We are going to SOR jan 9-jan18.Have never been there before,how does it compare to SMB? We were there in jan 01 and loved it. We have since gone to intercontinental in SAN JOSE DEL CABO, it was fun, but not SANDALS

SOR has a lot of activities. There are things toing on night and day. Stop by the entertainment office. Ask for Wayne. He is so much fun. This is in the Riviera lobby by the game room, and there is a huge board of all they have going on. The swim-up bar that is on the current resort is very active. I don't know if you are staying on the Manor side or the Riviera side, but it will make a huge difference.

When we were staying at Royal Plantation a couple of weeks ago, we could hear the ampitheatre entertainment at SOR every night and all the other activities till late.

SMB is very active. We are returning there 2 weeks from now. We will be staying away from most of that, but certainly there is a ton going on there.

Both resorts have a number of restaurants that are very good. Sounds like you might have stayed at SMB>

SOR is very spread out and will be even more spread out. That is sort of a drawback, but you get used to it.

Next year, they will have both spas, and I just love all the fitness stuff at the Manor. They have squash courts, a cardio room, heavy weight room plus a veggie/smoothie bar, and an aerobics studio. The disco up there is nice, too.

They now have tons of tennis courts, and the basketball courts will have a different feel being near this new zero entry pool. I loved the little water slide up at the manor.

You will surely have a good time, and I imagine you got a good deal.

Debbie H, enjoy yourself at SMB, we did. Just returned on Sept. 6. Check out the new tile that was put down by the garden fountain, it's beautiful. We also had massages and they were wonderful. Tell Dawn Smith, front end mngr., Hi for me. Lots of mosquitos this year because of all the rain. Take your spray.

Thanks Debbieh103
Your message was fun to read. My sister went last year to SOR..and now this year I am going. I let her see the new brochures I got from my travel agent of the new Sandals Grande Ochos Rios. She couldn't believe the changes they made. Improved of course!
She also mentioned the message board that they have in their lobby. She said that's how they planned their days there. They would check it every morning and attend as many events as they could.
You mentioned that it makes a difference if you stay in the Manor house or the Riviera building. We have rooms at the Manor house. What would you prefer? Yes, the Riviera building is much closer to the ocean, but the price is much better at the Manor house. The Manor house certainly doesn't sound like it's spared anything. Sounds pretty good to me. But is the Riviera building even better yet???
Thanks for all your advice!
Lori

TimAir or Air Jamaica Express from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios? Any reason why one is better than the other?

We will also be there the week of January 8th. We are in a Manor House Ocean View. I realize it is a 6 to 10 minute walk to the beach but what's the hurry right? Besides a little walking may counteract the sudden ingestion of calories for the week! Besides as I understand the Beaches part (Manor House and Villas) were all upgraded and remodled while the Sandals Ocho Rios part was not. With 9 different resturaunts it should be quite a chore dieciding where to eat and getting reservations in line. I CAN'T WAIT!

Stephanie.. .. .
Since you'll be there before we are (we're going in March), you MUST let us all know how it is when you get back. Of course leave out the bad stuff.. ..we don't want to know. We'll go anyway!
That was our thought about staying 10 minutes (walk) from the beach. Who's in a hurry? Besides..really how much time do you spend in your actual hotel room?
Have a great time.. ..can't wait to hear from you when you get back
Lori

Greetings,

My finacee an I are going to SOR in March. The 12th to be exact. Going to get married there. We are really looking forward to it. Anyone know what the service there is like? We have butler service (so it says) and concierge service with 24 hour room service. We are trying to go all out on this.

Any reports, good or bad?

Thanks in advance

to my knowledge, the butler service will be new with the renovation. so no one before january will know about that. i don't know about the other services.

Saw that some of you are at Sandals about the same time as me. We're there Jan. 2-9, 2005. Can't wait to see the 2 new merged resorts. We've been to Beaches Grande Sport a few times. Looking forward to the Sandals experience.


Shelb