Shaw Park Beach Hotel
Ocho Rios, Jamaica

JamaicaTripper Review: Couples Sans Souci (formerly Sans Souci Lido) is ultra-luxurious – the place to go for relaxation and first-class pampering with an all-inclusive pricing. The couples-only resort is built on a hillside, with suites that wind from the public areas down to the beach below. Two beaches tempt couples; the smaller one is reserved for au naturel sunbathing.

With the sea on one side and a cascade of mineral water on the other, this hillside spa provides instant stress reduction. You can soak in a whirlpool or join an exercise class in the pool. You can also head down the hill to the exercise room for a workout or to the open-air pavilion, where group exercise sessions are scheduled twice a day during the week.

After a fast-pace walk through the terraced gardens and along the curve of beach, you may head to the tennis courts for a few games or to the marina for water sports. The sound of a violin or flute may draw you to the beach restaurant, where a band of roving musicians entertains. Buffet breakfast and lunch here is a sampler of island fare, along with Continental and Japanese favorites.

Be sure to make an appointment for spa treatments at the tiny office alongside a pool where Charlie, a huge sea turtle, thrives in the mineral water. A charming gazebo is just big enough for a private massage. Facials and other treatments are given inside tiny wooden cottages clinging to the rocks. Seaweed and mud wraps are given in rock-walled wet-treatment rooms.

A beach-level grotto conceals a dry sauna and treatment area for skin exfoliation with sea salt, followed by a rubdown with cleansing oil and a walk into the sea. The shallow water here is ideal for washing off oils and salts used for body scrubs (which, depending on your skin type, include aloe, peppermint, or coconut).

All suites at this all-inclusive couples resort overlook gardens and the sea. Most have private balconies and marble bathrooms, and many have whirlpool tubs. The all-inclusive program attracts a wide variety of people---honeymooners, families with children, and single spa goers.

Clientele: Couples

Good Choice If:

you're looking for a pampering, couples-only resort
you're getting married on your vacation
you'd like a clothing-optional beach

Bad Choice If:

you'd like a small, intimate resort
you're looking for a resort that's all on one level with direct beach access from he guest rooms