Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica: A Complete Guide
Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica (Credits: Sandals 2024)
What is it about Sandals Royal Caribbean that make it stand out? Overwater Bungalows and the private offshore island are just a couple of the features that keep people coming back.
As a Sandals partner, we’ve visited the resort and want to share with you a complete review, along with reasons why you should make Sandals Royal Caribbean your next getaway. In this article, 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.
Before we dive into all the details, take a look at the resort map to get acquainted:
Sandals Royal Caribbean Map
Ready to experience Sandals Royal Caribbean firsthand? Contact Us to start planning your ultimate couples getaway!
Quick Resort Facts:
15 minute drive from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay
232 rooms and suites
9 restaurants plus 12 at Sandals Montego Bay
5 bars
7 pools, 5 whirlpools
Red Lane Spa & Fitness Center
Private offshore island with pool, restaurants, and spa
Overwater bungalows with butler service & private infinity pools
Arrival & Transportation
After landing at Montego Bay's Sangster International Airport, Sandals Royal Caribbean is just a short 15 minute ride away. Roundtrip transfers are always included. Upgraded BMW luxury transfers are available for butler level and select club-level rooms.
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?
Accommodation Types
With 28 room categories to choose from, Sandals Royal Caribbean has something to suit every taste and budget. Of these categories, the rooms fall into to 7 distinct types. We’ll highlight each below, as well as the applicable room categories in each type.
Over-The-Water Villa
Over the Water Private Island Butler Villa with Infinity Pool (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Over the Water Private Island Butler Villa with Infinity Pool - These villas boast floating water hammocks, glass floor panels, private infinity pools, and personalized butler service. Click here for more information.
Over-The-Water Bungalow
Over-the-Water Private Island Butler Honeymoon Bungalow (Credits: Sandals 2023)
Over-the-Water Private Island Butler Honeymoon Bungalow - These bungalows feature a private deck with Tranquility Soaking Tub, over-water hammocks, personal butler service, and 360-degree ocean views. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
One Bedroom Suites
Beachfront Honeymoon One-Bedroom Walkout Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Beachfront Honeymoon One-Bedroom Walkout Butler Suite - These newly renovated suites offer beach views, a spacious patio with Tranquility Soaking Tub, and butler service. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Crystal Lagoon Hideaway Junior Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub - Tucked in a peaceful garden setting, these junior suites feature a private balcony with a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Royal One Bedroom Butler Suite - These suites are near the resort's East pool, with comfortable living area, private balcony or patio, personal butler service. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Walkout Suites
Caribbean Poolside Luxury Walkout with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Caribbean Poolside Grande Luxe Walkout Room with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub - Newly renovated rooms with walkout patio featuring a Tranquility Soaking Tub, just steps from the pool. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Caribbean Poolside Luxury Walkout Room with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub - Newly renovated rooms with walkout patio featuring a Tranquility Soaking Tub, close to the pool. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Beachfront Honeymoon One-Bedroom Walkout Butler Suite is included in this room type as well.
Romeo and Juliet Suites
Romeo & Juliet Walkout Butler Suite with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Romeo & Juliet Butler Suite with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub - These suites come with a balcony featuring a Tranquility Soaking Tub, personal butler service, tropical garden and partial ocean views. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Swim-Up Suites
Swim-up Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon One Bedroom Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Swim-up Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon One Bedroom Butler Suite - These suites have direct access to the Crystal Lagoon pool from oversized patio, personal butler service, and separate living room. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Penthouse Suites
Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Penthouse Oceanview One Bedroom Butler Suite (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Penthouse Oceanview One Bedroom Butler Suite - Lavish penthouse suites overlooking the Crystal Lagoon pool and ocean, with personal butler service and spacious living room. Click here for more information about this accommodation.
Other Rooms
Sandals Royal Caribbean 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 Royal Caribbean?
With the Sandals brand, you’ll find that “all-inclusive” means a lot more than it does at other places. This is part of what initially sold us on our first visit. Check out a list of inclusions below, then we’ll cover some of them in more detail.
Unlimited dining at 9 restaurants
5 bars, including swim-up and overwater options
Stocked bars in every room
Roundtrip airport transfers
BMW private airport transfers for butler suites
PADI-Certified SCUBA diving
Unlimited water sports and land sports
7 pools and 5 whirlpools
Day and night entertainment, including live shows
Free weddings for stays of 3 nights or longer
Resort access to Sandals Montego Bay
Free WiFi resort wide
Tips, taxes and gratuities
Dining
Sandals Royal Caribbean features 9 restaurants, but you also have access to the restaurants at the neighboring Sandals Montego Bay, giving you a total of 21 to choose from. This is a part of the “Stay at 1, Play at 2” program for this resort. For more information on Sandals Montego Bay, check out our full review here!
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 Royal Caribbean:
Bella Napoli Pizzeria
Open: 11:00am – 6:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
Bombay Club
Bombay Club (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Indian
Breakfast (a-la-carte): 8:00am - 11:00am
Dinner (a-la-carte): 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual (Reservations are required)
Le Jardinier
Le Jardinier (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: French
Dinner (a-la-carte): 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Evening Attire (Reservations are required)
Royal Thai
Royal Thai (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Thai
Dinner: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual (Reservations are required)
The Cricketers Pub
Type of Cuisine: British Pub Fare
Dinner (a-la-carte): 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Midnight snacks: 10:00pm – 2:00am
Click Here for Late Night Menu
Dress Code: Resort Casual
The Jerk Shack
Type of Cuisine: Authentic Jamaican Jerk
Open: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual
The Mariner Seaside Grill
Type of Cuisine: Beach Grill
Lunch: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
La Tavola
Type of Cuisine: Italian
Dinner (a-la-carte): 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual (Reservations are required)
Spices
Spices (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Type of Cuisine: Caribbean
Breakfast: 7:30am - 10:30am (Buffet)
Lunch: 12:30pm - 2:30pm (Buffet)
Dinner (a-la-carte): 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Dress code: Resort Casual
Bars
Ready to raise a glass? Choose from 5 bars offering unlimited premium liquors:
Island Swim-Up Bar - 10:00am – 5:00pm
Mariner Seaside Bar - 11:00am – 6:00pm
Piano Bar - 5:00pm – 1:00am
Main Pool Swim-Up Bar - 10:00am – 05:00pm
The Cricketers Pub - 4:00pm – 02:00am
Highgrove Bar - 10:00am – 05:00pm
Our favorite spot for a pre-dinner cocktail is the Cricketer's Pub. It has a cool British vibe! Also, be sure to try Sandals' signature cocktails. Give the Dirty Banana a try - you can thank me later.
Water Sports
Hobie Cat Sailboats at Sandals
So many motorized and non-motorized water sports are included. We never ran out of things to do at the beach.
Kayaking
Paddleboards
Hobie Cat Sail Boats
Snorkeling
Windsurfing
Underwater Vision Glass Bottom Boat
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
Day and night tennis
Beach volleyball
Basketball
Pool tables
Giant chess
Croquet
Entertainment
You’ll also find weekly events like cocktail parties, themed nights, live music, and talent shows.
Monday - Caribbean Carnival Beach Party
Tuesday - Reggae Conscious
Wednesday - Love hop
Thursday - Sandals Rewind
Friday - Jamaica Live
Saturday - Variety Show
Sunday - Sandals Live
Private Island
Sandals Royal Caribbean Private Island (Credits: Sandals 2024)
Don't miss the chance to spend a day on the resort's private offshore island! This was hands down our favorite part about this resort.
You can walk along the hidden beach, relax in an overwater hammock, swim up to the pool bar, and indulge in a massage at the tiny Red Lane Spa outpost. For a unique dining experience, check out Royal Thai, the island's authentic Thai restaurant.
Wedding Packages
Weddings and Honeymoons are a specialty at Sandals. 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
Stay at 1, Play at 2 - Sandals Montego Bay
Included with your Stay at Sandals Royal Caribbean is the ability to spend time at their neighboring resort, Sandals Montego Bay. This resort is much larger and has an incredible beach, in addition to several more restaurants.
For more information on Sandals Montego Bay, check out our review here.
What's Not Included at Sandals Royal Caribbean?
While Sandals Royal Caribbean offers an extensive all-inclusive package, there are a few things that are not included in the price. 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 Royal Caribbean. 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 Royal Caribbean is a convenient 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 Royal Caribbean include:
Luminous Lagoon
Appleton Estate Rum Tour
Dunn's River Falls
Mystic Mountain Bobsled and Zipline Adventure
When booking excursions, we strongly recommend going through Island Routes to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Click Here for More Island Routes Excursions
Insider Tips
Don't miss afternoon tea! It's a charming Royal Caribbean tradition.
Make dinner reservations early for the most popular restaurants like Royal Thai. Your butler can assist if you're in a butler level room.
Use the resort's free shuttle to hop over and enjoy the restaurants, beach and amenities at Sandals Montego Bay. It's like two vacations in one!
Consider a Club Level room for extra perks like a personalized concierge service and access to the Club Sandals Lounge.
Our Take
While the beach at Sandals Royal Caribbean may be on the smaller side, this resort offers so much uniqueness. From wandering the peaceful gardens to dining on your own private island, it's an experience unlike any other Sandals resort. The overwater bungalows are truly bucket list worthy!
However you spend your time at Sandals Royal Caribbean, you're bound to leave feeling relaxed, reconnected and already dreaming of your next visit. Trust me, one trip is never enough!
If you're ready to book your own luxury included vacation, we'd love to help you find the perfect room and craft an unforgettable experience. We've stayed at this resort ourselves, so feel free to reach out with any questions.
