Our Sandals Royal Caribbean Review 2023

If you’re trying to choose which Sandals in Jamaica are best for your upcoming vacation, take a look at Sandals Royal Caribbean.

We visited the resort on a trip where we visited all the Sandals Resorts in Jamaica and enjoyed our time there.

What sets Sandals Royal Caribbean apart is the private offshore island with its beach, really great restaurants, Over-the-Water bungalows, exchange privileges with Sandals Montego Bay, and the laid-back vibes.

The only cons we heard from other guests were that it is too small and too quiet. Those were some of the things we liked about the resort, but if you are looking for a more lively resorts check out Sandals Montego Bay.

Sandals Royal Caribbean is a beautiful, recently renovated resort with a private feel, nestled on a stunning private beach in Montego Bay.

Here is a video of our visit to Sandals Royal Caribbean if you prefer…

Arriving at Sandals Royal Caribbean

Sandals Royal Caribbean is located very close to the Montego Bay airport, making it very easy to get to.

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.

Club Elite & Butler Elite guests staying at Sandals Royal Caribbean will receive complimentary round‐trip BMW private transfers.

Sandals Royal Caribbean Rooms & Suites

After arriving at the resort we will be checked into your room. If you have a butler suite, they will take you to your room after you have placed a credit card on your room for any changes placed during your stay.

Sandals Royal Caribbean has a variety of rooms and for this stay, we were in one of the more affordable rooms, a Crystal Lagoon Hideaway Jr. Suite w/Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub.

The room was recently built and met our expectations of a luxury room.

Choosing a Room at Sandals Royal Caribbean

There are several things to look at when choosing a room. Look at a map, to review the location. At Sandals Royal Caribbean you can be along the beach or be tucked away by the crystal lagoon, which is more affordable.

Next, keep an eye on the room style. Many of the rooms are new or newly renovated at the resort. But some have a more traditional Caribbean vibe with lots of dark woods. This may make a big difference to you.

Last, keep in mind the level of service you will receive in each room.

Luxury-level is entry-level; the thing to know about these rooms is there is no room service.

Club-level rooms get room service and have more alcohol at the in-room bar. You also have a club concierge and room that has snacks and drinks, but we rarely use this when we are there.

Butler-level rooms mean you have a butler to take care of anything you need.

Over-the-Water Private Island Butler Honeymoon Bungalow

Of course, we can’t talk about rooms at Sandals Royal Caribbean without mentioning the Over-the-Water Bungalows

These romantic hideaways are located on the private offshore island, set around a heart-shaped walkway, and perched over the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean.

While we did not stay in the suites, we can see why some people splurge to enjoy them.

When you stay at an overwater bungalow at a Sandals resort, it includes personalized butler service. Your butler will greet you with lemongrass-scented hand towels to refresh you from your flight, cocktails, and culinary treats before escorting you to your suite. Check-in is completed at your villa where the butler can even unpack your luggage for you.

Sandals Royal Caribbean Food & Drinks Review

Sandals Royal Caribbean has 9 restaurants offering a range of world-class dining options. incredible views, and romantic atmospheres.

One of the first things you should do after checking in is to make dinner reservations for the rest of your time at the resort. You can also make reservations for Sandals Montego Bay dining. Our preference is to get reservations for the earliest time to get the quickest service.

For breakfast, you can go to the buffet at Spices which has plenty to choose from including an omelet station, smoothie station, and fresh pancakes and french toast. We switched between going to the a la carte breakfast at the Bombay Club or the buffet.

For lunch, we loved eating at the Jerk Shack on the private island, freshly made brick oven pizza at Bella Napoli, or going to the Mariner for quesadillas and great service.

Sandals Royal Caribbean is one of the best Sandals Resorts for food because our two favorite restaurants are there.

Royal Thai, located on a private island, features authentic Thai food. Unless you are staying in the overwater bungalows, you will be taking a Thai-inspired boat to dinner and can enjoy a signature cocktail and all the delicious appetizers and entrees you would like. Not only was the food delicious, but we appreciate the server encouraging us to try more food than we had planned. Once we placed our order food just started coming out for us to enjoy.

The experience at Bombay House was similar. The food was delicious and the server gave us a gentle push to try a few more dishes than we had planned on.

Beyond our favorites, Le Jardinier offers French haute cuisine, Spices serves Caribbean cuisine, La Tavola offers Italian cuisine, and The Cricketers Pub offers English pub-style food.

You also have access to all the dining options at Sandals Montego Bay (and easy transportation back and forth via free shuttle), which includes 12 restaurants, many of which overlook the beautiful beach.

Sandals Royal Caribbean Beach & Pools

You’ll have several beach options at Sandals Royal Caribbean. The main resort is on a gorgeous sugar-white stretch of sand along Montego Bay, and the private island that lies just offshore has 2 white sand beaches as well. Both offer shaded loungers and private spots to hang out, including overwater hammocks, as well as firepits for romantic evenings.

One of the beaches on the private island is clothing optional if that is something you are interested in.

There are 7 pools at Sandals Royal Caribbean, two with swim-up bars, and multiple whirlpools.

The pool on the private island was our favorite. It was smaller and usually quiet with a swim-up bar.

The resort has a main pool overlooking the beach with a whirlpool. There are 5 other freshwater pools located throughout the property at the different villages, including a long lagoon pool in Crystal Lagoon Village (with swim-up rooms along it).

Overall the pools are smaller than at most other Sandals Resort properties, but there are a lot of them so you don’t have to worry about not having a fun place to splash around.

Things to do at Sandals Royal Caribbean

Besides the obvious relaxing and fun you can have around the beach at Sandals Royal Caribbean there is so much more to do if you want something more active. Most obvious is going to Sandals Montego Bay for the day for more variety.

You can also do some shopping nearby where there is a Harley Davidson and other souvenir shops.

Included Activities

At Sandals you have access to unlimited water sports, including snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and Hobie Cat sailing.

Scuba diving is also included! For certified divers, you can dive up to twice a day with two tanks a day! Scuba courses are not included but start at $120.

Enjoy many other unlimited on-site activities, including beach volleyball, bocce ball, pool tables, croquet, and more. If you are looking for a workout, there’s a fitness center and complimentary exercise classes.

The private offshore island at Sandals Royal Caribbean is a unique amenity that is available for all guests, even if you’re not staying in one of the overwater bungalows. Just a few minutes by boat from the main resort, the island features a beautiful beach lined with thatch-roofed cabanas, a pool with a swim-up bar, a Jacuzzi, and two dining experiences including an authentic Thai restaurant.

Along with these amazing activities, this resort also knows how to throw a party. There’s an onsite piano bar, chocolate buffet, talent night, Caribbean night, live bands, karaoke, dancing on the sand, and even bonfires and a beach party with fire dancers on the private island. Sandals Royal Caribbean has 6 bars, and you also have access to the 6 bars at Sandals Montego Bay.

Is Sandals Royal Caribbean a couples-only resort?

Yes, Sandals Royal Caribbean is a couples-only resort, as are all Sandals all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. In their own words, Sandals states, “Because we wanted to make your vacation as romantic and relaxing as possible, only couples may stay at Sandals. But we open our arms to welcome singles, friends, and families to our fabulous Beaches Resorts.”

Is Sandals Royal Caribbean a party resort?

There are a lot of entertainment options at Royal Caribbean, but I wouldn’t consider it a party resort.

Sandals Royal Caribbean offers daily and nightly entertainment including live shows, beach parties, talent nights, live bands, and chocolate buffets.

The nighttime beach bonfires and entertainment on the private island are pretty spectacular. There are 6 bars at Sandals Royal Caribbean, including a piano bar and an English pub, as well.

You can also head to Sandals Montego Bay for more entertainment options. Plus, Sandals Royal Caribbean is close to the active nightlife scene in Montego Bay, if you want to go out to local clubs.

How far is Sandals Royal Caribbean from the airport?

Since it’s in Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean is located very close to the airport there. Roundtrip airport transfers are included in your stay, and it takes about 10 minutes to get to the resort from Sangster International Airport. Just go to the Sandals lounge at the airport when you arrive.

Does Sandals all-inclusive include alcohol?

All drinks are included and unlimited at Sandals Resorts. This includes premium spirits and top-rated Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines.

What is included at Sandals Royal Caribbean?

At Sandals resorts, when they say all-inclusive, they really mean you can arrive at the resort without having to worry about what is included and what is not.

Unlimited Fine Dining

Sandals Royal Caribbean offers 9 restaurants that cover all sorts of cuisines, from Caribbean favorites to Italian, French, Thai, and seafood. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and drinks are all included in your stay. You also have access to the 12 restaurants at Sandals Montego Bay.

Unlimited All-Inclusive Drinks

For drinks, Sandals only serves premium brand liquors that are always included and unlimited. As part of the 5-Star Luxury Included® experience, Sandals only serves premium brand liquors that are always included and unlimited. You can order whatever you would like, including specialties you would expect at a tropical resort, like a Pina Colada, Margarita, Blue Lagoon, or a Bahama Mama.

In all rooms, there is a mini-fridge stocked with water, juice, soda, Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Wine, and local beer.

Additionally, every room includes a coffeemaker with Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend coffee.

Tips

At Sandals resorts, even tips, taxes, and gratuities are included for most services you would usually tip for! There is no need to worry about tipping the bartender, the bellman, or your server at one of the specialty restaurants.

Your butler can and will accept tips. We recommend tipping a butler $20 a day, depending on how much you use their services.

Spa therapists and airport transport drivers should also be tipped.

Roundtrip Airport Transfers

Sandals provides complimentary transportation to and from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.

A Free Wedding at Sandals

Stay 3 nights or longer at a Sandals resort and your wedding is free!

Room Service

If you book a room that includes butler service, room service is available 24 hours a day. For Club Sandals accommodations, room service is available between 7am-10pm.

What is not included at Sandals Royal Caribbean?

You can come to Sandals without spending an additional penny, but there are a few opportunities to spend a little bit more.

Spa treatments at the Red Lane Spa are available at an additional cost. Could you imagine how many therapists and spa rooms they would need if they were included in the price?

Additionally, the spa staff are some of the few employees that can accept tips, along with butlers, the staff from off-property tours, and the transfer drivers, since they are not employed by Sandals.

While scuba diving is included in your stay, the courses are not. Be prepared to pay for them—or even better, get scuba certified before you come.

Around the pool, you can rent private cabanas at an additional cost. There are also over 30 tours available to book through Sandals including a Jamaica swamp safari village tour, ziplines, snorkeling cruises, dolphin encounters, deep-sea fishing, and ATV adventures.

Need more honeymoon inspiration? Here are a few recommended articles:

• Sandals South Coast vs Sandals Royal Caribbean
• 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