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Ocho Rios Forum: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

Mobile...
posts: 26
 The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals????? 

I posted this same question in the broader Jamacia form and received just a few replies and so I thought I'd try here. Looking for people who've been to either or both of these resorts. We're trying to book a honeymoon. Here was my post:

We're trying to plan a honeymoon for the end of April-early May. Budget is a factor, but not the only factor. I've been looking at Jamacia because it seems the most reasonable in the carribean besides Mexico. Nothing against Mexico, but we've been there a few times. So when looking at Jamacia, I've looked at so much (photos and reviews) that my eyes are crossing and I'm getting confused. Here are our main requests: All inclusive, beach front, nice cocktails, relaxing but also with some activities going on, and a nice room (prefer ocean view but doesn't have to be a suite). Between us we have a 9 year old with disabilities and 2 teenagers so we NEED this to be a great vacation! We want to relax, drink, and have a little fun! We are the type of people that will get up a tab bit late, grab breakfast, head to the pool, sip a cocktail, head to the beach and sip a few more cocktails, I'll dip back in the pool occasionally while the Mr. jumps into a game of beach volleyball, we may even skip lunch to hang more on the beach or to go snorkling, then head up to get ready for dinner, have a NICE dinner, mingle around the resort to check out any activities, grab another drink at the bar, then head to the room to do a few more acitivities or maybe go straight to sleep! :-) I would like the room to be nice with an ocean view because we may spend some late mornings on the balconey. Or sit out there and relax before our before dinner shower. We may mingle out of the resort just 1 or 2 days, not too much. When we do, we'd like be able to do something fun.

So, just looking on here at photos and reviews, I've sorta narrowed it down to The Jewel or one of the Sandals, but some of the Sandals can get a little more pricey. Any thoughts? For the dates that we need, for 5 nights, it looks like we can go to the Jewel for around $3,000 with an ocean view, that is airfare included. Tho someone on another board mentioned a site where he was able to get TEN DAYS (!!!!!) there in May for about that same price. I don't know.... The Sandals resorts look to be around $3,500 for the same accomodiations during the same dates, except for the Carlyle was cheaper, but may be a little too small and quiet for our liking. It was about the same price as the Jewel. I'm open to any ideas.... I'd really like the nicest resort and nicest room that we can get for the best price (don't we all???) without spending over $3,500 and would prefer to keep it to around $3,000. Please help, the brain is fried!!! Melissa

30 replies
Long Island...
posts: 1,541
reviews: 1
1. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

Hi Melissa :) Well, the great news here is you have some great choices. And even better news is the Jewel was actually a Sandals property up until about 2 years ago... maybe a little less. It was actually our favorite Sandals property, and we have been to them all in Jamaica. It has everything you are looking for, so if it fits your budget better than Sandals, then I would go for it hands down.

Please keep in mind that if you do look at Sandals, the Carlyle does not fit your needs. It's a small Inn that is situated right on the hip strip in MoBay, across a busy street from the very public beach. You do have access to the other properties from there, but it includes a shuttle ride 10-20 minutes away depending on traffic. The best deal I have seen going with Sandals is Sandals Whitehouse. 6 nights for the price of 5... so for 6 nights in May a Penthouse Concierge Beachfront room is $2800, plus airfare. To me Whitehouse does have more of the wow factor for sure, but the Jewel has a more intimate feeling since it is a much smaller property.

Hope this helps at least a little bit, would be happy to answer any questions :) Kat

Boston
posts: 124
reviews: 8
2. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

This is our first trip to Jamaica and we chose the jewel because all the reviews I have seen are fantastic and scott the manager responds to most of them personally I know the beach is not that big but not a problem We chose the jewel because of all the great reviews and we are going in early april and do not regret choosing ths resort at all. Have a great time on your trip!

Noblesville...
posts: 759
reviews: 56
3. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

Save your cash, do the Jewel....Great 10th annv. this past June! Enjoy

Florida
posts: 29
4. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

Cheapcaribbean.com has a sale on the Jewel. Five nights from Mobile in a sapphire ocean view room is $2874.

That's leaving May 5th.

Edited: 16 February 2012, 21:36
Manchester,Md
posts: 331
reviews: 2
5. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

Ocho for five nights? That's a lot of travel for just five nights. Sandals is way over priced for what you receive. Since you are considering Sandals and the Jewel you should also consider the Couples resorts. You are doing yourself a disservice if you don't. There are two of them in Ocho.

I'd rate them this way: Couples,Jewel and any Sandals a far distance last...and I've tried all three, some more than once.

Long Island...
posts: 1,541
reviews: 1
6. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

djs, I respect your opinion but not all people feel like that about Sandals. I happen to think every bit as highly of Sandals as you do couples. Just because you don't find value in them, does not mean others won't. They offer everything we love in a vacation... including a free 7 night stay at any of their properties on any island this fall :) Nothing like a really good loyalty program!

Please do not read that I am knocking Couples in any way shape or form. I just don't understand why every time someone posts that they are considering Sandals so many people jump in and say forget Sandals look at Couples, when Couples wasn't even one of the options they were looking for. Melissa posted in her other thread that she looked at pics of Couples and that it didn't look like a good fit for them because they are looking for more of a wow factor. I realize that Couples intentionally goes for more of a worn look on their buildings and many people love that, but it isn't for everyone.

As for going to Ocho Rios for only 5 nights, I would and have done it (more than once) when the Jewel was Sandals and didn't regret it at all! The hour and 15 minute ride just isn't a big deal to us :)

Mobile...
posts: 26
7. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

djs and others, I appreciate your taking the time to respond. We are only planning a 5 night trip because between us we have 3 children (one with special needs) and we really can't be away from them for longer than that. Include flight time, etc and we will really be away for 6 nights. We are planning on leaving out at the crack of dawn on Monday and taking a late flight out on Saturday due to the hour and a half travel time to and from the airport. We are also flying out of the Florida panhandle so it isn't as bad as it could be.

I think at this point we have decided on the Jewel. Sandals also looks amazing, but there is a bit of a price difference and I think the Jewel looks just as awesome, which makes sense that it used to be a Sandals resort.

Now my new problem is going to be deciding between the Sapphire Ocean view room or the Diamond Ocean view room. It's a difference of $160 total. The only thing I can determine that's a big difference is the concierge service with the Diamond room. $160 is not too big of a deal, but just wondering if we would really utilize the concierge enough to make it worth wild?? Just thinking out loud. ;-) Thanks so much for ALL of your replies!! If anyone has actually been to the Jewel and has a comment about the room categories, I'd love to hear it. I'M SO EXCITED!!!

Jamaica
posts: 1,263
reviews: 10
8. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????
Destination Expert   What's this?
for Ocho Rios

mkc1971,

If you have any specific questions that I can answer factually as opposed to opinions I will be happy to answer anything for you.

Scott from the jewel.

Long Island...
posts: 1,541
reviews: 1
9. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

Great choice!! For the extra $160, I would personally go for it. We like having the in room bar and also the concierge to set everything up for us from day trips to reservations. But it all comes down to if you think you will use those things. Have a fantastic trip!!

Plantation...
posts: 624
reviews: 7
10. Re: The Jewel Dunn's River VS Sandals?????

Honestly, I've looked at both. For the price, go with the Jewel. I highly doubt you'll regret it. I haven't even stayed there yet and they've taken great care of me. From the reviews, the food and service is better then Sandals, minus the ridiculously high price.

I vote for the Jewel all the way!

Edited: 17 February 2012, 7:23
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