The Caribbean - Sandals and Massive Layoffs

I'm headed to Sandals Grande Ocho Rios next month and I just learned that the resort has laid off 150 employees. I just read an article that Sandals International has laid off 650 employees throughout the caribbean. Has any one been to any of the resorts since this happened and if so, how has it impact service. My flights from LAX to Montego Bay was canceled by Air jamaica because they have discontinued the route. Things sound pretty bad.

I'm headed to Sandals Grande Ocho Rios next month and I just learned that the resort has laid off 150 employees. I just read an article that Sandals International has laid off 650 employees throughout the caribbean. Has any one been to any of the resorts since this happened and if so, how has it impact service. My flights from LAX to Montego Bay was canceled by Air jamaica because they have discontinued the route. Things sound pretty bad.

I was at SGOR Feb 23-Mar2 and did not notice anything different. Service was all right. Biggest complaint abiout service is that if there is a Jamiacan holiday during your visit the staff will be at 1/2 strength. The holiday in questions was Ash Wednesday, which is considered a national holiday.

There is lots to do in SGOR, take in Dunns River Falls $35, Dolphin Cove is great and well worth the $220 for the 1/2 hour dolphin swim, and be sure to head over to Sandals Dunns River for a night. SDR is alot more strict with their dress code than SGOR but the food is better.

Monday nights at SGOR feature a buffet, most of the restaurants are closed Monday night so its buffet or nothing.

Couple words of warning, bring cash, American dollars, for tipping and such. Tipping is not required at SGOR, but it can get tyou extras like full bottle of Champange at the pool. OUtside SGOR tipping is very much expected. Also, you can exchange large US bills for smaller currency very easy at the front desk. However its impossible to get a credit card cash advance from the front desk, they will only give Jamaican dollars.

At the airport, the red cap will expect $5 per bag and follow you onto the bus if don't pay up. This is the biggest racket going as only the red caps know where to your bus is located. The red caps are not affliated with Sandals but the Sandals rep does not present any other way for you to get to the bus. The bus ride is about 2 hours to SGOR and while there is a stop along the way the burgers are made of goat, not cow.

Feel Free to PM me if you have any questions.