Jamaican Escapes
These all-inclusive resorts cater to a variety of
interests and budgets
By Katie Solan
One of the best ways to experience Jamaica is with a stay at an all-inclusive resort. These getaways include accommodations, all meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, some land and water sports, entertainment, activities and gratuities in a single rate that is paid in advance.
"It's great in terms of budgeting for a vacation, because you pay one price, upfront, and all the things that you normally spend money on while on vacation are included in that price," explains Troy Bringle, vice president of the tours and resorts division at Vacations To Go.
At night, guests can enjoy on-site nightclubs, shows and unlimited drinks, while during the day, pools, swim-up bars and water sports offer hours of fun in the sun. "You never have to leave the property if you don't want to," adds Bringle.
As distinctive as the island of Jamaica is, so are its resort offerings. Vacationers can enjoy a worry-free, all-inclusive vacation at properties that caters to specific interests and price points. We've rounded up six great Jamaican resorts that appeal to a variety of people -- from couples to families, the budget traveler to the high roller, the avid golfer to the spa buff.
To learn more about these destinations and others in Jamaica, visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 998-6925.
Great for Kids
FDR Pebbles and Franklyn D. Resort
These two sister resorts are located on Jamaica's scenic northern coast -- Franklyn D. in Runaway Bay, and FDR Pebbles about 20 miles away in Falmouth. Not only are kids welcome at both properties, but upon arrival, guests with children are assigned a personal vacation nanny. Trained in housekeeping and child care, your nanny is on hand to tend to your suite and care for infants and children during the day, while adults steal away for some personal time. The nanny can take the kids to the beach for a seashell hunt, to the pool for games, or to the children's and teens' clubs at both resorts. Nanny service is complimentary during the day, with a $4 per hour charge after 4:40 p.m.
Kids are sure to never get the "I'm bored!" syndrome while at one of the FDR resorts, which feature a variety of kid-friendly venues. The Yellow Bird Kids' Club is a place for youngsters ages 3-11, with activities including glass-bottom boat rides, bicycle trips, reggae dance classes, arts and crafts, pizza parties and snorkeling lessons. There are also special clubs and activities for teens and pre-teens, with options for video-gaming, beachside camping, water sports and sports clinics. Both resorts feature outdoor playgrounds and game rooms with billiards, table tennis and air hockey.
There's also a special buffet dinner for kids, and both resorts feature a family disco that welcomes children and parents for nighttime fun.
Adults aren't forgotten at either resort, however, with piano bars, adults-only Italian restaurants, fitness centers, water sports and scuba lessons.
The 96-room Pebbles comprises 12 wooden cottages along a stretch of private beach, and rooms have ocean views. Tuscan-style Franklyn D. Resort features 76 one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, with kitchens and living and dining areas. Rooms at both properties have a garden terrace or balcony for catching warm ocean breezes.
For Couples Only
Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach and Villa Resort
The setting at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, between tropical hillside gardens and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, make it the perfect beachside getaway for couples. Accommodations at the 529-room resort include villa suites with private pools, a favorite feature for Robert Baker, who vacationed at the resort with his wife, Devonie, in November 2006.
"We mostly laid out by the pool all day and drank Red Stripe," Baker says, noting that his room's fridge was constantly stocked with beverages. Even though his private pool was shared by three other couples in adjacent suites, Baker says that he and his wife enjoyed complete poolside solitude.
Situated on the longest stretch of sugar-white sand in Ocho Rios, the adults-only resort boasts a Zen-like atmosphere, says Baker, who lives in Houston. "It's noisy in Houston, it's cluttered, it's fast -- I'm always doing something. So for me, it's nice to have a nice, quiet peaceful area," he says of the resort's beaches, which were noticeably serene.
There are options for turning up the volume, as well -- Baker says he and his wife spent evenings at Beverly's Piano Bar and the resort's nightclub, among 12 bars on-site. There are numerous included activities to keep couples busy during the day, such as glass-bottom boat trips, windsurfing, snorkeling and free scuba diving for certified divers. A spa adds to the "ahh..." factor, and golfers will enjoy complimentary greens fees at a nearby golf course (though mandatory caddy fees are required). Couples can also have a romantic dinner at one of eight resort restaurants serving Italian, Caribbean, Asian and other international fare.
Spa Lover's Retreat
Grand Lido Negril Resort and Spa
Adults-only Grand Lido Negril features 210 casually elegant suites nestled in a quiet cove on Negril Beach. At the resort's full-service spa, pampering is the order of the day. Spa manicures and pedicures are complimentary, as well as use of the spa's sauna, steam room and plunge pool. A variety of soothing spa treatments are available at an additional cost.
To revitalize skin, try a cool cucumber refresher facial, or for the indulgent, a champagne and caviar facial, which uses a champagne enzyme peel and a collagen and caviar mask. Massage options include Swedish, aromatherapy, pressure point, deep tissue, sports and couples varieties. Body treatments range from a seaweed body polish and Caribbean peppermint scrub to a parafango wrap and a milk and honey treatment.
Each guest room features beach, garden or ocean views as well as 24-hour room service. Dining options include a new Japanese restaurant with panoramic views of the Caribbean, as well as Jamaican, Italian, French and Continental options. When the sun sets, guests can dance the night away at the Atlantis nightclub, request their favorites at Amici piano lounge, or listen to calypso beats at a weekly Caribbean beach carnival.
Active vacationers can enjoy complimentary golf at the nearby Negril Hills course, or get competitive on the resort's tennis or beach volleyball courts. Water sports, two pools, five Jacuzzis and a 24-hour fitness center round out amenities.
Hit the Greens
Beaches Boscobel Resort and Golf Club
Practice your golf swing amid Caribbean breezes at Beaches Boscobel Resort and Golf Club on Jamaica's scenic northern coast. Guests at the family-friendly property can tee off at the nearby Sandals Golf and Country Club and enjoy 18 holes of world-class golf on the rolling hills of Ocho Rios. Sandals purchased the par-71, 6,311-yard course in 1992, rebuilding the greens and resurfacing the fairways with Bermuda grass. Greens fees, transportation to the course, kids' clinics and adult golf lessons are complimentary. Mandatory caddy fees cost extra.
When you're not teeing off, there are plenty of activities to keep adults and kids alike entertained. For the younger crowd, there's a kids' pool with a water slide, an aqua trampoline, petting zoo and an XBOX gaming room. The Kids Kamp offers organized activities, while a nursery features games and arts and crafts for toddlers.
Adults can enjoy the Appleton Rum Bar or piano bar, as well as a swim-up bar at the pool. Families can dance together at the disco or snorkel, sail or paddleboat at the beach. After a long day at the links, multiple dining options will satisfy everyone's palate. The resort features an international buffet, Tex-Mex cuisine, Italian specialties and local fare.
Best for Bargain Hunters
Starfish Trelawny Resort & Spa
For travelers seeking a tropical escape at a low price, budget all-inclusive resorts offer a fabulous vacation that's still easy on the pocketbook.
"A budget all-inclusive resort is a great option, because you still get the all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink benefits of an all-inclusive, but at a lower rate," says Bringle of Vacations To Go.
Starfish Trelawny in Runaway Bay is budget-friendly but still offers a host of included amenities. There's an enchanting illuminated lagoon and four freshwater pools -- one each for kids, adults, the family and sports. A circus school offers lessons on the flying trapeze, trampoline tricks and juggling. There are also four lighted tennis courts and a challenging rock-climbing wall.
Beachside, try complimentary Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing or kayaking. Or, take time to relax on the white sands or swim in clear Caribbean waters. Fun kids' activities are offered throughout the day, and adults can steal away to the full-service spa.
Besides buffet options for all meals, there's also a bar and grill, and Japanese, Mediterranean and Jamaican restaurants are open for dinner. Afterward, kids, teens and parents can let loose at Bubbles Disco.
Comfortable accommodations at the 349-room resort include tower rooms with sweeping views or pool and garden cottages.
Island-Style Luxury
Goldeneye
Built by the James Bond novelist Ian Fleming, the exclusive 18-acre hideaway Goldeneye rests on a secluded seaside bluff outside Ocho Rios. The 007 author drew inspiration for his tales of espionage from this idyllic spot, where he spent nearly 20 winters of his life.
Vacationers now can find their own inspiration here. Stay in Fleming's original three-bedroom house or in one of four seaside garden villas. The Fleming home features unique accents such as East Asian furniture, four-poster beds draped in muslin, bathrooms with claw-foot tubs and the author's original writing desk. An outdoor shower platform is surrounded by bamboo fencing and tropical foliage, and there's also a private swimming pool and stone courtyard. Each villa has its own special accents, and each has a veranda, kitchenette and media playroom. Batik fabrics and mosquito netting complement bedrooms, and guests can enjoy plush bathrobes and CD and DVD libraries.
Play on the resort's floodlit tennis court, or relax on the private beach. Kayak trips, snorkeling and scuba diving are complimentary, and jet skiing, deep-sea fishing and on-call massages are also available.
Goldeneye serves traditional Jamaican cuisine using market-fresh ingredients. Meals are served in the oceanside Gazebo restaurant or in the privacy of your villa upon request.
The information in this story was accurate at the time it was published in November/December 2006 .
Please visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 998-6925 for current rates and details.