Sandals Grande Riviera - All-inclusive Couples-only

Resort Map (pdf) | Reviews

Sometimes referred as the "Garden of Eden", Sandals Grande Riviera (previously Sandals Grande Ocho Rios) is a large and spread out resort featuring lush gardens along with both views of the ocean and St Ann Mountains.  Two resorts in one - the Riviera Seaside section runs along the ocean and the Great House section (also known as the Manor House) which scatters into the hillside is located across the road. In addition to featuring some of the least expensive rooms within the Sandals brand, Grande Riviera is also located very close to some of Jamaica's most popular attractions including Dunn's River Falls. Grande Riviera also serves as the primary Sandals golf destination in Jamaica featuring an 18-hole championship golf course. Unique accommodations to Grande Riviera are the 93 hillside villas each with a pool. Although you will find superior beaches at other Sandals resorts, the newly constructed Riviera Beach Club and expanded beach area is a significant improvement.
Sandals Grande Riviera (Official Website)
Description (Sandals Website)

Location - The resort is located along the Jamaica northern coast approx 1.5 hours from the Montego Bay airport. Located near Ocho Rios which serves as a primary cruise port offering shopping and area attractions.

Atmosphere - Grande Riviera is often thought of the Sandals Resort that has a little bit of everything - from its beach club to lush gardens to mountain retreat and everything in between. It is a fun and lively resort with something always going on, although the resort may be to overwhelming for some to fully enjoy due to its large size. Nightly main event entertainment often draws large crowds as it is a large resort with over 500 rooms. However, its large number of restaurants and facilities ensures plenty of room for enjoyment by all.  We typically recommend this resort to younger customers who have the ability and desire to take full advantage of the resort's offerings. However, there are also certain situations where particular travelers are perfectly satisfied spending their entire vacation within a confined area of the resort such as the Manor House pool area without ever traveling to the Riviera section.

Layout & design - Very large and spread out over 100 acres and two main resort sections, the Riviera seaside section is flat land with the large 5-floor Riviera Building overlooking the ocean along with a series of 4-story Bamboo Grove buildings and 2-story cottages scattered through the garden areas. The Riviera section connects across the road to the Great House section by shuttle transfer (many uninformed arriving guests do not realize the resort is split in two sections or believe they can walk between sections). The Great House section is centered on the multiple story Manor House (accommodations are only on top floor) which overlooks the main pool and contains several restaurants. The Great House section is much more hilly as it scatters up into the hillside where numerous villas with pools are located. Both sections feature several restaurants and the entire resort is fully available to all guests.

Dining
Sandals Grande Riviera features 15 restaurants - 10 on the Riviera side and 5 within the Great House mountain side. 24-hour room service available for all butler level guests.

Bayside Restaurant (International - Riviera) - primary restaurant in Riviera section next to lobby serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner overlooking the sea. Indoor and outdoor seating available. No reservations, non-smoking, resort casual attire. Breakfast buffet 7-11am, lunch buffet 12:30-2:15pm. Dinner 6:30-9:30pm (closed Mon & Tue).

Valentino's (Italian - Riviera) - A la carte Tuscany & Northern Italy cuisine. Indoor dining with panoramic views of the sea. Resort evening attire, non-smoking, no reservations. Dinner 5:30-9pm (closed Mon & Wed).

Reef Terrace (Caribbean - Riviera) - Caribbean a la carte with candlelit tables-for-two outdoors in a romantic courtyard setting under the stars. Resort casual, non-smoking, no reservations. Dinner 6-10:15pm (closed Mondays).

Kimono's (Teppanyaki - Riviera) - Teppanyaki style Japanese with dishes prepared at the table. Resort evening attire, non-smoking, reservations required. Dinner 6-9:30pm (closed Fridays).

Neptune's (Mediterranean - Riviera) - Open-air beach dining featuring a la carte Mediterranean seafood dishes. Resort casual, no reservations. Dinner 6:30-10pm (closed Fridays).

Kelly's Dockside (International - Riviera) - Elegant a la carte open-air dining located directly on the ocean pier. Resort evening attire, non-smoking, reservations required. Dinner 5:30-9pm.

Soy (Sushi - Riviera) - Indoor air-conditioned sushi bar. Resort casual, no reservations. Daily 4-9:30pm.

Mariner's Bar & Grill (Beach Grill - Riviera) - Jerk pork & chicken, sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Non-smoking, no reservations. Daily 11am-6pm.

Bella Napoli Pizzeria (Pizza - Riviera) - Made-to-order wood oven pizza. Non-smoking, no reservations. Daily 11am-6pm.

Sandtrap Grill (Beach Grill - Riviera) - Popular lunch grilled items and late night snacks. Non-smoking, no reservations. Daily 10am-5:30pm and 10pm-3am.

Marketplace Restaurant (International - Great House) - primary restaurant in Great House section overlooking the pool. Indoor and outdoor seating available. No reservations, non-smoking, resort casual attire. Breakfast buffet 7-11am, lunch buffet 12:30-2:15pm. Dinner 6:30-9:30pm (closed Mon & Fri).

Manor Restaurant (Caribbean - Great House) - Caribbean a la carte dining with both indoor & outdoor seating. Resort casual, non-smoking, no reservations. Dinner 6-10:15pm (closed Fridays).

China Doll (Chinese - Great House) - Chinese and exotic dishes of the orient. Resort evening attire, non-smoking, no reservations. Dinner 5:30-9pm (closed Fridays).

Dino's Restaurant (Pizza - Great House) - Goumet wood-oven pizza in outdoor setting. Resort casual, non-smoking, no reservations. Daily 11am-9pm.

Great House Cafe (Pool Grill - Great House) - Outdoor setting with favorite Jamaican specialties, light lunch items, and late night snacks. Non-smoking, no reservations. Daily 10am-6pm and 10pm-3am.

Restaurant Descriptions (Sandals Website)

Bars (9)

Jaime's Sports Bar - Riviera - 10am-7pm
Ms Ethel's Piano Bar - Riviera - 6pm-2am
Sundowner Bar - Riviera - 12:30pm-12am
Swim-up Bar - Riviera - 10am-6pm
Kimono's Bar - Riviera - 5:30pm-10:30pm
Beach Club Swim-up Bar - Riviera - 10am-5pm
Great House Swim-up Bar - Great House- 10am-7pm
Nicole's Disco Bar - Great House- 10pm-2am
The Polo Lounge - Great House- 10am-2am

Parties / Theme Nights / Entertainment:
Welcome Cocktail Party - Mondays
Street Jamboree - Mondays
Island Day & Reggae Night - Tuesdays
Sandals Select Cocktail Party & Dinner - Tuesdays
Butler & Concierge Cocktail & Honeymooners Party - Wednesdays
Hot White "Choc it up" Night - Wednesdays
Late Night Chocolate Buffer - Wednesdays
Guest & Staff Talent Show - Thursdays
Jamaica Day & Boonoonoonoos Beach BBQ & Party - Fridays
Caribbean Pana-rhythm - Saturdays
Island Romance and Lovers Game Show - Sundays

Amphitheatre with live bands, cabaret shows, cultural shows. High Mountain Ballroom, Jaime's Sports Bar featuring karaoke (Wed), Miss Ethel's Piano Bar sing-a-longs, Nicole's Disco (Tues, Wed, Fri), Polo Lounge sing-a-long nightly.

Activities
6 main pools including 4 Riviera section pools which also includes the pool in the newly constructed Riviera Beach Club, and 2 Great House section pools. 5 whirlpools, 80 villa pools, and a dedicated scuba pool. The resort's beach extends the length of the resort to the north. Red Lane Spa ($) located in both Great House and Riviera sections featuring full array of services. Two Air-conditioned and fully equipped fitness centers - one in each section. Scuba dive & snorkeling boats, glass bottom boat, and full range of water sports. Resort scuba certification & PADI or NAUI Dive certification available at additional cost. Rock-climbing wall (30'x30') located in Great House section. 4 Day/night tennis courts and other land activities available such as beach volleyball, pool tables, and shuffleboard. Complimentary golf and transfers at the nearby 18-hole par 71 Sandals Golf & Country Club (Caddies mandatory $). Full schedule of activities throughout the week. Gift & retail shops located on property.
($ designates additional charge)

Activity descriptions (Sandals Website)
Off-property excursions (Sandals Website)

Accommodations

524 villas, rooms, and suites among 28 categories located with the Riviera seaside, Great House main building (aka Manor House Bldg), and Great House hillside villa sections. All accommodations with luxurious mahogany furnishings, king size bed, TV, and standard Sandals room inclusions including stocked regfrigerator, WIFI service ($). All butler and concierge units also have complimentary in suite bar.

Having spent considerable time at this resort, we will tell you not to get too caught up in which section you stay as you will probably spend time in both sections. The general guideline is as follows: If you like spending a good amount of time at the beach, choose the Riviera Seaside section. If you prefer the pool, choose the Great House section as it has the largest and most traditional pool area. If you like the overall atmosphere of the resort but want your accommodations in a more secluded area, choose the hillside villas within the Manor House section.
Room descriptions (Sandals Website)

Hillside Villas (exterior photos | interior photos)

80 Villas, each with a pool, scattered in the hills on the Great House section of the resort. Majority of the villas have 4 accommodations with each sharing the pool. Only couples in the top of the line Romeo & Juliet Villas will have a total private villa and pool.  Note that up to 4 couples traveling together can request 4 units in same villa, however this is based on availability and the correct categories must be selected.

Guests in the Hillside Villa primarily use the Great House section for dining/activities and either walk or are driven to the main Manor House building by golf cart type transports with pickup stations throughout the Hillside area. To get to the Riviera beach section, Hillside guests would join the Manor House guests for the bus shuttle ride takes everybody across the main road.

The hillside villas are recommended for those who prefer more remote accommodations and don't mind the additional transfers to the main resort area. Villas 1-5 are the closest hillside villas (Villa 5 is the absolute closest) to the Manor House and are within easy walking distance (although steps are involved for most units).

Top 7 villa accommodations categories include butler service, remaining 5 categories are either concierge or non-concierge. Top 9 categories are 1BR suites, remaining 3 are combined bedroom and lounge area.

(RJ) Romeo & Juliet Honeymoon Sanctuary 1BR Butler Suite with Private Pool - Enter thru private courtyard into 1200 sq ft suite with luxurious bedroom with 4-poster king size bed. Bathroom with double vanity & sunken bath. Separate living room with kitchenette, plasma TV's, stocked bar. Courtyard has private pool & hot tub overlooking hand drawn murals. Butler, concierge, and room service. Garden and private pool views. Villa 1st floor. 14 units in total.

 (HGP) Honeymoon Panoramic Ocean Vista Poolside 1BR Butler Suite - features sensational panoramic views 180 degrees over the ocean and gardens.  Luxurious bedroom and separate living room area with stocked bar. 2 plasma TV's, private patio or verandah leading to shared villa deck and pool. Butler, concierge, and room service. Ocean and garden views. Villa floors 1 or 2.

(GP) Panoramic Ocean Vista Poolside 1BR Butler Suite - exactly same as (HGP)

(G1) Tropical Paradise Estate Poolside 1BR Butler Suite - large airy suites featuring large bedroom and living room. Plasma TV and stocked bar. French doors lead to private verandah steps away from shared villa pool. Butler, concierge, and room service. Ocean and garden views. Villa floors 1 or 2.

(HV) Honeymoon Orchid Oceanview Poolside 1BR Butler Villa - expansive bedroom and living room featuring dark wood furniture and terracotta floors, plasma TV's, separate bar area, oversized private balcony, steps away from shared villa pool. Butler, concierge, and room service. Ocean and garden views. Villa 2nd floor.

(HLP1) Honeymoon Palm Breeze Estate Poolside 1BR Butler Villa - combine beauty of Caribbean plantation house with stylish contemporary interiors. Bedroom with en-suite marble bathroom. Expansive living room with fully equipped wet bar and microwave. Plasma TV's. French-style doors lead to private patio or balcony steps aways from shared villa pool. Butler, concierge, and room service. Ocean and garden views. Villa floors 1 or 2.

(LP1) Palm Breeze Estate Poolside 1BR Butler Villa - exactly same as (HLP1)

(HV1) Honeymoon Bougainvillea Hideaway Concierge Poolside 1BR Suite - Suite is very similar interior to the (HV) category but without butler or room services. Concierge service included. Garden views. Villa floors 1 or 2.

(V1) Bougainvillea Hideaway Concierge Poolside 1BR Suite - exactly same as (HV1).

(HPS) Honeymoon St Ann Concierge Poolside Villas Estate - contemporary interiors with hardwood finishings and terracotta tiled floors. Combined bedroom and living room area with adjoining bar room, marble bathroom. Private verandah leads to shared villa pool. Garden views. Villa 1st floor.

(PS) St Ann Concierge Poolside Villas Estate - exactly same as (HPS)

(PV) Honeymoon Estate Poolside Villa - Bedroom with lounge sitting area Marble bathroom and french doors which lead to private verandah and shared villa pool. Garden views. Villa floors 1 or 2.

Great House (Manor House)

4-story Manor House is the primary building of the Great House section of the resort. It overlooks the main pool along with some oceanview rooms. 1BR suites with concierge service have garden views. Standard rooms are split between ocean and garden view rooms.  The Manor House suite/rooms are located on the top floor and above the Great House section restaurants, ballrooms, and lobby area. These accommodations are recommended for guests who prefer to be located near the resort's main pool.

(M1) Great House Concierge 1BR Suite - Separate living room and bedroom, mahogany furnishings, parquet tiled floors, 2 plasma TV's, large balcony, garden views. Floor 2.

(MO) Great House Ocean View Room - Features mahogany furnishings and hardwood floors, overlooks the ocean and pool area, private balcony. Floor 2.

(ML) Great House Luxury Room - Same as (MO) but with garden and mountain views.

Riviera Seaside
Primary building is the Riviera Building located along the ocean with many units offering beach and ocean views. Riviera building lobby area includes restaurants and lounge areas.

Next to the Riviera Building is the recently constructed Riviera Beach Club which has an expanded beach area, new pool with swim-up bar, and several restaurants.

Gardens, streams, and meandering walkways characterize the Riviera Seaside interior which also includes a series of 2-story Garden Cottage accommodations as well as the 4-story Bamboo Grove building, all recently fully renovated. Three other pools, an amphitheatre, and tennis courts are also located in the Riviera Seaside section.

Guests can visit the Great House section via provided shuttle.  The Riviera section is recommended for guests who prefer to be near the beach, watersports, and the new beachclub area.

(HP1) Riviera Honeymoon Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite - Large living room and separate bedroom. Plasma TV's. French doors lead to large balcony with loungers and chairs overlooking the sea. Partial open plan bathroom with sunken roman style whirlpool, walk-in shower, double vanity, and separate makeup parlor. Butler, concierge, and room service. Riviera building (bldg 3), floors 2-5.

(P1) Riviera Beachfront One Bedroom Butler Suite - exactly same as (HP1)

(PO) Honeymoon Penthouse Beachfront Concierge Room - Large area and bedroom combination, marble bathroom. Penthouse features some of the best views from large balcony. Concierge service.  Ocean views. Riviera building (bldg 3), floor 5.

(HB) Honeymoon Beachfront Concierge Room - exact same as (PO) but floors 3 and 4.

(PG) Riviera Honeymoon Concierge Room with Private Balcony - exact same as (PO) but with garden and St Ann Mountain views.

(GO) Beachfront Royal Palm Room - All rooms have balcony overlooking ocean.  Riviera building (bldg 3), floor 2.

(BG) Banyon Grove Honeymoon Hummingbird Hideaway - Located in the newly fully renovated Garden cottages. Large private balcony or veranda overlooking gardens and brooks. Garden Cottages (Bldgs 4) floors 1-2.

(LX) Jasmine Grove Luxury Room - Most rooms with balcony. Garden views. Riviera Building (bldg 3), floors 1-4.

(PR) Garden of Eden Premium Room - Located in Bamboo Grove Building (bldg 5), floors 1-4, all rooms with balconies overlooking gardens. Some rooms located in Riviera Building (bldg 3), no balcony. Requests can be made for specific building, but not gauranteed.