Jamaica – hotel and destination advice

[tblank19]

Hello all – looking for recommendations on some of the high-end resorts in Jamaica for a special occasion for a couple in Feb-March 2024. Generally looking to stay at 2/3 places total over 2 weeks and prioritising great scenery/swimming/beach, great food and people/service. Definitely not a big chain all-inclusive type – we do not mind the idea of food/drink included in rates generally however. We have the option of flying into Kingston (with BA) either return or one way, with the other one way from Montego Bay (on Virgin Atlantic) so generally flexible on location across the island but would like to plan a route to generally limit the overall amount of car travel.

We are weighing up Goldeneye and The Caves in particular and would welcome views from anyone who has stayed at either or both. The Caves does bring some issues in having a long road transfer.

We like the look of the Jamaica Inn as well but are also considering Half Moon, Round Hill, The Trident.

Welcome views of anyone who has been and has specific recommendations / places to avoid. Also any activities or sights to consider would be very helpful. Thanks all in advance.

[shilly]

Hi we stayed at Jamaica Inn which is Ocho Rios for 2 weeks and absolutely loved it, haven’t stayed at the others but we would definitely go back again just for the hotel alone. The staff were excellent some having been there for years, and every evening they have a drinks and canapés get together before dinner if you want to partake. The food is excellent although we tried other places as well we thought the food at Jamaica Inn was the best. We did go up the mountain to a restaurant one of the staff recommended which was run at the time by a German couple but I can’t remember the name unfortunately but it was very good and unusual. It has its own private cove so no one else can come on the beach which is great and in the mornings you would see the staff raking the sand. We didn’t do all inclusive as that’s not normally our thing and we prefer to try out other places but I know they do offer different packages that might be worthwhile looking at. The reviews on tripadvisor speak for itself but obviously if you want your own pool there is only one suite I believe which offers that which is the one Winston Churchill stayed in, we had a look while we were there and it’s a bit more secluded but we were happy being directly on the beach.

[StanTheMan]

We stayed as a couple at Round Hill about 5 years ago. It was superb. Some big well known names on the owners management committee – Ralph Lauren has a place there and designed the hotel rooms etc.
Wouldn’t hesitate to go back – I think we had a meal plan that included most meals, but not drinks. But also ventured out a couple of evenings to suggested local restaurants with a hotel driver who insisted on waiting for us outside.

[tblank19]

Thanks both, that is very helpful and consistent with what we have heard about those two. Round Hill does look exceptional but just trying to weigh up whether it is worth the significant premium over Half Moon which is already fairly pricey. Stan – did you visit or consider Half Moon at all?

[StanTheMan]

tbh, Round Hill had me at “Ralph Lauren has a villa there”. And in those good old days it wasnt really that crazy expensive so we didn’t look anywhere else. Then my wife saw that Meghan and Harry had recently been there for a wedding so that was that (they were the golden couple in those days!)

Just had a look at Half Moon which also looks pretty good tbh, though much larger and maybe more family oriented. The bewildering range of packages also smacks of “USA Family Vacations”.

If you are going to move around a few places, I’d maybe blow the doors off at Goldeneye and Round hill, and try and save a few quid at a 3rd more reasonable place for a few of the nights

[tblank19]

Thanks Stan, agree with your thoughts on Half Moon – that is why we are slightly hesistant!