Exceptional, attentive, and friendly staff service.
Immaculate, new, and well-maintained modern facilities.
Fantastic on-site water park with lazy river and slides.
High-quality and diverse food, especially the buffet and hibachi.
Spacious, comfortable, and modern all-suite accommodations.
Beautiful, pristine, and swimmable Juanillo Beach.
Dedicated family-friendly environment and activities.
Adults-only access to adjacent Hyatt Zilara amenities.
Quality, well-made drinks that are not watered down.
Cons
Occasional presence of seaweed on Juanillo Beach.
Main pools can be unheated and cold.
Slow service at buffet lines due to staff serving guests.
Inconsistent food quality at some themed à la carte restaurants.
Additional costs for "The Blind Butcher" restaurant and airport transfers.
Limited shade or umbrellas on the beach.
Infrequent reports of an unpleasant odor near the ocean/sand.
Sandals Montego Bay
Pros
Exceptional and welcoming service from staff.
Outstanding water views from nearly every vantage point.
Beautiful and expansive private white-sand beach with loungers, umbrellas, and natural shade.
Unique overwater bar with hammocks is a guest favorite.
Wide variety and high quality of 12 dining options, many offering water views (e.g., Oleander, Butch's, Soy, Tokyo Jo's).
Extensive range of included motorized and non-motorized water sports and land sports.
The "Stay at 1, Play at 2" privilege with Sandals Royal Caribbean significantly expands amenities.
Quick and efficient 10-15 minute airport transfers.
Recently renovated rooms and luxurious oceanfront and swim-up suites.
Cons
Noticeable noise from planes due to proximity to the airport, particularly between 11 AM and 4 PM.
Some guests accustomed to other Sandals resorts note a perceived lack of a single, large main pool area, as the resort features multiple smaller pools.
Summary
Sandals Montego Bay has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Montego Bay has more restaurants, while Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana is the larger property, while Sandals Montego Bay has more dining venues, while Sandals Montego Bay offers more activities.