At Wedding Pioneer, we love wedding planning and always strive to bring you the best of everything!
A fun new venture for us is destination weddings and honeymoons.
We’ve partnered with Sandals Resorts to help make your wedding and honeymoon experience easy and fun (and that means your elopement, too!).
Today, we compare two Sandals Resorts in Jamaica in our Sandals Ochi vs. Sandals Negril Review. For even more Negril, please check out our Sandals Negril Review highlighting this fab beachfront resort.
We took a deep dive into the gorgeous Caribbean Sea and incomparable Jamaica—with your precious wedding day and honeymoon in mind.
Our Sandals Ochi vs Negril Review Covers It All
Sit back, relax, and take a mini-vacay with our Sandals Ochi vs. Negril comparison.
We get into the important points that can make a huge difference in your destination wedding or honeymoon (and we’ll give you tips and tricks too):
- Getting to Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril
- Sandals Ochi vs. Sandals Negril review of accommodations
- Sandals Ochi vs. Sandals Negril restaurant review
- Luxury Included activities at Sandals and vacation extras
We heard you, wedding couples, so we’ll answer the following questions:
- What is the least expensive Sandals resort?
- What’s the nightlife like at Sandals Negril?
- Is Sandals Ochi a party resort?
- What did Sandals Ochi used to be called?
We also know that the best for you should always suit your wedding budget. So let’s start with the most popular question!
What Is the Least Expensive Sandals Resort?
We looked to the experts at Sandals for confirmation of which resort is the most affordable for couples, and we’ve got great news for you!
Modern chic and private exclusivity, meet in the heart of Jamaica in a resort that features the best of both worlds. On one side of paradise, discover the beachside Caribbean Riviera with a hot beach club.
This blog ranks the most affordable Sandals resorts—the top three are very familiar to us:
- Sandals Ochi: close to the most popular Jamaican attractions like Dunn’s River Falls and the Ocho Rios Blue Hole.
- Sandals South Coast: one of Jamaica’s most secluded resorts and one of the best Sandals resorts for your wedding.
- Sandals Negril: located on the famous Seven Mile Beach and offers the most stunning sunsets in Jamaica.
We love this booking tool when you want to price out a Sandals resort without obligation.
You can see specific destination prices and compare prices for the seven Sandals resorts in Jamaica—and click on current specials that guarantee your best price.
Closer to the water’s edge than anywhere else in Negril, life can truly be what you imagine in the relaxed chic, and free-spirited Sandals Negril.
Planning Your Free Wedding at a Sandals Resort
Your “must-have” link is Sandals Wedding Packages!
You can see everything your free tropical wedding includes, as well as customize your wedding, see special offers, and check out the wedding venues at Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril.
Now, on to a bit of trivia about Sandals Ochi. Let’s answer another one of your FAQs!
What Did Sandals Ochi Used to be Called?
In April 2015, Travel Weekly announced that a Sandals resort in Ocho Rios had been renamed from Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort to Sandals Ochi Beach Resort—a far catchier name, we think!
Is Sandals Ochi a Party Resort?
Since Sandals Ochi is the largest Sandals in the Caribbean, it is known as a party destination. But if you’re looking for peace, the sheer size of the resort makes that possible too.
Keep reading for more on Sandals Ochi’s restaurants and amenities as we compare Sandals Ochi to Sandals Negril.
What’s the Nightlife Like at Sandals Negril?
As we explain in our Sandals Negril Review, it’s a smaller, laidback resort for Sandals but close to the safe tourist area in Negril with its fantastic local cuisine and vibrant nightlife.
On the resort, the Sandals activities team in Negril is renowned for exciting theme nights, including a Fire Show on the beach and live DJ entertainment.
You can also enjoy the smaller pools for longer in the evening at Sandals Negril… many honeymooners have enjoyed a midnight dip after a resort dance party!
Okay—ready to review? Let’s compare Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril and see which one is your best wedding and honeymoon destination.
Getting to Sandals Ochi vs. Sandals Negril
There are pros and cons to getting to Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril.
Currently, all international travelers fly into Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. Here’s what to know:
- Sandals Ochi is approximately 90 to 120 minutes from the airport, depending on traffic conditions. The positive is that the scenic road is paved and mostly flat, and the friendly drivers generally make a stop along the way. Make sure to click on Sandals Ochi for a handy travel checklist.
- Sandals Negril is approximately 75 minutes from the airport, although traffic can delay the trip up to two and a half hours, and the roads are a bit bumpier. Make sure to click on Sandals Negril for a handy travel checklist.
Wedding Pioneer Travel Tip: Island Routes offers add-on transfers between the airport and Sandals Negril or Sandals Ochi. You are transported in a private BMW with snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi included. So start your wedding adventure as soon as you land in Jamaica!
Sandals Ochi vs. Sandals Negril Review of Accommodations
Because many of our wedding couples are on a budget, we’re so glad to highlight two of Sandals’ most affordable destinations in this article.
Let’s break down the room categories at Sandals, so you can see what’s best for you at either Sandals Ochi or Sandals Negril in the following types of rooms and suites.
Sandals Luxury Rooms
This is the most affordable room category at Sandals—but the famous luxury included amenities are always yours in a Luxury room!
Luxury Rooms at Sandals Ochi
There are six luxury room categories at Sandals Ochi, including Great House Oceanview, Riviera Honeymoon Luxury, and Riviera Bamboo Grove Deluxe. Click on the links for lovely descriptions and pictures.
Luxury Rooms at Sandals Negril
There are five luxury room categories at Sandals Negril, including Caribbean Oceanview Luxury Room and Caribbean Luxury Honeymoon. Click on the links for lovely descriptions and pictures.
Sandals Club Rooms
Club Level rooms offer complimentary room service between 7 am to 10 pm, and many wedding couples appreciate this upgraded feature—but there’s more! Click on Club Level rooms to see what you’ll enjoy.
Club Level Rooms at Sandals Ochi
There are five Club Level categories at Sandals Ochi, including Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront Penthouse Club Level, Honeymoon Grande Luxe Poolside Villa Club Level, and Honeymoon Hideaway Luxury Club Level Garden Cottage. Click on the links for descriptions and pictures.
Club Level Rooms at Sandals Negril
There are four Club Level categories at Sandals Negril, including Caribbean Beachfront Grande Luxe Club Level Room and Paradise Honeymoon Beachfront Walkout Club Level Room. Click on the links for descriptions and pictures.
Sandals Butler Elite and Love Nest Suites
We get it! Wedding budgets are essential.
But when you have “Downton Abbey” daydreams about a wedding and honeymoon complete with a personal butler trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers—that’s what a Butler Elite suite is for!
Click on Butler Elite for all the fantastic details.
The trademarked Sandals Love Nest Suites blend into the Butler Elite Suites at Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril. Click on Love Nest Suites for a breathtaking glimpse!
Sandals Ochi Butler Elite / Love Nest Suites
Butler Elite / Love Nest Suites at Sandals Ochi include Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront Butler Suite and Butler Village Honeymoon Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary. The links will show you stunning descriptions and pictures.
Sandals Negril Butler Elite / Love Nest Suites
At Sandals Negril, the top-tier accommodations include Crystal Lagoon Honeymoon Beachfront Penthouse One-Bedroom Butler Suite and Millionaire Honeymoon One-Bedroom Butler Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary. Click on the links and be amazed!
Sandals Ochi vs. Sandals Negril Restaurant Review
Dining options vary between Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril, but you still get an array of food choices and cuisine from around the world.
Sandals Ochi offers the best of both worlds with its sprawling Caribbean Riviera and Garden of Eden sections. Sandals Negril is more of an intimate, laidback hideaway with beachfront dining.
Review of Restaurants at Sandals Ochi
There are 16 on-trend restaurants at Sandals Ochi. Click on the links to preview yummy menus from their Asian, American Southern, Northern Italian, Caribbean, Spanish, and gourmet French restaurants.
Review of Restaurants at Sandals Negril
There are seven restaurant choices at Sandals Negril. Click on the links to preview the “resort casual” dining in the Jamaican, Italian, Seaside Grill, and French Brasserie restaurants.
Wedding Pioneer Travel Trip: you’ll love dining barefoot at Barefoot by the Sea at Sandals Negril, and travelers rave about Jamaican lunches at The Jerk Shack at Sandals Ochi!
Luxury Included Activities at Sandals Resorts and Vacation Extras
You’ll find Luxury Included Activities at Sandals Ochi and Sandals Negril. Click on the following links to see all the fun things you can do together on land and sea:
- Watersports included at Sandals
- Land sports included at Sandals
- Scuba diving for certified divers (check out our 11 Best Sandals Resorts for Scuba Diving in 2023)
- Championship golfing at Sandals (check out our Best Sandals Resort for Golf: Our Top 8 For 2023)
Many couples want to take a scuba course on their honeymoon. Click on FAQs and choose the “scuba dive” tab for valuable information.
Vacation Extras at Sandals Resorts
Do you want to take an adventure tour or book a couples massage on your honeymoon? We highly recommend these vacation extras at Sandals Negril and Sandals Ochi!
Wedding Pioneer Travel Tip: one of the best things you can do for your tropical wedding and honeymoon at a Sandals resort happens before you arrive! Make sure to click on Vacation Extras to preview your resort’s fun activities and adventures, and it’s even better when you book in advance.
