Sportz Center Academy
I was there for Christmas. The butler and service was great. We were not told everything due to arriving late a missing orientation. The Christmas entertainment was awesome. The resort itself could use some upgrades. Our room was infested with mosquitoes and my husband and I left with bites over our entire bodies. There was a large crab that was at our door and invited himself in. I personally feel the rooms and my swim up pool could have been clean more. The birds would come in our pool and several small crabs and bugs pool. The food seemed small and routine, but the meal the butler had prepared on the last day was great. The drinks were delicious. The butler were very tentative to our anniversary the entire stay and was great. For an older resort the entertain and drinks were the best.
Amanda Lindo
For those of you wondering if a stay at Sandals is worth the hype/price point — it really is. My husband and I recently returned from a 1 week trip. This was our 3rd stay at a Sandals resort, and Montego Bay may be our new favorite. We were welcome by staff right in the airport and after a long day of travel we were so happy to only be a 5 min drive from the resort. Our room had a gorgeous ocean front view with a soaking tub on the balcony, and we watched the sunset from our room every evening. The beaches were kept immaculate. The food was fantastic and beyond our expectations. Each night we tried something new — Italian, French, Japanese, Jamaican, Indian, Thai, American. You name it, they had it. We definitely left a few pounds heavier than when we arrived! But what really sets Sandals apart is the kindness and professionalism of the staff. Everyone always says hello, stops for conversation, and is more than willing to assist with anything that you may need. It truly feels like you’re amongst family when you stay at one of these resorts. We cannot wait to come back soon!!
Serge Jerome Jr.
The staff was great. The staff was courteous and professional and a delight in every way. The food was absolutely delicious. The scenery was amazing. The hotels were cleaned constantly twice a day. The restaurants only stay open till 9, so that's something else to keep note of. There are grills that are open after night. However, those grills have a limited menu. It is very difficult to do any off resort activities because the resort is isolated. And you have to take a taxi. The resort will only allow you to take their recommended taxis, which are screened and vetted. So that's a good thing. However, they are 2 and 3 times more expensive than the local taxi. Everything you need that is not already at the hotel is at the Whitter Village so dont let anyone convince you to go anywhere further. The views on the beach were Amazing and the views from the hotel where amazing.I can't wait to come back.I had a great time.It was so relaxing so beautiful.
Greg Sciandra
I’ve stayed at nearly a dozen all-inclusive resorts, and Sandals Montego Bay was by far the most disappointing. Several aspects of the experience left a lot to be desired, starting with:
1. **Orientation**: While this may seem minor compared to other issues, the check-in process was frustrating. After arriving from the airport, there’s no personalized greeting, which you’d expect given the price of the stay. Instead, you're forced to wait for everyone to claim their bags if you're taking a shuttle. Once that’s done, you're herded into the concierge room, where you wait again as they get things in order. If you're lucky enough to have a room ready, you may be taken on a slow, unnecessary tour when most guests would prefer to head straight to their room after a long day of travel. Finally, you’ll need to wait again for your luggage to arrive. While this was irritating, it only set the stage for more issues to come.
2. **Service Quality**: While the maids, security staff, and groundskeepers were friendly, the service from the bartenders and waitstaff was disappointing. They seemed unhappy to serve, and at times, you almost felt like you were inconveniencing them by asking for food or drinks. I understand the pace of "island time," but waiting 15-25 minutes for a drink at multiple restaurants was excessive.
3. **Butch’s Steakhouse (Good Luck)**: Unless you're staying for more than six days, getting a reservation is nearly impossible. For those of us without butler service, reservations can’t be made in advance. When we checked in for a 4-night stay, we called to make a reservation, only to be told it was fully booked for the next seven days. We later found out that a couple who checked in after us with butler service had already secured a reservation. Additionally, the food across the resort was average at best, with a few exceptions.
4. **The Alcohol**: While my wife and I aren’t heavy drinkers, we do enjoy having cocktails during the day. At Sandals Montego Bay, we didn’t feel the typical effects of drinking throughout the day. We didn’t get the buzz you'd expect from all-day drinking, which was a bit surprising.
5. **The Beach Chair Situation(by far the worst**: The resort’s policy is that beach chairs are cleared off each evening, and it’s first-come, first-served at 6 a.m. for the following day. However, this is far from true. Each night, butlers go around and claim shaded spots, marking them with towels or personal items, essentially reserving them for the day. This results in a frustrating experience for anyone without butler service, as it’s almost impossible to secure a shaded spot on the beach, no matter what time you arrive. Even worse, many of these marked spots remain empty for hours, with no guests occupying them until late afternoon, if at all. What makes this even harder is they only have enough shaded huts on the beach to accommodate a very small portion of guest. On top of that, there is even less seating around the two small pools.
I spoke with may other guests who said they complaining to the concierge about this issue, but they did nothing, offering blatant lies (happened when we spoke to the concierge also) that the butlers were not marking seats. It became clear that if you don’t pay for butler service, you’re treated as an afterthought. It is truly a shameful and disgraceful policy. Additionally, if you like a quiet mid-day nap on the beach, the noise from planes taking off directly above you starting around noon might disrupt your peace.
To sum up, if you’re not willing or able to pay for butler service, you’ll be treated like a second-class guest. The resort doesn’t seem to prioritize those without extra perks, and it left a lasting negative impression.
Side note: would love to know how many of these people leaving 5 star reviews had butlers, because most people without one on resort seem to have same opinions.
V Ji
5-Star Review for Sandals Montego Bay
Our stay at Sandals Montego Bay was absolutely phenomenal, and a huge part of that was thanks to KIMBERLEE! From the moment we arrived, the resort’s breathtaking beauty and warm hospitality set the tone for an unforgettable vacation.
We did encounter a couple of minor issues with our room, but Kimberlee went above and beyond to resolve everything quickly and seamlessly. Her attention to detail and genuine desire to ensure our comfort made all the difference.
What truly set her apart was the effort she put into making my husbands birthday celebration extra special. From coordinating thoughtful surprises to ensuring every little detail was perfect. It’s rare to encounter someone who truly cares about creating such memorable experiences, and she exceeded every expectation.
Sandals Montego Bay is a paradise in itself, with pristine beaches, delicious dining, and incredible staff, but Kimberlee’s kindness and dedication were the highlight of our trip. Highly recommend this resort.
CLAY, from ground keeping was also very helpful and kind.
TASHA from entertainment made effort to make our stay fun and enjoyable.
Christopher's charm and warm welcome made this resort memorable.
Thank you everyone!