Beaches Sandy Bay Reviews
Norman Manley Blvd., Negril,
76%
Family Vacation during April 11 -16, 2011
We found that the staff and customer service skills are the best!!!
Everyone made us all feel like a family.
The kids program is amazing and our 4.5 yrs old son Dylan
more +loved it. The resort itself is wonderful, the staff unbelievable and services (i.e selections of food/amenities/spa etc...) everything completes our vacation as an experience we will never ever forget.
The staff all around the resort made our stay most enjoyable and rewarding. There are always someone available to assist and guide us .... the resort the staffs were all smiling and nodding in acknowledgment to us guests as a family. This alone made our stay feels comfortable/satisfying and rewarding.
The kids staff were AWESOME!!!! as were the Spa and dinner staffs.
Do not miss a moment to have a vacation at Beaches-Sandy Bay
Cheers
Juliet
Date of Stay: 04/11/2011
Children in Party: 1
Beaches Sandy Bay is a poorly managed family resort. Their rooms are dirty, their service is terrible, the beach is beautiful, the items they offer are limited, food is mediocre. Specifically, we booked the trip to scuba with our kids. Only after
more +paying for the resort course we were told they could only dive twice. Advertisements states once certified they get a tank dive a day. However, it took us 4 days to get them signed up to certify. My wife and I were certified and it was a battle to get on one of the 3 scuba trips they take out daily. They make you stand in line at 8:30 to get signed up for a scuba or snorkel trip. However, even when your the first in line they tell you they can't get you on for the next day and to come back tomorrow. If, However, you offer to pay for a new course they mysteriously get you on a dive. A lot of favoritism is shown to obvious regulars at the resort. two families of 4 were on every scuba trip. However, they never stood in line one time.
If you want to do anything at this resort there is a lot of waiting and let downs. We stayed for 8 days and never had any soaps or shampoo replaced in the room. Complimentary coffee was not replace daily, servers in the dining areas were rude, meals were not prepared properly. When you asked to speak with a manager, none could be found. Basically, if you have to stay in this resort, the best thing they have going for it is you can catch the shuttle to Beaches Negril where you can spend your days. The beaches and service in Negril were refreshing after spending the nights and evenings fighting with the rude service you receive at Sandy Bay. Oh, I forgot, if you want to shower, get up at 5 am or you won't have any water pressure or hot water.
Save your money
Date of Stay: 03/30/2011
Children in Party: 2
Accommodations Dining Kids Play Area Money Value Pool & Water Fun Staff
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Our at Beaches Sandy Bay family resort was very enjoyable. I found the resort to be very kid-friendly. The staff was very accommodating and playful with my child. Food was good; drinks were better. The all inclusive trip is a great idea for
more +families. You don't have to worry about every meal, drink, or activity costing you even more money. The only negatives I would like to cite are that laundry is VERY expensive ($10 per wash, $10 per dry), and that when the pathways and floor in common areas got wet, they were quite slippery. My 2 year old was falling all over the place!
Date of Stay: 07/15/2008
Children in Party: 1
I never thought of Jamaica as especially family-friendly, given all the couples resorts in the Negril area and the drugs readily available everywhere , but our recent trip has changed my mind. I believe our hotel had everything to do with it
more +though!
We stayed at Beaches, Sandy Bay, from October 16-23/09 (very very hot, forget the long sleeves even at night!) and we had the most fabulous experience from the moment we stepped off the plane in Montego Bay airport. We were ushered to the Sandals exclusive lounge at the airport with refreshments waiting. (Okay, so the power went out 5 minutes into this cocktail hour, but that's par for the course: -) Our transfers were smooth, although traffic was heavy on a Friday afternoon. Nothing to be done about that. A couple hours later, upon arrival at the hotel we were again offered refreshments and yummy snacks in the lobby while reception finalized room details. The sudden down pouring of rain seemed to discourage them from providing us with our room keys or having the bellhop deliver our luggage, but we just let them know that after traveling nearly 10 hrs, we really really didn't mind the very warm rain (heck, it's not like snow, right?! LOL). They complied.
The service from A-Z was exceptional. For example, the room we checked into the 1st night had been an upgrade offered to us by phone one week prior. We'd originally booked a deluxe ocean view room, and were now offered a 1-bedroom ocean view suite for only $50. I thought it sounded grand, so I accepted. However, the reality was that a couple things didn't really suit our needs: firstly, while we were close to the beach (every room in the hotel is), the view was mostly of the stairwell going up to the 2nd floor and not really of the ocean or beach; secondly (and perhaps most importantly) the bathroom had NO bathtub. Not an issue for many, but my 5 year old is not too keen on showers and having the water beating down on her head. I dreaded the thought of struggling with her everyday to get that sand and salt off her!! The room I'd originally booked did have a tub, so I asked reception if we could be downgraded. The hotel guest services manager, Anne Marie, was very very accommodating. The hotel didn't really want to refund money, so they gladly upgraded us to a better room free of charge (hotel was not at full capacity)... to a HONEYMOOM SUITE with a jacuzzi tub, separate shower, bidet, full kitchen, 2 sofa beds in living room with double french doors leading to a wraparound balcony. Who can dream to complain about that?? Way more space than we needed, but it was fabulous. And it had a ocean view (and lovely tall tree views)from the 3rd floor. (Keep in mind this is an older hotel, and while well-maintained with continuous upkeep on the grounds and buildings, you can see the layers of paint, and yes the rooms will probably need to be refurbished soon if they're to remain a Beaches top hotel... they're not glitzy, but they are comfortable and very clean).
The above is just an example of how the hotel staff went out of their way to make sure we had a wonderful stay. The food was great, from the seafood (lobster with garlic butter, yum) on Friday nights to Jamaican patties at the snack bar to the 2 specialty restaurants. It was very convenient that none required reservations -- just walk-in. -- The waiter in the buffet, Ricardo, never forgot our names or favorite beverages. The bar knew my drink of choice within a day!
We also had brought school supplies that we wished to donate to an elementary school and the hotel arranged for us to join the Sandals foundation visit to a local school for a day. My daughter and I visited a Basic School (ages 3 to 5) and met 90 schoolchildren in their classroom. The hotel also brought along a couple Sesame Streeters and it was a thrill to see the reactions of all the little children. As an only child, my daughter learned to share by handing out school supplies and toys to all the children. It was a great experience for both of us.
Back at the hotel, my daughter adored Sesame Street's presence, from baking cookies with Cookie Monster, dancing with Abby and Zoe, story time with Elmo, and so much more. (Check the daily schedule whenever it becomes available to plan your day -- often not before same day :-). We had pre-booked the special breakfast that happens on Wednesday's, and I'm not sure I would do that again. (There's a big charge to eat with Sesame Street, buffet style, but the kids see them everyday and photos opps are plentiful as is). -- Oh yes, beware the exorbitant price of the photo shop pics ($17 us per photo! Don't know if I am the only one to find that pricey? But we had so many from our digital camera thankfully we didn't need to buy many :-). As for the kid's camp, my daughter really preferred to join them then hang out with Mom, as she'd made fast friends with several other children. Heck, I think she also preferred to be with her wonderful Nanny Onecia after hours as well! She also had her hair braided a la Bo Derek by Karen at the hotel's Red Lane Spa and she was competitive with prices out on the beach... and can you believe they don't know WHO Bo Derek is?? We loved the braids, just rinse and go. Overall, hotel staff seem to really enjoy spending time with the children and genuinely care.
We did visit the larger sister hotel, Beaches Negril, and while we had an exciting time playing in the lazy river and going down the water slides, buzzing snack bar & grill, I still think I prefer the cozy atmosphere of our own hotel, with the option of visiting the other. (Truth be known, I don't think I'd ever relax or get my daughter out of that huge happening pool!!)
I wouldn't hesitate to spend many more vacations at Beaches Sandy Bay, it was exactly our speed... perfect for my daughter's age group. -- And I was glad no drugs were offered by anyone at the hotel (different story if you venture down the beach, off hotel grounds). -- I am looking forward to going back.
Date of Stay: 10/16/2009
Children in Party: 1
Accommodations Dining Kids Play Area Money Value Pool & Water Fun Staff
Our family enjoyed our second stay at Beaches Sandy Bay in Negril, Jamaica in July 2009. We travelled with another family - of divers! One of the best things about all of the Beaches resorts (we've stayed in all of them) is that scuba diving is
more +included. For certified divers who travel with their kids, having diving and kids camp included saves hundreds of dollars on the vacation. And our kids loved the camp! So everyone is happy! Our friends' son got his PADI certification at Beaches Sandy Bay in 2008, and we all got to dive together - he and his parents, and my husband and I (their younger daughter and our son had a great time in the camp).
We've gone on other great dive vacations, but nothing is as relaxing as being at Beaches. Beaches Sandy Bay is not as luxurious as Turks and Caicos or Beaches Negril, but it has good amenities and is much more budget-friendly. We don't spend that much time in the room anyway, and the beach is gorgeous. The kids like both pools, even though they are small. The food is fine, the drinks are great, and the staff are phenomenal! The smaller size of the resort makes you feel like family after one day, and that also helps one to relax. We let our younger kids (age 7 and 9) wander the resort by themselves this year, for short periods of time, without any worries.
So, Beaches Sandy Bay is a great value. The rooms do need updating, especially the bathrooms. But the place is very clean and we were very happy - we were upgraded to a one bedroom suite which was very comfortable.
In short, we will return!
Date of Stay: 06/29/2009
Children in Party: 1
Accommodations Dining Kids Play Area Money Value Pool & Water Fun Staff
Our family of 5 had a wonderful vacation at Beaches Sandy Bay. From the minute we arrived at the resort we were treated like we were special by the wonderful staff. Our first room was located very close to the outdoor stage and we asked to be
more +moved. They accommodated our wish and moved us to a similar room on the opposite side. We have stayed at several Sandals/Beaches resorts and are used to a more luxurious room. The Sandy Bay rooms are not nearly as nice. However, our One Bedroom Suite was very adequate for our family and we spent very little time there. The best part of it ws that it had two bathrooms! Almost every room at Sandy Bay has a wonderful view of the ocean.
We spent the majority of our time on the beach. We took advantage of every available water sport especially water skiing and snorkeling. My three boys lived at the beach. The staff at the water sports area taught my kids how to ski and snorkel like pros. The pools are small, but again, we'd rather be on the beach so this was not an issue for us. There were many kids for the boys to befriend and they were always busy.
The food is adequate and plentiful. A breakfast buffet was offered each morning. Lunch was either a buffet or hamburgers or jerk chicken at the Sesame Street Grill. Dinner could be Italian, Caribbean or buffet. There were a few "theme nights" and the food during these events were wonderful. Because it is a smaller property, the dining choices are limited but you can go over to Beaches Negril and enjoy their many restaurants. We had one evening meal at the Japanese Restaurant at Negril. It is easy to take the bus over that runs every hour and takes about 5 minutes. You can also make the 20 minute walk along the beach if you prefer. We went over one day to play on the big slides and in the lazy river. We found Beaches Negril to be very big and a bit like Disney World in Jamaica. We were so happy to return to Beaches Sandy Bay where we were created by name and knew most of the guests at the resort.
Entertainment was hokey, but a lot of fun. Each night the staff involved willing guests in their antics. We are not late night people, so we never made it to the disco, but we heard it was a lot of fun.
If you are part of the Sandals/Beaches loyalty program, make sure you attend the luncheon for all returning guests. There are a lot of goodies that you can win. I was lucky enough to win a massage and it was a wonderful addition to our vacation.
The ride from the airport takes about 1 1.2 hours so the earlier you can arrive in Jamaica, the earlier you can get to the resort and start having fun. This vacation was just what our family needed. We were all so happy in paradise for 7 days and dream of our return.
Date of Stay: 07/18/2009
Children in Party: 3
Kids (7-9) Tweens (10-12) Tweens (13+) Accommodations Dining Kids Play Area Money Value Pool & Water Fun Staff
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Beaches Sandy Bay
