Sandals Royal Plantation Review - Why This is Now My Favorite Resort in Jamaica
In May of 2025, I set out on a 2-week sprint to visit every Sandals Resort in Jamaica. Sandals Royal Plantation won me over as a new favorite spot that I’ll be returning to. If you’re looking into Sandals Resorts for an upcoming vacation, don’t overlook this specific resort. I’m going to share with you what features set it apart, the many pros (and few cons) of staying here, and what shaped my experience to be so great. You’ll also find a brief review of everything that’s on the resort to experience!
Sandals Royal Plantation Front Entrance
A Brief Introduction - What I Loved (and the Few Things I Didn’t)
As you can probably tell so far, I loved the experience. I was actually surprised by this, as I typically like larger resorts with lots of options. Other than having a butler, I thought I might be bored with a smaller resort. However, I was surprised.
Sandals Royal Plantation sits in Ochos Rios, Jamaica. It shares the city with Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Ochi. However, Royal Plantation is much smaller. It hosts only 74 suites/rooms, of which all come with Butler service. The idea is to provide a luxury boutique experience within the Sandals brand (and they do it well).
Pros
A few of the things I loved about Sandals Royal Plantation:
Butler Service - This resort was my introduction to having a room that came with Butler service. I personally liked having them bring whichever drinks I wanted to my room on any given day, or to my beach spot.
Boutique/Small Feel - It does have a more luxury boutique feel. It sits on a cliff with winding stairs down to the private beach. The pool is stationed about halfway down, with a beautiful view. I was actually blown away by the GM, Armando. We had the chance to join him for tea out at the Tea Terrace one afternoon, and he knew the names of every couple that walked by.
Quiet Spots - Take this with a grain of salt, because it’s a personal preference. While I typically love having a lot of options, I also want a quiet spot on the beach during the day. I’m a beach guy who wants to read all afternoon with a drink. The two smaller beaches accommodated this daily. You won’t really find the blasting music here that you’d see at the older resorts, as the clientele are older and more reserved for the most part.
Stay and Play Options - While the resort is small, you have many options next door at Sandals Ochi. As a part of Sandals’ Stay and Play program, you have the ability to take a shuttle next door to Sandals Ochi any day, which is the largest of all the Sandals Resorts. Sandals Ochi has 16 additional restaurants to choose from, which allows you to hop over in the evenings and experience more. You can then come back to sleep in the quiet.
Cons
The things I didn’t love as much:
Options at the Resort - Sandals Royal Plantation only has 5 restaurants, which are not all open at the same time. This typically limits you to 1-2 options at each meal. You still have Sandals Ochi close by, but sometimes you want something different without having to go anywhere.
Quiet in the Evening - As I shared earlier, the clientele here are most often older and more reserved. The staff at Sandals Royal Plantation are great! However, I did see one table get scolded by another couple staying at the resort for talking loudly at dinner. It’s definitely a vibe you can relax in, while hopping next door when needed.
Distance from the Airport - While a new airport has opened in Ochos Rios, the flights are limited and typically more expensive. Most people opt to come in through the airport in Montego Bay, which is about 90 minutes away. The transportation is included, but I love landing and getting to the resort quickly.
Overwater Swings on Beach at Sandals Royal Plantation
A Quick Snapshot
Two (2) private beaches
One (1) Pool
5 Restaurants
English style Afternoon Tea on the Terrace
Caribbean’s only Champagne and Caviar Bar
24-hour in-suite dining
Butler Service for all suites
Full exchange privileges to all Sandals Resorts (from this resort only, not from the other resorts to Sandals Royal Plantation). Sandals Ochi Beach Resort offers an additional 16 restaurant options along with complimentary transfers.
Right for You?
I’d say Sandals Royal Plantation is right for you if you want to relax on the beach with a book, enjoy next-level butler service with any room, and stay in a quieter environment, but still have options for dinner and shows next door.
Arrival and Location
Sandals Royal Plantation is located about 90 minutes from the airport in Montego Bay. If you’re willing to pay a little extra and pick from more limited options, there’s a newer airport in Ochos Rios that’s much closer. Other’s opt to fly in from Kingston, which is about the same distance as Montego Bay, but in a different direction.
I typically recommend flying into Montego Bay, as I’ve had the best experience there. Also, one of the best things about Sandals is that transportation is included to and from the airport. They also have a lounge at the airport. Once you check-in at the lounge, you can grab a drink and use the restroom while you wait for the bus. I’ve never waited more than 15-20 minutes for the bus at this point.
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?
Accommodations
Sandals Royal Plantation has 74 suites that all come with butler service. These rooms are split between 3 buildings: the Beachfront West Wing, Beachfront East Wing, and the Beachfront Villa Plantana.
Beachfront East and West Wings
West Building and Beach
East Building and Beach
The majority of the rooms will be found in the East and West buildings. In both buildings, all rooms will have windows or balconies that face the beach. You really do get a good view from every room I was able to see. However, the con is that not all rooms come with an actual balcony that you walk out onto. Instead, some rooms have doors that open up into a French balcony and that section of your room functions like the balcony area. I’ve done this on cruises and am not the biggest fan of this, as I’d rather have a room with a traditional balcony. It’s not always a deal breaker, but something to be aware of.
West Building Room with French Balcony
Villa Plantana
Villa Plantana from Entrance
Villa Plantana from the Beach
The Villa Plantana is a small area with four suites. Each bedroom opens up into it’s own area. These will be the most expensive on the property. You can book one suite, or book all four with a group. This is the perfect spot to utilize if you’re traveling with other couples. It also has a pool that’s specifically for this area.
Overall, I thought every room I visited was very nice. When I last visited in May 2025, I thought my room was a tad dated. However, I was told that they are updating all of the rooms. I usually only sleep in my room, so it’s not a huge dealbreaker for me if I don’t have the balcony.
A Note on Butler Level Accommodations - As we’ve shared, all rooms at this resort include 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
Restaurants
There are a total of 5 restaurants on the resort, which rotate availability at different times each day. You’ll always find something open, but as I’ve shared, you may not have a ton of options at some points. Keep in mind, you also have Sandals Ochi next door, with an additional 16 restaurants!
Click Here to See All Restaurants at Sandals Ochi
I had the chance to sample 5 and will break down my thoughts on each below. I’ll also give a quick overview of times and menus.
A quick note on dress code: Most restaurants are resort casual, but a few have a dress code, so pack accordingly.
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.
The Wobbly Peacock Pub
The Wobbly Peacock Pub
This was my absolute favorite spot on the resort. It had a great vibe for hanging out (inside or outside) and had great food. I’m actually a sucker for great pub food, so this was right up my alley. Two things I’d recommend: (1) The Buffalo Wings are great! (2) If Vernet is there serving drinks, he makes a great skinny Margarita. I went back to him for this too many times to count.
Hours: 3:00pm – Midnight
Dress Code: Resort Casual Attire
The Terrace
The Terrace Outside Area
The Terrace is the spot to grab food any time of day. At breakfast, you’ll find the buffet every morning (I loved the omelette station). You can also take dine from the breakfast menu if you’re in the mood. I’d recommend getting some Blue Mountain coffee and sitting out on the terrace area that overlooks the beach.
At lunch, you’ll find a menu with various comfort foods. At dinner, it’s a full Caribbean food menu. They make it look nice dining out on the terrace in the evenings.
Breakfast Hours: 7:30am - 11:00am
Lunch Hours: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Dinner Hours: 6:30pm - 9:30pm (Reservations required for dinner)
Dress Code (Dinner Only): Resort Evening Attire
The Tea Terrace
The Tea Terrace
The Tea Terrace is actually unique to this resort. I haven’t seen anything like it at another Sandals. Every afternoon, from 4-5pm, you can visit the terrace area for afternoon tea and pastries. (You can also get coffee if you’re picky like me).
Hours: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Dress Code: Resort Casual Attire
Royal Grill
The Royal Grill
Royal Grill sits down on the beach and has a great view of the ocean. It’s open for lunch and dinner. I felt like it has a lot of your standard menu items you’d find at lunchtime restaurants at a Sandals resort (Burgers, Jerk Chicken, etc.). For dinner, there’s more of a seafood vibe.
I thought the view was what made this restaurant stand out. If you go for lunch, I’d check out the Jerk Chicken.
Lunch Hours: 11:00am – 4:30pm
Dinner Hours: 6:30pm – 8:30pm (seasonal) Reservations required for dinner.
Dress Code (Dinner): Resort Casual Attire
Le Papillon
Le Papillon Balcony Seating
Le Papillon is going the be the nicer of the restaurants at the resort. It’s serves French food and is only open for dinner. In terms of experience, if you can ask for a table out on the balcony overlooking the resort, you’ll have the best spot in the house! You do need to be aware that they require reservations ahead of time though.
Hours: 6:30pm – 9:00pm (Reservations required)
Dress Code: Resort Evening Attire
Bars
You’ll find 2 main bars at the resort. One is the pub. The other is down on the beach and is attached to the Royal Grill. While this may seem like a drawback, remember - you have butlers with every room! They’ll bring you a drink at any time.
What Else is Included at Sandals Royal Plantation?
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. I’ll share a short list of inclusions below, then cover the main ones in more detail.
Unlimited dining at 5 restaurants
Unlimited drinks
2 bars
Liquors stocked in room upon butler request
Unlimited Water Sports and Land Sports
1 pools and 1 whirlpool
Day and night entertainment and live shows
Red Lane Fitness Center
Airport arrival lounge
All tips, taxes and gratuities
Roundtrip airport transfers
On-Call Nurse Station
Land and Water Sports
Being smaller, you’ll find that the land and water sports are somewhat limited at Sandals Royal Plantation. However, you’ve still got more options next door at Sandals Ochi.
Click Here for Land/Water Sports at Sandals Ochi
Click Here for Land/Water Sports at Sandals Royal Plantation
Red Lane Fitness Center
Tennis Courts and Pickleball Courts
In terms of Land Sports, you’ll have the Red Lane Fitness Center for all your workout needs. This is a smaller gym, but I haven’t been here once when there was another person. It’s usually pretty quiet.
Sandals is also getting into Pickleball! You’ll find a tennis court and pickleball courts up front near the fitness center. I’ve personally been getting more into pickleball with the family, so this was a cool addition I enjoyed with my wife for a couple hours.
You’ll also find a pool table in the Loyalty Lounge area.
Just like any other Sandals Resort, the Aqua Center is down on the beach. Here, you’ll be able to sign up for any Water Sports - Hobie Cats, Snorkeling, Scuba, etc.
The Aqua Center
Hobie Cat Sailboat and Kajaks
Everyone has their go-to water activity. Mine is the Hobie-Cat. If you’ve never tried it, taking a Hobie-Cat sailboat out on the ocean for an hour or so can be the most relaxing part of your vacation. I try to do it every time I visit at least once.
Here’s a list of all the watersports available at Sandals Royal Plantaion:
Aquatrikes
Underwater Vision (Glass Botton) Boat
Kayaks
Paddleboarding
Hobie Cats
Snorkeling
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.
Nightly Entertainment
Entertainment Gazebo at Sandals Royal Plantation
I found the entertainment in the evenings to be a little lacking, but that’s expected with the vibe of Royal Plantation. I’ve seen a Caribbean Steel Band on the Terrace, a Silent DJ Party, and sing along performances on the piano in the Pub.
Honestly, I didn’t mind fewer options in the evenings. Hanging out in the hot tub and looking out at the ocean after dinner was a unique spot that I liked taking advantage of.
I think the beauty of this resort is the restful energy you’ll find in the evenings, while a stone’s throw away from the activities at Sandals Ochi. If you venture next door in the evenings, you’ll find 16 more restaurants, evening entertainment in their amphitheater, a speakeasy, and more piano bars.
Click Here for More Information on Activities at Sandals Royal Plantation
Click Here for More Information on Activities at Sandals Ochi
What’s Not Included (But Still Great!)
While most of the amenities at Sandals Royal Plantation are covered, there are a few things that will come with an additional cost. These are usually minimal compared to the overall value of the resort, but it's important to be aware of them.
Additional Dining Experiences
Sandals Royal Plantation actually comes with two additional dining experiences, which both come at an additional cost.
The C Bar
Candlelight Dinner
The C Bar - The area used for dining at Le Papillon actually opens prior to dinner to serve Caviar & Champagne. It’s one of the only spots in Jamaica to do so. Reservations are required.
Candlelight Dinner - For an additional cost, your butler will set you up on the beach for a secluded candlelight dinner. We personally haven’t done this, but it makes for a great romantic experience if you’re celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary.
The Resort Shop
The Resort Shop at Sandals Royal Plantation is a place to find 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.
I’ve forgotten essentials before and had to shell out up to $60 for a couple of extra cans of sunscreen.
They also don’t have many medicine options. However, I’m told that your butler can venture outside the resort to pick this up for you. (I almost had to do this!)
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.
Click Here for Our Guide on Tipping Butlers at Sandals
The Red Lane Spa
Red Lane Spa
The Red Lane Spa at Sandals Royal Plantation is near the front of the resort. In addition to the main area for massages and spa services, they have a full salon next door. While Massages will cost extra, I did find that you can use the locker room, sauna and steam room for free!
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.
Click Here for Red Lane Spa Services at Sandals Royal Plantation
Island Routes Excursions
Island Routes is the exclusive partner of Sandals for all off-site excursions. You’ll find the kiosk just outside the Wobbly Peacock Pub. I personally think staying in Ochos Rios warrants an excursion, as some of the most iconic experiences in Jamaica are on this part of the island. Here are a few I’d recommend:
Dunn’s River - This is the most iconic excursion on the island! You’ll climb a series of waterfalls, starting from the beach.
Blue Hole - You’ll trek up a series of smaller waterfalls, then have the opportunity to jump down into different lagoons.
Catamaran Sunset Cruise - If you’re up for being around people, this is a great option! You’ll get drinks and snacks on the boat as you watch the sunset.
Dunn's River Excursion
We’ve actually reviewed several of these options on our YouTube Channel. Feel free to check them out there!
When booking excursions, we strongly recommend going through Island Routes to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Click Here for More Island Routes Excursions
Wedding Packages
Sandals Royal Plantation has a few amazing spots to get married if you are wanting a destination wedding. There are some deals that Sandals advertises, in which you can get a free wedding if you stay a certain number of nights. However, be aware that the add-ons can add up and get expensive!
Overwater Wedding Gazebo
They have 2-3 spots for weddings at this resort. However, my favorite is the main overwater gazebo. Guests can sit on the pier facing the gazebo and it looks beautiful at the right time of day.
Final Thoughts and Tips
Overall, if I wanted to get away and ensure I’d get quiet, relaxation, and everything I need, I know I’d come back to Sandals Royal Plantation. The vibe is unlike any other Sandals Resort I’ve seen. I love the boutique resort feel, while still having options to hop out and do something fun close by.
I’d recommend doing these things to ensure it’s a great experience:
Fly into Montego Bay and book Club Mobay
Make sure to send your butler preferences a week prior to coming
Book a massage on day 1 or 2
Make sure to try Le Papillon for dinner and hit the breakfast buffet. Take a least one night to sample the pub food at the Wobbly Peacock. Outside of that, make sure to take a couple nights and see Sandals Ochi.
Drink up that Blue Mountain Coffee in the mornings!
Have your butler reserve the best spot on the beach for you each morning
Last, if you have more questions, contact us! We’re a travel agency specializing in Sandals and would love to help.
