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Montego Bay is located on the North of the island, and is also where the airport is situated.
Righto, here's the nitty gritty:
The airport has no air conditioning, so beware both arriving and departing! (believe me, with hundreds of other passengers squashed into the airport when ... Read review
excl. Breakfast - HRS Rating: /10 - Your home away from home!Chateau Gloria is a ... more
wunderful, 10 bedroom luxury hotel with pool and ocean view.You will find all the comfort you need to spend a special vacation in Jamaica. The Hotel is located in Ironshore a nice residential area only 10 min. away from the International Airport Sangster. Nearby are golf courses,beaches, shopping, snorkelling, horseback ridding etc.
Toby's Resort is a charming property situated on the ''Hip Strip'', close to nightclubs, ... more
duty free shops and the beach. The Doctor's Cave and Cornwall Beach are only a few minutes stroll away from this hotel. This small, family owned hotel caters to the adventurous tourist, as well as its many returning guests who seek a peaceful and relaxing environment. Toby's Resort is set on two acres of tropical gardens and fruit trees. The property features two swimming pools onsite, as well as two bars and a restaurant on the property. Toby's Resort is located just a mile from Sangster International Airport. Car Package: Book a three night minimum stay in a ''Standard Room Car Included'' room type and receive accommodations as selected and a rental of a four door, automatic, compact, air conditioned car. A major credit card is required at check in to cover the US$1,500 deductible for insurance. Driver must be 23 years of age or older with a valid driver's license and minimum of two years of driving experience to qualify. Final arrangements are made at check in.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Toby's Resort is a charming property situated on the ''Hip Strip'', close to nightclubs, ... more
duty free shops and the beach. The Doctor's Cave and Cornwall Beach are only a few minutes stroll away from this hotel. This small, family owned hotel caters to the adventurous tourist, as well as its many returning guests who seek a peaceful and relaxing environment. Toby's Resort is set on two acres of tropical gardens and fruit trees. The property features two swimming pools onsite, as well as two bars and a restaurant on the property. Toby's Resort is located just a mile from Sangster International Airport. Car Package: Book a three night minimum stay in a ''Standard Room Car Included'' room type and receive accommodations as selected and a rental of a four door, automatic, compact, air conditioned car. A major credit card is required at check in to cover the US$1,500 deductible for insurance. Driver must be 23 years of age or older with a valid driver's license and minimum of two years of driving experience to qualify. Final arrangements are made at check in.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: Weather, beach and the food! Disadvantages: Airport, roads and COST!
...island, fairly central).
Montego Bay is located on the North of the island, and is also where the airport is situated.
Righto, here's the nitty gritty:
The airport has no air conditioning, so beware both arriving and departing! (believe me, with hundreds of other passengers squashed into the airport when we were leaving, it was NOT for the faint hearted!)
On arrival, the airport staff take a very long ... ...ALL flights were cancelled from Montego Bay Airport (bear this in mind as the hurricanes do visit the Caribbean at this time of year!)
We found that although the currency was Jamaican Dollars (around $127 to £1!!) we took US Dollars (currently around $1.80 to £1) and they were accepted everywhere from craft stalls to large shops. Apart from local goods, we found that most things were not cheap at all. You could certainly purchase Rum, ... more
Having been back 4 days from our 2 week hol in Jamaica, I thought I MUST write this before I forget what was what!
Pre-holiday details:
We normally like to do all-inclusive hols as I prefer to vegetate and be waited on hand and foot whilst on holiday!! (work hard, play hard???) So having already been to other Caribbean locations, we decided this year to do Jamaica. We initially had considered Cuba, but it was more expensive!
We saw the resort in a brochure and decided on the hotel. Having checked out the amenities in every brochure and online, we decided to book the 4* plus hotel 'Wyndham Rose Hall Resort & Country Club', with Airtours (via Co-op travel for a discount). I won't go into detail regarding the hotel as this review is more concerned with the resort as a whole.
Jamaica is one of the larger islands in the Caribbean and it's Capitol is Kingston (South East of the island, fairly central). Montego Bay is located on the North of the island, and is also where the airport is situated.
Righto, here's the nitty gritty:
The airport has no air conditioning, so beware both arriving and departing! (believe me, with hundreds of other passengers squashed into the airport when we were leaving, it was NOT for the faint hearted!) On arrival, the airport staff take a very long time, to check your entry visas before letting you go on your merry way.
Now, I KNOW the general ethos of Jamaica is 'No Problem' and the attitiude is very laid back, but after a 10 hour flight, sitting rigid in a space no larger than a cardboard BOX, I don't really appreciate laid backness!!!
Once we had cleared immigration/customs/visa checking/looking suspicious, we hurried outside to find our coach. The airport however, is STACKED with locals trying to sell you 'weed', 'coke', braided hair or any other service that you could give them money for...so just grab your suitcases, RUN to your coach and get on!
The roads were in very poor condition, as is the driving! Be warned...journey times are double what you think they'll be as drivers chug along the rickety roads (and the highway code is 'Drive as fast as possible, wherever you can!). Apparantley the police are willing to 'over-look' speeding by having their palms crossed with silver! (so the guide said!)
The weather (and this is obviously based on what I encountered while I was there as is the rest of it!) was perfect. We were there from end July to early Aug and we only had one day of rain BUT.....the people we befriended who were frmo the States and staying a day longer than us got caught up in the hurricane (Charlie) and ALL flights were cancelled from Montego Bay Airport (bear this in mind as the hurricanes do visit the Caribbean at this time of year!)
We found that although the currency was Jamaican Dollars (around $127 to £1!!) we took US Dollars (currently around $1.80 to £1) and they were accepted everywhere from craft stalls to large shops. Apart from local goods, we found that most things were not cheap at all. You could certainly purchase Rum, carvings, T-Shirts for good prices but perfume, electronics, jewellery etc was cheaper in the UK! (except for duty free of course). Don't forget to haggle EVERYwhere you go! We did, I think they almost expect it!
If you decide to go on trips with tour reps, ask questions before booking! Local trips were:
~~Dunn's River Falls
A limestone waterfall, with clear waters and a place where tourists flock in droves to climb and take pictures! It was fun (around $33 each) but not for less mobile people as the climbing of the rocks was pretty treacherous!
~~Horse Riding
This was a 2 hour trip through jungle and onto beach. Wear long trousers (shorts will rub!) and sunscreen on your neck! This was around the same price! Fab for that beach ride you've always wanted :o)
~~Luminous Lagoon
A local lagoon that holds micro-organisms that glow when 'agitated' (stirred or shaken) WOW!!!! This is an evening tour (around $40 each) and you are shipped out to a lagoon that is exactly what it says....luminous......the craziest thing and totally natural!
~~Dolphin experience
We had already done this in Mexico but it is WELL worth the money if you can afford it! Costs a WHOPPING $180 each but for this you get to swim/stroke/be pulled along by dolphins. They will also train you how to be lifted out of the water on dolphins noses (seriously!) and get them to jump over your head! You'll be in a group of around 6-10 people and usually have 25 minutes of time with 2 dolphins! ;o) Be aware that the photos are expensive but you'll only ever do this once so buy them!! hee hee! They tend to offer a video or dvd of your time as well but this is even more pricey!
~~Bob Marley Experience
I'm not too sure of the details of this as it was way too far away for us to go on but I know that you visit his hometown and where he grew up. Generally a trip for Bob Marley fans (trip was roughly 2.5 hours away from MB!)
~~Plantation
Another trip we didn't go on but involved a tour of a local plantation. Opportunities to sample fruits and drinks.
There were several more trips but details fail me! Thise were the big ones though!
Shopping is either one extreme or the other in MB. They had sparkly jewellery shops or dusty little stores down dirty streets....my advice is to only ever shop with a guide or tour rep....harrassment reasons (and safety).
The water in MB was drinkeable (not like the Dom Rep gag!) but I still bought bottled cos I'm anal like that! Don't like taking chances!
We found the people either very friendly or with much attitude which was quite weird. The staff at the hotel were the same and everyone expects tips as well!!!! I tipped when I felt it was right!
Typical food (and probably not exclusive to MB but rather Jamaica as a whole)
~~Jerk Chicken with Rice and Peas
This is FAB! Jerk chicken is chicken in a slightly spicy coating with a spicy sauce. The rice and peas (not peas so much as red kidney beans really) have a lovely coconut flavour!
~~Ackee & Saltfish
Ackee is like scrambled eggs, a savoury food and tasty if you like eggs! The saltfish that is sevred with it is exactly that! A salty cod-like fish that is slightly salty. Weird blend but tasty nevertheless!
~~Curried Goat and Rice
Hmm......no explanation needed methinks (I didn't and couldn't eat this!)
~~Fried plaintain
Similar to banana, but not as sweet. It is deep fried sometimes and served as crisps.
~~Black bean soup
Yummy!
Fruits were mainly pineapple, mango and pawpaw...all of which I found were sweet and tasty!
Beverages were either Rum (oh god and in plentiful supply) or Blue Mountain Coffee (needed after the rum nights really!!!) this coffee is considered the best in the world.
There are 2 National Holidays in August and most things are closed: 1st August is Emancipation Day and the 3rd August is Independence Day (bit like our bank hols I reckon!)
Sending postcards from MB to UK cost £1 per postcard (but lets face it I reckon they'll take about 4 weeks to get here and I've been back 4 days!!!!!) Just incase you need to know though!
The beach (well, the part we were on) in MB was fab. Sand is powdery and clean and sea is clear and turquoise!!! Nice array of pretty fish if you snorkel and I found the best time to do this was early morning when the sea was at it's stillest (is that a word?!?!)
Montego Bay for all it's plus points does have a down side....the areas surrounding the lovely holiday hotels are under-developed and present high levels of povertyu and depravation. When we travelled from one place to another we saw road upon road of shanty style housing (corrugated roofs, dirt tracks leading up to them, 2 goats and a chicken outside!) Kids were playing with rusty old cars that had been abandoned at the roadsides. We felt very humble to say the least.
If you want to relax, this is a great resort. If you need to be entertained I wouldn't recommend it as there is not a great deal to do. I found that lying horizontal in the sun reading and drinking suited me plenty though!
So why the nervous breakdown you cry???I couldn't cope with the Jamaican laid back attitude....it drove me CRAZY! Instead of calming me down it made me more and more frustrated....maybe it was just me but now I really need a holiday...
Advantages: LOADS Disadvantages: Hassle from beggars
...the Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay. I say the majority because there was one or two incidents that went against this which I will tell you about later on in the review. But anyway, lets take a step back, my girlfriend and I had just had a lucky break money wise and were looking to treat ourselves to somewhere exotic and it came down to a toss up between Jamaica and The Dominican. Now I am naturally tight and despite for once not having to worry ... ...everyone nuts at work humming Montego Bay, after what seemed an age we were on the plane and a 10 hour flight followed, as we started to approach the airport we could actually see our hotel out on a point and it looked absolutely breathtaking. Getting off the plane was an experience in itself as well as we were suddenly confronted by the friendliest set of people I have yet to meet, a dozen women in traditional outfits lined the corridors and the ...
Mickm9 14.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Montego Bay (Jamaica)
...at the Seawinds complex in Montego Bay. It was a little off the beaten track but ideally situated for a quiet, relaxing holiday, with its own restaurants, swimming pools and private beaches, including a nudist beach for those wishing to get an all-over tan! Our rooms were on the 9th floor with superb views over the harbour and beaches and we were able to see the visiting cruise ships, an impressive sight when lit overall at night.
Currency used ... ...in the complex, ‘Sharks Teeth’ were the only legal tender (each worth one US dollar or 28 Jamaican dollars). It was confusing initially, but we soon got used to the idea, although it was a bit of a rip-off. In the restaurants it was more convenient to use credit cards.
The weather was hot and sunny with gentle breezes day after day and we spent a lot of time on the beach and in the warm sea. Trips were laid on to visit other parts of the island ...
rokkafella8 21.10.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Montego Bay (Jamaica)
Advantages: Amazing Beaches Disadvantages: The long Flight
...of travel brochures decided on Montego Bay, Jamaica. We arrived after a 10 hr journey to find a 6 hr time difference so even though it felt like the middle of the night it was still sunny and the middle of the afternoon! We checked into our hotel The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, this process took so long, After this we were taken to our rooms that were nice.
The hotel was based on All Inclusive this meant we could eat and drink as much as we liked. ... ...amazing experience. We visited downtown Montego Bay where everything is so hectic and colourful. They even have a pizza Hut, Burger King, Mc Donald’s and Woolworth’s the last thing I would expect to see!
We also took part in 2 organised day trips, the first being walking up Dunns Waterfalls then swimming with dolphins, this was an amazing day it was totally worth the money. Walking up the falls was such a good feeling. Then swimming ...
Clarey 07.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Montego Bay (Jamaica)
I took a cheapie to Jamaica this year a week in Trelawny Beach near Mo'bay for £550.
The hotel was OK, noisy but that seems to go for everywhere in Jamaica, the food was free and that was all it was worth.
Trips were OK but the hotel couldn't arrange anyway to get up into the cockpit country (read "Halidon" to whet your appretite).
The "diving school" was poor, I think the "instructors" had blown ear drums so no deep dives to be had. I would definitley ... ...of the boat with me (in force 5) had trouble keeping up with his instructor.
The worst thing at the hotel was the awfull visibility off the beach, after walking a mile round the bay and swimming along the reef and in I found out why. About 60 meters of the shore the hotel discharges its waste "brown water" out past this it is clear with all the usual fish.
The management claimed it was a new problem, but it was clear from the death of everything ...
chris_a 13.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Montego Bay (Jamaica)
Advantages: SUN, SEA, RELAXATION, FUN tooooo much more to mention Disadvantages: That 10 hour flight
...week.
We stayed in Montego Bay for two weeks. The are lots of things to see and do in Motego Bay, It really boasts a cosmopolitan atmoshere, there are loads of shops, bars and restaurants along the main resort area, it's more commonly known as "the hip strip"
Whilst there we didn't do alot of things, we went Aqua Sol theme park, which was quite a good day out with slides and other things that you'd expect to see at a theme park!
We also went for ... ...Dunns river falls and even had the chance to climb up the whole 600 foot of them, be careful though, it is slippery! but we did have a paddle in the pools at the top, this excursion cost us around £40. After that we went on a helicopter ride around the rivers falls, and then went round the whole resort.
But also whilst we were in Ocho Rios we went swimming with the dolphins, it was such a relaxing and amazing experiance, this cost us around £50.
...
fudgee_babee 20.07.2002 (18.06.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Montego Bay (Jamaica)
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Advantages: Good crew, food and free champagne in economy Disadvantages: no seat back tv's
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