Archives for May 2016

Sandals Grande Ocho Rios – or Sandals “Ochi”

The Sandals Grande Ocho Rios is truly a grand hotel.  It’s also massive being spread out over 100 acres.  The main resort is located up on the hillside with an impressive 16 restaurants, 8 bars and 105 pools.  This particular resort is best known for large suites most of which come with butlers and many that have private or shared pools.  These standard rooms and 1 bedroom suites are terraced into the hillside and are ideal for a romantic honeymoon or even two couples traveling together when you combine the 1bdrm with a standard (makes it a 2 bedroom with shared pool and garden!). Most accommodations offer garden views but many of the higher categories offer views of the ocean in the distance.  The property is so big that you do have to get around by way of the HOP.  A network of golf carts that will zip you from one end of the resort to the other.  If you like to be in the center of the action where the bulk of the restaurants and bars are, the main resort area would be the best option.  To access the OCHI Beach Club, it’s just a short 5 minute HOP from the main lobby.  Here you’ll find Neptune’s and Kimono’s – two well known Sandals specialty restaurants and two pools (one is the scuba pool).  In addition to the PADI certificated scuba center you’ll find local handicraft vendors and the outside entertainment amphitheater for nightly entertainment and live music at night.  There is a dock as well so you can enjoy those glass bottom boat rides or an excursion to nearby Dunn’s River Falls.  Next to the OCHI Beach Club is the Caribbean Riviera section of the resort. There are standard garden view rooms as well as ocean view rooms that directly face the sea.   If being directly on the beach is more important to you, then staying in the Caribbean Riviera section would be the best option!

Next door is the smaller Sandals Royal Plantation. Guests at Royal Plantation have exchange privileges at the Sandals Grande Ocho Rios (but not the other way around). I didn’t get to see the rooms at Royal Plantation sadly as the property was fully booked but this is a much smaller boutique resort atmosphere. ALL of the suites here come with butler service. Onsite there are 5 restaurants in addition to all of the restaurants and activities you’ll have access to next door.  Personally, I like the quieter resorts for romantic getaways especially when you still have access to all the action and excitement of the larger resorts when you want it.

There are soooo many different room types to choose from at Sandals.  If you’re considering a Sandals resort stay, let’s talk! I’ll be happy to help you narrow down the selection to make sure we pick the right room with the right amenities for your special stay.

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Couples San Souci

The Couples brand is well known on the island of Jamaica.  Started by the Issa family, it’s one of the few Jamaican owned resort chains on the island.  While considered a “competitor” to Sandals in the battle to capture the honeymoon market, the type of client that each resort appeals to is actually very different.

Couples San Souci in Ocho Rios is a historic hotel built back in the 1950’s. The main lobby in fact still features the original pink tiles on the floor and maintains that traditional Caribbean plantation decor.  It used to be known just as the Hotel San Souci before it became a Couples resort.  It’s a small property with just 150 rooms shaped into a U with the pool, restaurants and activities in the middle.  The buildings are all built into the hillside so there are many many steps throughout this resort to get from the lobby, to the spa and down to the beach. There is only the one main elevator which will take you to the lobby and beach.  The rooms have all been renovated with upgraded bedding and the bathrooms are in the process of being redone. The one bedroom beachfront suites have all been completed and by far would be my recommendation for those looking for nicer room accommodations.   The resort is on a narrow cove beach and there are non motorized water sports available.  It felt a bit crowded at the beach with all the sports equipment, loungers and restaurants all in the same zone.  There are 3 dining options from casual beachside dining in the grill, fine dining at Casanova’s which specializes in Caribbean inspired cuisine and then the main buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In addition to the main beach right in front of the resort, there is also a second beach area for au naturale sunbathing.

For those looking for a casual, all-inclusive, adult only experience – Couples has an attractive price point and offers a solid 4* resort experience. With all meals, beverages, gratuities and several complimentary excursions, Couples is an incredible value for your money.  I like the rooms and overall size of this resort. The close proximity to the town of Ocho Rios is also a plus for those that want to venture off-resort to explore.

It’s important to note that even though Couples San Souci is just a few minutes from sister resort Couples Tower Isle – the two do not have exchange privileges.

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Couples Tower Isle

Like Couples San Souci, Couples Tower Isle is a historic hotel from the 50’s that used to be THE place for the rich and famous to hang out.  Ian Fleming taught his son to swim in this pool.  Noel Coward and similar contemporaries would meet for drinks at the bar.   Now, Couples Tower Isle is a vintage hotel with a modern twist. Slightly larger at just over 200 rooms, it’s not too big nor too small.  The pools and room buildings are the same but now with a fresh new look.  Offering both garden and ocean view rooms, the accommodations are on the basic side (just a typical hotel room) but the lay out of this resort is smart. Everything flows from the main lobby to the restaurants, out to the pools and beach area.  You’ll also find a full service spa onsite ideal for a relaxing spa day, tennis courts and of course the actual Tower Isle for au naturale sunbathing.  Onsite weddings are very popular at this resort with a simple gazebo and lawn area for small groups.  The main buffet restaurant is large and open air with a variety of fresh options.  There is also a 24hr pool grill available for quick snacks and drinks anytime of day.

Between the two Couples resorts in Ocho Rios, I really liked the layout of Tower Isle better. It didn’t feel nearly as cramped and just had a very cool, updated vintage vibe.  The rooms however were a bit more standard and not all of them have been updated to the same scheme as shown on the resort website (see my sample below). For an updated room, you’ll want to do one of the Premier rooms or Junior Suites.

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Moon Palace

Palace Resorts has long been well known in Mexico for offering a casually elegant all inclusive resort experience.  The newly opened Moon Palace Jamaica (formerly Sunset Jamaica Grande) is located right in Ocho Rios and offers many of the same amenities that Palace Resorts is known for.  Specifically,  updated, modern contemporary decor, a wide range of dining options, kid-friendly pools and activities.  When you first walk into the Moon Palace, you definitely get a grand feeling with the massively high ceilings, marble floors and a smiling face waiting with a cool towel and fruity beverage.  When Moon Palace took over this resort, they completely renovated the rooms and added two towers of rooms to expand the property to over 700 rooms.  If you like an all inclusive resort with a TON of dining options, the Moon Palace is hard to beat.  I love the fact that the majority of restaurants are all in the heart of the resort and have a Food Court vibe.  From french, italian, asian, a quick sandwich or slice of pizza – everything is right at your finger tips. This is especially ideal when traveling with children or teenagers.

The rooms are comfortable but not over the top luxurious.  The majority of rooms have a combined view of the town/dock, pool or ocean.  The mini bar is equipped with a liquor dispenser and restocked daily.  For families traveling together, connecting rooms are also available (king to a room with 2 double beds).

The outside space is a bit cramped with emphasis on the pools and then you have a narrow stretch of beach.  It’s sufficient but you’ll find most people hanging out at the pools.  The main buffet is available for breakfast, lunch and dinner and there is also a large entertainment zone for games, live music at night and even popular events from well known artists (ticket prices are additional).

Palace Resorts as a brand, is big on trying to sell memberships to their vacation program.  Use of their resort credits usually require sitting through one of their “orientations”.  However you can politely decline and still have your credits activated. Your vacation time is precious and sitting through 2 hours of a hard-sell into a vacation club is likely not the best use of your well earned holiday.

Overall I liked Moon Palace for a family friendly resort option in Ocho Rios.  Casual, lively, easy and fun.

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We rounded out our anniversary trip in Jamaica with a 2 night stay at the classic Jamaica Inn located in Ocho Rios.  It was the perfect hideaway to end our romantic getaway.

Built in the 1950’s, the Jamaica Inn is an elegant, country-club casual boutique hotel with just 52 rooms & cottages.  It harkens back to an era when you dressed up for dinner, enjoyed afternoon tea and sipped cocktails before supper.  It was a favorite haunt of Winston Churchill and Ian Fleming. In fact it’s thought that the phrase “shaken, not stirred”, came about while the two were enjoying drinks at the beach bar.  The bartender Teddy has been at the resort for the past 60 years and has some amazing stories to tell if your fortunate enough to be there when he’s working.  Other famous patrons include Marilyn Monroe and playwright Arthur Miller who honeymooned at the Jamaica Inn. The library and lounge are filled with amazing photos from famous past guests. The resort remains largely unchanged even after all these years.  Why mess with perfection?

This award winning, all-suite hotel offers spacious accommodations with the perfect blend between British Colonial + Caribbean inspired decor.  The bedrooms are all rather standard but comfortably outfitted with breezy white linens, jalousie windows and historic prints from JB Kidd that bring to life the Jamaica of old. The real draw for every single suite is the balcony or terrace.  No matter which suite you are in, you will enjoy stunning ocean views from expansive terraces.  Some have direct beach access and the cottages offer direct water access by way of a ladder into the sea.  There is air conditioning in the bedrooms and open WIFI throughout the property. But no TVs or clocks.  I’ll also make note that there is a fair amount of walking including steps and stairs with no elevators. So it’s not the best choice for those that are wheelchair bound or have significant mobility issues.

In addition to the suites, there are 7 cottages up on the cliff side that are ideal for groups or those looking for larger accommodations. We were fortunate enough to stay in Cottage 3 which is simply stunning.  Larger than many houses in the US, this cottage features a wrap around verandah with 2 ways to access the sea.  Take a look at this short video.

There is just the one main restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  As a traditional boutique hotel, rates are typically room only but meal plans are available at an additional cost. The most common is the breakfast + dinner package which is what we did.  It’s ideal really because the town of Ocho Rios is really close so venturing into town is easy if you want to eat off-site and explore during the day.  Room service is also readily available. We ordered breakfast in every morning on our terrace.  You really can’t ask for much more than to start your day with a fresh cup of Jamaican coffee & pastries while enjoying the sunshine, sea breezes and bird songs from your own private terrace. The balconies and terraces are so big in fact that if you’d like to enjoy dinner on your private terrace the staff will come and set up a white linen service with candles and serve your meal course by course (if staying in the suites). We found the food to be good and while the menu changes daily the options are fairly limited.  Plan to dress up for dinner which starts at 7:30PM each night. Gents need to bring pants and a collared shirt but jackets are not required.

Not strictly adult-only, the Jamaica Inn will accept children age 10 and older. There are non motorized water sport options available onsite as well.  Because the hotel was built in the 50’s before the vast majority of hotels in this area, their location also benefits from a wide cove like sandy beach.   It’s quiet and peaceful with ample loungers and palapas. There is also a small onsite spa with individual treatment huts. Imagine a couples massage while enjoying the ocean views and sounds of the sea.

When so many resorts in Jamaica are busily adding bigger buildings,  more restaurants, bars, pools, waterslides and rock climbing walls – the Jamaica Inn is maintaining the charm, elegance and tradition that is so rare now.  You may be thinking perhaps that it must cater to an older clientele and that would be true to a certain extent. There are clients that have been coming to the Jamaica Inn for their holidays  every year for the past 30+ years because they want that tradition.  In fact one night while we enjoyed dinner under the stars at the Terrace restaurant, a local band was playing soothing, jazzy music and this couple in their 80’s got up to dance and honestly it was the sweetest thing. As I looked around the rest of the tables I saw the same smile again and again on the faces of travelers of every age. From the young millennials on their honeymoon to the power executives looking to unplug and recharge.  It’s that rich history and traditional elegance that draws travelers to the Jamaica Inn year after year.

It’s true. The Jamaica Inn is not for everyone.  If you like the mega resorts with dozens of dining venues, lazy river pools, onsite nightclubs and 24/7 activities there are better options for you.  If you want an elegant but not stuffy boutique hotel escape, a chance to truly unplug, unwind and escape from the masses – the Jamaica Inn might just be the perfect match.  You’ll find a resort where the staff truly care and want to know you.  You’ll make friends and want to come back year after year.

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Ready to plan your elegant escape to the Jamaica Inn? Contact me today for complete vacation planning assistance.

When it came time to plan our 10 year wedding anniversary, I asked my husband where he wanted to go. Literally, anywhere in the world.  My husband who is an avid reader of Ian Fleming said, “you know, I’ve always wanted to go to GoldenEye and see where Ian Fleming wrote the Bond novels”.  So Bruce got to work making up a list of James Bond themed sites to see while I got to work making our travel plans to Jamaica.

GoldenEye has long been known as a secret hideaway for the rich & famous looking to getaway from the masses. Upscale, but not over the top. Think more rustic-chic vs. modern luxury. Located a good 2.5 hr drive from Montego Bay, you’d drive right past the stone gate entrance unless your driver knew where they were going as there is zero signage out front. This is on purpose of course so that you can vacation without those pesky paparazzi following you everywhere.

The original villa  is indeed Ian Fleming’s 3 bedroom house with it’s own private pool and beach area built in the 1950’s.  Two additional one bedroom cottages have been added to make a 5 bedroom estate complete with garage converted game room.  Fully staffed, this makes for a private retreat ideal for a small wedding or family group traveling together.  (rates from $5,000USD per night).  The main house is filled with photos and treasures from Ian Fleming’s time. For a complete run down on the historic aspect, check out my husband Bruce’s site http://www.flemingsbond.com (additional info to be added soon)

The property next door was later purchased by Chris Blackwell in the 80’s and expanded into the GoldenEye resort it is today. With a handful of lagoon facing cottages and direct beachfront villas, the property has always been ideal for families or extended friends/couples looking to getaway together for a relaxing holiday.  The larger 1 or 2 bedroom villas have a private lounge, kitchenette area, patio and air conditioning. Everything you might need to unwind, unplug or write that next best selling novel.

In April 2016, GoldenEye unveiled the new Beach Hut section on the other end of the resort. There are approx. 20 stand alone huts on stilts in about 3 rows back from the sea.   This area has it’s own small cove beach called Button Beach with a beach bar and water sports access.  The actual beach huts however are not directly beachfront. The huts are staggered into 3 rows with only a handful directly facing the sea.  The majority are clumped together 1-2 rows back and offer limited views.  What makes these huts desirable however is that they are all built for two guests. So now GoldenEye doesn’t have to be a haven for large parties or only the rich and famous.  With the lower price point of the beach huts (from $450USD p/nt) the resort is emerging as an ideal honeymoon hotspot for couples that want a rustic-chic retreat.

Aesthetically the huts are beautiful.  Think rich, dark mahogany woods, jalousie windows (no screens), ceiling fans and a romantic mosquito net draped queen-sized bed. Top it off with a private patio and outdoor rain shower.  The huts are designed to offer a natural feel and total escape.  Each hut is assigned a cell phone at check in which you can use to reach the main lounge or restaurant for assistance.  I found it funny that while there are no land lines, clocks or air conditioning – each hut does have a flat screen TV.   We didn’t turn the TV on once in the three days we were there but we did make use of the open WI-FI available throughout the property.

There is a small pool, and club house with bar and game room close to the Beach Hut section. The main restaurant Gazebo is up near the lobby (or lounge) and Bizot Bar is in the middle of the property near the main pools and beach access.  So if you are in the Beach Hut area, be prepared for a LOT of walking back and forth.   We didn’t mind the walking during the day but at night after dinner, the pathways are dark and we had to use the flashlight on our cell phones to walk on the rocky pathways back to our hut.  Granted, I’m rather clumsy and need to watch where I am walking so this may not bother other more sure-footed travelers at all!

Noise alert: On the other side of the beach hut section is a dock & bar not affiliated with the hotel.  You won’t have people wandering over to the resort to bother you at all BUT boats come and go constantly and there is loud music most of the day.  Not super relaxing if you plan to hang out in your hut and are looking for total peace and quiet.  Thankfully, if you walk into the heart of the GoldenEye resort, there are many hidden nooks to sit and relax with a good book or soak in the sunshine.

GoldenEye is not a traditional all-inclusive resort.  You can certainly purchase a meal plan if you wish from breakfast only up to the full meal/beverage plan which is at an additional cost. Because of it’s location, I do recommend purchasing a meal plan unless you have a car rental and are prepared to explore on your own (Ocho Rios is about 20min away).  Meals are at one of two restaurants – the Gazebo which serves international cuisine and Bizot Bar which is more Caribbean inspired with traditional Jamaican dishes.  There are theme nights at Bizot like Sushi on Fridays and Jamaica Jerk BBQ on Saturdays for a more casual dining experience and to switch up the menus a bit if you’re staying for a full week.  Meals are expensive so if you do not have a meal plan, you can easily factor in $60+ for breakfast and lunch and $150+ for dinner (for 2 adults).  We ate most of our meals on property and the food was always top notch. The service is a bit slow but the staff so very warm and welcoming which is really a trademark of the Jamaican people.  It’s a good reminder that you’re in Jamaica to relax, so slow down and enjoy that vodka martini (shaken, not stirred).

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Are you ready for your Bond-themed escape or romantic hideaway in one of the new beach huts? Contact me today for complete vacation planning assistance to GoldenEye or elsewhere in Jamaica.