Look, we promised to let you in on where Danielle (my Babe) and I disappeared to for our 20th anniversary. We hit up Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Whether you call it Sans Souci or “Sans-Suuki” like I do—who cares? It’s paradise.
If you’re looking for a spot to dump the tech, ditch the routine, and escape the “pest” of a dog (love her, but she stayed with our adult boys), this is it.
The Layout: Beachfront vs. Cliffside
We stayed in a Beachfront room on the third floor. Pro tip: if you aren’t a fan of hiking up steep hills every time you want to go to your room, get the beachfront.
The Ocean View rooms are literally on a cliff. They’re beautiful, but that hill is no joke. The resort does have an AC van that’ll shuttle you up to the fancy restaurants on the cliffside, but relying on a van to get home at night is a pain. Being beachfront meant we were level with the entertainment, the pool, and the main eats.
The Grub: Jerk Chicken and Room Service
Jamaica doesn’t play around with spice. I loved the jerk chicken, though it didn’t necessarily love me back the next day. Danielle had a harder time with the heat, but she stuck to the fresh fish, pastas, and veggies.
- Casanova: This is the “fancy” spot. Long pants, closed-toe shoes—the whole nine yards.
- The Buffet: Solid for variety, but you need reservations for dinner.
- Beachfront Grill: No reservations needed, same great food, and way more laid back.
- Room Service: This was our move. We’d wake up, call it in, and 10 minutes later we had coffee, fruit, and danishes on the balcony overlooking our own secluded tropical cove.
The Room & The Rum
The rooms were huge and recently renovated. The bathroom was humongous—you could practically live in there. But the real winner? The mini-bar. You fill out a card for what you want (Water, Coke, etc.), and when you ask for liquor, they don’t give you those tiny airplane bottles. They give you a full fifth. We ended up bringing a bottle of Jamaican rum home that we’re still tapping into.
The Vibe: People and Water
The staff and the people we met actually made the trip. We met couples from the UK, Canada, and a ton of New Yorkers. It’s an awesome feeling to be halfway across the world and find out someone lives just down the road from you.
As for the water, the Ocho Rios beaches are gorgeous. One side of the resort was a bit rocky, but the other was pure sand. The water is warm (apparently it stays at least 80° even in winter) and shallow. You can walk out to a sandbar where it only hits your knees or waist. No crazy waves, just floating.
The Bottom Line
Nine days of no kids, no technology, and nothing but great vibes. We’re definitely doing Jamaica again. If you’re looking for a spot that feels like a secluded paradise tucked between the mountains, Couples Sans Souci is the play.
Watch the full review here: Review Couples San Souci in