The best of both worlds can be found at Sandals Ochi, a lively energy complemented with pockets of peace all within one resort. With a large variety of room types, restaurants, bars, and activities, it’s an incredible choice for couples and their Jamaican getaway.
Why We Love Sandals Ochi
New Direct Flights from Miami: American Airlines now offers non-stop flights from Miami to Ochos Rios (where Sandals Ochi is located). This makes travel time much more convenient, depending on where you travel.
The Vibes: Sandals Ochi is huge, so you can find lively areas for the partiers or something quiet and relaxing or everything in between.
The Number of Restaurant Options: There are 16 restaurants to choose from at Sandals Ochi, food remains interesting and varied throughout the vacation.
Golf Access: Ochi has complementary shuttles to and from the Upton Estate Golf & Country Club and complimentary green fees.
The Speakeasy Bar: Rabbit Hole Speakeasy adds a cool layer of uniqueness to the resort in this 1920’s 1920s-themed bar.
Cons of Sandals Ochi
The Resort is HUGE: There are two different sides of the resort, which can be inconvenient when you’re staying on the hillside area and want to venture to the beachside.
Who Would Love Sandals Ochi
Sandals Ochi is a lovely, lively resort with so many activities. The resort is ideal for couples looking for various activities and fun. Golf enthusiasts and couples wanting to see Jamaica outside the resort will love Ochi.
Before you arrive
I recommend downloading the Sandals app as it is super user friendly and allows you to make dinner reservations in advance and see the resort map. I would encourage researching some excursions you’d like to check out after arriving and paying close attention to room types and location when booking Ochi.
Arrival
After arrival at the airport, there is a Sandals lounge awaiting guests; the resort provides free shuttle services to and from the airport. If you are arriving at Sangster Airport, the drive to the resort is about 90 minutes as opposed to Ochos Rios airport being about 20 minutes away. Checking in is a breeze with the Sandals app. Once checked in, staff will lead you to your room and the rest just involves vacation bliss.
Rooms
We stayed in the Poolside Club Level Villa room, which is a recently renovated option and included a semi-private pool right outside our door. Cost was a median average compared to all other options, and I enjoyed having a pool nearby for early mornings.
Other options at Ochi fall into three categories: Butler Elite, Club Sandals, or Sandals Luxury.
Butler Elite are the higher end rooms with personal butler service, ranging from $300-$1200 per person, per night. Club Sandals rooms do not include butler service, but still have amazing options for views and concierge service included. These rooms range from $290-$390 a night per person. Sandals Luxury rooms will be the cheapest, ranging from $199-$290 per person and offer tropical garden views.
One major consideration when choosing a room is where it is located. If you want to be near the beach, look for rooms on the Riviera side or the resort of the Honeymoon Hideaway. If you prefer more privacy, look into the Butler Village. The Great House Villiage is the other option. The rooms are near the largest pool on the resort and are the most affordable.
Beach
There are 3 main beach areas around Ochi, the Riviera Seaside village, Main Beach with Ochi Beach Club, and the Riviera Beachfront Tower. We loved Ochi Beach Club with proximity to restaurants and the swim up bar. The Seaside village is a nice second with plenty of bars to choose from. Riviera Beachfront Tower is the spot with all the watersport fun.
Pools
It’s hard to believe this without seeing the size of the Ochi resort, but it houses 105 pools and 22 whirlpools! While some are private or semi-private, like our accommodation had, there are SO many pools to choose from. The Beach Club Pool was our favorite with its location being on the beach.
Food
Ochi has 16 specialty restaurants; it’s impossible to get bored with the cuisine. A word of advice for anyone staying at Ochi- make dinner reservations as soon as possible! Ochi is a large resort with many guests heading toward the same destinations for dinner, making reservations right when you get to the resort will make your life easier. We loved Neptune’s for Mediterranean dinners next to the Jamaican Riviera views. The Seafood Paella is chef’s kiss. During the day, the Great House Cafe was excellent for quick snacks and jerk chicken in between pool and beach outings.
Entertainment
Ochi has a Speakeasy! We loved this unique addition to the resort. It’s called The Rabbit Hole and has an Alice in Wonderland theme. Stop by here for a drink and some swanky entertainment for a night. Don’t forget to obtain the password from a staff member! Ochi has themed nights, beach parties, and live music every night. There’s never a shortage of entertainment options throughout the resort.
Activities
Sandals Ochi is one of the largest and most diverse Sandals Resorts, offering an impressive variety of included activities. From watersports and land activities to entertainment and nightlife, there is something for every couple looking for fun, relaxation, and adventure.
1. Watersports & Beach Activities
Sandals Ochi provides unlimited watersports, making it a great choice for ocean lovers. Some of the included water activities are:
• Scuba Diving – Certified divers can enjoy two free dives per day at some of Jamaica’s best dive sites. For beginners, PADI® certification courses are available at an extra cost.
• Snorkeling – Snorkeling gear is provided, and guests can explore vibrant coral reefs and marine life.
• Paddleboarding & Kayaking – A great way to take in the stunning coastline at your own pace.
• Sailing & Hobie Cats – Guests can set sail on small catamarans to enjoy the beautiful Caribbean waters.
• Windsurfing – Available for those looking for a bit more adventure on the water.
• Waterskiing & Wakeboarding – Sandals Ochi is one of the few Sandals Resorts that offers waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing, all included in the stay.
2. Land Activities & Sports
For guests who love to stay active, Sandals Ochi offers a variety of land-based activities:
• Golf at Upton Estate Golf & Country Club – Unlimited green fees and transfers to Sandals’ championship golf course. Club rentals and caddies are available for an additional fee.
• Tennis & Pickleball – Play on lit courts, with professional instruction available.
• Beach Volleyball – Join in on a friendly game on the soft white sands.
• Shuffleboard & Bocce Ball – Classic resort games for relaxed fun.
• State-of-the-Art Fitness Center – Fully equipped with cardio machines, free weights, and group fitness classes.
3. Nightlife & Entertainment
Sandals Ochi is one of the liveliest Sandals resorts, offering:
• The Caribbean’s First Speakeasy – The Rabbit Hole – A 1920s-themed speakeasy with live jazz and handcrafted cocktails.
• Live Music & Shows – Enjoy reggae bands, fire dancers, steel drum performances, and theatrical productions.
• The Ochi Beach Club – A vibrant beachfront club with DJs, pool parties, and private cabanas.
4. Poolside Fun & Swim-Up Bars
Excursions
Sandals Ochi is in a perfect location to enjoy fun excursions. Close by are some of Jamaica’s best attractions including Dunn’s River Falls, Blue Hole, river tubing, ziplining, and ATVs.
We stopped by the Island Routes desk to see what was available to book and enjoyed the Blue Hole and river tubing combo and went to Dunn’s River on a separate excursions.
Comparison to other Sandals Resorts
Sandals Ochi stands out as a large, affordable, entertaining resort in comparison to the others in Jamaica.
Couples looking for a more tranquil experience might choose Sandals South Coast for its calm demeanor. For beach lovers wanting to spend most of their time on or near the water, choose Sandals Negril along Seven Mile Beach. For more variety, Sandals Royal Caribbean or Montego Bay might be a better option; when booking either of these, guests also have access to the other’s restaurants and activities, so it broadens the possibilities!