Both Beaches Ocho Rios and Beaches Negril in Jamaica are fantastic all-inclusive luxury family resorts. Sometimes it is hard to choose between two great resorts, so below you will find a side-by-side comparison review of the two resorts – Beaches Ocho Rios vs Negril. Including their highlights, lowlights, amenities, and our personal opinions on what each one can offer your particular family type.
If you are looking for a family resort vacation in Jamaica, and can’t decide on which Beaches property to choose from, this guide is here to help!
Disclaimer: While we are Sandals specialist travel agents, this review is based of our first-hand experience as paying guests of these resorts. All opinions are our own.
Sandals Family Resorts : The Beaches Resort Experience
The Beaches Resorts offer the same kind of resort experiences as the Sandals properties – a luxurious all inclusive stay. But the Beaches properties cater to all generations, and have activities on offer that will keep each age group busy and amused.
Beaches has innovative room options, and speciality suites designed for families; while retaining the luxury room classes that Sandals Resorts are known for.
Like the Sandals resorts, there is unlimited land and water sports at every Beaches. Hobie cat rides, scuba diving, tennis, pickle ball, and more. Plus water parks, waterslides, and kids programs.
There are a great array of restaurants and food options at every Beaches – which means that there’s always something to keep the kids happy!
BeachesOcho Rios vs Negril – Which Resort is Better?
Ocho Rios Key Highlights
- Smaller protected cove beach
- 18-hole Sandals golf course & country club
- Close to Jamaica’s most famous excursion attractions
- 7 gourmet restaurants
- Caribbean’s best waterpark
- Supervised kids camp
- Focus on versatility for the whole family
Negril Key Highlights
- On the west coast of Jamaica, meaning the best sunsets on the island
- Has the largest number of water sports included out of any of the resorts
- Located on the widest stretch of the beautiful Seven Mile Beach
- 9 gourmet restaurants
- 6 kids programs
- Laidback beachside focus
BeachesOcho Rios Review
Beaches Ocho Rios was the first all inclusive family resort experience for us. Payton was 5 years old on our first visit. We immediately fell in love with the waterpark. There were 10 waterslides, a kids area and so much more. We liked the private beach considering we were traveling with a young child. We chose an oceanfront walkout room in the Greek Village and it was perfect.
When we returned to visit 7 years later Payton was 12. On this visit we chose to explore more of the Island of Jamaica through excursions that the area is known for. She still enjoyed the waterpark as it is perfect for all ages but I think she enjoyed this resort more at age 5 than at age 12.
Beaches Negril Review
Our first visit to Beaches Negril was to celebrate NYE 2021. Payton was 11 at the time. She enjoyed the waterpark but it is definitely geared toward younger children. There are only 2 large waterslides and 6 smaller ones. There is a lazy river which we all enjoyed and a splash zone for toddlers. The waterpark may be smaller but it is located directly on the famous 7-mile beach. This white sand beach is located on the west coast of Jamaica and famous for its sunsets. Unlike the secluded cove beach at Ocho, this beach is expansive and public.
One of the biggest benefits of this resort is that it includes more water sports than any other resort. These activities include snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, paddle boards, glass bottom boats, aqua cycles, banana boat rides, kneeboarding, wakeboard, tubing, water skiing and kayaking. There are also more restaurants to choose from at Beaches Negril including Soy and Kimonos which are 2 of our favorites.
Restaurants & Amenities at Beaches Resorts in Jamaica
Beaches Ocho Rios
Restaurants
There are 7 restaurants at Beaches Ocho Rios – with something for the whole family.
- La Parisienne – great service and an impressive, yet accessible, French menu. One of our personal favorites.
- Bayside – casual international menu, overlooking the pool. Our go-to for a quick lunch
- Bar BQ Park – fun outdoor dining and all the usual barbecue favorites (at both resorts)
- Bella Napoli Pizza – brick oven pizzas, Naples style
- Josephine’s Crêperie – delicious sweet and savory crêpes and speciality coffees
- The Venetian – traditional pastas and risottos inspired by Italy
- Neptunes – delicious seafood with great views of the sea
Beaches Negril
Restaurants
Beaches Negril has 9 restaurants – with family classics and gourmet international cuisine.
- Soy – sushi and delicious asian classics. We like to have sushi as our appetizer every day before entrees at one of the other restaurants!
- The Venetian – Italian cuisine with white glove service.
- The Mill – international buffet overlooking the pool. Perfect for quick lunches, something for the whole family
- Kimonos – teppanyaki style dining, cooked in front of you
- Mariachi – tex-mex style in an open-air setting
- Stewfish – Jamaican style seafood, right on the beach
- Café de Paris – Parisian-style patisserie. Our favorite spot for dessert each evening
- Bar BQ Park – fun outdoor dining and all the usual barbecue favorites (at both resorts)
- Dinos Pizzeria – Neapolitan style pizzas
Ocho Rios Amenities
- Red Lane Spa
- Red Lane Fitness Center
- Complimentary certified nannies
- Supervised kids camp
- 5 pools and 2 whirlpools
- Waterpark with 11 waterslides
- 7 bars
- Golf course
Negril Amenities
- Red Lane Spa
- Red Lane Fitness Center
- Complimentary certified nannies
- Supervised kids camp
- 3 pools and 3 whirlpools
- Waterpark with 8 waterslides and lazy river
- 7 bars
- 2 Tennis Courts
- Mini-golf
Arrive into and depart out of Jamaica in style
with Club Mobay & Club Kingston’s VIP lounges!
When it comes to dining options I would definitely recommend Beaches Negril. There is more variety and more of our favorites. Both resorts include plenty of kid friendly dining options such as pizza and burgers. When it comes to the beach I would definitely recommend Beaches Negril considering that it is located on the famous 7-mile beach and includes more water sports than any other resort. However, some people prefer a private cove beach. If so, Beaches Ocho would be the best option.
If the waterpark is a high priority Beaches Ocho would be my recommendation. However, there is not a lazy river if that is what you are looking for. Considering excursions, I would recommend Beaches Ocho. This is the home of Dunn’s River Falls, Mystic Mountain, river rafting, swimming with the dolphins and so much more.
Weddings at Beaches Ocho Rios vs Negril
Both resorts offer a free wedding with a 3-nights stay. There are amazing add-ons for wedding meals, decor, entertainment and cakes. Below we have listed the highlights of each resort as a wedding venue.
Beaches Ocho Rios Weddings
Ocho Rios is the only Beaches Resort that offers an over the water gazebo as a ceremony location option.
Beaches Negril Weddings
Negril has the most spectacular sunsets; so if you want a sunset ceremony, Beaches Negril is definitely the resort for you.
Excursions in Ocho Rios
Sandals Ocho Rios is closer to more of the excursions available in Jamaica. And while excursions are available from Beaches Negril, the most famous attractions are nearer to Beaches Ocho Rios.
Dunn’s River Falls is the most popular excursion in Ocho Rios. During the excursion visitors form a human chain hand in hand and climb the falls. The scenery is breathtaking and there are are many stops along the way for photos. The water coming down from the mountains is very cold and refreshing on a hot day. Rafting down the White River is another popular excursion we enjoy. It is a laid back relaxing way to enjoy the tropical vegetation of the island.
Our favorite excursion for Negril would be the sunset catamaran cruise along the coast. As we have mentioned a few times, the sunsets in Negril are phenomenal! The cruise includes great music, snacks, drinks and of course the sunset. Another popular excursion for Negril would be swimming with the dolphins in Lucea.
So, which is it? BeachesNegril or Ocho Rios for your family?
Considering all of this information how do you choose? If budget is important Beaches Ocho Rios will be the least expensive. If a private beach and numerous waterslides are important, again my recommendation would be Beaches Ocho Rios. However, if you are foodies like we are and prefer a long stretch of white sand beach, I would definitely recommend Beaches Negril. Either way you can’t go wrong and you can always visit both as your kids grow older and vacation desires begin to change.
Read about too, perhaps that resort would also suit your family?
Let us help you plan your family vacation to Beaches Negril or Ocho Rios,
with our full service Travel Agency!
Copyright © Endless Family Travels – all rights reserved. Photos and content cannot be used without express permission.
Endless Family Travels is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
