Sandals Royal Caribbean is an adult-only all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It is one of the seven Sandals resorts in Jamaica and has a laidback vibe, a luxurious private island, overwater bungalows, and access to nearby Sandals Montego Bay.
We love the smaller, more peaceful feel, the fun private island, the food here, and the fact that Sandals Royal Caribbean is just 10 minutes from the airport. You can sometimes hear plane noise during the day, but it’s not as loud as at Sandals Montego Bay and you get used to it.
There are 9 restaurants and 5 bars onsite at Sandals Royal Caribbean. You can also visit the 12 restaurants and 6 bars at Sandals Montego Bay—a free shuttle runs regularly between the two resorts. Our top restaurants recommendations are Royal Thai, on the private island; Bombay Club for Indian food; the Mariner; the Jerk Shack; Spices; and Bella Napoli.
At Sandals Montego Bay we recommend Oleander, which serves Caribbean food sharing-style, Soy Sushi, and Tokyo Jo’s for Asian.
The private island is a really great amenity here, with two lovely beaches (one is clothing optional), a pool with a swim-up bar, the Thai restaurant, and the Jerk Shack. You get back and forth by riding in a dragon boat.
The beach at the main resort is nice too, with white sand and calm, clear water. There are some more quiet spots as well as a lively area featuring the complimentary watersports, which include snorkeling, paddleboarding, Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. There are plenty of beach chairs available.
Scuba diving is also included here for certified divers. There are 8 pools and 6 whirlpools, with a range of vibes and settings.
Land activities include tennis, beach volleyball, and access to a fitness center. There’s a spa onsite (services cost extra) as well as the option to book offsite excursions (also extra). Daily and nightly entertainment includes DJs and activities at the main pool, theme nights, live shows, beach bonfires, and more.
You can also head to Sandals Montego Bay for more activities and a more lively atmosphere.
There’s a wide range of accommodations to choose from at Sandals Royal Caribbean. Recent renovations upgraded many rooms and added some, including the Beachfront Club Suites with Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tubs, Beachfront Butler Suites with Private Pools, and Beachfront One-BedroomSkypool Butler Suites with rooftop terraces.
The Skypool suites are some of our favorite room types at Sandals resorts—they offer beautiful views and privacy, and you might find it hard to leave the room! The Beachfront Honeymoon One-Bedroom Walkout Butler Suites also offer direct beach access and patio Tranquility Soaking Tubs for two.
The room we stayed in on our first visit was a Crystal Lagoon Hideaway Junior Suite. It had been refreshed and we liked it, especially the oversized outdoor soaking tub. This area is further from the beach and quiet, and also features swim-up suites along the lagoon pool. However, since it was a luxury level room it didn’t have room service. (For that you need to book a club or butler room).
On our most recent visit we stayed in a Royal Beachfront Butler Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub, which had amazing views and was really comfortable. We loved the personal butler service that it comes with.
The most iconic rooms here are the overwater bungalows, which are located on the private island along a walkway over the Caribbean. There are two types, one with private infinity pools and one without, but they are both pretty cool. Inside there is a glass floor insert so you can see into the water, and outside is a large deck with loungers, overwater hammocks, and access to the water. They come with personal butler service, 24-hour inroom dining, and private water taxi service to the main resort. However, they are very expensive and book out far in advance. They’re also currently being renovated and will reopen by December 2025.
If you’re looking for a quieter Sandals resort that’s close to the airport and offers beautiful beaches and great food, Sandals Royal Caribbean may be perfect for you!