We recently had the opportunity to enjoy a week-long stay at Sandals Dunn’s River Resort in Jamaica and it was incredible. During our vacation, we spent leisurely afternoons relaxing at the pool followed by evenings of dining, music, and laughter amongst friends. We were also afforded the opportunity to visit Dunn’s River Falls, which is one of the Jamaica’s most treasured attractions.
On our last evening, we were invited to attend a farewell dinner with a group of seasoned travel agents. As we sat around the table, I posed the question: What are the best tips you would give your clients when visiting this destination? Well, I received plenty of answers. 11 to be exact, and a few of them were quite unexpected.
So close your eyes and imagine the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea and say your best “Yeah Mon.” We’ve got some great tips to make the most of your stay at Sandals Dunn’s River Resort.
#1 Secure Club Mobay Service for Your Airport Arrival
Club Mobay is an extra cost service you can book at the airport ahead of your arrival. Once your flight lands and you de-board plane, you’ll find an agent waiting to escort you. The entire process of picking up your luggage and getting through customs is expedited. The Club Mobay representative will then take you to a lounge where you can wait for transfer. If you haven’t traveled out of the country before or would like the extra peace of mind of not having to worry about the process, this service is worth every penny.
#2 Explore Every Inch of the Resort on Your First Day
Have you ever heard the saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know?” It’s true. After arriving at Sandals Dunn’s River, you’ll want to take a moment to freshen up, unpack, and explore the resort. This is your vacation and the resort offers tons of amenities that you might not ever know about if you don’t take the time to find out. For example, we had been at the resort for 2 days before we found the soft-serve ice cream machine hidden in a nook near the pool! So take the time to locate the restaurants, the pools, the spas, the beaches, and more!
#3 Order Room Service for Breakfast (The Night Before)
When you’re in Jamaica, you’re on island time. We found out the hard way that room service for breakfast is a popular choice, which means you might have to wait a little longer than you would like for it to be delivered. Thankfully, someone in our group suggested that we’d have much better luck if we ordered it the night before! They were right. On our second go-around, our order came early instead of the 40-minute wait we had the day before. (FYI: Room service is a breeze. You scan a QR code on your room’s television, place your order, and select a time. It’s also a complimentary dining option at this specific Sandals Resort.)
#4 Play a Round of Golf and Enjoy a Complimentary Lesson
Greens fees are waived for Sandals guests at the Sandals Upton Estate Golf and Country Club. You will, however have to pay for a caddy and a cart if you’re playing early in the day. (Golfers are allowed to walk after 11:00 a.m. each day. We have more details about golfing at Dunn’s Rivers here.) In addition to waived greens fees, golfers can enjoy a free golf lesson with a pro at select times on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
#5 Take Advantage of the Spa (Even If You’re Not Purchasing a Service)
The resort’s Red Lane Spa offers a lengthy list of treatments and massages. While these services come highly recommended, it’s also understandable that you might not want to spend a lot of extra money on your vacation. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean a spa-less vacation! You can still visit the spa to enjoy a private pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and relaxation areas.
#6 Schedule a Massage Later in the Day to Avoid a Sunburn
While we’re on the subject of spas, we have a tip that most will appreciate. Sadly, it comes from one agent’s personal experience. Not thinking, she enjoyed a massage earlier in the day before heading out to the pool. Because of the oil from the massage, she sunburned much more quickly which led to another visit to the spa for some relief. Thankfully, if you do get sunburnt, the spa has a special treatment (Sun Soother) to help take the sting out of sunburnt skin.
#7 Check out the Quiet Beach Toward the End of the Resort
Shhh! If you’re looking for a little shade under a coconut tree, you’ll want to find the quiet beach toward the far end of the resort. Just keep going past the Jerk Shack, and you’ll find it. During our stay, it was like having our own private beach!
#8 Order Lobster from Edessa When In Season
If you just so happen to visit Dunn’s River when lobster is in season, you’ll want to have it at least one evening. When available, it’s on the menu at Edessa, the resort’s Greek restaurant. The tender meat comes drenched in a rich and creamy sauce. Chef Kiss! (Bonus: This restaurant has the best flourless chocolate cake, too!)
#9 Visit Dunn's River Fall (It’s So Worth It!)
Whether you want to climb the falls or only experience their majesty from the sidelines, this 4-minute ride from the resort is a must-do! It’s a minimal charge to participate but the outing does require a few stairs. We have a separate walk-through of our experience at the waterfall here.
#10 Take a Free Transfer to the Nearby Sandals Resorts
Did you know that Sandals has two other resorts within a 15-minute drive of Dunn’s River? While you’re visiting, you might take the resort shuttle over to Sandal’s Ochi or Royal Plantation.
#11 Stop by the Loyalty Desk to Book Your Next Sandals Destination
As you probably know some of the best offers for future travel can be booked while you’re on vacation. Just stop by the Loyalty Desk at the resort to see what’s available. Then, let your travel agent know what you booked so they can take care of the details. It’s so simple, and let’s face it. Your departure day won’t be so bad when you’re already looking forward to your next vacation.
If you would like to learn more about our stay at Sandals Dunn’s River, make sure to see our room tour: Inside Our Room at Sandals Dunn’s River.
We hope these tips come in handy for your next vacation. If you’re considering planning a trip to Jamaica, we’d love to help. Our agency has stayed at or toured all of Sandals Jamaican properties in Dunn’s River, South Coast, Negril and Montego Bay.
You can reach us by filling out our contact form and we’ll be in touch shortly.
For more on Jamaica, you might enjoy reading about one of our agents experiences at Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Negril and South Coast.
