wedding Chapel
Rondoval Swim-up Suites
Arrival and Location
Sandals South Coast is located about a 1.5 hour drive from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Complimentary shuttles are provided which makes arrival a seamless process. The resort itself is set on a 500-acre nature preserve, allowing for a feeling of total seclusion. The resort also sits on a 2-mile long white sand beach.
Tip: We recommend checking out Club Mobay at the Montego Bay airport for fast-track through immigration and access to the airport lounge. Trust me, it's worth it! Reach out and we can provide more details.
For more information on Club Mobay, check out our review: What is Club Mobay and is it Worth It?
Accommodations
Sandals South Coast offers a wide array of luxurious rooms and suites, but the overwater bungalows are the true standouts. These villas feature glass floor panels, private infinity pools, and butler service. For the best views, we recommend the Italian Beachfront Club Level Suites. The new Swim-up Rondoval Suites are also incredible, with zero-entry access to the longest pool in the Western Hemisphere.
Of all the room categories available at Sandals South Coast, most of them fall into 6 distinct types. We’ll cover them below:
Overwater Bungalow
Blue Mahoe Overwater Butler Villa (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Blue Mahoe Overwater Butler Villa - These accommodations offer a nice connection to the Caribbean Sea, complete with glass floor panels, private outdoor Tranquillity Soaking Tub™, over-water hammocks, and personal butler service.
Rondoval Villa
Rondoval Swim-up Butler Villa with Private Pool Sanctuary (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Rondoval Swim-up Butler Villa with Private Pool Sanctuary - These Love Nest Butler Suites feature a private pool sanctuary, direct swim-up access, and personal butler service.
Swim-Up Suite
Starlight Beachfront One Bedroom Swim Up Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Starlight Beachfront One Bedroom Swim Up Butler Suite - These suites include beachfront ocean views from a private patio with a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two and access into the swim-up pool.
Longbeach Beachfront Swim-up Club Level Suite (NEW ROOM) - These rooms include a private patio with a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two and access into the swim-up pool, along with a stand up shower and king bed.
Click Here for Other Rooms in This Category
One-Bedroom Suite
Longbeach Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Longbeach Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite (NEW ROOM) - This one-bedroom suite includes great beach views from a private balcony and a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two.
Click Here for Other Rooms in This Category
Penthouse Suite
Starlight Beachfront Penthouse One Bedroom Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Starlight Beachfront Penthouse One Bedroom Butler Suite - These penthouse butler suites are set on the top floor of the Starlight building and include a large master bedroom, separate living room, and a private balcony and a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two.
Walkout Suite
Silver Sun Beachfront One Bedroom Walkout Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Silver Sun Beachfront One Bedroom Walkout Butler Suite - These butler suites are located on the garden level of the Silver Sun buildings. They offer a walkout patio with amazing views of the ocean.
Click Here for Other Rooms in This Category
Other Rooms
Sandals South Coast has several other rooms that still meet their standards for luxury, but don’t fit into the room types we’ve covered. They range from luxury to club level to butler level. Many of them will fall at a lower price point, as they don’t have the highly sought after accommodations of the previous categories. Click here for more information about these accommodations.
Levels of Accommodation: Luxury to Butler
Before moving on, we need to look at the levels of service found in the different accommodations listed. At Sandals Royal Caribbean, you'll have the choice of three distinct levels of accommodations: Luxury, Club Level, and Butler. The level of service you receive will depend on the room category you select, as outlined in the room guide.
Luxury - The Luxury level is the standard offering at Sandals Royal Caribbean. While you'll still enjoy the resort's signature "no tipping" policy and all-inclusive amenities, you won't have access to the exclusive concierge or butler services.
Club Level - Upgrading to Club Level grants you access to additional services and amenities, including:
A dedicated concierge lounge offering drinks and assistance with booking excursions and making reservations
Exclusive weekly events for Club Level guests, such as martini evenings, shopping trips, and cocktail parties
Daily room service
A room stocked with premium drinks
Click Here for More Information on Club Level Rooms
Butler Level - For the ultimate in personalized service, select one of the room categories that includes butler service. You'll be provided with a cellphone to reach your butler, who will cater to your every need, much like having a personal genie on the beach. Your butler will assist with:
Reserving prime spots on the beach and by the pool
Delivering food and drinks directly to your suite
Packing and unpacking your luggage
Making reservations on your behalf
Click Here for More Information on Butlers
What’s Included at Sandals South Coast?
You’ll find that Sandals take the “all-inclusive” approach much further than others. Going beyond room, food and drinks, they include water sports, land sports, and other shows and activities. Check out a list of inclusions below, then we’ll cover some of them in more detail.
Unlimited fine dining at 9 restaurants
Unlimited premium liquors
7 bars, including swim-up bar
Stocked bar in every room
Unlimited Water Sports and Land Sports
4 pools and 4 whirlpools
Day and night entertainment and live shows
State of the art fitness center
Airport arrival lounge
All tips, taxes and gratuities
Roundtrip airport transfers
On-Call Nurse Station
Dining
The resort boasts 9 restaurants, each included in your stay. Some of our favorites were the fresh seafood at Neptune's, the Asian fare at Jasmine's, and French pastries at Café de Paris. Most restaurants are resort casual, but a few have a dress code, so pack accordingly.
Dress Code: Some restaurants require a higher standard for dress than others. Here are the requirements from the resort page.
Resort Casual Attire - Shorts or jeans, t-shirts or polo shirts. Swimwear must be covered. Shirts and footwear required.
Resort Evening Attire - Dress pants/trousers or jeans for men, long or short sleeve dress shirts (with or without collar). Dress shoes or sandals. No shorts, t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, sneakers, flip-flops or slippers. No hats or caps.
Here's the rundown on restaurants at Sandals South Coast:
Giuseppe’s
Giuseppe’s (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Italian
Lunch (Pizza): 11:00am – 5:00pm
Dinner (à la carte): 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Jasmine’s
Jasmine’s (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Pan-Asian
Dinner (à la carte): 6:00pm – 10:00 pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Cafe de Paris
Type of Cuisine: French Pâtisserie
Snacks: 5:30am – 11:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Eleanor’s
Eleanor’s (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Pan-Caribbean
Breakfast (à la carte): 8:00am – 11:00am
Dinner: 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Evening Attire for Dinner (Reservations required)
Bayside
Bayside (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: French Brasserie- à la carte (Dinner)
Breakfast (Buffet): 7:30am-10:30am
Lunch (Buffet): 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Dinner: 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Schooner’s
Schooner’s (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Casual Seaside Grill by day and Caribbean Seafood at Night
Breakfast: 7:30am – 10:15am (à la carte)
Lunch: 12:00pm – 4:00pm (à la carte)
Dinner: 6:00pm – 9:30pm (à la carte)
Dress Code: Resort Casual (Reservations required for Dinner)
Neptune’s
Neptune’s (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Mediterranean Seafood
Lunch (à la carte): 12:00 noon – 3:00pm
Dinner (à la carte): 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Late Night Snacks: 10:30pm – 5:30am
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Click Here for Late Night Snacks Menu
The Jerk Shack
The Jerk Shack (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Jamaican Jerk Specialties
Lunch: 12:00 noon – 6:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Sushi on the Sand
Sushi on the Sand (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Sushi House
Dinner: 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Bars
With 7 bars ranging from swim-up spots to an overwater bar, you have options wherever you land in the resort:
Casablanca Martini Bar (Piano Bar)
Le Cabaret (Theatre Bar)
Riviera (Swim-up Pool Bar)
Renaissance (French Swim-up Pool Bar)
Neptunes (Beach Bar)
Dutch Bar (Beach Bar)
Latitudes (Over-the-Water Bar)
My personal favorite spot is Latitudes. I love sitting out over the ocean in the evening with a good cocktail.
Water Sports
Hobie Cat Sailboats
You'll never be bored at Sandals South Coast! You can take advantage of unlimited water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving (free for certified divers), paddleboarding and kayaking.
Hobie Cat Sailboats
Kayaks
Kneeboarding
Rubing
Windsurfing
Water-skiing
Wake Boarding
Paddleboarding
Underwater Vision (Glass Bottom Boats)
Scuba Diving*
*Daily scuba diving is only for certified divers
*Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) for beginners and PADI International Dive certification are available at additional costs.
Land Sports
On land, play tennis, hit the fitness center or join a beachside volleyball game. We are new to the sport of Pickleball, but can’t get enough of it!
Basketball
Board Games
Bocce Ball
Croquet
Table Tennis
Shuffle Board
Tennis
Pickle Ball
Volleyball
Nightly Entertainment
Entertainment
You’ll also find nightly events like cocktail parties, themed nights, live music, and talent shows. Here’s the schedule at this resort:
Sunday - Sandals Live
Monday - Caribbean Carnival Beach Party
Tuesday - Reggae Live
Wednesday - Love Hop
Thursday - Broadway Revue
Friday - Sandals REWIND
Saturday - Jamaica Live
Wedding Packages
Sandals South Coast Overwater Chapel (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Sandals South Coast is a popular spot for destination weddings and honeymoons. The overwater chapel is beautiful. We always see couples getting married every time we visit one of the resorts. Sandals runs some great packages for destination weddings at their resorts. If you’re interested, reach out and we’ll help you with the details!
Click Here for Sandals Wedding and Honeymoon Packages
What's Not Included?
While most of the amenities at Sandals South Coast are covered, there are a few things that will run you some extra cash. These additional costs are minimal compared to the overall value of the resort, but it's important to be aware of them.
Epix Photography
Epix is the official photography service at Sandals South Coast. You'll find their photographers capturing special moments throughout the resort, both day and night. If you'd like to take home some professional photos as a memento of your trip, you'll need to purchase them separately from the Epix store.
The Resort Shop
The Resort Shop at Sandals South Coast is a place to find any essentials you might have forgotten to pack, such as clothing, hats, souvenirs, medicine, toiletries, and sunscreen. However, prices at the shop can be a bit steep. It's always a good idea to pack plenty of sunscreen to avoid having to buy it at a premium price.
Tipping Butlers and Drivers
One of the great things about Sandals is that tipping is generally not allowed or expected. Most staff members, including waitstaff and bartenders, are not permitted to accept tips. However, there are two exceptions to this rule: butlers and drivers. If you're staying in a butler suite, you'll want to bring some cash to tip your butler for their attentive service throughout your stay. Additionally, if you take any excursions or use the resort's transfer service to and from the airport, it's customary to tip your driver.
The Red Lane Spa
The Red Lane Spa at Sandals Royal Caribbean offers a variety of luxurious treatments, but these services come at an additional cost. We recommend booking a couples massage on your first full day at the resort to start your vacation off in a relaxed state of mind. It's also a good idea to get your massage before spending too much time in the sun to avoid any discomfort from sunburns.
Island Routes Excursions
Island Routes is the exclusive partner of Sandals for all off-site excursions. While these adventures are not included in your package price, they offer a fantastic way to explore the beauty and culture of Jamaica. Some popular excursions near Sandals South Coast include:
Pelican Bar Highlight Catamaran Cruise
YS Falls
Reggae Sunset Catamaran Cruise
When booking excursions, we strongly recommend going through Island Routes to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Click Here for More Island Routes Excursions
Tips and Insider Info
For the best romantic dinner, make reservations at Neptune's pier table as soon as you arrive. Eleanor's and Jasmine's are the most popular restaurants, so consider booking those in advance too. Be sure to take the free resort tour on your first day to get insider tips from the staff. The overwater bungalows and Swim-up Rondoval Suites book up fast, so plan well ahead if those are on your wish list!
Conclusion
Sandals South Coast is one of our favorite resorts in the Sandals brand. We love the seclusion, long stretch of beach, and high number of options for rooms that face the ocean. If you can’t tell,
Ready to book your own vacation? Contact us today to make your Sandals South Coast trip a reality! As specialized Sandals travel agents, we have insider knowledge and tips, as well as access to special rates, to help craft your ideal getaway. Plus, we'll ensure you get the best deal and bonus perks. Let's start planning!
