Sandals vs Couples?

We are going to Couples Swept Away. For the price the rooms at Couples seemed more intimate while the rooms in the same price range at Sandals seemed more like a standard hotel. We also liked the atmosphere that Couples seems to have a little better. Overall they both seemed really nice but Couples seemed like a better spot for us!

I''ll have to check out this couples resorts at home, it's blocked at work.

It was BEACHES Negril resort and spa... Sorry about that ignore my post.

We went to Couples Swept Away for our honeymoon. It was WONDERFUL!! Of the three couples we chose CSA cause it is supposed to have the best food. We loved it so much that we decided to go back next year.

We decded against Sandals because Sandals was alot more expensive for what you get. We got one of the better rooms for a week at CSA for $2700 while the same "package" at Sandals was $5000!!! What?? I don't need a butler...

No prob Cheryl! Easy to confuse them, but I definitely don't want little kids on my HM

We’re going to Jamaica for our honeymoon. We select breezes resort. The packages sound similar to beaches or sandals, but much cheaper. I’ve heard a lot of great things about them.

We're going to Couples Tower Isle for a week in June and before we booked it we were in the same spot you're in right now! We read reviews and talked with our TA and finally decided we wanted Couples (for various reasons - there's a price cut going on right now for Couples, they include more excursions off site, the properties are more luxurious, and there's a better honeymoon package for free). After that, we knew we wanted to stay in Ocho Rios since Negril is supposed to be busier and there are vendors selling on the beach. We didn't want that, so we chose CTI since it has a private beach. Apparently, the food is great and the drinks are strong... plus the service is phenomenal. Good luck! We had the hardest time trying to figure out which room to get!

Oh, I also forgot to mention that Hurricane Nicole (I think that was it) washed away quite a bit of beach in Negril (not sure if it was one or both of the resorts there). Obviously, they'll try to fix it and create more beach area, but you may want to steer clear of that side of the island for a year or so until we can be sure it's fixed. There's some photos of the new beach on TripAdvisor if you want to see. PM me if you can't find them!

IATFT5S, thank you for all the helpful info! I def stay away from Nigril!

We are travel junkies. Where to go? I think it all depends on what you are looking for in a vacation,what kind of luxury you would like and how much you want to spend. I went to Sandals years ago. To get the kind of luxury, one can now get as standard in other all inclusive chains, is quite expensive and many upgrades at Sandals resorts.

I have also been to Couples Negril. Other than it being on a fabulous beach, it doesn't offer the kind of luxuries other resort chains that are new to the Jamaican scene can. However, they do offer the scuba, etc.

Have you checked out Secrets Wild Orchid/St. James in Montego Bay? It opened about a year ago. Secrets is part of the Apple Vacation family, as it is managed by AMresorts. Also, the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall also offers a great deal of luxury for significantly less money than Couple or Sandals. These two newcomers offer serious bang for the travel buck. While I have not been to these two specifically, I have done the brands.

You are so very welcome, Michelle. Keep us updated on what you choose and I'd be interested in hearing how your experience is if you don't mind

Oh, wait... in regards to what Carole said about Secrets: we also looked at both of those resorts and it was nice because they were closer to the airport, however, they don't include as much as a Couples resort and they have more of a "hotel resort" feel since the two Secrets are bumped up next to each other. The prices to go to Secrets on the same day/same length of time flying the same routes/times was more expensive than the Couples... at least from Wisconsin.

I'll stop taking over your post for now Feel free to PM me with questions!

@IATFT5S....I would def agree with you on "hotel resort" feel. Couples Negril is way more "tropical". However, if it is luxury one wants...imho...Secrets and Iberostar give way more bang for the travel buck. So, the biggest issue here is deciding what their priorities are for their honeymoon.

Wow...from Wisconsin, they priced the same....that is shocking!

We went to Sandals Grande something on St. Lucia. It was beautiful, the food was good, and there are 3 sandals resorts on St. Lucia so you can eat at any one of them.

I went to Couples Swept Away in August. Awesome! And way less expensive than Sandals. The beach was BEAUTIFUL! FH and I have decided we're definitely going back there for our honeymoon, it was perfect. The included activities, the staff, the atmosphere and the food were all great!

After doing a little more research, it seems that the not all 5 stars are the same. Sandals Royal Plantation and Half Moon Bay (Jamica) are both considered luxury hotels, above the regular 5 stars. Also, Secrets is considered to be inbetween the couples 5star and luxury resorts. Sooooo, now we're looking at Half Moon Bay and Sandals Whitehouse (same level as Secrets). I dust didnt' like the look of Secrets. I'm going for luxury. I've had vacays at 5 stars that are all fun and activities. But I've never experienced a true luxury resort...And I can't afford the one in St. Lucia. The Sandals Grande seems ok, but again, not considered a luxury resort.

Have you checked into secrets and dreams resorts they both offer an extra measure of romance in exquisite luxury settings . guests are offered unlimited luxury settings and everything is included wonderfully appointed rooms and suites with 24 hour concierge and room services, multiple gourmet restaurants and lounges serving premium beverages as well as endless day and evening activities. they are absolutely beautiful and they do offer many promotions that feature room upgrades and resort coupons that can be use toward spa treatments, fine wine and romantic dining. just a suggestion. take care