Most Sandals have been run into the ground, which is why Sandals must spend so much on advertising. Sandals Dunn’s River is an exception, but only because it is only three years old. Sandals hasn’t had the time to run Dunn’s into the ground, but return in 10 years, and it will fit with all of the Sandals.
While a beautiful property, service is typical Sandals. It is very much hit or miss. Service recovery is a disaster at Sandals, but if everything is running, well, you are good to go. If you have the slightest of hiccups, management has no idea how to respond. Management is very good at trying to convince you that they are a luxury resort. The roof of the building could be caving in, but they will tell you that it is a luxurious. By spending more money on advertising than the competition combined, some people truly feel that Sandals is a luxury resort chain. However, unless you take advantage of their motorized water sports, including daily scuba diving, you are grossly overpaying for the slop that sandals currently delivers.
The resort is also located right next to the RIU. Depending upon your room location, it may be overlooking the RIU. If so, it might make you ponder why you are paying three times as much to stay at a Sandals.