Sandals Ochi Review for Travelers
Sandals Ochi, nestled along the stunning shores of Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is an amazing all-inclusive resort that promises an unforgettable experience for couples seeking romance, adventure, and relaxation. We recently had the pleasure of staying at this remarkable resort. In this comprehensive Sandals Ochi review, we'll take you through the resort's accommodations, dining options, activities, and amenities, providing you with an insider's look at what makes this resort so special.
Sandals Ochi is known for being one of the most affordable resorts. They have a ton of options in terms or rooms and restaurants, with 16 different places to dine. On the other hand, it’s also very spread out. Some of the more secluded rooms require a shuttle to get down to the beach. In addition to the many options, they are also known for their vibrant nightlife.
Sandals Ochi (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Key Highlights
519 luxurious rooms and suites across three distinct areas: Butler Village, Riviera Seaside, and Great House
16 world-class restaurants
11 bars, including 3 swim-up bars
Sandals only on-site speakeasy
Over-the-water Serenity Wedding Chapel
105 pools and 22 whirlpools
Comprehensive water and land sports activities
Nightly entertainment and theme nights
Stay at 1, Play at 3 program with nearby Sandals Resorts
Good value, as this is one of the most affordable of Sandals Resorts.
Levels of Service
Before we dive into the various rooms available, you need to understand that the all of the accommodations come in three different tiers of service: Luxury, Club Level and Butler.
Luxury - Luxury is going to be your standard room at Sandals. You still get all the “no tipping” service and “all-inclusive” features, but you won’t be able to take advantage of the concierge or butlers.
Club Level - Club level adds a few additional services to amenities. You’ll have access to the following:
Concierge lounge with drinks and services on booking excursions and reservations
Weekly hosted events exclusively for club level guests (martini evening, shopping trip, cocktail party)
Room service daily
Room stocked with premium drinks
Click Here for More Information on Club Level Rooms
Butler Level - Several of the rooms come with butler service. You’ll each have your own cellphone for your butler. It’s like having a genie on the beach. They’ll help with your wishes, including:
Reserving spots by the beach and pool
Serving food and drinks directly to your suite
Packing and unpacking luggage
Making reservations for you
Click Here for More Information on Butlers
Accommodations
Sandals Ochi offers an impressive range of accommodations to suit every couple's preferences and budget. The resort is divided into three main areas: Butler Village, Riviera Seaside, and Great House. You can find a map of the resort at the link below in which you’ll see where each is located at the resort. If you’d like to discuss available options at Sandals Montego Bay, Contact Us and we’ll reach out!
Butler Village Villas
Butler Village Honeymoon Romeo & Juliet One Bedroom Villa Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary (Credits: Sandals 2024)
The Butler Village is the epitome of luxury, featuring stunning villas with private pools and dedicated butler service. We love the seclusion here. It’s like having your own small house with a butler and a private pool at the resort. Unfortunately, these are the furthest from the beach, so you may need to catch a ride anytime you want to go to the beach side of the resort.
Click Here for Information on Each Category Below
Categories include:
Butler Village Honeymoon Romeo & Juliet Sanctuary One Bedroom Villa Suite with Private Pool (RJ)
Butler Village Oceanview One Bedroom Poolside Villa Suite (GP)
Butler Village One Bedroom Poolside Villa Estate Suite (G1)
Butler Village Honeymoon Oceanview One Bedroom Poolside Villa Suite (HV)
Butler Village Poolside One Bedroom Villa Suite (V1)
Riviera Seaside
Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
The Riviera Seaside offers a mix of room amenities. While we like some seclusion, we prefer this area, as it is closest to the beach. We don’t mind having to catch a ride to visit the restaurants on the other side of the resort, but we want to be in walking distance to the ocean.
Click Here for Information on Each Category Below
Room categories include:
Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite (P1)
Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront Penthouse Club Level (PO)
Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront Club Level (HB)
Riviera Beachfront Club Level (GO)
Honeymoon Hideaway Luxury Club Level Garden Cottage (GC)
Riviera Grande Luxe (PG)
Riviera Honeymoon Luxury (LX)
Riviera Bamboo Grove Premium (PR)
Riviera Bamboo Grove Deluxe (DL)
Great House
Great House One Bedroom Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
The Great House provides different levels accommodations in the heart of the resort. These rooms will be between the Butler Villas and the Riviera Seaside area. While it is still a great experience to stay in this area, this is probably our least favorite of the three areas. You don’t have the level of seclusion the butler villas provides and you aren’t close to the ocean. However, you still have some stunning butler suites that would make for an amazing stay.
Click Here for Information on Each Category Below
Categories include:
Great House One Bedroom Butler Suite (M1)
Great House Ocean View (MO)
Great House Luxury (ML)
What’s Included at Sandals Ochi?
Short answer - a ton! Sandals Ochi has 16 restaurants, 11 bars, and enough activities to keep you relaxed and having fun for your entire stay! We’ll outline them all below.
Arrival and Transportation
One of the finer things about Sandals Resorts is that “all-inclusive” really does mean all-inclusive, starting with your transportation and arrival. All Sandals Resorts include bus or private car transport from the airport. You have a couple of options to fly in - the new airport in Ochos Rios and the airport in Montego Bay. The new airport has limited flights. While it will make your transfer much shorter, you do run the risk of having your travel plans messed up if there’s a flight issue. For this reason, we prefer to go through Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.
Quick Note: If you want to zip through customs and make it to the bus sooner, we recommend checking out Club Mobay at the Montego Bay airport. The packages costs are more than reasonable. Once my plane lands, the last thing I want to do is wait in lines. Club Mobay will assign you a personal escort to skip the customs line, grab your bags, and complimentary cocktails why you wait for the bus.
For more information on Club Mobay, check out our review: What is Club Mobay and is it Worth It?
If you opt not to use this package, Sandals has a nice lounge for you to wait for the bus as well! We found that they keep the buses going around the clock, so we only had to wait about 15 minutes.
Dining and Bars
In all honesty, this is the one of the highlights of staying at Sandals Ochi. For foodies and those who prefer a variety of options, this resort has the largest selection to choose from. Sandals Ochi boasts an impressive collection of 16 restaurants and 11 bars, ensuring there's something for everyone. We’ve broken them all down for you below.
Just like the different room accommodations, the rooms at Sandals Ochi are spread out into 3 different areas, to ensure you have options at any time, regardless of where you are.
Quick Note on Dress Code: Most restaurants at Sandals Ochi follow a Resort Casual dress code, while a few, such as Le Gourmand and Valentino's, require Resort Evening attire.
Resort Evening Attire - Dress pants 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.
Resort Casual - Shorts or jeans. T-shirts or polo shirts. Swimwear must be covered. Shirts and footwear required.
Hillside & Great House Restaurants
The first section of restaurants are all situated near the Great House, in close proximity to guests staying in both the Great House and Butler Villas. These are going to be closer to the back of the resort.
The Great House (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Dino's Pizzeria
Outdoor pizzeria serving crisp gourmet pizzas
Lunch: 11:00am to 6:00pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Great House Cafe
Poolside grill offering Jamaican specialties, light lunches, and late-night snacks
Lunch: 11:100am-6:oopm
Late Night: 10:00pm-6:00am
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Click Here for Late Night Menu
Le Gourmand
Classic French cuisine with white-glove service
Breakfast: 7:30am-11:00am
Dinner: 5:30pm-9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Evening (Reservations required)
Manor House
Jamaican à la carte dinin
Dinner: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
The Jerk Shack
Authentic Jamaican jerk specialties in a rustic atmosphere
Lunch: 11:00am-6:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
The Southern Table
Buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch, and dinner featuring American Southern cuisine
Breakfast (buffet): 7:30am – 10:30am
Lunch (a la carte): 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Dinner: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Riviera Seaside Restaurants
Kelly’s Dockside (Credits: Sandals 2024)
This was actually my favorite area to dine. Most of the restaurants here have beautiful views of the ocean, especially Kelly’s. This section of restaurants is located near the Riviera Seaside building.
Bella Napoli Pizzeria
Outdoor pizzeria with gourmet toppings
Lunch: 11:am-6:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Kelly's Dockside
Grilled specialties served on a pier
Dinner: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Casual (Reservations required)
Reef Terrace
Pan-Caribbean à la carte dining in a courtyard setting
Dinner: 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Tapas on the Riviera
International tapas and sharing plates
Lunch: 10:00am-4:00pm
Late Night: 10:30pm-5:00am
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Click Here for Late Night Menu
Valentino's
Southern Italian à la carte cuisine
Dinner: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Evening (Reservations required)
Vista Gourmet/Sky Terrace
Buffet breakfast and lunch, à la carte seafood dinner
Breakfast (buffet): 7:30am – 10:30am
Lunch (buffet): 12:30pm - 2:30pm (themed daily Cuisine)
Dinner: 5:30pm - 9:30pm (Seafood)
Dress code: Resort Casual
Ochi Beach Club Restaurants
Soy (Credits: Sandals 2024)
The Ochi Beach club area is located just a little further down the beach from the Riviera Seaside building. These are some of the more fun restaurants in my opinion, as some of them are right out on the beach. Being able to slide your toes into the sand while you dine helped us relax.
Kimonos
Japanese Teppanyaki with interactive dining experience
Dinner: 5:30pm-9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Evening (Reservations required)
The Mariner Seaside Bar & Grill
Jamaican specialties, sandwiches, and light lunches
Lunch: 11:00am-5:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Neptune's
Mediterranean à la carte dining on the beach
Dinner: 6.00pm-9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Soy
Sushi bar with à la carte dinner service
Dinner: 5:30pm-9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Bars
Sandals Ochi features 11 bars, including 3 swim-up bars, ensuring drinks are always within reach. You’ll find that the bars are also spread out over the resort. Notable mentions include the Latitudes Over the Water Bar and the lively Ochi Beach Club bar. Latitudes was my favorite bar. We enjoyed sitting out over the water and staring into the ocean as we talked and sipped our cocktails.
Sandals Ochi also hosts the only speakeasy within the Sandals brand: The Rabbit Hole. Check out this video from Sandals that highlights the Rabbit Hole below.
Activities and Entertainment
Sandals Ochi may not have the largest beach, but it makes up for it with all the options. In addition to 16 restaurants, this resort also has a number of water sports, land sports, and entertainment options.
Water Sports
Hobie Cat Sailboats
Kayaks
Windsurfing
Hobie Cats
Snorkeling
Scuba diving (unlimited for certified divers)
Paddleboards
Aqua trikes
Land Sports
Volleyball
Basketball
Tennis (day and night)
Fitness center
Table tennis
Croquet
Squash
Rock climbing
Pools and Beaches With 105 pools and 22 whirlpools spread throughout the resort, couples can find their perfect spot to relax and unwind. The resort also boasts a stunning white sand beach with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas.
Entertainment
Sandals Ochi comes alive at night with an array of entertainment options, including live bands, themed parties, and shows. The Ochi Beach Club is the hub for late-night fun, with a lively atmosphere and DJ-led events.
Here’s a list of weekly themed nights and events, along with entertainment that cane be found at Sandals Ochi:
Theme Nights and Weekly Events
Monday - Caribbean Carnival Beach Party at Ochi Beach Club; Managers’ Cocktail
Tuesday - “Island Night” at the Amphitheatre; Sandals Select Cocktail & Dinner
Wednesday - “Love Hop” White Night & Chocolate Buffet; Silent Headphone Party
Thursday - “Sandals Live” Talent Show at the Amphitheatre
Friday - “Jamaica Live” at the Amphitheatre/ Ochi Beach Club Pool Party
Saturday - “Caribbean Night” The Best of the 80s Show at the Amphitheatre
Sunday - “Island Romance” and Motown Show at the Amphitheatre
Entertainment
Amphitheatre - Resident band, cabaret shows, cultural shows
Miss Ethel’s Piano Bar - nightly, 6:00pm-2:00am
Ocean Beach Bar - nightly, live DJ
Polo Lounge/ Karaoke - Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10:00pm/10:30pm
Popcorn & Palms Outdoor Movies - Sundays and Fridays, 8:00pm
Sundowner Lounge - Live Performances, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Wedding Packages at Sandals Ochi
Over-the-Water Serenity Chapel (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Sandals Ochi is a picturesque setting for a dream Caribbean wedding. The resort offers a variety of wedding packages, each tailored to create an unforgettable celebration. Couples can choose from unique venues, such as beach and garden locations, and enjoy personalized service from dedicated wedding planners. Honeymooners and those celebrating anniversaries can also take advantage of special perks and amenities.
One great venue available at Sandals Ochi is the Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapel, pictured below. This is a stand out venue that brings a unique feel that other places won’t offer.
Click Here for Sandals Wedding and Honeymoon Packages
Other Amenities at Sandals Ochi
When looking into Sandals Resorts, most people think “all-inclusive” and look primarily at water sports, land sports, food and drinks. However, there are several other fun things specific to Sandals Ochi.
Fitness Center - The gyms at Sandals Resorts are fully air-conditioned and keep up-to-date equipment. They also have certified fitness instructors that will lead you in some great workouts. We ended up here a couple mornings, as we felt the need to work everything off! For those of you into fitness, this is a must visit.
Nurse’s Station - Open Monday to Sunday, 9:00am-6:00pm. A doctor is also on call 24/7, but doctor’s visits are extra. This is not something I looked into before coming to Sandals, but was a life saver! My wife got something lodged in her ear while swimming and needed a lavage. They had a doctor in that afternoon to take care of it. Keep in mind, this is a little more pricey than your typical urgent care. We spent between $300-$400 for the visit. Still, when you’ve dropped a good bit on a nice trip, it’s worth it to ensure you enjoy every minute.
What's Not Included
This list is not too long, as Sandals pulls out all the stops. You may still find the need to pay for a few things: Epix pictures, the resort shop, tipping of butlers and drivers, scuba certification, spa services, and off-site excursions. However, not all of these are mandatory.
Epix
Epix is the picture service at each Sandals resort. From couples' shoots to wedding photography, their skilled photographers will help you create lasting memories.You’ll find photographers on the beach and throughout the resort each day and evening. They are all gifted at capturing some fun moments, especially when you’re dressed up and getting out at night. You’ll have the chance to stop by the Epix store and pick some photos to take home. However, you do have to pay!
The Resort Shop
The Resort Shop did end up saving us in the end, but it is on the pricey side. They keep essentials, souvenirs, and gifts at The Resort Shop, conveniently located on the resort premises.
Tipping Butlers and Drivers
One thing we love about Sandals is that tipping is not allowed, at least in most cases. You’ll find waitstaff, bartenders and most everyone is not allowed to accept any type of tip. However, butlers and drivers are the exception. For drivers for excursions and transfer to and from the airport, you’ll want to bring a tip.
In terms of butlers, only the butler rooms will have this service. They do wait on you day in and day out, so you do want to make sure you tip them accordingly. If you’re curious about how much to tip them, check out our guide to tipping butlers below.
The Red Lane Spa
Every Sandals resort sports a Red Lane Spa. While it comes at a cost, they offer some great services that are more than worth it.
Click below for a list of spa treatments at the Red Lane Spa at this resort:
Red Lane Spa Services - Sandals Ochi
Island Routes Excursions
River Tubing Excursion - Island Routes
Island Routes is the official partner with Sandals for all off-site excursions. I wouldn’t personally recommend doing any excursions that aren’t done through Island Routes.
Many of Jamaica’s premiere excursions (like Dunn’s River Falls) are actually near Ochos Rios. Here are some examples:
Luminous Lagoon
Dunn’s River Falls
Treetop Zipline and River Tubing Experience
Blue Hole
Click Here for More Island Routes Excursions
Tips for a Perfect Stay
To make the most of your Sandals Ochi getaway, consider the following tips:
Pack light, breathable clothing suitable for warm weather, along with comfortable shoes for exploring the resort. For more tips on what to pack, check out our Guide to Packing for Sandlas.
Make dining and activity reservations early to ensure availability, especially during peak seasons.
Choose a room category that best suits your preferences, whether it's a private villa with a butler or a beachfront club-level room.
Don't hesitate to ask resort staff for recommendations or assistance; they are dedicated to ensuring you have an unforgettable experience.
Conclusion
Sandals Ochi truly embodies the ultimate luxury all-inclusive experience for couples. If you are a couple who values cheaper accommodations, private rooms, a vibrant nightlife and many dining options, this is perfect for you!
From our personal experience, we can confidently recommend this resort to couples looking for an unforgettable Caribbean getaway. To get started, click “Contact Us” below and we’ll help you coordinate the perfect experience. If you want to jump in and look around or book, feel free to use our affiliate link below:
