Among Montego Bay’s wide choice of beach resorts are several all-inclusive options that are packed full of great amenities and services available for unlimited use during your stay.
(Photo: Sandals Montego Bay / Courtesy Booking.com)
Situated on Jamaica’s north coast in the Caribbean, and a major cruise shipping port, Montego Bay draws huge numbers of visitors each year. For those who aren’t passing through as part of a cruise tour, there are a huge number of accommodation choices available, including several all-inclusive resorts where all or most meals, drinks, and activities are covered in the overall price. Priced from highest to lowest, we’ve compared 7 of the best below.
Sandals
Popular with honeymooners or anyone willing to splash the cash for some child-free luxury, Sandals is situated on a long stretch of white sand beach where it blends in effortlessly with its environment. Built in an island style, the adults-only resort boats all of the lavish amenities we’ve come to expect from Sandals properties. There are sumptuous villas just steps away from the white-sand beach, multiple gourmet dining options, a sauna, hot tub and hammam. For sports enthusiasts, there’s billiards, table tennis and darts, and the area is also popular for windsurfing and diving. After dark, the resort comes alive with beach parties and cabaret nights. Montego Bay’s renowned Hip Strip with its buzzing nightlife is a 9-minute drive south along the coast. From $988 per night.
Iberostar Grand Rose Hall
(Photo: Iberostar Grand Rose Hall / Courtesy Booking.com)
For a more affordable 5-star adults-only option, this award-winning resort is perched in a secluded enclave close to Montego Bay. Among the notable amenities here are a beguiling 11 restaurants serving up a variety of local and international cuisine, an on-site hair salon and gift shop, concierge and butler services, and a range of sporting opportunities including basketball, kayaking, windsurfing, aerobics, and aquagym. All guests also receive a complimentary round of gold at a nearby course. Accommodation is no less well equipped, with all units featuring a flat-screen TV and DVD player, as well as an iPod docking station, a CD player, and a coffee machine. The Hip Strip is just over a 20-minute drive away. From $549 per night.
Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort and Spa
A tranquil slice of paradise within an idyllic private cove, the 4-star Jewel Grande is home to sparkling pools and calm shores, complete with concierge service to cater for your every whim. There are seven restaurants, including cafes and bars, a kids’ clubs, teen lounges, non-motorised water sports and an indulgent state-of-the-art spa. Two oceanfront swimming pools and private beachside cabanas invite guests to embrace the peace and serenity of their surroundings. All guest rooms come with a seating area, and a flat-screen TV, and some also have a kitchen with a fridge and stove-top oven. The Hip Strip is just over 15 minutes away by road. From $546 per night.
Breathless
(Photo: Breathless / Courtesy Booking.com)
Located on the peninsula in Montego Bay, this is another super-stylish 5-star Adult-Only hotel that won’t break the bank. Set amid tropical gardens, the property features seven eateries, five bars and a beach club, as well as a rooftop deck with an outdoor pool and a bar with a DJ. Water sports are available on the ocean nearby. Chic guest rooms offer flat-screens and tablets, and all have sitting areas, minibars, and terraces with hot tubs. Upgraded rooms add sea views and/or butler service, while club-level rooms include admission to a private lounge. There are also suites with living/dining rooms, kitchens and bars. A 9-minute drive will bring you to the Hip Strip. From $536 per night.
S Hotel Jamaica
While our first options are traditional expansive resorts, S Hotel Jamaica is the only boutique resort on our list. Smaller and more intimate, the 4-star property sits alongside the famous Doctor’s Cave Beach and seconds from the Hip Strip, where it offers restaurants serving authentic Caribbean dishes. stylish swimming pools, chic bars, a fitness centre, and a spa with Ancient Baths. Guests can enjoy stunning views from the rooftop Sky Deck, where there’s a glass-enclosed pool and comfy cabanas. Rooms are designed to refresh and relax, with crisp white, dark oak and wicker providing the perfect match for the ocean vistas. From $523 per night.
Secrets St. James
(Photo: Secrets St. James / Courtesy Booking.com)
Overlooking a half-mile stretch of glorious white sands, a 9-minute drive from the Hip Strip, this 5-star adults-only resort is home to 350 elegant suites, each featuring beautiful décor paired with modern touches such as a whirlpool tub, a complimentary minibar, and a private furnished balcony with ocean views. There are ten gourmet restaurants across the resort, along with a world-class spa, a fitness centre, a large free-form swimming pool, three whirlpools and a spacious sun deck. Various activities such as aerobics, basketball, beach football, darts, giant chess, ping pong, tennis, volleyball and yoga are also available on-site, as well as water sports at the beach for an additional charge. From $466 per night.
Holiday Inn Resort
The cheapest resort on our list is the Holiday Inn, part of the lower to mid-range chain that has properties all around the world. Surrounded by palm tree-filled gardens, what it lacks in lavishness the laid-back resort makes up for in great amenities, including four restaurants and bars, a private beach, two outdoor pools, a gym, a spa and casino. Each air-conditioned guest room has tropical-themed décor, a coffee-maker, a comfy seating area, and a balcony with sea or garden views. The resort also has on-site facilities for tennis, mini-golf and snorkelling, and staff can help arrange activities, excursions and island tours. A major perk for families is that kids aged 12 and under stay at no extra cost with an adult. The vibrant Hip Strip is a 15-minute drive. From $174 per night.