Sandals Ochi Resort Tour - Coastal Compass
Overview
Presenter: Matt | Coastal Compass Location: Sandals Ochi, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Notable: Largest Sandals property — essentially two resorts combined into one, split across two distinct areas connected by a transit system called The Hop
Resort Layout
Sandals Ochi is divided into two main areas separated by the main road, each with its own lobby, gift shop, Club Sandals lounge, and amenities.
| Area | Character | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Great House / Butler Village (hillside) | Quieter, more secluded, pool-focused | Pool lovers, those wanting a calmer vibe |
| Riviera Seaside (beach club) | Lively, beachfront, more restaurants | Beach lovers, those wanting action and nightlife |
The Hop — Resort's internal bus transit system with three stops: Great House, Riviera Seaside, and Soy restaurant area.
Arrival & Lobby Services
Both sides of the resort have their own versions of all front-of-house services:
- Main lobby with live music greeting on arrival
- Gift shop — clothing, souvenirs, general store items (medicine, toiletries, etc.)
- Beach shop at Riviera Seaside Village
- Club Sandals Lounge — for mid-tier club-level guests; dedicated concierge for check-in and reservations
- Island Routes kiosk — official Sandals excursion partner
Recommended excursions:
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise (great for groups)
- Dunn's River Falls (iconic Jamaica waterfall climb)
Note: On the Riviera Seaside, the Island Routes kiosk and loyalty lounge are in the Riviera Seaside Tower, a short walk across the courtyard from the main lobby.
Accommodations
Great House Building (Hillside)
- Standard and club-level rooms
- Near the main pool and hillside restaurants
- Not on the beach but lively pool atmosphere with daily afternoon programming
Butler Village (Hillside)
- Condo-style buildings with 3–4 rooms sharing a pool
- Romeo & Juliet Suites — top-tier butler suites with private living area, patio, and plunge pool
Riviera Seaside Village (Beachside)
- Honeymoon Hideaways — spread across the greenery
- Riviera Seaside Tower — rooms directly on the beach
Dining & Bars
Great House Side
Casual / Lunch
- Jerk Shack — Matt's favorite lunch spot at any Sandals; try the Best of All Bread (described as a corndog without the hot dog)
- Dino's — pizza, available to go
- Great House Café — burgers, hot dogs, Jamaican patties
Dinner / Upscale
- Southern Table — breakfast buffet and dinner with Southern comfort food; signature dish: fried chicken
- Le Gros Monde — French restaurant; requires reservations and dress code; standout: Salade de Ratatouille
- Manor Restaurant — casual Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine, dinner only, no reservations needed; pool views
Bars & Nightlife
- Manor Piano Bar — top floor of the Great House, overlooks the main pool; piano sing-alongs nightly
- The Rabbit Hole — the only speakeasy at any Sandals resort; password required for entry; nightly shows, DJs, iPad drink menus; a must-visit
Riviera Seaside (Beach Club Side)
Casual / Lunch
- Bella Napoli — wood-fired pizza; adjacent pool with swim-up bar
- Tapas — pub-style beach lunch spot; try the Caribbean Delight specialty drink (pineapple-forward, not on the menu); standouts: burger sliders, buffalo chicken drumsticks
- Mariner's Seaside Bar & Grill (lunch) / Neptune's Mediterranean (dinner) — same location, full menu and vibe flip at night; casual, no reservations
Dinner / Upscale
- Reef Terrace — dinner only; Caribbean food; ocean views; try the Jerk Chicken Drumsticks and the Scotch Bonnet Watermelon Margarita
- Valentina's — Italian; one of the most popular on property; reservations and dress code required; recommended: chicken parm
- Kelly's Dockside Seaside Bar & Grill — reservation-only seafood over the ocean; highly sought after; adjacent Kelly's Bar for pre-dinner drinks
- Sky Terrace / Vista Gourmet — second-floor views; breakfast and lunch buffet; dinner becomes the only surf and turf option on the resort
Specialty
- Soy — sushi restaurant; well-regarded by sushi fans; egg rolls also recommended
- Kimonos — hibachi grill; fun group dining experience; try the chicken teriyaki
Bars
- Miss Ethel's Piano Bar — beach club version of the piano bar; good spot while waiting for Reef Terrace
- Sundowner Bar (top) and Oceans Bar (bottom) — stacked bars in the Riviera Seaside Tower, facing the beach and docks
- Pool tables available in the lobby area adjacent to these bars
Spa & Wellness — Red Lane Spa
Two locations on property (larger at Great House, smaller at Riviera Seaside).
Included with stay:
- Plunge pools
- Steam room
- Sauna
Additional charge:
- Couples massages (multiple rooms, some with soaking tubs)
- Beauty parlor (hair services)
- Nail salon
Fitness & Land Sports
Fitness Centers — two locations:
- Great House: weights only (free weights and machines)
- Riviera Seaside: full gym with cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals) plus weights
Sports & Activities:
- Tennis courts on both sides of the resort
- Pickleball courts
- Half basketball court (Great House side)
- Sand volleyball court (Riviera Seaside)
- Lawn chess, Connect Four
- Rock climbing wall
- Outdoor movie theater (projector at night)
- Upton Estate Golf & Country Club — free transfer, just around the corner from the resort
Beaches
Three distinct beach areas along the Riviera Seaside:
| Beach | Vibe |
|---|---|
| Ochi Beach Club end | Most lively; music, crowds, constant activity |
| Center Beach | Quieter; situated between docks; partially enclosed (limited horizon view) |
| Near the Aqua Center | Most secluded; shaded by overhanging branches; Matt's personal favorite — few guests find it |
Water Sports — Aqua Center
Motorized (included):
- Snorkeling excursions by boat
- Scuba diving — up to 2 dives/day for certified divers
- Dive certification available on-site for additional fee
Non-motorized:
- Hobie Cat sailboat (lessons available)
- Full list available on the Sandals Ochi website
Weddings & Events
- Overwater Wedding Chapel — Matt's top pick; stunning setup over the water; one of the best destination wedding venues in the Sandals portfolio
- Additional non-overwater venues on property — see Coastal Compass's dedicated Sandals Ochi wedding venue video
Who Is Sandals Ochi Best For?
- Guests who want maximum dining variety — more restaurants than most other Sandals properties
- Those who enjoy split resort energy — can choose a quiet hillside room or a beachfront party atmosphere
- Groups and couples who want both activity and relaxation options
- Destination weddings — especially for the Overwater Chapel
- Anyone wanting a large, activity-rich all-inclusive without sacrificing the Sandals quality standard