Listen up people. Going on vacation for a few weeks is not like picking out furniture. Your time is usually short so make an effort, if that's what it takes, to just enjoy yourself.
Now lets begin with Sandals Inn. We had been in Jamaica for a week before going to The Inn. We arrived around noon on April 19th and Paul the bellman took care of our bags. He was pleasant and professional. It took just a word of two from us to bring out the true Jamaican in him and within minutes we were friends. He ushered us into an airconditioned reception room to complete the check-in formalities. We were met there by Mark who gave us the check-in details along with some refreshing damp towels to cool us down. While Paul looked after the bags, Mark took us to the front desk where we were greeted by Doreen and Jason. Doreen it appears is the reservations person and also takes care of the switchboard. Following animated introductions we asked them for a view of the ocean and were accommodated right away even though we were quite early. This courtesy was the shape of things to come for our entire stay.
On check-in the air conditioner wasn't working quite right. A call to the front desk and within minutes the bearded Patrick showed up. Turned out Patrick's outward appearance hides a gentle personality which we had the good fortune to enjoy our entire stay of 9 nites. The pleasure was ours Patrick.
While Patrick checked-out the cooler, we ventured to the bar in the garden. First guy we met was an elderly gent named Dacre. Out of respect we we aptly called him "Mister Dacre". His sidekick was Johathan, an outgoing guy with an infectious smile. Both treated us like old friends within minutes. I'm convinced it's how you introduce yourself to strangers reflects how they accept you. These two were great. Later we got to know a younger Jonathan who they named "Jo-Jo" for obvious reasons. "Jo-Jo" fell right in love with my bright red string-tie. So much so on our last nite I unclipped it from my shirt and pinned it on his as he brought us a glass of wine in the dining room. What I didn't tell "Jo-Jo" was that I had an identical tie upstairs. I mention that here because he's still wondering how I could give him my red tie and still wear one when we checked-out the next morning. We old guys still wear a shirt & tie when travelling.
Now for the dining room itself. Elvis, in his quiet unassuming manner, appeared to be the captain in this wheelhouse. We found the varied selection of dishes whether buffet or a-la-carte to be top-drawer. The wait-staff were all really polite. All answered a "thank you" with "you're welcome". Orlando is an imposing figure who's smile is three quarters of a mile wide. It was a delight dining when he was on duty. Thanks buddy, you're just one of the reasons we'll be back.
On our last nite we were approached by SHANE, the hotel photographer who offered to take some pictures of myself and my bride of 50 years. Without charge. He then spent almost an hour at his computer arranging the pictures in various backgrounds before giving them to us on a CD. What a generous gesture by a young man with a 13 month old daughter waiting for him at home. We thank you for your big-heartedness Shane. The good lord willin' & the crik don't rise we'll meet again.
Some people (especially the loud party of 8 who moved tables like they were in a tavern) found the dining service slow. Hey, Jamaica is not MacDonald's. We enjoyed the leisurely pace.
As the week progressed we got to know Sasha-Gae on the Front Desk and her captivating smile. She and LaToya on the Tour Desk were just wonderful, taking care of numerous little things requested by two old fogies in our 70's. We're grateful for their patience and generosity. Returning to our room at nite we were welcomed to a different bed trimming by Angella, a quiet personable lady who went the extra nine yards if the room needed anything extra. We thank her.
Overall, our stay at Sandals Inn from April 19th to April 28th was a most enjoyable respite from a long hard Canadian winter. Everybody in this establishment was friendly. We couldn't ask for more.
As an aside. When we got back from the bar that first day, the air conditioner was humming like a top. Thanks again Patrick.
We took many bus trips to the other two properties and enjoyed them too. We walked in on a beach party at Sandals Montego Bay one nite as they were looking for people married 30 or more years. We had the most longivity (50 years as of April 12th) and were the receiptients of a bottle of champagne and a standing O from the approximately 500 people. Put the cap on a great vacation and we thank the entertainment people for a great nite. We didn't even intend to be there but the bus takes a dinner break around 8:30pm so we cancelled our reservation at Royal Caribbean and camped out here. Like falling into a bucket of $$$$ and coming out smelling like a bucket of $$$$.
Finally...the beach across the street. Sure it was busy with Jamaicans on Saturdays & Sundays. But everybody goes there to go in the water, not lie on the beach. And it's a big ocean out there, azure blue, warm, and clear as a bell. We didn't have a problem with it, fact is we loved it especially in early morning. Cars speeding by all hours of the nite were a different matter but we just sucked it up, there are wingnuts wherever you go.
Sandals Inn and it's people are ALL top-notch. We'll be back.
Bob & Helen
Newfoundland, Canada
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.