Jamaica- which resort/hotel

wilko116

We are a mature couple in our early sixties and are considering booking a holiday in Jamaica next February or March. As far as we can see there are 4 main resorts Montego Bay, Runaway Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios. We are wondering which is the best for us. We do not want to pay top wack and are looking for an all inclusive at a hotel geared more to adults but not necessarily completely adult only. It would be nice if there were a few shops and bars nearby without being in the middle of any loud night life. A decent beach is very important. If somebody whose has been to Jamaica or has good knowledge of the island perhaps they could post it on this forum. The right resort is the highest priority as we can always look through the reviews on Trip Advisor for hotel reviews.

Coraline

I went to this place in Negril with a couple girlfriends about ten years ago. It was really nice and tranquil. It's pretty contained and to get to anything resembling civilisation requires a long taxi ride, but everything you can possibly need is on the resort site.

They have these huts on stilts that are rather charming. At night it's easy to get lost because they all look the same, but plenty of staff are walking the grounds and will guide you to your hut if you get lost!

The city of Negril it self is very poor and has a big crime problem. The resort is surrounded by gates and has a lot of security. It's rather far from anything and is very secure--you will be completely safe.

I am far from a beach person, but the beaches are lovely--private (owned/run by the result), with bars, and I had a nice time relaxing in the shade watching the water.

http://www.sunsetatthepalms.com/

I just looked at the website and it appears they are going "adult only" in a couple months. From what I remember though, there weren't any youths there anyway.

I can't compare it to any other resort, since this is the only one I've ever been to in any country, but I thought it was really great and left happy.

It's rated high on tripadvisor too:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g147313-d148748-Reviews-Sunset_at_the_Palms-Negril_Westmoreland_Parish_Jamaica.html

They take Jamaican dollars on the grounds, but all staff expect and prefer American dollars--so bring plenty as you need to tip a lot. The staff really work hard for you, and don't get paid a lot, so handing them $10 each at the end of your stay really means a lot to them.

Hope this helps!

trolleyrun

I don't know many places around that area, but whatever you do, don't stay at Club Ambiance. It's dreadful! Ants all over the rooms, the food was rubbish when I was there and the drinks were watered down. It wasn't cheap either.

TomLikesSausages

In my humble opinion I would suggest Ocho Rios, but some hotels a there are a long way from the town. Montega Bay is the most commercialised resort in Jamaica. Runaway Bay is fine for a get away from it all holiday but it is a little isolated. I have no knowledge of Negril. I would suggest a 4 star ahotel with an all inclusive package. One point worth looking out for on all inclusive packages is some hotels offer international brands drinks and others only local brands.

mcconnell

Hi,

We went to Iberostar grand rose hall (adults only) in June and wow what a fabulous hotel, my parents have travelled all over the world and this hotel was the best they have ever stayed in, so good infact we are going again next year. Have a look on trip advisor. This is a thomson only hotel from the uk.

miamoo

We stayed at the Sunset beach resort in Montego bay, it was a really cheap break (under 2k) for 3 adults, for 1 week in May half term booked with Thomas cook. It wasn't the most luxurious hotel we have ever stayed in, but the food and service was fantastic, and we upgraded (very cheaply) to a cabana on the beach.
It depends what grade of hotel you are looking for as this was a solid 3 star (easily 4 star for the food).

Len5

Hi,
The best resorts I would say are Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Runaway Bay does not really offer alot to do and I do find you are restricted to the hotel. Although there is a lovely hotel there called Gran Bahia Principe Runaway Bay.
Negril is labelled as the capital of casual, it's very laidback and has gorgeous white sands and crystal clear waters. There is plenty of activities on offer here as well. I would recommend these hotels: Couples Negril or Couple Swept away (this being quite expensive though) Or the Clubhotel Riu Negril.
Montego Bay is laid back and lively all at once. There is alot to offer here and with it being right on airport the transfers are very quick! The best hotel I would say is the Riu Montego Bay.
Ocho Rios is a beach based resort with more of a blonde colour sand and turquoise waters.Attracts sunbathers and swimmers. There is plenty to do here as they have Golf Courses, shopping malls so I would say this being the best resort to choose. The hotel again I would recommend is the Clubhotel Riu Ochos Rios.
I hope this information is some help to you.

jhe

i read this thread with interest.
we have booked to go to jamaica for the first time next february.
before we booked we looked at what excursions we would want to do, we eventually settled on riu ocho rios. upgraded to the deluxe wing which is adults only after november this year.

DavePollard

Last year we stayed at the Coconut Bay Hotel in Fort Vieux in St Lucia. It had a seperate adult only section which was not at too much of a surcharge. Adult only hotels seem to be very costly . Therefore an Adult only section within a hotel suited us and certainly for the small additional cost was a good compromise. Are there any hotels that fit this description in Jamaica, Antigua , Barbados or Tobago. If anyone has any knowledge of hotels like this perhaps they could post them on this forum. Thank you.

MissingThePoint

We are also looking a takling a holiday in jamaica sometime bewteen February and April 2014 we like a lot of people now who are on a tighter budget and cannot afford the Adult only hotels which seem to put their prices at a premium. So we would settle for a hotel that Was "Adult" friendly and not over run with children .We would avoid school holidays and hopefully British half term dates (We are not sure on the dates of American and Canadian half term dates for February to March time) The two resorts we are now considering are Negril (which looks lovely) and Ocho Rios which is better starting point for sightseeing. Can anybody recommend a couple of hotels in these resorts that might meet the above criteria.

wondercollie

What you have to worry about is Spring Break. Spring Break is when American and Canadian university and college students run amok. Usually in Mexico, Florida, Hawaii and some parts of the Caribbean.

You don't face much danger of hordes of under 15s disturbing your holidays, more likely to be 18 yo Americans getting drunk for the first time because they can't drink at home.

We stayed in the Ochos Rios Sandals in January and had a great time. Some of the Rius, etc that we saw were huge, over 1000 rooms.

Most Canadian go to Mexico with their children and our school holiday is usually the last week of March.