All inclusive in Montego Bay- Sandals or Secrets?

Sandals are over rated and over priced. Secrets are way better.

@Helena have you been to both? Saying one is overpriced doesn't really help without anything said besides that.

Yup. Been to sandals in Jamaica. Been to secrets Akumal. Sandals isn't worth the price.

ETA-you are paying for the name sandals. The secrets have a level of service that is above and beyond. Why pay so much more for a sandals? Hence me saying they are overpriced.

I don't recommend the Sandals in Jamaica (specifically the Ochi Rios), its over priced and not as nice as it looks in pictures. The beach access is as small as a swimming pool, they have it blocked off to only a small section for swimming, the pool area was sooooo dirty! The chairs were filthy. The first room we had; the AC didn't work, and the second room was infested with ants. The food was ok, and out of the 3 excursions we did, I only liked 1. (Don't want to seem like I'm complaining, just advising that it's not worth the money). Hope that helps!

I used to work in the travel industry and I have visited both. I would pick Secrets hands down. There is nothing wrong with Sandals--it is a great product, too--but you are paying more money for less quality just because it was the original household name in AI resorts.

Another tip: don't pay extra for Secrets Wild Orchid over Secrets St. James. They are basically just different buildings on the same resort. All of the restaurants and amenities are shared between the two hotels.

We went to the Sandals resort in Montego Bay for my sister's DW back in 2011. We absolutely loved it and talk about going back all of the time! We spend more on a summer beach vacation in the states, so I didn't feel like it was overpriced. To each their own.

Sandals is over priced! I went to the Grande in St Lucia and for the money spent I felt we would have had better food, amenities, service, etc

We just got back from the Sandals Montego Bay for our honeymoon. We splurged for the swim up ocean view room with butler for the week. It was expensive, but we had a great week. I would say, we've been to two Sandals (Montego Bay and Royal Bahamian), and the food at these resorts is good but not the quality we expected. But we always had great spots on the beach reserved for us, drinks constantly brought by the butlers, etc. I will say the Montego Bay resort is undergoing some renovations for upgrades so there's that kind of traffic to consider.

I have never been to a Secrets resort, so I can't comment on a comparison.

I'm in same boat. Secrets Cap Cana looks amazing and they are getting it together. I am down to Secrets Cap Cana or Secrets Maroma which is supposedly amazing!! Sandals jacks up the price by double the amount for things you may not use but once or not at all like golf, scuba diving, catamaran rides etc. I'm torn....I too was big time on Sandals.

I was hardcore on Sandals until I did a loaf of research and they came up as a great product, just overpriced. You won't be disappointed, but you will overpay. Excellence and Secrets and even Zoetry can provide you with the same, in some instances more, like the snorkeling with turtles at your hotel at Secrets Akumal, for up to half the price less. People love Couples also. And that can be 2/3 less. It depends what you are looking for. If you like scuba diving and will go daily then you will make your money back as this is an expensive activity, and it's included at Sandals. Let me know if you want an amazing website with the breakdown of all the Sandals resorts...the good, the bad and pointers. Really well down by someone who has been to them all. This is what turned me from Sandals as the wants I wanted like La Source Grenada had major dealbreakers like smalln unwalkable beach. It proved very helpful to me. And now I'm at leaning towards Secrets ....but if all my family didn't do Excellence I would probably be there as there product is great too. Excellence Punta Cana has phenomenal reviews both online and from family. Hope this helps Good luck

Hi Aimee. Congrats on your upcoming wedding! Sandals in Montego Bay is actually super close to the airport, so it's not my favorite and their beach also isn't the greatest. I've been to Secrets Wild Orchid/Secrets St. James and LOVED it. I feel like you definitely get more for your money at Secrets without comprising the quality & service.

Sandals is owned by a vocal homophobe and didn't welcome same-sex couples until 2004. Take that for what you will.

Secrets Jamaica! Like someone else mentioned, don't pay more for Secrets Wild Orchid, it is pretty much the exact same. Now they have a Breatheless Montego Bay right next to it as well and I am pretty sure you can use those amenities as well.

@Shaun - Secrets Cap Cana is SOOOO much nicer than Maroma. It is brand new. Maroma's room smelled like mildew.

I have not been to Jamaica, but we honeymooned with Secrets and the service was just spectacular!

@Stephanie ..thanks so much. I was swaying towards Maroma as most said it was so much better as it was "more established". Thanks Steph. You stayed at both. Did u have Preferred Club? Was it worth it? Thanks

I would look up Riu Montego Bay. They're all inclusive and always having deals!!

I just posted asked about sandals resorts. I am on mobile and can't search but I was told to steer away from sandals.

We just booked our honeymoon to Lady Hamilton Grand Palladium Resort in Jamaica. My sister and her husband went there last summer and LOVED it, so we decide to go with that resort based on her experience. They did the all inclusive and said they have a ton of restaurants in the resort to choose from.

Garza Blanca Resort in Puerto Vallarta

Couples San Soucci!