Sandals Montego Bay Resort

The one that started it all!

Sandals Montego Bay holds a special place in Caribbean history as the resort that launched the entire Sandals brand back in 1981. Four decades later, following tons of renovations, this classic Caribbean property is a nice blend of nostalgia, timeless charm, and modern touches, offering guests an authentic Sandals experience alongside a beautiful beach and lots of different dining options.

Montego Bay’s location is both its greatest advantage and its Achilles heel. Situated just 5 to 10 minutes from Sangster International Airport, guests can easily transition from the airport to the comfort of their rooms faster than at any other Sandals property in Jamaica, avoiding the 90-minute transfers required for other locations. Hurray for being able to enjoy a good drink by the pool as quickly as possible! …This perk, however, does have the drawback of airplane noise every 30 minutes or so until about 5 pm, which can be, let us say… not very romantic in some cases. But you do get used to it sooner or later, we promise!

Sandals Montego Bay does have a lot of different room types, and prices here tend to be lower than in other resorts across Jamaica. Some rooms may look slightly older, after all the resort is over forty years old, but many rooms have been completely rebuilt or renovated in 2019, featuring modern designs like soaking tubs and private pools that does make Montego Bay look younger.

You also have access to a good number of restaurants and some classic Sandals choices like Soy Sushi Bar, Butch's Steak and Seafood and The Jerk Shack. Not enough? Guests get complimentary shuttle service to Sandals Royal Caribbean, located just 14 minutes away. Sandals Royal Caribbean is slightly smaller, with a more romantic atmosphere and some great restaurants like Bombay, which serves Indian cuisine.

The resort beach is also very good, offering white sand and calm waters. The biggest perk is that the beach is private to Sandals guests, so you will not find vendors walking around trying to sell you different services. In contrast, the pools are somewhat underwhelming compared to newer Sandals properties and did not receive a lot of love in the most recent updates.

Sandals Montego Bay is one of the most popular resorts in Jamaica. It kickstarted a new era of beach resorts, it has great prices, and a private beach. For couples that want a safe option for a beach resort, this one is a great choice, and you even get the bonus of visiting Sandals Royal Caribbean at no additional cost. Now that is a good deal, mon.