Sand Castles Resort

I stayed a week in June of 2003 and just had to say that this was the best trip I have ever taken. I went expecting a horriffic stay from the reviews, but the staff was welcoming, and I got to know them all very well. I was even serenaded on night out by the pool by Smiley, on of the staff who works in the bar, and is one of the kindest, funniest people I've ever met. The rooms themselves are not mansion quality but are clean, nicely furnished, and comfortable. I would not consider staying anywhere else next time I go to Ochos Rios. The hotel is right on the main road, walking distance from restraunts, shopping, casinos, dance clubs, and the beach. I am 22 years old but I can honestly say my stay at Sandcastles was wonderful and nothing but great memories! I highly reccomend you stay at Sandcastles if you decide to stay in Ocho Rios.

I just returned from a Thanksgiving stay.....o.k...prior to travelling to Ocho Rios, Jam, I read numerous tripadvisor reviews and was somewhat concerned about the property. However, this was a last minute air/hotel weekend getaway for a GREAT cheap price. Following are my impressions. Please keep in mind that when you travel anywhere outside the continental US or abroad, you might consider lowering your expectations a little. Standards vary country to country. 1) Property: It's ok...nothing more or less. However, if you are a traveller who enjoys a large staff/guest ratio where you are waited on hand and foot, this is NOT, repeat NOT the place for you. Prior to booking here, get the idea of a "resort" absolutely out of your mind. This is not a resort in the way you may be accustomed. eg. t.v. remotes are kept at the front desk. the grounds are well kept however... I think this property is more a 2 rather than 3 star... Over my four day stay, i got the impression that it is a property which many vacationing Jamaicans choose. 2) Rooms: studio style...I would compare the quality to national chains..eg. Comfort Inn or Red Roof Inns. My room was very clean. The maids seem to work around the clock. My refrigerator was broken....bathroom was small/cramped and just needed an overall facelift....H2O was hot.. 3) Dining: I never dined at sandcastles. However, I passed the buffet a couple of times, and it seemed overpriced for what you were offered ($21). Across the street is an adorable open-air cafe named "Coconuts" Great place with wide variety menu. I was told that is moving location nearer cruise port..... 4) Best Feature: CLOSE TO EVERYTHING!! Sandcastles is right in middle of everything you will likely do/see in Ocho. eg. 40 yds from Taj Mahal shopping center...100 yds. from Jimmy Buffets' Margaritaville, 100 yds from craft market etc.... 40 yds from KFC/Burger King..Just in case you get tired of jamaican cuisine. :-) Everything thing is within a 10 minute leisurely walk... REMEMBER, if you stay at a property which is outside of town the taxi will cost approx. $7 one-way each time you travel. 5) Beach: nah...it's sort of a beach for locals..no waves either.. more like H20 in a bay....if you want a property with a crashing beach, specifically ask for that! I've stayed at 2 other Ocho properties and the beach was like sandcastles. Importantly, you can use Margaritaville's beach! That's fun because you can lounge on their beach, hear amazing music, eat and drink....It doesn't get much better than that! You can get up and shop in the shopping center that Margaritaville is located in! 6) Cruise ship port is maybe 150 yds away. Their guest walk along a walkway behind sandcastles. 7) If you have ever travelled abroad, you have experienced people trying to sell you souveniers etc...It's no more or less in Jam. Just ignore them. They won't pursue an unwilling buyer.... 8) OVERALL: I wouldn't stay here again if I wanted a true resort experience..This is not a resort. If you want a resort, consider San Souci, Jamaica Grande etc... not here! If I wanted to get away for a cheap weekend, then maybe. Good luck and great travels!

I have been going to Sandcastles for the past 5 years on a regular basis. Our last trip was Christmas 2003 and my children had a wonderful time, although there was not much for them to do they did complain and from that day on the staff at Sandcastles made sure they had activities to enjoy. I've never thought to highly of the entertainment they lay on from year to year and its obvious that it will not change. The staff I found very pleasant, a little unfriendly sometimes but if you was working for as little as they were you'd feel the same. Jamaica is not a wealthy country and jamaicans thrieve on tourisum so yes you will get hasseled on the streets and they will make you feel a little uncomfortable by trying to sell you things but they mean you no harm, although you say NO I really don't think they take much notice of you that's why you just have to be very firm and positive towards them. My family and I have had a few good holidays spent at Sandcastles, good clean accomadation, too many fresh towels, we always ate out so we never used the facilities, we needed the TV socket fixing one time and no sooner had we put the phone down maintenance knocked on the door. On a whole Sandcastles isn't your Grande but it not your local dump either it is a lovely average resort, very clean kept with the beach not even a minute away. I suggest you continue reading all these reviews and experiences whether good or bad, and then go check it out for yourself, but if you are looking a place full of your Clubs For kids, forget it but if you're looking an experience then book a holiday at Sandcastles, I seen a lot worst the this, believe me. Have a good holiday.

I am from the Eastern part of Jamaica, but for this trip I decided to go to Ocho Rios instead and stay at the SandCastles Resort in August 2004. It was the BIGGEST MISTAKE of my life. It was disgusting. It took me an hour and a half to check in. They then started to check in others while I was standing there waiting on someone to give me a room. I was told my room was not ready as yet, due to the fact that the housekeepers were on a lunch break. There were no remotes in the room. I did not want to take a bath, but I was so tired and dirty, I was forced to use the showers. In order to step into that shower I had to place a towel on the floor of the shower before I took a bath. I refused to let my feet touch that floor. The area around the room did not feel safe. There was no room service, the food was disgusting. I was forced to spend the first night there, because there would be no other alternative till the next morning. I checked right out the next morning. That took me another hour to do as well. The staff was incompetent and lacked basic customer service etiquette. The hotel management did not even try to apologize for any inconvenience I may have suffered, neither did they offer any alternative solutions to the situation, for example an upgrade or a refund. If you do not care for comfort and cleanliness, then this place is for you. Another family of four checked in the same day as myself and by the next morning they were checking out to go the Jamaica Grande despite the fact that they were already booked for a week. Their rooms had food leftovers under the cushions. PLEASE, this is not what Jamaica has to offer. There are far more classier hotels on the island. I am a fellow Jamaican who grew up around the best on the island, so I do know what I'm talking about. Jamaica has up to 4 & 5-Star hotels. Please choose one of these, you won't be disappointed. I myself checked into the Four Seasons where I had all the Ackee & Saltfish that my heart desired. Apart from the SandCastles fiasco, I ended up having a grand time in my Island home.

I was at Sandcastles with my 15 year old daughter in August 2004. The first thing I noticed on arrival at our room was that it looked exactly like the pictures we had seen on the internet, just a little smaller. The room was nice but in need of a little updating eg none of the cutlery in the draw matched, paintwork was a little tired and the shower could have been better. The rest of the hotel was fine. The staff were nice and helpful but one day a guest left some dirty plates on the ground outside his room. - These plates ended up being there for 3 day because none of the staff thought to move them. - Maybe they didnt think it was there job! The food was good for breakfast and lunch but we found the evening meals very unappetising. We did eat out at a place called 'Mothers' which is near by. The food here was very good and reasonably priced. A place that was recommended to me was called 'Juicy Patties'. The food here is supposed to be excellent but we didnt go here because it was a bit futher away from the hotel than I liked to walk to because of the hassle we got in the street. There was entertainment every evening in the hotel which was ok if you dont expect much. We did get hassled everytime we left the hotel to go to the shops. Men hassled us all the time. This did get on my nerves. Even when you carry on walking and just say no, they still follow you to ask your name and where you are staying etc. They also hassle you to buy weed and CD's that they have made. Women also hassle you in the streets to braid your hair. Our tour rep was really nice and helpful and helped make our holiday enjoyable. We went on the organised tour to Dunns River which was nice although I found it very comercialised and over crowded. My daughter also swam with dolphins at Dolphin Cove. This trip was quite expensive but she really enjoyed it. On the whole I would say that Sandcastles is a nice place to stay although on the day I was leaving I spoke to a Canadian family who we also checking out. They had only arrived the night before and thought the hotel was disgusting and so were leaving dispite having paid for a 2 week stay. - They were off to the Jamaica Grande!

Sandcastles was like living in pure heaven--all inclusive is the way to go. My boyfriend and i had such a good time! We just made it back today!! the bartenders are so cool--(john wayne is the best) On the beach there is captain-Dave. He drove us to the bob marley tour!!! We sat under the coconut tree and drank red stripe. If you enjoy the Ganja---NO PROBLEM MON! I'm getting depressed thinking that i am no longer there. trust me you'll love it!!!

I stayed at this hotel Aug 5 thru 15th. The only thing I could say good about this hotel is that it was clean. I was very dissappointed in the staff. The front desk offered no help for activities. We were on our own for hotel events. Go elsewhere if you want all inclusive. I would'nt recommend this place to my friends or family. I loved Jamaica, hated the hotel.

I came back on 2/8/2004 and I had an excellent time! Sandcastles is not your 'Jamaica Grand' or your 'Sandals' type of place. So if you are looking for luxury, AI and high standards this is not the place for you. For me this was literally somewhere to put my head down as I did not really intend to spend that much time in the hotel. The housekeeping is excellent but the hotel does need a bit of a makeover. I only had dinner there once so I cannot really comment about that. If you do go, look out for Smiley the bar tender, Donald (he serves drinks on the beach and may offer you more than what you bargained for!), Joel and Nick (lifeguards) and Pete. The staff are generally friendly and I will be visiting again.

The staff was very helpful. I just loved them, especially those in the front office. But the rooms are not maintained; and the whole place could use an urgent facelift. Its a nice facility and could be attractive, they have to put on a coat of paint. Nobody bothers you there. You can come and go as you like, without incident and the usual handbands. For me it was better to eat outside and buy my beer to put in my fridge and drink. Its near to town and I just love it for that. In walking distance. I will go back; but they must do a better job of rodent control.

We just got home 2 days ago.My 10 year old son and i. Booked this trip on wed. and left sat.Was not excepting much at all,but it turned out very well.The hotel is old but the service was good,the food ok ,the drinks could of been better. I did not pay alot for this trip,so i was quite pleased.