Page 20 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – September/October 2021

Sandals Ochi has 16 restaurants and bars, multiple large pools, an amphitheater and an outdoor beach stage with entertainment day and night.
Before traveling to Jamaica we were required to complete government-regulated pre-travel requirements. First, within seven days of travel to Jamaica, we were required by the Jamaican government to fill out a
travel authorization form to submit for approval before arrival. Second, regardless of vaccination status, we were required to be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of our departing flight. We were able to get our results emailed to us as a
PDF and printed for proof
to complete our check-in at
the airport. Our check-in was
unable to be submitted online
(24-hours before our flight),
as a staff member from our
airline needed to check our
negative test results, as well
as the approval of our travel
authorization forms. Next,
masks were required for all
transportation; on the airport
shuttle, inside the airport, on
our flight and once we arrived in Jamaica as well on our transfer to the resort.
After we arrived in Jamaica, we had opted to purchase Club Mobay, which is an airport lounge meet and greet for arrival that expedites your process through security and customs. This came highly recommended to us and it did not disappoint. We were greeted almost as soon as we got off the plane and were inside the
Sandals lounge in no more than 25 minutes.
We chose to make Sandals Ochi Beach Resort our
home the week we were there as it is one of the largest Sandals resorts in Jamaica. My husband and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary during our stay and really wanted a resort geared solely for couples and adults only. With more than 100 acres, the property was very lush and there were plenty of places to spread out.
Our transfer from the Montego Bay airport to Sandals Ochi took about an hour and a half. Upon arrival to Sandals Ochi, we were welcomed with a cool scented towel and a temperature check. We had purchased Butler Elite service, so we were taken to the Butler lounge, offered refreshments before we were taken on a tour of the property and then taken to our room.
Sandals Ochi has 16 restaurants and bars, multiple large pools, an amphitheater and an outdoor beach
stage with entertainment day and night. This resort also boasts Jamaica’s very first speakeasy, The Rabbit Hole, which felt very authentically 1920s. They had themed parties at the resort including a beach party, a Butler’s cocktail party, returning guest dinner party and all an “all-white party” where it was suggested that everyone dress in all white. Having our room nestled in Butler Village was perfect as it was quiet and more secluded.
20 I SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021