We recently visited every Sandals Resort including Sandals Montego Bay to see if it would make for a perfect honeymoon getaway and found out why so many people love it.
Sandals Montego Bay is the original Sandals Resort, opened in 1981 and has since been completely renovated to become what many consider the best all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay.
Prefer Video? See our review on YouTube!
Sandals Montego Bay Overview
Sandals Montego Bay is set on a long stretch of private, white sand beach along the turquoise Caribbean water. While this is where the Sandals brand started—the original location—the resort feels modern and fresh after its renovations, including a major renovation in 2019.
The sleek open-air lobby overlooks the Caribbean, many restaurants are waterfront, and there’s even an overwater bar. You don’t have to lose sight of the ocean here if you don’t want to.
A bonus to staying at Sandals Montego Bay is that you get complete access to all the amenities and restaurants of the nearby Sandals Royal Caribbean (easily reached via a free shuttle service).
One thing to know about Sandals Montego Bay is that it is very close to the airport. So close in fact that the airplane noise is loud. This does not bother most guests and flights are mostly leaving from 11 am to 4 pm. But if this does bother you Sandals Royal Caribbean is nearby without as much plane noise.
Deals at Sandals Montego Bay
If you are looking to find the best price, check the latest deals before you go.
If you are booking last minute you can get a free night when you book 4 nights and they have weekly 777 specials.
Arriving at Sandals Montego Bay
When we dream of a tropical vacation we do not want to spend the whole day getting there and arriving in the lobby the resort will collapse in exhaustion. This is one of the reasons we loved Sandals Montego Bay.
Sandals Montego Bay is located 5 minutes from the Montego Bay airport aka Sangster International Airport. After arriving at the airport we made our way to the Sandals lounge before getting on a shuttle to go to the resort.
I do recommend you look at how many arrivals will be coming to the airport around the same time as your flight. If you are arriving in the middle of the day, consider purchasing access to Club Mobay which gets you through customs quickly.
If you book a butler suite at Sandals Montego Bay it includes a private BMW transfer instead of a shared shuttle bus.
After arriving at the resort, we were greeted with a cold towel and taken to the club lounge for check-in.
Sandals Montego Bay Rooms & Suites
There is a wide range of lavish rooms and suites, many of them set just steps from the beautiful beach and sparkling sea.
Our choice is the swim-up rooms that overlook the ocean. You can stay in a Beachfront Swim-up Butler Suite which features a retractable glass wall that slides open so you can step right into the lagoon-style pool and go for a swim, lie in the sun on your private in-pool lounger, or enjoy an oversized Tranquility Soaking Tup for two. Since these rooms are beachfront you are also a few steps from the beach as well.
Other romantic rooms at Sandals Montego Bay include Beachfront Honeymoon Butler Suites, with a balcony that overlooks the Caribbean and has a Tranquility Soaking Tub; Crystal Lagoon Swim-up Elite Luxury Rooms with a private patio and direct access to a swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens; or Beachfront Honeymoon Walkout Club Elite Junior Suites, located just steps from the beach and featuring Tranquility Soaking Tubs with ocean views. If you stay in a butler-level suite, you get the services of your own private butler during your stay.
Sandals Montego Bay Food & Drink Reviews
As at every Sandals resort, you can enjoy unlimited fine dining, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, and dinner at Sandals Montego Bay.
One of the first things we do after checking in is getting dinner reservations.
Sandals Montego Bay features 6 bars (including swim-up bars and a piano bar) and 12 restaurants, many of which overlook the beautiful beach.
For breakfast, we usually go to a buffet, but there is also an a la carte restaurant and room service available. We also go to Cafe de Paris most days which opens early for specialty coffee, crepes, and pastries.
For lunch, the restaurants serve a casual meal. We enjoyed the burgers, quesadillas, fresh-baked pizzas, and jerk chicken.
In the evening there are plenty of choices for where to dine. Our favorite was Oleanders. If you arrive at 6:30 you can get some of the best sunset views from the deck.
The Soy sushi bar is always a favorite of ours as well as Tokyo Jo’s where you can build your own entree at the Wok station. Butch’s is another Sandals staple with great meat quality, and there are several other cuisines available.
One of the coolest features of Sandals Montego Bay is the Over-the-Water Bar, where you can sip a refreshing drink surrounded by the Caribbean. You can even laze the day away with your sweetie in one of the overwater hammocks for two!
You also have access via a complimentary shuttle to Sandals Royal Caribbean, which has 9 restaurants and 6 bars, including swim-up bars and a piano bar. We highly recommend going to the Thai restaurant and Bombay house if you have the time.
Sandals Montego Bay Beaches & Pool
The beach at Sandals Montego Bay is very long, making it easy to find a chair along the beach nearly any time of day.
The photo above is taken from the Sandals website. This is the beach but expect there to be a lot more people around. You can get a better idea from our video.
There are 7 pools to choose from that vary from having party vibes and fun activities to being quiet and relaxing.
Sandals Montego Bay Things To Do
If you want to be active on your honeymoon or vacation in Jamaica, you’ll find everything you need here.
Sandals Montego Bay is the perfect resort in Jamaica for water activities. You can take advantage of the complimentary equipment and instruction for a full range of water sports including wakeboarding, tubing, and waterskiing as well as the usual scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and Hobie Cat sailing.
Sandals Montego Bay has a wide variety of land sports available as well, including day and night tennis in addition to beach volleyball, table tennis, lawn chess, croquet, basketball, pool tables, and a fitness center with exercise classes.
When you feel like relaxing, lounge on the stunning beach or by one of several pools. You can also indulge in a couples’ massage or other restorative spa treatment at the full-service Red Lane Spa.
Sandals Montego Bay Spa
For the ultimate pampering on your honeymoon or romantic retreat at Sandals Montego Bay, the Red Lane Spa offers Caribbean-inspired treatments with regional products and services including massages, facials, and body treatments.
It also features a steam room, beauty salon, and yoga/Pilates studio, as well as plunge pools and relaxation areas in a secluded garden. The plunge pools and sauna are actually open to everyone, not just spa guests.
Sandals Montego Bay Excursions
You can go explore Jamaica on your own or book a wide variety of optional area excursions and adventure tours at Sandals Montego Bay, including ziplining in the jungle, horseback riding on the beach, ATV tours, a “drive-your-own” adventure to Negril or Ocho Rios, boat trips, river rafting, waterfall tours, mountain hiking, swimming in a luminous lagoon, rum tours, catamaran cruises, and more. (These are not included in your stay.)
Sandals Montego Bay Nightlife
As night falls, watch the sun sink into the ocean from one of several beachfront lounging areas or the overwater bar. Tiki torches, fire pits, and the whisper of the waves create the perfect romantic ambiance.
If you enjoy socializing and partying, Sandals Montego Bay is known for its vibrant atmosphere. It has plenty of nightly entertainment options, including live shows, music, a piano bar, beach parties, and theme nights. Sandals Montego Bay is also close to the active nightlife scene in Montego Bay, if you want to go out to local clubs.
How Much Does Sandals Montego Bay Cost?
A room at Sandals Montego Bay starts at $331 per person per night. It is more expensive than other Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, likely due to the popularity of the Montego Bay area.
Is Sandals Montego Bay only for couples?
Yes, Sandals Montego Bay is only for couples; like all Sandals properties, it is an adults-only all-inclusive resort designed specifically to provide a romantic atmosphere for couples.
How far is Sandals Montego Bay from Montego Bay airport?
Sandals Montego Bay is conveniently located very close to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Your complimentary transfer will take just about 5 minutes, so your Jamaican escape can start right away. To make your experience even more enjoyable, consider adding Club Mobay, an airport concierge service. (Learn more about Club Mobay here.)
Sandals Montego Bay Destination Weddings
If you’re planning a destination wedding in Jamaica, Sandals Montego Bay should be at the top of your list due to the incredible Over-the-Water Chapel, where you can walk down a glass floor aisle and say your vows surrounded by the stunning Caribbean.
Sandals Montego Bay Honeymoons
If you get married and then honeymoon at Sandals Montego Bay, or if you come here within 30 days of your wedding date, you’ll get Sandals’ complimentary honeymoon package. This includes a bottle of chilled sparkling wine, a special turndown service with flower petals on your bed the first evening of your honeymoon, and fresh flowers and a decadent breakfast in bed one morning of your choice.
Sandals Montego Bay Inclusions
Sandals offers more inclusions than any other resort. When you stay at Sandals Montego Bay you’ll receive complimentary airport transfers; all dining and beverages including unlimited premium liquors and unlimited Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines; a stocked minibar in your room that is refreshed daily; a coffee maker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee; water sports and equipment plus professional instruction; roundtrip shuttles to the Sandals Royal Caribbean; WiFi; daily and nightly entertainment; unlimited land sports; state-of-the-art fitness center; and all tips, taxes, and gratuities.
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5
Google Rating: 4.5
Ready To Book?
If you are ready to book you have two options, book directly with Sandals here.
If you prefer to work with a Sandals Resorts Specialist to get personalized help, you can contact us.
What you get when working with a Sandals Travel Agent is expertise without bias. We have visited every Sandals Resort and are experts at matching clients with the best Sandals Resort for them. We know tips and tricks to get you the best value and prepare you for the perfect Sandals vacation.
Feel free to contact us with this form or email us at [email protected]
Compare Sandals Montego Bay with nearby Sandals Resorts
Need more honeymoon inspiration, here are a few recommended articles:
Best Honeymoon All-Inclusive Packages
Best Adult-Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica
Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World
Best Montego Bay Adult Only All Inclusive
He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.