Falling Down The Rabbit Hole ~ SandalsOchi

A sweet salty breeze, a cloudless night, and dinner served as the scorching hot day turned into a warm balmy night.  Just when I thought my first dinner in Ocho Rios couldn’t get any better, it did.  We sat under the stars and were served in style, out came some authentic Jamaican cuisine that was fit for a King.  I was indulging in some mouth watering, crave inducing, jerk chicken at the brand new Jerk Shack at Sandals Ochi, and it’s an experience I won’t soon forget.

*photo credit Sandals Resorts

The jerked specialities served up at The Jerk Shack for lunch and dinner included pork, chicken, sausage, and roasted fish. These creations were accompanied by family style servings of festival (best described as a delish fried dumpling), sliced bread, roasted breadfruit and piles of perfectly cooked sweet potato. I tried the chicken with all the fixings.  Thank goodness for every single one of these accompaniments, not only were they delicious, but they helped to cool your mouth between the hot hot hot bites of jerk chicken.  Chicken that’s so good you keep eating long past the point of what’s good for you, chicken that you will write home to Mom about.  You must make yourself stop eating this delicacy at some point, not because your mouth and lips beg you to, but because dessert is on the way.  Share worthy bites of cornmeal pudding, gizzadas and my favourite of them all coconut drops.  The Jerk Shack is a fabulous addition to Sandals Ochi, and a must visit!

Once you are fully satisfied, a quiet walk around the resort might help get you ready to heat it up in a different way; by plotting your entry into the hottest nightclub on the island.  The brand new Rabbit Hole.  This modern day speakeasy is a chance to take a voyage back in time to the 1920’s, the era of the speakeasy and moonshine.  This club; it’s not to be missed.

Your first order of business, to find the unmarked door on the property that will lead you to the Rabbit Hole.  A small unassuming door covered with leafy greens.  The bouncer standing outside might provide you with a clue that you have found the right spot.  Now that you’ve found the mysterious round door, you’re only half way done.  Do you know the password?  You will need that coveted password to gain entry to the ultra cool, super chic Rabbit Club at Sandals Ochi in Jamaica.

 

Insider tip:  When you’re lounging around the pool during the day, or having a coffee mid afternoon, pull just about any staff member aside and ask them for the secret password to the Rabbit Hole.  They will whisper it to you, and let you in on the game.  Be aware, this password changes every day to keep you on your toes!

Photo credit: Sandals Resorts

Walking through that little door is like walking back in time.  Bartenders sport suspenders and bowl hats, servers wear little fringe dresses.  Jazz music floats through the air as you try and decide if you want to order a classic martini or perhaps some moonshine?  Then it’s time to kick back and enjoy the amazing talent that is Phylea Carley.  With her red dress and lips to match she belts out hit after hit; Big Spender, Smooth Operator, Fever and At Last are among the seemingly unlimited number of classics in her back pocket.  She wows the crowd with the power of her voice and ability to hold their rapt attention with nothing but the strength of her vocal cords and a microphone.  If you do nothing else while at Sandals Ochi, make sure you see and hear this incredible artist perform.

Taking a disco and renovating it into this Jazz Club was a stroke of genius.  An incredible way to spend an evening with the one you love, or a group of new found friends.

The two newest additions to the renovated Sandals Ochi are exciting and engaging.  Guests will be talking for years to come about the time they had one of the most unique meals ever at the Jerk Shack, and the night they took a trip down the rabbit hole.  First class food, entertainment and service; Sandals Resorts does it again with Sandals Ochi.