Frommer's Review
Since its $24-million redesign and radical upgrade in 2005, this Sandals is better than ever. During its redesign, it wasn't afraid to go theme-ish: The venue is unabashedly Italian, with public areas that suggest an interconnected series of Tuscan piazzas, staff uniforms that evoke the Italian Renaissance, and a deeply entrenched commitment to eco-sensitive harmony at a beachfront setting of undeniable beauty. An immersion in the aesthetics of Italy is almost nonstop. Jugglers and mime artists add performance-artist spontaneity, and frequent bouts of live entertainment include Jamaican guitarists singing island folk songs or Italian singers performing arias from bel canto operas. Italian ice creams are served with gusto from the gelateria, with the cost of these treats invariably included as part of the resort's all-inclusive format. The bedrooms are upscale, appealing, and plush. Each has touches of stained glass and mahogany furniture. Accommodations are scattered among the six-story main building, two lanai buildings, and a five-story west wing. Extras include spacious balconies, walk-in closets, king-size beds, and shower/tub combinations. As at all Sandals resorts, only couples are allowed inside, and -- unlike in former years -- same-sex couples are now welcome, albeit not necessarily common. Set on the beachfront between Ocho Rios and St. Ann's Bay, the resort is very sports-oriented. It occupies 10 well-landscaped hectares (25 acres), offering attractively furnished and often quite spacious accommodations. Before retreating to the disco or enjoying the nightly entertainment, guests can choose among several dining options, selecting from an array of restaurants that attempt variety in lieu of first-rate cuisine. The Marco Polo serves international food within a venue of fabric-covered walls and rosewood furniture, Ristorante Colombo serves Caribbean specialties, Il Capitano offers Italian cuisine, and Kimonos serves teppanyaki-style Japanese cuisine and sushi.
Facilities: 5 restaurants; 4 bars; 2 pools; shuttle to a nearby 18-hole golf course; pitch-and-putt golf course; 4 tennis courts; health club and spa; 3 Jacuzzis; saunas; steam rooms; full array of watersports, scuba is included in the all-inclusive price; limited room service (in suites only); laundry service; nonsmoking rooms; rooms for those w/limited mobility.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
