Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Golf Villas Resort, Jamaica
What an amazing time I had!
We flew from Heathrow and as a treat we were able to use the Heathrow Lounge, which was a very relaxing large area with games room, cinema, spa room, bar with drinks included when you purchase access to the lounge as well as complimentary food and internet access.
Once luggage has been collected, all Sandals and Beaches guests have access to the special Sandals lounge area, which has Red Strip beer on tap to help yourself, tea, coffee and water to have too. As well as a lovely comfortable area. You can use this while your bags are being loaded onto the transfer coach rather than waiting for all guests on the bus you wait in this area, which was fab!
The transfer took about 1 hour 20 minutes and was pretty much on a straight round and was a good transfer. They also provided water and beer whilst on this too and all complimentary, so your Sandals experience pretty much starts from the airport.
When going on a Sandals holiday there are many room types and grades and it is all about location. All of the rooms inside all have king sized beds, tea and coffee facilities as well as much more, but you can then upgrade to concierge level or butler service. I was put in a honeymoon luxury cottage room concierge level, which included stocked mini bar of soft drinks, beers and wines as well as four, 1 litre bottle of spirits with a choice of El Dorada rum, gin, vodka and whisky - I love this about concierge rooms and fortunate to have experienced this here as well as Sandals Antigua. I personally think its well worth paying that extra for as these are replenished each day plus you can take what you don't drink home (well 1 bottle anyway to be within allowance).
The Grande Riviera Beach has just had a $60 million make over and it was fantastic! We had a choice of 15 restaurants to dine at and all very nice and just the best standard. All of the staff are so friendly and can't do enough for you. The thing I love about Sandals holidays is the fact that you don't tip and you don't need any money. I never changed any money into dollars. You don't need cash while on these holidays. You can book all excursions through the hotel or through me before you go, you just need a little while you are on these excursions for any extras you may want to get i.e. photos or local gifts.
Staying here is perfect to swim with dolphins, go to Dunns River Falls, try jungle river tubing, go on a jungle bobsled, ride the skyride and head out on a zipline excursion. All are really good and great fun!
The swimming pools are superb and a great choice. I spent most of my time by the little pool with a swim up pool bar and is where the gorgeous freshly baked pizzas are (hence why I was there most of the time!)
You don't need to take towels to Sandals as every pool or beach you go to will have fresh towels at hand that you help yourself to.
Whilst here I did take a look at several types, so if you would like to know more about other room options I can help with this.
I stayed on the beach side of the hotel and I preferred this. You also have the villas side which is where the main huge lovely Sandals main pool is which is swim up, but you do need to get a mini bus to the villas side and vice versa, these are constantly going backwards and forwards and only take a few minutes. It really depends on what you want.
A Sandals holiday is all about the experience of being ultra all inclusive with all premium brand drinks and champagne included, watersports, 18 hole golf course green fees and driving range and tips, and you can use the near by Beaches Boscobel resort too which is only 15 minutes by transfer (which Sandals provide to and from beaches Boscobel) - how fab is that!
A fantastic time, fab staff, great destination and resort!