Review of Sandals' Whitehouse Resort

8/11/20103:05:23 PM Link |  | Add comment

all inclusive, beach, Jamaica, Sandals Whitehouse

Hello everyone!  Can't believe it has been a week since I returned from my fantastic stay at Sandals Whitehouse!  I am missing the swim-up pool bar!  Would be nice today, since the temperature in Atlanta is about 90!

A little about us.  We specialize in Mexico and Caribbean travel, and are Certified Sandals/Beaches Specialists.  I had not visited this particular Sandals Resort, so I was excited about this opportunity!  I had 4 nights and 5 days at this resort, so plenty of time to really get to know all I needed in order to be able to highly recommend this resort to my clients.

We arrived at the Montego Bay airport about 10:30am on a very hot, humid and sunny day.  We wormed our way through the custom's line in about 45 minutes.  It was warm standing in this line, even though there were ceiling fans and air conditioning!  Then off to claim our luggage, through the last check point (show passports again), and walk to airport lobby.  We were immediately met by the Sandals representatives, who took our luggage and escorted us into the Sandals private lounge. It is very lovely and extremely cool!  Yeah!  We partook of really cold diet cokes and Red Stripe Beer, had a cookie, refreshed our beverages (and very nice, clean restrooms in here also), and then were escorted out to a passenger van by a lovely lady who had all our luggage on a cart.  We arrived at the van (which had it's engine running, so it was delightfully cool inside), tipped our nice lady and started off to the resort.  There was another couple in the van with us who were from Florida.  I had read a lot on TripAdvisor about this drive, so I was well prepared, even a bit disbelieving.  The drive took about an hour and forty minutes.  There were areas where the driver called it the "Raggae" road because we were all dancing and bouncing about in our seats due to how rough the road was!  I have to admit it was a rough ride.  The other lady was beginning to feel motion sick, so I offered her a Bonine (which I always carry in my handbag for travel emergencies).  This did help her.  The driver had to swerve numerous times to miss rather large potholes in the road, to miss folks walking their goats, staled cars, etc.!  Very interesting!  Anyway, we arrived safely at Sandals and were welcomed by lovely Jamaican ladies signing a welcome song while we were severed a signature champagne beverage!  It was all quite nice!  We were escorted into the lobby where we were seated for just a minute before being asked what we would like to have to drink.  We were handed check-in forms which were completed (due to our online check-in prior to arriving), and we just had to sign them.  Our drinks were served to us and then we were taken to the Concierge Check-in building.  We were seated and offered another beverage!  I knew right then I was going to love this place!

Our suite was about a 2 minute walk from the Concierge Office. We were in the Italian Village.  We had a Romeo and Juliette walk-out Concierge Suite.  We had a double vaniety, a jetted tub, separate shower and water closet.  The room was spacious with a king four-poster bed, love seat, chair, coffee table, small desk, television armior which housed the mini fridge with a bottle of champagne, bottle of white wine,tonic, beer, sodas, water and juice, and the liquor cabinet with bottle of red wine, rum, gin, and whiskey, glasses, etc.  Our patio had a small table and two chairs and a really pretty rack on the wall to hang beach towers or suits!  We could walk across the lawn and be on the beach in less than one minute!  This suite did offer room service, which we did use twice - you know, we had to check out the service!!!

The resort grounds were gorgeous!  Every sidewalk was constantly being swept, leaves picked up, etc.  Beautiful flowering shrubs were everywhere!  Just beautiful!  There were 3 pools, but we only visited the main pool daily, and it was wonderful.  The entire pool was only about 4 feet deep, so you could walk around in the pool or hang on your float while enjoying your beverage of choice!  There were a few times we could not find a lounge chair, but that was really okay as we did stay in the pool all day!  The swim-up bar was great!  The bartenders there really worked hard and in all that heat!  Drinks were really good and there was no problem with having them topped off with more liquor!  The glasses were about 16 oz size, so plenty big.  Several times during the day they had activities, which were hilarious!  Hint:  If you participate in resort activities, they take your name down, and when you check out, they add up your points and you could receive a small gift!  One evening, they had a manager's cocktail party.  We almost arrived a little too late!  Everyone received a ticket and they called out numbers for gifts!  We didn't win anything there, but we were already winners just be being at the resort!!  Also, that same day, local vendors were allowed to set up displays on the property.  There were a lot of neat things there, and you could - shall we say - bargain with them!  They were not pushy, nor did they follow you around trying to get you to buy something.  It was a nice little change!

The food was very good. We had breakfast at Bayside buffet two mornings and tried Eleanors one morning for a sit down, order off menu, breakfast!  It was all very good!  We had pizza at Guiseppies and it was fabulous!  They also serve a Ceaser salad which was wonderful, fresh and crispy!  We had dinner at Eleanors one evening, having made our reservations through the Concierge.  We arrived at 7pm, and there would have been plenty of seats if we had not made a reservation, but by 8 the restaurant was full, including the outside seating!  Just remember, that the gentlemen need to wear slacks and closed-toe shoes.  The gals mostly had on cute sundresses and sandals - some wore capris with fancy tops!  The food was wonderful.  They will serve any beverage you would like - just ask!  Neptunes is all open-air.  We did not have the chance to dine here, but everyone was raving about the steaks and seafood there.  I am sorry we missed that restuarant, so guess I will have to go back now!  Cafe de'Paris - don't miss this cafe!  We did not have dessert at any of the restaurants - we went directly to the Cafe!  Everything in here is great!  I have to admit I even got little bags of goodies to take back to the suite or to munch on later in the evening!  Yum Yum!!!

One evening there was a beachside cook out.  There was entertainment and tons of great food!  Tables were set up on the beach and up around Bayside courtyard.  We chose to sit up by Bayside for fear of bug bites (which we never got even one).  There was boiled shrimp, carved roast beef, salads, pastas, just so many choices!  There were tiki torches everywhere and really made for a really neat experience!  On this night, the buffet is closed.

There is a glass-bottom boat ride free for all, you just have to sign up ahead of time.  It lasted about 45 minutes and was fun.  A guy actually dives down and brings up star fish, sea cucumbers, and other creatures for you to hold!  They said we would not be seeing any large fish, as those would be for dinner tonight!  lol!  The area around Whitehouse is still an active fishing village.  While on the boat ride, they will show you the traps the locals have set.  And we did see the lights out on the water later that night, like they said we would, were the locals were collecting their traps!  Apparently, though, the area will become a preserve and there will be no fishing allowed.

Also, for Concierge suites and Butler suites, there is a complimentary sunset cruise.  I do believe they are on Thursday evenings, and of course we left Thursday morning!  Another reason to go back!!!

Also, if you are traveling as a honeymoon couple, please make sure your travel agent has noted this with the reservation.  I was so surprised how many honeymoon couples I spoke with who were not aware of the extra little amentities they could get if registered as honeymooners!  Iced champagne in your room upon arrival, romantic turn-down service with rose petals, and breakfast in bed!  Nice little touches to help make the honeymoon more special and romantic!  I was able to get with the hotel manager and get these couples set up for their amentities!  Yeah!  Love being able to do something nice for folks!!!!

We were to leave the resort 4 hours prior to our flight.  It really is almost not enough time!  Going back to the airport we were taken in a bus - about 8 couples, and this ride was a lot better!  It took about an hour and 45 minutes to get to the airport.  We were totally on our own from there on out - Sandals was out of the picture.  That's okay - just wanted to let every know and what to expect.  We checked in at Delta and then got in the line that literally went from one end of the aiport to the other!  We actually took turns going to Burger King (inside the airport) to grab lunch and drinks!  A large drink and Jr. Whopper cost $6.50!  Just an FYI!  Took turns for restroom stops, etc.  We had about 2 hours to get to the gate - we were the last ones on the plane before they closed the door!  The line moved so slowly - checking passports, then screening of carry ones, etc. then a good little walk (run) to the gate.  When we arrived at the gate, we had to go through Delta's screening.  Show passport, patted down, carry-on searched!  The gate attendant said that just about every day is like this at the Montego Bay airport for departures.  The plane left about 10 minutes late.  Also, you can buy at the duty free shop on your way to the gate.  One guy bought cigarettes at $26 a carton!  He just carried the shopping bag right onto the plane!

Well, I think that's a good summary of the trip and the resort!  It was all wonderful and hopefully I will get to experience the resort again - like real soon!  lol!  If anyone has any questions, please feel free to send me an email at marsha@rosnertravel.com, or just give me a call at 678.860.2491