I had the chance to join my fellow members of TANWA (Travel Advisors of Northwest Arkansas) on a FAM trip to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We were invited to tour the Sandals resorts, meet the staff, and experience the destination firsthand. It turned into an incredible week filled with beautiful beaches, fantastic food, fun excursions, and plenty of stories that will stick with me. We landed in Montego Bay and, right off the plane, the staff guided us through customs. Having someone walk us through everything took all the stress out of arrival. Then came Club Mobay, which I now recommend to everyone—it speeds up the airport process and gives you that minor VIP moment none of us want to admit we enjoy. The drive to Sandals Dunn’s River was about an hour and a half, and by the time we finally rolled up to the resort, I could already tell this trip was going to be a good one. We headed straight for The Jerk Shack, and that’s where I learned that “jerk” actually means hot and spicy—something nobody ever bothered to tell me before now. Honestly, that made me feel a whole lot better about all the times people have called me a jerk—I guess they just meant “extra seasoned.”
That night I tried room service, and I’m not kidding when I say the club sandwich might be the best one I’ve ever had. One thing I really like about Sandals is how you never have to think about tipping. You can enjoy yourself without digging around for cash every time someone hands you a drink.
The next morning, I woke up early—still on Arkansas time—and caught the sunrise over the Caribbean. It was one of those simple moments that makes you stop, breathe, and think, “Yeah… this is why I love what I do.” While many guests lined up at the 5:30 AM coffee bike, I headed straight for hot chocolate at Blum—coffee isn’t my thing, but cocoa definitely is. After breakfast at Edessa, we began touring the resorts: Dunn’s River, with its modern, romantic vibe; Sandals Ochi, home to The Rabbit Hole speakeasy and ideal for couples on a budget; and Sandals Royal Plantation, an intimate all-butler resort where guests also enjoy exchange privileges at Ochi. Italian Night at Cascata that evening was a highlight—the lasagna and meatball appetizer were both fantastic. Wednesday was spent on sunrise and enjoying hot chocolate, followed by meetings with the Dunn’s River team. Seeing behind the scenes gave me a whole new appreciation for how much work it takes to keep a luxury all-inclusive running smoothly. Dinner at Banyu that night was easily one of the best meals of the trip. The wonton soup was rich and flavorful, the spare ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, and the steak was cooked perfectly.
Thursday, we headed to Sandals Ochi for our Island Routes excursion. We boarded a catamaran for snorkeling and a climb up Dunn’s River Falls. While everyone else snorkeled, I stayed on deck with mocktails and enjoyed the ocean breeze—I don’t swim, so the boat was my comfort zone. Dunn’s River Falls itself is absolutely worth doing; remember to bring water shoes or rent a pair. The crew kept the energy high with music and dancing, and the no-shoes policy onboard made it feel even more relaxed. That night, we had a surf and turf dinner with the Sandals sales team—featuring steak, lobster, and great conversation. Friday morning, I grabbed one last hot chocolate while watching the sunrise, then headed to Edessa for steak and eggs. Checkout was effortless—the staff came directly to our room to handle the bags. At the airport, I was grateful once again for Club Mobay, especially since you have to arrive early for international flights. The lounge made the wait comfortable, rather than exhausting. The flights home had some fun surprises: on one leg, a flight attendant saw my 6’7″ frame and moved me to an exit row; on another, a friend in our group was upgraded to first class but gave the upgrade to me so I’d have more room while she took my exit-row seat. That’s travel karma if I’ve ever seen it. One of my favorite memories happened at lunch at The Rabbit Hole. The performer was singing “Big Spender” and singled me out. When I stood up, she looked up at me and said, “Boy, you are tall,” and the whole place cracked up. I actually did tip her, which only made everyone laugh harder. It ended up being one of the funniest moments of the entire trip.
And honestly, the food at Dunn’s River ended up being one of my favorite parts of the whole trip. The resort features 12 restaurants, ranging from Italian to Pan-Asian, French, sushi, and Caribbean jerk cuisine. Cascata’s Italian Night and the dinner at Banyu were my top two favorites. This trip also helped me gain a clear understanding of who each resort is best suited for. Dunn’s River is ideal for couples seeking a modern and romantic experience. Ochi is lively, fun, and budget-friendly. Royal Plantation is quiet, intimate, and completely butler-served—ideal for honeymoons and anniversaries, and with exchange privileges at Ochi, you get the best of both worlds. If you arrive late at night, I’d recommend staying in Montego Bay and transferring to Ocho Rios the next morning. It makes the start of your stay much smoother. Overall, Ocho Rios impressed me. Between the beaches, the food, Dunn’s River Falls, and the easy flight from the U.S., it’s an excellent destination for couples and groups. After this FAM trip, I’m even more excited to recommend Sandals Ocho Rios resorts to my clients. And for the FAQs: Dunn’s River is about 1.5 hours from Montego Bay; Dunn’s River and Royal Plantation are best for couples; Royal Plantation guests can use all of Sandals Ochi; Dunn’s River offers 12 diverse dining options; Dunn’s River Falls is absolutely worth it; and Club Mobay isn’t required but definitely makes travel days easier.
