Tag Archives: Beaches

Final Whirlwind in Jamaica

November 18, 2015 Barbara Ryan Leave a comment

It’s been a whirlwind few days in Jamaica and now it’s Monday, our last full day. And it is a full day. We’re off touring in Ocho Rios today, but luckily everything is close by, no long drives.

We start with a tour of the resort we are staying at, Sandals OCHI Beach which I reviewed here.

Next, we hop on our bus to go next door to Sandals Royal Plantation, the All-Butler resort in the Sandals lineup. This is a small resort, only 74 all ocean view rooms tucked into a magnificent coral bluff.

Royal Plantation features Villa Plantana, a private 3 bedroom villa with its own private pool and stunning views.

Sandals Royal Plantation offers many of the land and water sports as all other Sandals and full use to Sandals OCHI next door as well.

Afternoon tea service, private cove beaches, 5 restaurants and unlimited golf at Sandals Golf Club nearby. Roaming peacocks, manicured lawns and Jamaica’s only champagne and caviar bar make this the perfect romantic hideaway.

Back on the bus to nearby Beaches Ocho Rios for a tour of this family-friendly resort. Beaches is for everyone, single, families, groups, girlfriend getaways and family reunions.

Beaches Ocho Rios makes everyone happy! Grownups can unwind with margaritas at the pool while the kids play at the exhilarating waterpark. Unlimited play for everyone, even kids, at nearby Sandals Golf & Country Club.

Beaches Ocho Rios offers all the inclusions of Beaches Negril, unlimited land and water sports, 7 restaurants, 3 pools, teen club, Xbox Lounge, etc…

We ended our tour with a lovely lunch and Sesame Street photo op.

After lunch, we were off to Sandals Golf Club for a brief visit before returning to Sandals OCHI Beach Resort for some free time to explore the resort before our farewell dinner.

When dinner ends, a group of us head out to find the infamous Rabbit Hole speakeasy, we got the password earlier in the day. Jackpot! The Rabbit Hole is a great entertainment venue harking back to the 1920’s style, think HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Good fun and creative drink menu.

Next morning it’s checking out and a trip back to the airport and the end of a great learning experience with Sandals Resorts. As they say in Jamaica…

We had lots of fun and learned a ton!

Soon Come Back!

All Inclusive Resorts

Beaches Negril Resort

October 27, 2015 Barbara Ryan Leave a comment

Next we’re off to nearby Beaches Negril where we are treated to lunch on the beach! Beaches is the family version of Sandals, offering families the same amazing luxury inclusions couples enjoy at Sandals.

Beaches is located on the widest stretch of Negril’s seven-mile white sand beach!

It is very much tailored to kids of all ages, in addition to all the usual Sandals inclusions, Beaches offers Kid’s Clubs with all day supervision of children of all ages and lots of activities, including Pirate Island, and water theme park with 8 slides and a lazy river.

Beaches is also in partnership with Sesame Street and Xbox. The Xbox Lounge is appealing to the older kids, as will be the Xbox in each room. You can ask them to remove it before you arrive if you prefer. 😉 Sesame Street characters make appearances at special times for a parade and a few other special things.

A unique extra is having a Sesame Street character of tour choice come and tuck in your child and read them a bedtime story.

Gourmet Discovery Dining

Arizonas (Tex Mex), Bar B Q Park (Jamaican), Cafe de Paris (cafe), Dino’s Pizzeria (pizza), Kimonos (Japanese), The Mill (International), Soy (Sushi), Stewfish (Jamaican Seafood), The Venetian (Italian), Sweeties (ice cream), Doggies (hot dog stand)

Accommodations

The architecture blends Caribbean influences with tropical greenery. Beaches Negril offers Concierge and Butler Level rooms.

Luxury Inclusions

All the usual water and land sports you can imagine! The beach, pools, Teen Center, Kids Camp, Fitness Center, Pirates Island Water park, weekly events..

Kids Camp is open from 9am to 9pm daily offering a wide range of activities supervised by trained Nannies. Xbox Lounge open from 9am to 11pm.

Luxury Extras

Red Lane Spa treatments, beach cabanas, Scuba Certification, Island Routes excursions, laundry/dry cleaning, photo shop, special private dinners and more are available at an extra cost.

As always, there is a “no tipping” policy for all team members except Butlers and Spa Technicians.

Find a full album of photos of Beaches Negril on my Facebook page.

Memory Keeping

Whirlwind Sandals Resorts Fam Trip

October 16, 2015 Barbara Ryan 2 Comments

I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a 4-night exclusive FAM (familiarization trip ) with my agency to Jamaica. We were invited by Sandals Resorts to learn about their fabulous product and become Certified Sandals Specialists.

Over the next few weeks, I will review and recap the Sandals and Beaches Resorts that we visited while on our trip.

Sandals Whitehouse European Village (stayed 2 nights here)
Sandals Negril Resort and Spa
Beaches Negril Resort and Spa
Sandals Montego Bay (just a rest stop)
Sandals OCHI (formerly Grande Riviera)(stayed 2 night here)
Sandals Royal Plantation
Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Spa
Sandals Golf & Country Club (not a resort )

Yes! That is a lot of touring…this was definitely a working trip, including a 4-hour workshop to become a Certified Sandals Specialist, lead by the incredible (seriously, didn’t feel like 4 hours, went by very quickly) Iesha Hibbert.

I absolutely fell in love with Jamaica. The people are so welcoming and friendly everywhere and Sandals Resorts are unparalleled. Luxury Included is the truth. Each Sandals Resort has its own unique vibe and there is a perfect resort for everyone.

I cannot wait to go back with my own family to Beaches, it’s moved to the top of our travel bucket list. And I cannot wait to help my clients plan their wonderful memory making trips, whether they be family trips to Beaches, a nice change from the theme parks. Or a romantic getaway for mom and dad for a complete change of pace.

Stay tuned for the reviews and see photo tours on my Facebook Page.

Contact me if you would like more information on planning your own visit to paradise. 🙂 barbara@atimetotreasuretravel.com

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