Jamaica Travel News

Reader Question: Rose Hall Resorts

We've received the following question from a Maryland reader:

READER: We are coming to Rose Hall in November and wanted an objective point of view about where to stay and why. We have narrowed our choices down to Half Moon, The Ritz or the new Iberostar. We have had great luck with other Iberostars and from what we can see online and through our travel agent, this Iberostar appears to be quite special. This is for our 30th anniversary vacation. Sports is not something to factor in. Though I play golf I won't be playing on this trip.

So here's the main question: How far along is the Iberostar with construction and will the next phases be disturbing if we stay there with construction and disruption? Is it ready enough to dive in now?

Of the remaining two, The Ritz and Half Moon, which would you recommend? The Half Moon seems so spread out and a bit weathered and we have heard that the Ritz beach is not that great but the rooms and luxury is unsurpassed. But that's hearsay from here.

Just so you know what we were quoted from Baltimore, Maryland USA, per person including roundtrip on Air Jamaica, transfers and all meals and taxes:

Iberostar: $1014 PP
Ritz: $1298 PP
Half Moon: $1629 PP

So you can see there is quite a range. Round Hill seemed nice but was $2000 PP and out of our budget. Any gems we're missing? We prefer resort style not high rise, nice pools, spas and nice restaurants. We selected Rose Hall because it had a quaint, historic feel and would provide things to do beyond the beach and resort.

We are looking forward to out visit on or about November 4th through the 9th for five nights for our 30th anniversary. So obviously, we want this to be a memorable trip without what ifs and should haves.

We would appreciate any advice from your perspective. We found your name on the Rose Hall website, a site we found very valuable in use choosing where to stay in the Caribbean.

With your help, we hope to make this a memory of a lifetime.

OUR RESPONSE: Thanks for your email; we'd be happy to give you our opinion of some resorts in the Rose Hall area. We just returned from Jamaica at the end of June and saw a lot of the development in the area. Here are our opinions:

• There is a lot of construction underway at Iberostar with two more properties going up next to the one that's presently open. They've got a ways to go on those two hotels. We've enjoyed several of the Iberostar properties on the Riviera Maya but for such a special occasion we'd save this resort until it is completed.

• Those prices are very good but make sure they include meals; usually the Ritz and Half Moon are sold as EP packages (room only) although they do offer meal packages. Food is expensive at both properties.

• We don't know if you've seen the Rose Hall Resort (it used to be Wyndham Rose Hall); it is undergoing a huge renovation right now so we'd pass on that one for now. It is a high rise.

• Half Moon is very spread out; the property is enormous (on the other hand, it never feels crowded, even when fully booked). Some of the rooms are more weathered that others; some room blocks are newly renovated so there is some difference in quality. The beach at Half Moon is great and huge with developed and undeveloped sections. Half Moon is opening a huge spa in October which will be one of the largest on the island.

• Service is great at the Ritz Carlton; if you've stayed at other Ritz Carltons you will find it very much the same. The Ritz Carlton is more of a traditional hotel than Half Moon in terms of hallways, elevators, etc.

• Between the Ritz and Half Moon, we'd say Half Moon does have a more traditional Jamaican atmosphere.

• If you are looking for a nice all-inclusive in the area, we'd recommend both Sandals Royal Caribbean which is in the same area, and Grand Lido Braco, which is further east. Of the two, the grounds of Sandals Royal Caribbean is lusher and it is closer to the airport if you're trying to maximize your vacation and minimize the drive.

Happy travels! Paris & John

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Labels: Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 2:10 PM