Port Antonio Jamaica Villas, Resorts & Hotels
BLUE LAGOON VILLAS
Fairy Hill
876-993-8491, fax 876-993-8492; reservations 800-822-3274
www.portantonio.com-blmain.htm
This is one of the most photographed accommodations in eastern Jamaica. One- to four-bedroom villas are perched right on the water’s edge, offering exquisite luxury and privacy. Each includes indoor and outdoor dining, a full kitchen and sun decks. They come with daily housekeeping and meals are served by the resident maid-chef and butler. The villas are within swimming distance of the Blue Lagoon and Pelou Island, once owned by Princess Nina Aga Khan.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS RESORT
Buff Bay (1 hour from Port Antonio)
876-996-1400
This eco-park offers camping as well as rustic cottages. There are acres of forest, fruit trees and a good collection of orchids. A good spot for birding.
DEMONTEVIN LODGE
21 Fort George Street, Titchfield Hill
876-993-2604
This classic inn has 13 guest rooms. Like a quaint Victorian inn, the hotel has a homey feel and is best for bargain travelers. The home was once a private house, and is decorated with attractive ironwork.
FERN HILL CLUB
Drapers
876-993-7374, fax 876-993-7373
This 30-room hillside inn perched at the foothills of the Blue Mountains has air conditioning, four pools, satellite TV, tennis and many other free amenities, including windsurfing, Sunfish sailing and snorkeling. There’s even a Spa Suite with in-room facilities.
GOBLIN HILL VILLAS AT SAN SAN
Drapers
876-925-8108, fax 876-925-6248; reservations 800-472-1148
Goblin Hill overlooks San San Bay, Port Antonio’s beautiful harbor, and offers its guests peace and quiet. The 28 villas include the services of a housekeeper-cook, who will cook and serve your favorite dishes. The villas are a short walk away from the water.
HOTEL MOCKING BIRD HILL
Point Ann
876-993-7267, fax 876-993-7133
www.hotelmockingbirdhill.com
This 10-room hotel is often cited for its eco-friendly policies. It uses solar energy and locally produced furniture and the grounds feature local plantings. Even the restaurant, the excellent Mille Fleurs, uses local produce. This property is very popular with ecotourists and offers many tours that explore the natural attractions of the Port Antonio area.
JAMAICA CREST RESORT
Fairy Hill
876-993-8400, fax 876-933-8432
This 14-apartment complex has air-conditioned accommodations, two restaurants, tennis, pool, a disco, gift shop and even a massage and beauty salon. There are one- and two-bedroom villas as well as studio units, each with kitchenette, TV, phone and ceiling fans.
JAMAICA PALACE
Drapers
876-993-7720, reservations 800-423-4095, fax 876-993-7759
Jamaica Palace is probably the most unusual property in Port Antonio, built like a 17th-century Italian palace. The black and white floor tiles that surround the exterior echo the black lacquered furniture inside. All rooms are furnished with Middle Eastern decor (Persian rugs and unusual antiques fill the property). The hotel’s pool is built in the shape of Jamaica.
TRIDENT VILLAS AND HOTEL
Point Ann
876-993-2602, reservations 800-428-4734
www.tridentvillas.com
(all-inclusive optional)
This longtime favorite of the well-heeled crowd is one of Port Antonio’s top resorts. The atmosphere is super-quiet (when we had lunch here we were the only diners, and were accompanied by a few elegant peacocks that strolled through the open-air restaurant).
Look around for familiar celebrity faces. This resort has long drawn stars, and recently was used as a setting for the movie Shattered Image.
Guest rooms are elegant and private; dining here is white-gloved and equally cultivated. There is a small beach area, but most of the property is bordered by rugged rocks which are pounded by the sea night and day – truly a stunning sight. It is well worth coming out just for a look around the property and a meal.
BONNIE VIEW PLANTATION
Richmond Hill, Port Antonio
Phone: 876-993-2752/2862
E-Mail: bonnieviewresort@yahoo.com
Number of Rooms:22
Number of Restaurants:1
Pool: Yes
Meeting Facilities: Yes
Night Entertainments: Yes
Kids Stay Free: Yes
CRYSTAL SPRING RESORT
Buff Bay, Port Antonio
Phone:(876) 996-1400
Number of Rooms:15
Number of Restaurants:1
Pool: Yes
Meeting Facilities: Yes
Kids Stay Free:
Kids Programs:
DRAGON BAY VILLAS
Zion Hill, Port Antonio
Phone:(876) 993-8751
Fax:(876) 993-3284
Number of Rooms:90
Number of Restaurants:2
Beach: Yes
Night Entertainments: Yes
FERN HILL CLUB
San San, Port Antonio
Phone:993-3222
Fax:993-2257
Number of Rooms:30
Number of Restaurants:1
Pool: Yes
Tennis: Yes
HOTEL MOCKINGBIRD HILL
Mockingbird Hill, Dr, Port Antonio
Phone:(876) 993-7267
Fax:(876) 993-7133
Number of Rooms:10
Number of Restaurants:1
Pool: Yes
Tennis: Yes
JAMAICA CREST VILLA LTD
Fairy Hill., Port Antonio
Phone:(876) 993-8400
Fax:(876) 993-8432
Number of Rooms:14
Number of Restaurants:1
Beach: Yes
Pool: Yes
Meeting Facilities: Yes
JAMAICA HEIGHTS
Spring Bank Road, Port Antonio
Number of Rooms:10
Number of Restaurants:1
Pool: Yes
Kids Stay Free: Yes
JAMAICA PALACE HOTEL
Williamsfeild, Port Antonio
Phone:(876) 993-2020
Fax:(876) 993-3459
Number of Rooms:80
Number of Restaurants:1
Beach: Yes
Pool: Yes
Water Sports: Yes
Meeting Facilities:
Night Entertainments: Yes
NAVY ISLAND MARINA RESORT
P.O. Box 188, Port Antonio
Phone:(876) 993-2667
Fax:(876) 993-2041
Number of Rooms:17
Number of Restaurants:1
Beach: Yes
Pool: Yes
Meeting Facilities: Yes
Kids Stay Free: Yes
TRIDENT HOTEL AND VILLAS
Anchovy, Port Antonio
Phone:(876) 993-2602
Fax:(876) 993-2960
Number of Rooms:26
Number of Restaurants:1
Beach: Yes
Pool: Yes
Water Sports: Yes
TRIFF'S INN
1 Bridge Street, Port Antonio
Number of Rooms:17
Number of Restaurants:1
Tennis: Yes
Water Sports: Yes
Kids Stay Free: Yes
WHISPERING BAMBOO RESORT
105 Crystal Drive, Retreat -
Phone:(876) 982-2912
Number of Rooms:10
Number of Restaurants:1
Beach: Yes
Kids Stay Free: Yes
|
Montego Bay Jamaica Resorts, Hotels and Inns
THE ATRIUM AT IRONSHORE HOTEL
Morgan Road, Rose Hall
876-953-2605, fax 876-953-3683
This 33-villa, family-run property is air-conditioned. All accommodations have kitchen and dining facilities as well as a pool and satellite TV. Located near the airport.
BLUE HARBOUR HOTEL
6 Sewell Avenue
876-952-5445, fax 876-952-8930
This 24-room inn is air-conditioned and has access for the handicapped. Family-sized rooms can accommodate groups of up to 10 persons. Rooms have kitchen facilities and satellite TV. There's a saltwater pool or you can stroll down to the nearby beach. The inn is located on a hill.
COMFORT INN AND SUITES MONTEGO BAY
Rose Hall
876-953-3250, fax 876-953-3062; reservations 800-228-5150
This 150-room hotel is the former SeaCastles and is a part of the Choice Hotels International group. It's situated on a small private beach. The recently renovated property includes one- and two-bedroom units as well as studios. The all-inclusive package features three buffet meals daily, supervised kids activities, non-motorized watersports, gratuities and taxes, house-brand liquors and soft drinks, tennis and daily entertainment. Every Friday the hotel offers a Jamaican night with local food and music.
CORAL CLIFF HOTEL
Gloucester Avenue
876-952-4130, fax 876-952-6532
This 30-room Colonial-style inn is near Doctor's Cave beach and includes dining facilities and a pool. It's not far from Cornwall and Walter Fletcher beaches. The standard rooms have air conditioning, phone and individual bathrooms. Superior rooms have larger bathrooms and balconies with a pool view. The property has a good location for those interested in nightlife with its position along the Hip Strip.
Gamblers should note that this hotel is home to the largest gaming facility in Jamaica.
COYABA BEACH RESORT AND CLUB
North Coast Highway at Mahoe Bay
876-953-9150, fax 876-953-2244; reservations 800-237-3237
(All-inclusive optional)
This $10 million resort has the feel of an intimate inn, but it offers the amenities of a larger resort. Located on a shady stretch of beach, Coyaba is a good option if you're seeking the niceties and luxuries of an exclusive retreat. The hotel offers all-inclusive deals or European Plan only. The plantation-style great house on the property houses the main restaurant. Amenities include a freshwater pool, hot tub, massage, tennis, watersports, recreation room, tennis, a dive shop, windsurfing and a playground.
Guest rooms are light and airy, decorated in an elegant tropical style with mahogany furniture. You’ll be greeted by a basket of banana bread, a sweet introduction to this special property.
DOCTOR'S CAVE BEACH HOTEL
Gloucester Avenue
876-952-4355, fax 876-952-5204
This 90-room hotel is near Doctor's Cave Beach (surprise, surprise!). It has air-conditioned rooms, kitchen facilities, handicapped access for some rooms, a pool, satellite TV and a fitness center. Part of the Insider's Jamaica program. The hotel is home to two restaurants, one casual and the other semi-formal.
HALF MOON GOLF, TENNIS AND BEACH CLUB
North Coast Highway, 7 miles east of Montego Bay
876-953-2211, fax 876-953-2731; reservations 800-237-3237
Half Moon is one of the country's most elegant resorts, the place to be pampered. It offers a variety of room configurations, from large guest rooms and junior suites to villas that look like something right out of Beverly Hills, complete with sweeping staircases and maid and butler service. The black and white decor, like everything in the resort, is ultra-chic.
The resort is a favorite with well-to-do Japanese vacationers, who feel right at home in rooms that offer Japanese-language periodicals and Japanese television channels.
Half Moon sprawls out across the island's north coast and you'll never feel crowded. Along with 13 tennis courts, 39 swimming pools, croquet, horseback riding, bikes, squash, numerous restaurants, a dive shop, kids' program, ultra-pricey shopping center, and even a hospital, you'll find a quiet nature reserve. The resort also now offers the David Leadbetter Golf Plan, with daily instruction from a David Leadbetter-certified instructor.
HOLIDAY INN SUNSPREE RESORT
North Coast Highway, 6 miles east of Montego Bay
876-953-2485, fax 876-953-2840; reservations 800-HOLIDAY
($$$) (All-inclusive)
Couples and families make up much of the clientele at this popular resort which has undergone many changes in the last several years. A $13 million facelift in 1995 transformed it into an all-inclusive property. The 523 guest rooms have all received an overhaul. There is a variety of activities on offer, including watersports, tennis, volleyball, nearby golf, a kids programs and more.
HOTEL MONTEGO
Federal Avenue
876-952-3287, fax 876-979-0351
This 33-room inn is air-conditioned and includes dining, a pool and satellite TV. Set on a hill, the property offers good views of the sea and is convenient to the airport. The beach is a short ride away. Part of the Insider's Jamaica program.
HOTEL RIO BUENO
Rio Bueno
876-954-0046, fax 876-952-5911
This 20-room hotel has air-conditioned rooms and dining. All rooms have a view of the Caribbean Sea. The small property houses the Joe James Art Gallery (Joe offers art lessons too; joejames@in-site.com). Part of the Insider's Jamaica program.
LETHE ESTATE
20 minutes west of Montego Bay on the North Coast Highway
876-956-4920, fax 876-956-4927
Montego Bay is best known for its beachside getaways, but if you aren't looking for a stretch of sand on which to relax, consider a stay in the surrounding hills and valleys - or at least a daytrip into this charming region. Recently, we spent time at Lethe Estate, a serene hideaway tucked on the banks of the Great River near the village of Lethe. Quiet, except for the sounds of singing birds in the surrounding forest, this 15-room inn is an ideal place to get away from it all. Despite its location, amenities are not lacking. The inn includes a gourmet restaurant, pool, tennis and plush rooms. A top daytime activity here is the float on a bamboo raft down the river under a canopy of forest. A free shuttle runs hotel guests to the beach and shopping areas daily.
RICHMOND HILL INN
Union Street
876-952-3859, fax 876-925-6106; reservations 800-423-4095
A trip to Richmond Hill Inn is like visiting your grandmother's house: you're a little afraid that you're going to knock something over; you really wish it weren't so fussy, but you love the way you get treated. The rooms here have seen fresher days, but still the view is special – straight out over Montego Bay and the sea from high atop the hill.
Richmond Hill has a long history, dating back to the 1790s when it was the property of the Dewars of Scotch whisky fame. Guests can take advantage of a free shuttle to MoBay shops as well as the beach. Facilities here include an excellent restaurant, coffee shop, pool and laundry service.
READING REEF
Reading, St. James
876-952-5909, fax 876-952-7217
This 28-room inn has air-conditioned rooms, kitchen facilities, a pool, satellite TV, beach, watersports and restaurant. It sits alongside Bogue Lagoon just 15 minutes from Montego Bay. The hotel has several features of special interest to adventure travelers, including Reading Reefs (photographed by Jacques Cousteau) and the Bogue Islands (nesting site for birds). Part of the Insider’s Jamaica program.
RELAX RESORT
26 Hobbs Avenue
876-952-7218, fax 876-952-7218
This 41-room inn offers a complimentary airport shuttle as well as a restaurant, pool, satellite TV and ocean views. All rooms have king-sized beds, a fully equipped kitchenette and air conditioning. Along with guest rooms, visitors can also select from one- , two- and three-bedroom apartments. A complimentary shuttle bus runs to the beaches. Part of the Insider's Jamaica program.
ROUND HILL HOTEL AND VILLAS
North Coast Highway, 8 miles west of Montego Bay
876-956-7050, fax 876-956-7505; reservations 800-237-3237
A favorite of the rich and famous set, Round Hill offers suites, traditional hotel rooms and 27 villas. Expensive and lavish, the villas include maid service (cook service is available as well), and many have a private pool. The resort includes numerous amenities, from tennis courts to a dive shop to windsurfing.
INTERESTING FACT: If Round Hill looks familiar, there's a good reason: the property was the location of many scenes in How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
ROYAL COURT HEALTH RESORT
Sewell Avenue
876-952-4531, fax 876-952-4532
Of special interest to vegetarians, this 25-room resort has a vegetarian restaurant and a fresh fruit and vegetable juice bar. It offers a free airport shuttle, beach shuttle and shopping transportation. All rooms are air conditioned. Part of the Insider's Jamaica program.
SANDALS MONTEGO BAY
Kent Avenue, near the airport
876-952-5510, fax 876-952-0816; reservations 800-726-3257
(All-inclusive)
This popular (heterosexual) couples-only resort does a huge amount of repeat business and is a great choice for those who want to be close to the airport (you can't get much closer than this). Planes buzz overhead, but that doesn't seem to deter people. Like other Sandals resorts, guests at Sandals Montego Bay enjoy a Stay at One, Dine at Six policy, where they can dine at any of the 23 eating establishments in the Sandals chain. A desk at Sandals Montego Bay handles reservations for the sister resorts, and free shuttles are available to other Sandals located in Montego Bay.
Amenities here include five restaurants, numerous pools, tennis, racquetball, a dive shop, windsurfing and more. The resort's Sunshine Tennis program includes two hours of complimentary instruction per week with the visiting professional.
SANDALS ROYAL CARIBBEAN
North Coast Highway
876-953-2231, fax 876-953-2788; reservations 800-726-3257
(All-inclusive)
What's the difference between Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Montego Bay? Quite a bit. While Sandals Montego Bay boasts more of a party atmosphere, Sandals Royal Jamaican takes an elegant, laid-back approach. In general, this property is much quieter than its sister.
We recently stayed in an oceanfront deluxe room with a mahogany four-poster bed and two-level floor plan. On another visit, we came for dinner at Sandals private island restaurant, Bali Hai, known for its Indonesian fare and unbeatable night view of the city. It was a great dining experience. Amenities at the resort include four restaurants, numerous pools, tennis, a dive shop, windsurfing and concierge service.
SANDALS INN
Gloucester Avenue, in town
876-952-4140, fax 876-952-6913; reservations 800-726-3257
(All-inclusive)
The Sandals Inn is great for the budget-conscious traveler who wants to enjoy the luxuries of a Sandals property. This small hotel isn't the sprawling beachfront resort usually associated with the Sandals chain, but it does have many of the same amenities. An all-inclusive package here takes care of transfers, activities, drinks and dining. Guests can also partake in the Sandals Stay at One, Dine at Six policy (with free transportation to the Mo Bay resorts). There's also a free shuttle that runs throughout the day to take you and yours (remember, this is a heterosexual couples-only resort) from the inn to the larger Sandals Montego Bay or Sandals Royal Jamaican to enjoy beach fun. On-property facilities include tennis, pool and concierge service.
SUNDANCE RESORT
1 Kent Avenue
876-952-4370, fax 876-952-6591
The 73 rooms here all have air conditioning and some are handicapped- accessible. All rooms have either a garden or pool view and private bath. Located in the heart of Montego Bay near the Doctor's Cave Beach.
SUNSET BEACH RESORT AND SPA
Montego Freeport
876-979-8800, fax 876-953-6744
(All-inclusive)
This new 420-room resort sits on the Freeport peninsula. The property is divided into two sections: the 120-room, low-rise Beach Inn and the 300-room, 11-story Sunrise and Sunset Towers. The resort has an impressive list of facilities, with three private beaches, three swimming pools, snorkeling, Sunfish, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boats, Hobie Cats, jogging trails, beach volleyball, a fitness center and a supervised kids program.
For late-night fun, there's a disco as well as an electronic game casino. All meals are part of the package and guests have their choice of four dining establishments, including Asian and Italian specialty restaurants. Six bars are located throughout the property. There's also a spa, although treatments are not part of the all-inclusive program.
TRYALL GOLF, TENNIS AND BEACH CLUB
North Coast Highway, 15 miles west of Montego Bay
876-956-5660, fax 876-956-5658; reservations 800-238-5290
If you’re a golfer, you're probably already familiar with Tryall, a celebrity resort that has hosted many tournament games. This posh getaway includes everything you need to hole up and never leave, if you so choose. There's a golf course, private villas with their own pools, tennis courts, dive shops, a driving range and more. You'll never feel crowded at this 2,200-acre property.
VERNEY'S TROPICAL RESORT
Leader Avenue, in town
876-952-2875 or 876-952-8628, fax 876-979-2944
This 27-room inn is an excellent place to find true Jamaican hospitality. Rooms are nothing fancy, but owners Kathleen and Earnest Sterling are on-property like round-the-clock concierges. Need a babysitter? Kathleen will find you one. Want to know where to shop for spices? Just ask. You’ll feel like part of the family. "We really believe in personal service because once you are away from home it is good to know someone cares," says Kathleen.
The hotel's Kit Kat restaurant is a favorite. Whenever the hotels in Montego Bay are asked to recommend a restaurant serving real Jamaican cooking, they refer people here. A free shuttle runs to Doctor's Cave Beach on weekdays; there's also a pool on the property. Part of the Insider’s Jamaica program.
WYNDHAM ROSE HALL
North Coast Highway, east of Montego Bay
876-953-2650, fax 876-953-2617; reservations 800-996-3426
(All-inclusive optional)
You can enjoy Wyndham Rose Hall on either a room-only basis or as an all-inclusive property. This sprawling resort is just a short drive from the airport, a real boon to those on a short vacation or traveling with restless kids. Once you arrive, there's no need to worry about those kids remaining restless for long. Wyndham Rose Hall is home to a massive waterpark, a recent addition to the property. This 110,000-square-foot, $7 million water complex is called Sugar Mill Falls and comes complete with lagoons and a towering waterslide. Guests can enjoy lazy river rafting among waterfalls scattered throughout the park.
This resort is presently undergoing a major upgrade, equipping its guest rooms with new furniture, carpeting, 27-inch TVs, movie channels and more. The golf course is located directly across the street and soon golfers will be able to also use the nearby White Witch golf course, presently under construction by the Ritz-Carlton
|
Ocho Rios Jamaica Resorts, Hotels and Inns
BREEZES GOLF AND BEACH RESORT
North Coast Highway, Runaway Bay
876-973-2436, fax 876-973-2352; reservations 877-GO-SUPER
(All-inclusive)
This property was one of our first stops when we came to the island. At that time, it was known as Jamaica-Jamaica. The property, still part of the SuperClubs chain, has seen many renovations and is still one of the most popular resorts on the island. Guests here enjoy use of a golf course and school right across the road, as well as tennis, horseback riding, windsurfing (with a Mistral school on the property) and more. Rooms have a tropical decor and the grounds are always immaculate (as with all SuperClubs).
BOSCOBEL BEACH
East of Ocho Rios at Oracabessa
876-975-7330, fax 876-975-7370; reservations 877-GO-SUPER
(All-inclusive)
This SuperClubs resort is an excellent destination for families. Starting with the carousel horses and children’s music that greet arrivals at the entrance, everything is kid-friendly at this property. Three types of rooms are offered: lanai (smallest), junior suite (with a step-down living room/kids sleeping area with two twin beds/couches), and two-story junior suites. The kids program accommodates all age groups from toddlers to teens and entertains with arts and crafts, swimming, games and more. An adults-only section offers a piano bar, Italian restaurant, hot tub and pool.
CIBONEY
Main Street
876-974-1027, fax 876-974-5838; reservations 800-CIBONEY
(All-inclusive)
The feel of Ciboney is much different from other resorts in this area, with the atmosphere of a small subdivision, a place with street signs and roads. The 226 villa suites are scattered throughout the hillside and each has a plunge pool just steps away. Transport from the main house to the 226 villas is available anytime. Ciboney offers 14 honeymoon suites with sunken baths, kitchen and living room. Each villa also comes with maid service.
There’s a weekly nature walk around the property, with guides pointing out lemons, limes, coconuts, guavas, mangos and other tropical fruits that are tended by 50 gardeners on staff. The property spans 45 acres.
COLUMBUS HEIGHTS
Columbus Heights
876-974-2940, fax 876-974-2940
This 65-condo complex (a rarity in Jamaica) is situated on a hillside with views of Ocho Rios. Rooms are air conditioned and have kitchen facilities, pool, satellite TV, and housekeeping services.
COMFORT SUITES CRANE RIDGE
17 DaCosta Drive
876-974-8050, fax 876-974-8070
This all-suite hotel is perched high on a hill overlooking Ocho Rios. The recent construction offers 71 one- and two-bedroom suites with balconies, air conditioning, kitchenettes, satellite TV, telephones and fold-out sofas; two-bedroom suites also have Jacuzzi tubs. There’s a restaurant on the property.
COUPLES OCHO RIOS
North Coast Highway, east of Ocho Rios
876-975-4271, fax 876-975-4439; reservations 800-268-7537
(All-inclusive)
As its name suggests, this resort is for couples only. This immensely popular all-inclusive makes vacation fun easy. It is also admirable for its promotion of off-property attractions, to which free excursions are offered. Travelers can enjoy trips to Dunn’s River Falls, a day of shopping in Ocho Rios, or a sunset cruise as part of the package.
Couples has a large white sand beach with a full menu of watersports. If you want an all-over tan, a boat will carry you out to a small island specially set aside for nude sunbathing, where you can enjoy plenty of sun as well as a dip in the pool and a cocktail at the swim-up bar.
ENCHANTED GARDEN
Eden Bower Road
876-974-1400, fax 876-974-5823; reservations 800-554-2008
(All-inclusive)
This romantic resort is best known for its tropical gardens and waterfalls. It sits on the hillside, with the beach just a short shuttle ride away. There are 113 rooms and five restaurants here. Facilities include tennis, a fitness center, yoga, Tai Chi, bird feeding and non-motorized watersports. One-hour tours of the gardens and waterfalls are run on a regular basis.
FISHERMAN’S POINT
Main Street
876-974-5317, fax 876-974-2894
This condo complex bills itself as Jamaica’s first luxury seafront condominium resort. Located on Turtle Beach, each unit has a kitchenette, satellite TV, bathroom and private balcony. You have the choice of a one- or two-bedroom apartment. Facilities include a children’s playground, pools, restaurant and supervised children’s program.
FRANKLIN D. RESORT (FDR)
North Coast Highway, Runaway Bay
876-973-3067, fax 876-973-4600; reservations 800-654-1-FDR
(All-inclusive)
FDR is a favorite with families. It offers a supervised children’s program, but the resort also has a unique feature: Vacation Nannies. One nanny is assigned to every suite and tends to the children’s needs; baby-sitting services in the evening are also available for a very low fee. The property is a big hit with the kids because they are offered everything a child could want, including a disco (one for kids and another for teens) and an arts and crafts center (all the kids make leather necklace name tags for their first project).
There’s a full array of watersports as well and two peaceful bays that are calm enough for children’s swimming.
GOLDENEYE
Oracabessa, St. Mary
876-975-3354, fax 876-975-3679; reservations 800-OUTPOST
If you’ve won the lottery and you’re wondering where to stay on your next visit to Jamaica, this might just be the place. Located eight minutes from Oracabessa (15 minutes from Ochi), Goldeneye is a one-of-a-kind getaway.
The Goldeneye house itself is available for rent at $5,000 per day for up to six guests. The Ian Fleming Villa, a three-bedroom accommodation, has a garden dining area, private beach and full-time staff to whip up meals. A private TV room features a big screen TV, satellite programming, VCR, bar and more. Another option is Goldeneye Village, a flexible configuration of cottages (eight bedrooms, total) that may be rented as individual units or as a group. Each has indoor and outdoor dining facilities, kitchen, private beach access and entertainment/TV room. These units are newly built and decorated with local artwork and fabrics.
Goldeneye has seen many celebrities. During Fleming’s lifetime, the writer played host to Noel Coward, Errol Flynn and Elizabeth Taylor. Now, as part of Chris Blackwell’s empire, the property’s stellar guest list has included Martha Stewart, Jim Carrey, Christy Turlington, Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte and Naomi Campbell. Each famous guest has planted a tree, now marked with plaques, on Goldeneye grounds.
GRAND LIDO BRACO VILLAGE RESORT
West of Runaway Bay on North Coast Highway, Runaway Bay
876-954-0000, fax 876-954-0020; reservations 877-GO-SUPER
(All-inclusive)
New to the SuperClubs chain, this resort was built with the purpose of recreating a Jamaican village, and you’ll find everyone from the peanut man offering fresh roasted goodies to the jerk cook to the woodcarver. The resort is built around a town square with cafés, art stores and a friendly feel. It’s no substitute for getting out and experiencing a real Jamaican village, but for first-timers it can be educational and fun. There’s also a full array of all-inclusive diversions: tennis, soccer, golf, beaches and watersports.
GRAND LIDO SANS SOUCI
North Coast Highway, 2 miles east of Ocho Rios
876-974-2353, fax 876-974-2544; reservations 877-467-8737
(All-inclusive)
Grand Lido Sans Souci, one of the SuperClubs chain, is ultra-luxurious – the place to go for relaxation and first-class pampering. The adults-only (16 and over) resort is built on a hillside, with rooms that wind from the public areas down to the beach below. There are two beaches, one reserved for au naturel sunbathing.
A stay here includes complimentary services at Charlie’s Spa, located by a natural spring. You can have a massage, manicure, pedicure, reflexology, body scrub and facial.
While you’re at the spa, keep an eye out for Charlie, the resident turtle who lives in the spring’s cave.
Recently, the 146-suite resort added 36 one-bedroom Jacuzzi suites as well as a new freeform pool, tennis courts, a jogging track, volleyball court and an expanded games room. Your all-inclusive fee offers unlimited golf at Breezes Golf & Beach Resort, 24-hour room service, watersports and meeting facilities for up 80 participants theater-style. Day and night passes can purchased by non-guests.
HEDONISM III
Runaway Bay
876-973-4100, fax 876-973-5402; reservations 877-GO-SUPER
This all-inclusive resort is the sister to Negril’s Hedonism II. Like the longtime favorite, the atmosphere here encourages visitors to shed their inhibitions and take part in the fun. Along with swim-up rooms (the first in Jamaica), there’s a nude beach, nude pool, waterslide, circus workshop and more.
JAMAICA INN
Two miles east of Ocho Rios, North Coast Highway
876-974-2514, fax 876-974-2449; reservations 800-837-4670
This classic Caribbean inn with 45 suites has drawn such visitors as model Kate Moss, Phil Donahue, Marlo Thomas and actor Albert Finney. Sir Winston Churchill was a frequent guest here and favored the White Suite. Each suite has a beach view, private verandah and antique furnishings. The inn is also home to a noted restaurant.
PLANTATION INN
Main Street
876-974-5601, fax 876-974-5912; reservations 800-752-6824
(All-inclusive optional)
This 63-room hideaway, styled like an old plantation mansion, was used in the filming of Prelude to a Kiss, starring Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin. The property offers plenty of activities. Rooms have large private balconies.
RENAISSANCE JAMAICA GRANDE RESORT
Main Street
876-974-2201, fax 876-974-5378; reservations 800-HOTELS1
This large, sprawling hotel has the largest meeting space in Ocho Rios, and hosts many meetings. Many conventioneers bring their spouses and children, who find plenty of activity. But there are lots of reasons to stay at Jamaica Grande even if you’re on your own. We stayed here recently and enjoyed a beautiful seaside room.
Downtown Ocho Rios is just a short walk away. A protected beach offers calm, quiet waters for an afternoon swim. The swim-up bar in the pool sits beneath a 26-foot replica of Dunn’s River Falls. The resort features two towers of rooms, but our choice would be the cabana rooms, right on the beach. Lower-floor rooms step right out onto the sand.
RUNAWAY BAY HEART HOTEL AND TRAINING INSTITUTE
Runaway Bay
876-973-2671, fax 876-973-2693; reservations 212-319-2100
This hotel offers something a little bit different. It’s a training institute operated by the government of Jamaica to teach young people skills of the hotel trade. There are just 20 rooms, each with air conditioning, telephone, satellite TV and private bath. The beach is a five-minute shuttle ride away; golf is available next door. The hotel also offers the Cardiff Hall Restaurant for formal dining. Prices at this resort are a bargain.
SANDALS DUNN’S RIVER
North Coast Highway
876-972-1610, fax 876-972-1611; reservations 800-SANDALS
(All-inclusive)
This massive Sandals establishment is custom-made for people who enjoy fun in the form of organized activity and watersports. A new spa here features a full menu of treatments, including reflexology, body scrubs and aromatherapy. It’s located in a newly renovated fitness center (an open-air beauty that would inspire anyone to pump a little iron) and includes hot and cold plunge pools and private treatment rooms in a luxurious atmosphere.
SANDALS OCHO RIOS
North Coast Highway
876-974-5691, fax 876-974-5700; reservations 800-SANDALS
(All-inclusive)
Just down the road from Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Ocho Rios is one of the most romantic resorts in the chain, with lavishly planted grounds that bloom with birds of paradise and buzz with the sound of hummingbirds. Sandals founder Butch Stewart grew up on these grounds; the building used for the piano bar was his grandparent’s home.
Guests at Sandals Ocho Rios enjoy the Stay at One, Dine at Six policy and can take meals at the other Sandals properties. A reservation desk at Sandals Ocho Rios arranges reservations for meals at other properties; a free shuttle to Sandals Dunn’s River makes dining at that nearby property easy.
SHAW PARK BEACH HOTEL
Cutlass Bay
876-974-2552, fax 876-974-5042; reservations 800-377-1126
This low-rise hotel is set on a long stretch of white beach. It offers 33 standard guest rooms with shower only, 60 superior (with both a shower and tub) and 13 suites. Regardless of category, every room has a balcony or terrace overlooking the sea. Amenities include deep-sea fishing, sailing, windsurfing, scuba diving, aerobics, tennis and a children’s play area.
TAMARIND TREE
Runaway Bay
876-973-2678, fax 876-973-5013
Located within walking distance of the beach, this 25-room inn is air conditioned throughout and has a pool, satellite TV in the rooms and a disco.
VILLAGE HOTEL
54 Main Street
876-974-9193, fax 876-974-5440
This 32-room resort is air conditioned and has a restaurant, satellite TV, pool, health club and disco. Within walking distance of the beach.
|