Explained: What’s The Difference Between Oceanview, Oceanfront and Beachfront Rooms?
By Kyle Morrow, Writer for Sandals Blog
There are many things to consider when booking a room or suite for your vacation, but perhaps the most important one is the view from your window. Are you looking for an oceanfront, oceanview, or beachfront accommodation, and what is the difference between these? At first sight, it might seem like there’s not much of a difference in these descriptions, but boy is that far from the truth!
Oceanview means that you will be able to see the ocean from your room, but this does not mean your room will be directly facing the ocean, as with an oceanfront room. Additionally, an oceanview room can be located further inland, where an oceanfront room guarantees you accommodation near the water.
In turn, when you book an oceanfront room, this doesn’t mean your room will be near the beach, as is the benefit of beachfront rooms.
As the terminology can get a little confusing especially between various resort companies, we’ve taken some time to touch on the key differences between oceanview, oceanfront, and beachfront rooms - including some examples.
By the time you’re done with this article, you’ll be more than ready to book your vacation in paradise!
What is an oceanview room?
An oceanview room is one where you’ll have a view of the ocean from your room.
In this room category, the ocean will be visible from your room, but it may not necessarily be the first thing you see when you look outside.
In fact, all it takes for a room to be considered ‘oceanview’ is there to be some portion of the ocean visible from your room, even if you really have to look out at an angle, or be in a particular spot in the room to see it.
Many people get confused into thinking they’ll have an expansive and unobstructed view of the ocean in an oceanview room, but that is not always the case. Review photos of your room carefully which can provide more insight into the sort of view that will be available.
If amazing ocean views are what you’re after, steer clear of terms like “partial view”.
Also, be aware of the difference between terms like oceanfront and oceanview, which at many resorts have completely different meanings.
All in all, the view you’ll be able to get from your oceanview room depends largely on the hotel or resort’s layout.
Examples of oceanview rooms at Sandals Resorts
Millionaire Butler Oceanview Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub
Unlimited food and drinks included at 20 restaurants
Picture: In this suite the ocean can be seen on the left side from the balcony. However, since a majority of the view from this suite is looking out over the pool, this suite is considered ‘oceanview’ and not ‘oceanfront’.
From the moment you check in VIP style, it’ll sink in for you that this isn’t your average resort suite. The name says it all, and this Millionaire Butler Suite on the second floor of Sandals Royal Barbados aims to please with luxury inclusions like a private Tranquility Soaking Tub for two with privacy curtains, a patio, a dual-control walk-in shower and freestanding bathtub in the en-suite bathroom, and more. Oh, and there’s also a fully stocked bar with premium liquors (free to use), personal butler service, and 24-hour room service!
View room: Millionaire Butler Oceanview One Bedroom Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub
Location: Barbados
Mediterranean Oceanview Grande Luxe Club Level Suite
Unlimited food and drinks included at 11 restaurants
Picture: Although this room is facing the ocean directly, because of the distance between the suite and the ocean, this suite is considered ‘oceanview’ and not ‘oceanfront’.
Spacious, elegant and charming, this luxe Club Level suite can be found in the Cypress Tower building at Sandals Grande Antigua. Inside, there’s a cosy seating area, a four-poster, king-size bed, flat screen TV, a stylish en-suite bathroom with his and hers vanities, a whirlpool tub and a walk-in rain shower.
View room: Mediterranean Oceanview Grande Luxe Club Level Suite
Location: Antigua
Beach House Oceanview Walkout Butler Suite
Unlimited food and drinks included at 11 restaurants
Picture: The beautiful blue waters of Exuma are visible from the room, but it takes a short stroll through the resort gardens to get to the ocean. Therefore, this room is considered oceanview and not oceanfront.
Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma, The Bahamas brings a world of romance to visitors looking for an adults-only Caribbean vacation, and suites like the Beach House Oceanview Walkout Suite certainly spices things up even more. This is a ground-level Love Nest Butler Suite and it is just a short stroll away from the beautifully turquoise Bahamian waters. Spacious and chic (including French sliding glass doors that lead to a private patio), this suite also includes Butler Elite and 24-hour room service.
View room: Beach House Oceanview Walkout Butler Suite
Location: Exuma, The Bahamas.
What is an oceanfront room?
Oceanfront rooms always face the ocean, this type of room is perfect for lovers of the sea. This room category falls right in the middle of oceanview and beachfront. While oceanview rooms tend to offer a partial view of the ocean, oceanfront rooms have a more direct view and are often located in short distance from the water, so you can hear the ocean when opening the window.
An oceanfront room is per definition oceanview, but an oceanview room is not necessarily oceanfront.
Most oceanfront rooms fall in a higher room category than oceanview rooms. Some oceanfront rooms at Sandals Resorts even come with butler and concierge services, in addition to an already wide range of available amenities. All in all, oceanfront rooms really up the ante of the kind of relaxation and rejuvenation you’ll be able to bask in on your amazing Caribbean getaway!
Examples of oceanfront rooms at Sandals Resorts
Oceanfront Swim-up Butler Suite w/ Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub
Unlimited food and drinks included at 21 restaurants
Picture: Oceanfront, but not beachfront. This suite walks out in the swimming-pool (which makes it a swim-up room), but in this case there’s no beach inbetween the pool and the ocean.
You’ll easily be able to swim right up to your room if you choose the Oceanfront Swim-up Butler Suite located on the garden level of Sandals Montego Bay’s Almonds building. In addition to a tastefully appointed interior with aquatic accents, this suite includes a private patio with a bistro set and Tranquility Soaking Tub for two. Other inclusions for this suite are a personal butler, 24-hour room service, and round-trip Private BMW Luxury Airport Transfers from Sangster International Airport (MBJ) & Norman Manley International Airport (KIN).
View room: Oceanfront Swim-up Butler Suite w/ Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub
Location: Jamaica
Windsor Oceanfront Penthouse Butler Royal Suite
Unlimited food and drinks included at 11 restaurants
Sandals Royal Bahamian in The Bahamas is where you’ll find this classic Butler Suite — and its gorgeous inside! Located on the top floor of the Windsor Tower, guests can expect amazing views of the ocean right from their own private balcony. With a refined style of furnishing and everything you’ll need for a carefree and romantic vacation including personal butler service, 24-hour room service, and VIP Rolls Royce or Mercedes airport transfers, this is one decision that won’t at all be hard to make.
View room: Windsor Honeymoon Oceanview One Bedroom Butler Royal Suite
Location: Nassau, The Bahamas
Love oceanfront suites? Why stop there, when you can get a suite IN the ocean?
Picture: The heart-shaped Over-The-Water Bungalows at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica. It doesn’t get more oceanfront than these suites!
What is a beachfront room?
The beachfront room describes rooms that are located steps away from the beach or are directly overlooking the beach.
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, beachfront rooms don’t necessarily come with an oceanview. There is the odd example of a room with a private garden, which blocks a direct view of the ocean from your window. Stepping out of this garden will have you a few steps removed from the beach and the ocean.
In most cases, however, beachfront suites are also oceanfront.
Beachfront suites are highly sought after in the Caribbean. The fact that you’ll often be able to get your feet in the sand a few steps from your doorstep is definitely something to consider when booking your vacation!
Expert tip: Want to walk out of your suite, right onto the beach? Look for a beachfront ‘walkout’ suite to make sure your suite is located on the ground floor.
Examples of beachfront rooms at Sandals Resorts
Beachfront Skypool Butler Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub
Unlimited food and drinks included at 20 restaurants
Picture: Beachfront, but not ‘walkout’. These spectacular suites are looking out over the beach, but are located on the third, fourth and fifth floor of the building.
Starting with VIP check in, your experience at Sandals Royal Barbados in this beachfront suite will only get better as your vacation unfolds. A Love Nest Butler suite by description, this option includes a private Skypool with infinity edge. It’ll be hard to find views that rival what’s available here anywhere in the Caribbean, and that’s topped off with other Sandals luxury inclusions like a free to use fully-stocked wet bar featuring premium spirits, a balcony with a Tranquility Soaking Tub for two, personal butler service, 24-hour room service and more!
View room: Beachfront One Bedroom Skypool Butler Suite w/ Balcony Tranquility Soaking Tub
Location: Barbados
Beachfront Oversized Walkout Butler Villa Suite
Unlimited food and drinks included at 11 restaurants
Picture: Walk right out on the beach from your own patio! Exuma’s soft white sand beaches and turquoise waters are second to none.
Overlooking the ocean and delivering pure sophistication, the Beachfront Oversized Walkout Butler Villa Suite at Sandals Emerald Bay aims to please. This villa has a contemporary style and is on the larger side and while here you just might feel as though you’ve got your own private home in the Caribbean for a few days. This suite includes a walkout patio with a white sand beach beckoning once you set foot outside. There’s natural stone floors with custom area rugs, handcrafted mahogany furnishings, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower and soaking tub. The cherry on top? Butler service and an in-room bar with premium liquor!
View room: Beachfront Oversized Walkout Butler Villa Suite
Location: Exuma, The Bahamas
Caribbean Beachfront Walkout Grande Luxe Club Level Room w/ Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub
Unlimited food and drinks included at 7 restaurants
Picture: The famous Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Jamaica, is just a few steps from your patio in this suite. Listen to the sounds of the ocean from your own Tranquility Soaking Tub!
Private in-room dining has never felt as romantic as it will feel from the patio of this luxury accommodation option at Sandals Negril. While you indulge in the finest delicacies and revel in the pleasure of good company, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful ocean views with the possibility of dipping into your own Tranquility Soaking Tub for two after dinner. This suite is in the Coconut Cove & Bamboo Grove blocks and it is one of the more spacious on offer at Sandals Negril. It includes a contemporary-styled bedroom, a luxurious bathroom with a freestanding marble bathtub and rain shower, and so much more. An exclusive Club Sandals suite as well, if you choose this option you’ll have a dedicated concierge available for any requests that might come up, including reservations and spa appointments.
View room: Caribbean Beachfront Walkout Grande Luxe Club Level Room w/ Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub
Location: Jamaica
Caribbean Beachfront Butler Rondoval
Unlimited food and drinks included at 11 restaurants
Picture: Cozy and romantic, the Rondoval Suites on Antigua’s most beautiful white sand beach are the ultimate island getaway for couples. Find similar Beachfront Rondoval Suites at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, which even features a private plunge pool!
Sandals vacations are all about celebrating love with the one closest to your heart. As far as Sandals resorts go, Sandals Grande Antigua is definitely one of those where you’ll be able to reignite the passions of love, especially if your vacation includes a few nights in the Caribbean Beachfront Rondoval. This room option takes passion and style to new levels with an intimate space where couples can spend a laidback and luxurious vacation. With a 20-foot conical ceiling, mahogany furnishings, a garden patio with lounge chaises, a dining table, a personal butler and 24-hour room service, you’ll have everything you need for a vacation that’s everything you’ve ever dreamed.
View room: Caribbean Beachfront Butler Rondoval
Location: Antigua
Looking for a beachfront walkout room that’s a bit more budget-friendly? Look for Sandals’ beachfront rooms in the ‘Luxury’ and ‘Club Level’ category. Some great examples:
• Paradise Honeymoon Beachfront Walkout Club Level Room at Sandals Negril.
• Windsor Beachfront Walkout Club Elite Room with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub at Sandals Royal Caribbean.
• Beachfront Honeymoon Walkout Club Elite Junior Suite with Patio Tranquility Soaking Tub at Sandals Montego Bay.
Tips for choosing the right room
It won’t be hard to find a room you like at Sandals Resorts, but sometimes a little research can help you get exactly what you’re looking for. Here are some tips:
- Browse through the pictures
Pictures will say nearly everything you need to know about whether you’re on the right track when selecting your vacation accommodation. Just by looking at photos of the room or suite you’re interested in, you’ll be able to see just what you’ll be walking into when you get there. - Read the description
Details are everything when selecting the right room or suite for your vacation. On most resort websites you’ll be able to find details on the various rooms offered. Read all the available information to be sure that the room or suite you’re interested in has the amenities you’re looking for. From the room description you’ll be able to confirm basic details like whether or not the room has air conditioning, a bathtub, a patio, an in-room refrigerator, and even the type of view you can expect. Even after reading the description, feel free to ask whatever questions that might arise. - Check the location of the room
Most resort websites make it easy to find out where in the resort your room is located by pinpointing its location on a map. You will also be able to see whether the room is near the beach, restaurants, swimming pool, and more. The resort map is especially useful if you’re staying at a mega resort. - Ask questions
If you’re not sure which Sandals room or suite will be the best for your vacation, you can always contact 1-888-SANDALS for assistance. Ask all the questions you’d like; a Sandals reservations agent will be able to provide information and help you find the best option for you.
If you’re looking for a room with a view, specify that and any other details you’d like. Some people ask about things like whether a particular room has been renovated recently, or if it’s near an elevator.
The difference between oceanview and oceanfront rooms is clear to see!
You like amazing views, and we get it. There’s hardly anything more refreshing than being able to gaze out from a patio or even from your bed, with your heart being reignited by the beauty and expansiveness of the ocean.
Knowing the difference between oceanview and oceanfront comes in handy ahead of your vacation so you know what to look for during the booking process. With any of Sandals all-inclusive resorts, whether you choose an oceanview, oceanfront, or beachfront suite, you’ll be in for a spectacular experience you won’t soon forget!
Originally posted here.