Sandals Montego Bay (2026)

Sandals Montego Bay Review (Montego Bay, Jamaica) – 2026 Tips

Last updated: February 2026.

Sandals Montego Bay is the original Sandals, and it still feels like the brand’s greatest hit album, beach, energy, and convenience all in one place. If you want to land, clear customs, and be sipping something cold fast, this is the Jamaica pick that does not waste your vacation time.

It’s also a resort that leans social. Not wild, not spring break, just lively. You’ve got a bigger beach scene, plenty going on after dinner, and that classic Montego Bay “everyone’s here to have a good week” vibe.

Important 2026 note

As of the official Sandals resort page, Sandals Montego Bay is temporarily closed and is scheduled to reopen May 30, 2026. If your travel dates are before that, you’ll want to choose another resort, or shift your timing.

Quick take: who Sandals Montego Bay is best for

You’ll love it if you want:

• The shortest airport transfer in Jamaica, the “vacation starts now” effect is real

• A social, upbeat resort that still feels couples-focused

• A resort with a classic beachfront layout, easy to get around

• Dining variety, with 12 restaurants listed on the resort site

• A beach day that turns into a sunset night without needing a big plan

You might choose a different resort if:

• You are highly sensitive to airport-adjacent noise, it’s close by design

• You want a quiet, tucked-away resort where nightlife is minimal

• You want the “huge property with endless zones” experience instead of a tighter footprint

The layout: easy, beachfront, and built for convenience

Sandals Montego Bay is not a resort where you need a strategy map and a step counter. The flow is simple:

• Beach, pools, bars, and restaurants are clustered in a way that feels effortless

• It’s the kind of place where you can bounce from breakfast to water to lunch to nap without overthinking it

That ease is the whole point. It’s why couples who hate long transfers and complicated layouts keep circling back to this one.

My room strategy (the real-world way to book this resort)

At Sandals Montego Bay, room choice is less about “how far from the action,” and more about how you want your days to feel.

My booking rule here:

1. If you want calm mornings and a little more privacy, prioritize higher categories that give you stronger views and a quieter feel.

2. If you love being in the middle of the resort energy, you can stay closer to the main flow and be happy.

3. If you are celebrating something big, this is a resort where stepping up a category can noticeably change the experience, not just the square footage.

If you want a shortcut, decide first:

• Do you want quiet and romance-forward, or social and central?
  Then pick the category that matches that, not just the price.

Dining at Sandals Montego Bay

This resort is strong for couples who like to eat their way through a vacation. Sandals lists 12 specialty restaurants on the property, which means you can mix “nice dinner” nights with casual repeats without getting bored.

A simple game plan that works:

• Pick 2 or 3 dinners you care about most and do those earlier in the trip

• Use the middle of the week for “wander and decide” nights

• Save one night for a repeat, because the best meal is usually the one you go back for

What to do all day: water, sports, and easy wins

Sandals Montego Bay is a water-lover’s resort. The official resort page highlights things like watersports and that “in the waves” energy, and you feel it in the day-to-day.

Airport: what to fly into and why this resort is a cheat code

You fly into MBJ, Sangster International Airport, and Sandals notes the resort is about a 3-mile drive from the airport with complimentary transfers.

The practical benefit:

• Less travel fatigue

• Easier arrival day

• Easier departure day

• More time actually being on vacation

For short trips, that convenience is a big deal.

Bottom line: should you book Sandals Montego Bay?

Book Sandals Montego Bay if you want the fastest airport-to-beach experience in Jamaica, a lively couples vibe, and a resort that keeps things simple and social, with plenty of dining variety.

Just keep the 2026 timing in mind. If your dates line up with the reopening, it can be a fantastic way to do Jamaica without spending half your first day in a transfer van.