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Our Sandals Montego Bay Review

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 adult-only 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

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. The resort is only a 5-10 minute shuttle ride away so we were quickly at the resort lobby checking in.

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.

Once the new kiosks at the airport become more reliable Club Mobay may no longer be necessary.

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. There are 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 they are also a few steps from the beach as well.

Since Montego Bay has been around for a while, expanding bit by bit, there are 25 different room categories to choose from.

We revisited the resort and were able to visit two brand-new rooms. The new style feels lighter and modern with a Caribbean vibe.

Sandals Montego Bay Food & Drink Reviews

When we consider a resort the location and room are important, but just as important for us is the food.

One of the first things we do after checking in is getting dinner reservations. Restaurants can book out several days in advanced so this makes it most likely we are able to try all the restaurants we are interested in.

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.

A table with several plates of food, including grilled lobster, shrimp skewers with garnish, a creamy vegetable dish, and a small bowl of breadsticks.

The menu was recreated since our last visit. Now the food is Caribbean, served family style. The Jerk Lobster Kebabs were amazing and we loved ordering several different dishes to try for one meal. The curried snapper was perfectly seasoned and the we loved the Highgate Chocolate Marquise for dessert.

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. Tokyo Joe’s is currently being renovated, so within weeks of me writing this it should be reopened with a refreshed look. 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!

A wooden pavilion over water, labeled "Latitudes Over Water Bar", featuring a bar counter and seating area, under a cloudy sky.

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.

A layered cocktail in a tall glass, featuring red, yellow, and green layers, topped with a pineapple slice, positioned on a wooden table in an outdoor setting.

We loved going to Sandals Royal Caribbean for the Indian and Thai Restaurants.

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.

There are both umbrellas and trees that offer natural shade. While relaxing on the beach we were regularly checked on to see if would like drinks.

Along the beach are a few of these huts. They are an additional cost, but they do get butler service for the entire day you book them.

Since the beach is so expansive you can find chairs in different areas, each with its own vibe.

The area closest to the lobby always has people and some activities throughout the day like volleyball and other games. The bar is a popular place to grab a drink and meet other guests if that is something you are looking for.

Down near the pool area you can enjoy the music from the pool while staying on the beach.

You can access most of the resort easily from the beach including all of the lunch options. You can go to the jerk shack, Mariners by the Sea, or grab a brick over pizza.

There are 7 pools to choose from that vary from having party vibes and fun activities to being quiet and relaxing.

The largest pool if very quiet and relaxed during the day. There are. several comfortable beds that are perfect for taking it easy and you are close to several food options. There is drink service here as well.

Further down the beach next to the Jerk Shack is the party pool with the swim-up bar. This is where the entertainment team will bring the fun during the day including a DJ to keep people moving.

Next to many of the buildings are pools connected to the swim up suites. There is also additional seating for anyone without a swimsuit.

How to Spend Your Time At Sandals Montego Bay

During our stays at Sandals Montego Bay we tend to vary our days. We always start the day with a great breakfast. The rest of our days involve relaxing by beach or pool with breaks to eat and enjoy the inclusions and entertainment.

On a days when we aren’t leaving the resort we will eat at one of the lunch restaurants and play pool volleyball when that happens and use the watersports equipment available like paddleboards and kayaks.

The scheduled snorkeling trips are also a fun way to get off the resort for a little bit.

At Sandals Montego Bay, 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.

As it starts to cool in the morning we go and get cleaned up before going to grab a drink before dinner.

Depending on the day we may go on an excursion or enjoy other resort amenities.

Red Line Spa

We usually go to the Red Lane Spa for a massage during our stay. The 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.

This is also where you will find the deepest pool in on the resort.

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.)

Personally, we recommend going on any of the catamaran rides, going to Ocho Rios for the blue hole and Dunn’s River, and going to the Luminous Lagoon since it is a unique experience nearby.

Sandals Montego Bay Nightlife

To be honest, Sandals is not known to be a party resort, but there is always entertainment at night. Each night there is scheduled entertainment where there are different talented acts like singers, dancers and fire dancers.

There is also a pub that is open late for once the late night activities are over.

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?

Sangster International Airport is only a 5 minute drive from the resort and a complimentary transfer is included.

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.

Our Overall Sandals Montego Bay Review

Overall, our time at Sandals Montego Bay was a great experience.

From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with exceptional service and a vibrant atmosphere. The resort’s recent renovations really stood out, especially our luxurious beachfront suite. Dining was a highlight, with multiple restaurants offering diverse and delicious options.

We loved the variety of activities, from scuba diving to paddleboarding, ensuring we were never bored. Even with the resort’s proximity to the airport, the stunning views and overall ambiance made our stay romantic and enjoyable.

The drawback of Sandals Montego Bay is the lack of a large pool area compared to other Sandals Resorts. Additionally, the planes going by are pretty loud. I was surprised I quickly got used to it.

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

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