Choosing a honeymoon destination in the time of COVID was not an easy decision, but we are so happy we chose Couples Sans Souci in Jamaica. This was our first all-inclusive resort experience, so I can’t do much comparing and contrasting, but this review will walk you through our favorite things about Couples Sans Souci and why we recommend it to anyone looking for a getaway. Check out my video of the resort here: https://youtu.be/UTS7Mf75Dh0
All-Inclusive… For Real
Unlike other resorts we researched, Couples Sans Souci really is all inclusive – including tips and activities. An excursion to Dunns River Falls, snorkeling, paddle boarding, fitness classes, and much more were included all without any on-site fees. We used cash just a few times on our trip – at the gift shop, at a crafters market outside of Dunns River Falls, tipping our waterfall guide, and tipping our drivers to and from the airport. Spa services were also charged to our room, as those were not included.
Beautiful and Spacious Grounds
Couples Sans Souci is the largest Couples resort in terms of area, but also is the Couples resort with the fewest number of rooms. This led to more space, which was comforting while traveling during COVID. Even without COVID, the privacy and space is a major plus in our book. Aside from how large it is, the resort is also beautiful and lush with greenery and trickling waterfalls throughout. Click here to watch my walkthrough video and see the beauty for yourself. There are many hidden gems throughout the property including a mineral spring. We were still finding paths and crannies we hadn’t seen before on our last day at the resort.
Hibiscus Cottage – Private Villa
We were somehow lucky enough to be upgraded to the Hibiscus Cottage for our entire stay. They had originally told us we would be there one night due to overbooking. The next day we were told we would be in the cottage for our whole stay. It was private and the view was gorgeous. We took advantage of the outdoor space complete with a private hot tub, hammock, and balcony table. This was our favorite place to eat breakfast each day. We would order room service through the app the night before and have breakfast delivered in the morning. The inside of the cottage was also beautiful, with a large jacuzzi tub and king bed both with ocean views. See a room tour in my walkthrough video here.
We did always feel safe, but one thing I would like to see is a more secure entrance to the cottage area as a whole. The double doors just swing open into the outdoor space, but it would be nice to have this spot require key card entry in addition to the main door of the cottage. We did not have issues with unwanted guests, but I do see the potential for this to happen.
Food and Drinks
Couples Sans Souci was amazing when it came to restaurants and meals. Room service was timely and delicious, as were all of the restaurants on site. The one time our room service did not come on time, we called to inquire and it was delivered shortly after calling. We really enjoyed our dinners at Casanova, which is the resort’s fine dining establishment. Check restaurant dress codes before going, as dress pants and shoes are required in some locations. We also enjoyed our lunches at the Beach Grill and Palazzina. The veggie bar near the mineral pool is a great place for a snack. We liked the hummus plate with fresh sweet potato chips.
Our favorite meal, by far, was the private dinner on the beach which was added to our package upon booking. We would add this package on again! From start to finish the experience was about two hours long with several delicious courses, as well as wine and champagne. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was beautiful. This package also included a bouquet of flowers and champagne sent to our room the day of our dinner, which was a nice touch.
There are several bars on the property, as well as in-room bar options. We found that the frozen drinks from the bars were delicious, but they never got us feeling very buzzed. If you’re looking to get tipsy, we recommend requesting alcohol for the in-room bar and mixing a few drinks yourself before hitting the bars. Plan your mini bar needs in advance because they require a call before 10 AM with your order for the day. You can also ask for an extra shot to top off your frozen drink. Try a Dirty Banana with “extra gravy”!! This criticism about weak pours does not include the martini bar, which obviously serves stronger drinks. The martinis we had were delicious! We wished we would have made martinis a nightly ritual, but we didn’t find that bar until our fourth day.
Swimming Pools and Activities
Couples Sans Souci has four swimming pools and a variety of hot tubs. We swam in the “lobby pool” one time. This pool is deep – about seven feet – and we never saw anyone else using it. We saw an article saying that this pool was going to be removed, but it was there as of July 2021. The main pool, near the main beach, is one of the two larger pools on the property and includes a swim up bar. We did not use the au natural pool, but it also has a swim up bar. The fourth pool was probably our favorite, the mineral pool. It is a bit smaller, but was quieter and cleaner than the main pool.
There are two beaches to swim at at Couples Sans Souci. The Main Beach, and the Au Natural Beach (also known as Sunset Beach). We enjoyed going to Sunset Beach one night to watch the sunset, but found it a little unfortunate that nudity is required to use the space before 6 p.m., as it just wasn’t in our comfort zone. Clothing optional would have been more preferred so that the space could be enjoyed by all. The Main Beach is long and worked well for floating or wading. We never had trouble finding a shaded chair on the beach, and the beach bar is close by.
There are many activities to do at Couples Sans Souci. We enjoyed Jamaican Trivia, water aerobics, snorkeling, and a glass bottom boat tour. There are many water activities available including paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving, water biking, and more. Sans Souci also offers a few off-site excursions including a shopping trip and a trip to climb Dunns River Falls. Climbing the falls was one of our favorite experiences of the trip and we recommend it to anyone with the opportunity to go.
Seamless Arrival and Departure
The Couples Resorts Lounge was easy to locate inside of the airport and included a bar and bathroom. We waited about half an hour before departing on the small bus to our resort. We happened to arrive on a day when a storm was passing through, so our ride to the resort was rainy, but still beautiful and fast. Our driver shared information about the areas we were passing through and answered any questions the passengers asked.
The return trip to the airport was set up by the resort, as they had our departure flight information. The day before check out we received a confirmation slip in our room informing us of when to have our bags ready for pickup and when to be in the lobby for check out and departure. Our ride back to the airport happened to be in a car with just the two of us and the driver. He was very entertaining and shared insight about life on the island, and history about the areas we passed through.
Take the Trip!
Overall, we really loved our trip to Jamaica and to Couples Sans Souci. It was the perfect first all-inclusive experience and we aren’t sure how we will ever beat it. We would love to be back someday to enjoy the friendly staff, activities, food, and drinks. If you’d like to learn more or check out current specials, go directly to the Couples website here. Let me know in the comments if you decide to book a trip, or what your favorite all-inclusive destinations are!