The newest Sandals in Jamaica, Sandals Dunn’s River is our favorite resort there and one of the most highly rated Sandals locations (with a 4.7 Google rating).
It has a breathtaking and stylish design that makes the most of its beachfront location in Ocho Rios and echoes the nearby Dunn’s River Falls, one of the island’s top attractions.
There is so much to love about Sandals Dunn’s River: the new restaurant concepts and delicious food; the great bars and craft cocktails; the excellent service; the fun pools; and the luxurious suites. We have visited multiple times and been extremely happy each time.
Read on to learn all about this adult-only all-inclusive resort so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Location
Sandals Dunn’s River is in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, 90 minutes from the Montego Bay airport or 20 minutes from the Ocho Rios airport (both with complimentary transfers).
Accommodations
There are a range of rooms and suites at Sandals Dunn’s River, including some amazing new luxury concepts.
These include the Coyaba Sky Rondovals, which take the unique Sandals Rondoval suite up a notch by adding a rooftop terrace with comfortable furnishings, a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two, and even a telescope. They also have both a private pool just off the bedroom and swim-up access to a river pool, as well as another soaking tub inside.
The Skypool suites here are also stunning, with elevated private infinity pools and Tranquility Soaking Tubs on large furnished balconies overlooking the ocean. These spacious suites also have a separate living room.
On the ground floor of the same beachfront building as the Skypool suites (Tufa Terrace) you’ll find the swim-up suites, which offer direct access to a lagoon pool, a private patio with Tranquility Soaking Tub, and ocean views.
All of these suites are butler level, so they come with 24-hour inroom dining, private airport transfers, and personal butler service for a truly indulgent stay.
There are also some luxurious butler suites in the Mammee Building which overlook the ocean, as well as some club level suites. These come with concierge service, room service between 7am and 10pm, and access to an exclusive lounge.
A peaceful and luxurious option is the beachfront penthouse club level suite in the Travertine building, which features a furnished balcony with Tranquility Soaking Tub and spectacular ocean views.
Dining and Drinking
Sandals Dunn’s River has 12 restaurants onsite serving a wide range of cuisines, and we feel the food is some of the best of any Sandals resort. Most of the restaurants are unique to this location, and we have loved all our meals here.
Even the coffee bar is elevated, with Blum Coffee serving amazing specialty drinks made with freshly ground Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. This was our go-to spot every morning.
The sushi restaurant here, Hanami, is also a step above the one you’ll find at most other Sandals resorts. Another of our favorite restaurants is Zuka, which serves South American fusion (get the surf and turf). We also really liked the Greek food at Edessa. For casual lunches and dinners, you can’t miss the authentic Jamaican jerk at the Jerk Shack.
There’s also Italian, French, Caribbean, international, Pan Asian, seafood, grilled items, and pizza.
Sandals Dunn’s River has 9 bars, including our favorite the Rum Club. This unique offering has excellent craft cocktails as well as a selection of rums, delicious local bites, and a lively vibe.
There’s also an upscale lounge, a rooftop bar with a view, a beach bar, and a swim-up bar.
Amenities and Activities
Like all Sandals resorts, Dunn’s River offers a full range of complimentary watersports. These include nonmotorized options such as snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, kayaking, and Hobie Cat sailing, but Dunn’s River also adds motorized sports like waterskiing and wakeboarding.
There are land-based activities as well such as tennis and a full fitness center. Golf is also included, with free green fees at and transportation to the Upton Estate golf course.
The beach here is quite nice, with soft sand and clear, calm water. There are plenty of chairs, and drink service as well.
There are two main pools and three smaller ones as well as two river pools to choose from here. One of the main pools is more peaceful, with a swim-up bar, and the other has music and daily activities.
There is also a pool plus hot and cold plunge pools at the spa, which is very serene. In fact, this is one of the nicest spas at any Sandals resort. While spa services cost extra, the pools are open to anyone.
You can also take area excursions for an extra cost, and we definitely recommend this here. The resort is conveniently located near two top spots, the Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls. We have taken the catamaran excursion to Dunn’s River Falls and loved it.
Daily and nightly entertainment includes DJs, live shows, theme nights, and more.