Sandals Ochi Beach: through the eyes of Esme Burden, our PR Manager for UK & EU

Hi Esme, tell us a little about yourself

I’m part of the fab PR team at Sandals Resorts, my role is PR Manager – UK & Europe. I’ve been with the company for three years and have been lucky enough to visit the Caribbean several times. The nature of my job has taken me to 10 of our 15 resorts including those in Jamaica, Antigua, Grenada, and Barbados - each trip is a real ‘pinch me’ moment! I’ve worked in travel since 2013 and I love getting people talking about our destinations. I’ve travelled to some beautiful countries all over the world, but I fell in love with the Caribbean on my first Sandals press trip to Jamaica.

When did you last visit Sandals Ochi?

I last visited the resort in May 2019 on a staff familiarisation trip, which was an amazing opportunity to stay at each of our resorts in Jamaica. The purpose of the trip was to get to know each property from a first-hand perspective and experience the amazing service which our Sandals Resorts are so well known for.

What is your favourite thing about this resort?

My favourite thing about Sandals Ochi is that it’s two resorts in one! Guests can enjoy the facilities at the exclusive Ochi Beach Club and the beautiful Great House, which is set within lush tropical gardens. The resort spans over 100 acres of beautiful scenery in Ocho Rios, which is one of the most popular beach destinations in Jamaica. There are 16 restaurants, 11 bars, 7 swimming pools, and plenty of activities to suit every guest, including the Sandals Golf & Country Club which is very close by (transfers from the resort are included). Plus, the stunning sunsets at Sandals Ochi need to be seen to be believed.

What are your top 3 tips when staying at Sandals Ochi?

1: Get out on the water: the stretch of Caribbean Sea at Sandals Ochi is particularly beautiful. The complimentary water sports on offer at the resort provide several great ways to enjoy it, such as a snorkelling trip, kayaking, paddle-boarding, or if you’re PADI certified, then definitely take up the complimentary diving on resort. Alternatively, guests can also book an Island Routes Caribbean Adventure to experience the local activities around Ocho Rios, such as visiting Dunn’s River Falls - which was famously featured in the James Bond film, ‘Dr. No’.

2: Visit The Rabbit Hole: Sandals Ochi is exclusively home to the Caribbean’s first Speakeasy bar called ‘The Rabbit Hole’ with live music, amazing cocktails, and a great 1920’s vibe. It’s a must for all guests, but you’ll need a secret password to get in!

3: Book a Butler Suite for an extra taste of luxury: I stayed in a Butler Village Honeymoon Romeo & Juliet One Bedroom Villa Suite with Private Pool Sanctuary, which was amazing. Guests staying in this room category can enjoy their own private plunge pool and complimentary Butler Service, so they don’t need to lift a finger. These rooms are also set in the Butler Village, which feels like a private slice of luxury.

What health and safety measures have been implemented at Sandals resorts due to Covid-19?

Sandals has always been about romance, and that means our guests have the space to feel like it’s just the two of them, alone together. With this in mind, complying with Social Distancing guidelines couldn't be easier. Since the start of the pandemic we have taken every precaution to enhance our already industry-leading health and safety standards with our Platinum Protocol of Cleanliness programme. We’ve left no stone unturned to ensure our guests are welcomed back in a friendly, clean and, most importantly, safe environment.

To find out more about Sandals Ochi Beach, visit https://www.sandals.co.uk/ochi/ or call our friendly team 0800 742 742 with your questions.