Sandals Ochi Rios Resort Jamaica review: Service and Charges

We arrived at Montego Bay Airport 6/28 and were taken to Sandals waiting room to board bus to Ochi Rio Resort.

When we informed the bus was ready, we walked outside to see a beautiful Sandals bus which we assumed we would be boarding as did others who assumed the same thing, but we were directed to what appeared to be a small, cramped white Volkswagen type van which luggage was loaded haphazardly thru the back window by the driver. This unfortunately would set the tone for our entire vacation.

We were herded into the bus like cattle to small lowdown cramped seats which were quite uncomfortable with no leg room. The bus seemed to studder along the winding roads when all of a sudden, the driver pulled over to the roadside got out and began to urinate which I could see not far from the bus. This was totally unprofessional and awkward for us to say the least. About 1 hour into the ride we asked the driver if he could pull to a rest stop so we could use the bathroom and were informed there was no place between there and the resort and he wanted to know if it were a man or woman that needed to go to the bathroom. When told it was a man, he pulled over to the side again and my traveling companion had to use the bathroom on the side of the road next to the bus. The driver turned off the road originally travelled because he said it was a traffic was backed up but needed our permission to go a different route. I was not secure in this, however the other passengers agreed to it. This road was no less jammed up with traffic. It was dark once we arrived at the resort.

Once at the destination Ochi we were only greeted with a fragrant cool towel NO CHAMPAGNE in site nor was any offered which would have been nice after the LONG ride with no stop for refreshment or none onboard. Another flag, I guess. Was this what we could expect the all-inclusive vacation to be?

We finally had our room key and thought we were on our way as we passed through beautiful flora and trees only to find our room was up high steps. To the credit of the person showing us our room, she called and had our room changed to a first level floor. This was the second room we were given. She explained things that were in the room, the bar and how that worked with the wine, beer and hungry since traveling from North Carolina at 5:00 in the morning to now what was after 7pm or later where we could find food at the resort. However, within minutes we noticed water on the floor from the front door to the bar area. The concierge contacted housekeeping who came and mopped up the water. Once this was addressed, we were worn out and just wanted to close the drapes and change for dinner when a piece came off drapes not allowing us to completely close them and being on the bottom floor where all passerbys could view us in our room we called the concierge again who sent maintenance who came and remedied the matter. We went to dinner and returned to the room, turned on the television which ran for about 2 hours and then froze for the rest of the night. The bathtub appeared not to be washed out and had what appeared a dead worm or snail in it. The toilet was so low to the ground we had trouble getting down and up and water leaked from around the bottom of the toilet so badly we had to put towels down. We tried contacting the concierge again however no answer. We called for ice many times during our stay however we received a response providing ice no more than 3x which was brought in plastic bag and melted shortly after receiving.

The next day the concierge moved us a 3rd time to another room and water ran down and paint could be seen bubbling up on the wall outside and on the front door into the floor to be tracked inside the room on the floor when door opened. More to our disbelief water was under the bed and several other spots on the floor. We felt as though we were in a nightmare. The television still was frozen for the entire night. No air conditioning was in the room and when it was on it kept cutting out. The generator was so loud it made the room shake. This was all prior to the hurricane. For some reason, the room next to ours at 2:00 am each night sounded like people entered and had a party and the smell of marijuana was prevalent. Again, a low toilet made it difficult to maneuver with low bathtub and no security in bottom of tub to avoid falling. I had to throw a towel down to avoid falling. When asked for extra face towels we were promised which they were never brought to room but once although we had to ask each night.

The last 3 days we were found by the concierge (which we found strange in such a big facility who was actually looking for us) and moved us to our 4th room, absolutely ridiculous for what Sandals presents itself. We were told the concierge would bring the key to us and to just go to room 2025. We waited around 30 minutes or more – no concierge and no key. By this time I was fuming and felt I had all I could take. I had to walk all the way to the front of the building where I had to climb stairs with my knees had issues to find out where the girl was who was getting the room key – can we say nowhere to be found! I had to explain to the person behind the desk why I was there to get a key for the room. We were already tired and hot then had to wait for a key to try and get into a room to be comfortable. This was crazy! In this room there was no television at all working and this was PRIOR TO THE HURRICANE BERYL.

The best night of the 10-day stay was when Hurricane Beryl came through and we were in the main building of the resort. They boarded up windows and doors and provided safety, entertainment and better food that night than the entire time we were there. So, to give credit where credit is due hats off for that night.

The food situation was terrible. We had an appetizer at the Japanese restaurant which was one shrimp and scallops. If there was a scallop on the plate it was hiding. When I asked the waitress for additional shrimp I was told there were no more – say what? I could not believe that. What were we paying for? We ate often at the Sky… Restaurant and even had dinner guests we didn’t ask for that joined our table without asking in the way cats which one jumped on top of the table where we were eating and seemed to feel this was the norm. The cats apparently had the run of the resorts coming and going in and out of restaurants as they pleased.

The hopper did take us to the Manor at mountain top which was the most relaxing place at the resort and did not at any time offer us breathing smoke in places other than designated. At no time while there did we even get a whiff of marijuana.

Now, as for the smoking at the resort. I do not recall any place mentioned on the internet site that marijuana use was ok. If this is the case fine but not everyone appreciates the smell of marijuana and it was predominant wherever you went. It was bad enough that it gave us sinus infections. People should be made aware of this prior to coming to the resort.

We were told that the airport was closed therefore we could not leave and that Sandals was allowing us to stay free 1st night but would charge us $500 for every additional night. And what did this get us. No television, no air generators were out. Outrageous is the nicest word I can use as to how the vacation from hell turned out.

We do not believe this is the way you wish to present yourself as a company that spends so much money advertising on television in the United States or over the internet for an ALL-INCLUSIVE adult resort. We were excited to take however at this point we this trip will cause us not to visit Jamaica again which we find disappointing because we had heard such promising things about Ochi Rio and was recommended to me by a person who was married at the very resort and came back for her anniversary.

With such dismal service, room changes, lack of television and to top things off we feel were charged $1000 which should be refunded. Since being in a foreign country, we did not argue the point. However, we would appreciate your taking into consideration the unbelievable vacation and refund the 2 additional days we paid $1000 for when this is approximately 1/3 the cost of the entire trip.

A response would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Carriellen Lloyd

Elmond Mckithen