This antique carriage greets guests upon arrival to the entry courtyard. Popular photography spot for WeddingMoon brides and grooms as well as honeymooners at Sandals Royal Caribbean resort.
An antique carriage greets guests upon arrival to the entry courtyard at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Popular photography spot for WeddingMoon brides and grooms as well as honeymooners.  All photos taken by Kathi R. Evans, ABC(TM) during Association of Bridal Consultants trip to Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Our next tour was of Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This resort is a 10 minute ride from the airport with no airplane take off noise.  All the airport and check in info from our post on Sandals Montego Bay applies to this resort.

sign at the entrance to Sandals Cay - the private island at Sandals Royal Caribbean
sign at the entrance to Sandals Cay – the private island at Sandals Royal Caribbean. It is off of this island where the new over water suites will be built.

This resort has many features including a private island with clothing optional beach which is clearly labeled that you’re heading that way. The island features Thai food at the Royal Thai restaurant. Reservations are required as it only seats 80 guests at one time. You can rent the entire island for $5,000.00 + Food and Beverage, etc. It is a 5 minute boat ride from the main resort. Shuttles run all day. There are architectural drawings showing the private over water bungalows that will be built in the water off the private island. Cabanas can be rented on the island for $125.00 per day and include a Cabana Concierge. Red Land spa treatments are available on the island too.

View of Sandals Cay from the dock at Sandals Royal Caribbean resort. Cabanas are shown to the left of the Royal Thai restaurant. The clothing optional beach is on the left side of the island.
View of Sandals Cay from the dock at Sandals Royal Caribbean resort. Cabanas are shown to the left of the Royal Thai restaurant. The clothing optional beach is on the left side of the island. Close your eyes and picture the soon to come over water suites.

A new two story 14 room butler suite building was built in 2014. FREE Wi-Fi is available at ALL Sandals resorts for every level of room.  There are currently nine levels of Butler suites and two levels of Club Sandals accommodations.  The rest of the rooms are all entry level.  Your best value is the Beachfront Grande Luxe Room (GB).  Some rooms have separate showers and tubs. In others they’re combined. If you want the separate shower – make sure you tell your travel professional when making your reservation.

Crystal Lagoon Village Clarence Block. All Butler Suites.
Crystal Lagoon Village Clarence Block. All Butler Suites.

There are 3 beaches and 8 restaurants (including Royal Thai) at this resort.

Courtyard entrance to Le Jardinier Restaurant one of eight at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort.
Courtyard entrance to Le Jardinier Restaurant at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort.

There are 3 swimming pools not including the Crystal lagoon for the Butler level suites in the St. James, Clarence, and Buckingham buildings.

Swimming Pool at the Kensington Cove Village. All Sandals Club level rooms. Very quiet at this end of the resort.
Swimming Pool at the Kensington Cove Village which contains all Sandals Club level rooms. Very quiet at this end of the resort.  The beach is just steps away.

We were there in the afternoon and found it very quiet at the resort even though it was relatively full. It was hot so most guests were in the water or in the shade enjoying a cold adult beverage. I really liked this resort. The beaches were beautiful and the rooms, regardless of price point, were well appointed. I was really jealous of the guests on the private island. In and out of the water, relaxing in hammocks in the over water gazebo. Definitely wishing it was me.

View from Sandals Cay back to Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort. Firepit on the beach. Gazebo in the water with hammocks. If I close my eyes I can see us there.....
View from Sandals Cay back to Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort. Firepit on the beach. Gazebo in the water with hammocks. If I close my eyes I can see us there…..