Jamaica Travel News

Last Minute Spring Deal at Royal Plantation

Here's a last minute deal we just received for a getaway to Royal Plantation, the all-suite beach boutique resort in Ocho Rios. You've got just a few days to make up your mind on this one (but over a year to actually take the trip).

The Deal: The resort is offering up to 55 percent off on all bookings made now through March 31, 2009, for travel through December 2010. Additionally, guests who book an all-inclusive Royal Plan stay of seven nights of longer in a Premium Oceanfront Junior Suite or Luxury Oceanfront Junior Suite category will also receive their first night free.

Price: The package, valid for guests staying three nights or more, starts at US$405 per night based on a double-occupancy room.

For More Information:

• visit www.royalplantation.com

Labels: Ocho Rios

posted by Paris & John @ 3:51 PM

Fun in the Son Grand Finale Concert Planned in Kingston

Think "spring break" and the "Caribbean" in one sentence and you probably picture wild parties on the beach. And you'd be right in some locations...but Jamaica offers an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional spring break getaway: Fun in the Son, a gospel getaway.

The 2009 Fun in the Son event, which began on March 13, celebrates a grand finale concert this Saturday with a grand finale concert. Now in its seventh year, the annual Best Dressed Fun in the Son Gospel Spring Festival grand finale concert will be held at the University of the West Indies (UWI) at the Mona Bowl starting at 10:00 am. Thousands of local, regional and international attendees are expected.

The festival, which was first staged in March 2002 is produced by Glory Music Inc., headed by Tommy Cowan, who has toured worldwide with big-name music stars that include Maxi Priest, Freddie McGregor and the late Bob Marley.

“Fun in the Son” brings together a diverse audience interested in an upbeat, vibrant celebration. We are so pleased by its growing popularity as a leading gospel event worldwide,” Cowan stated.

The alternative spring break event launched in Kingston on March 6, continued its celebration in Ocho Rios at the Ocean Village Shopping Centre on March 13 with the Fun in the Son Cross Over Party and, in Negril on March 14 at Bourbon Beach where they hosted the Fun in the Son Beach Party.

This year’s free Fun in the Son Concert on Saturday, March 21 will feature a number of local and international gospel acts including Pastor Carlene Davis, Andrew Palau, Papa San, Goddy Goddy, DJ Nicholas, Judy Mowatt, Omari, The Grace Thrillers, IROCC, Jason Mighty, Shepherd and more.

For More Information:

• visit www.funinthesonjam.com

Labels: festivals, Kingston

posted by Paris & John @ 9:57 PM

Couples Resorts Named Caribbean's Top All-Inclusives

Travel+Leisure readers, as part of the annual "World's Best Awards" poll, have ranked Couples Swept Away as #5 and Couples Negril as #8 in the category of "Top Caribbean Hotels." These were the highest ranked Jamaican resorts, and the only all-inclusives to place on the list.

"We are delighted to see the positive recognition our Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril properties received in this highly regarded award category presented by Travel+Leisure magazine," commented Randall Russell, Chief Romance Officer and Senior Vice President, Couples Resorts. "Knowing that readers of such a prestigious and influential source voted for our brand as being among the best in the world is extremely gratifying."

We recently enjoyed a stay at Couples Swept Away with a day visit to Couples Negril. Which was our favorite? We'd have to say Couples Swept Away because of its prime location on Seven Mile Beach and its extensive sports facilities, although Couples Negril had a lot to recommend it as well. It's a tough choice!

For more information:

• call 1-800-COUPLES
• visit couples.com

Labels: Negril

posted by Paris & John @ 8:02 AM

First Jamaica Jerk Challenge Set for Friday

On Friday, March 20, 2009, foodies will gather in Ocho Rios to witness the first ever Jamaica Jerk Challenge, pitting celebrity chefs against local Jamaican pitmasters, all judged by some of the island's best-known food names.

The event will feature:

• self-taught Jamaican Executive Chef Cheryl Smith of Cheryl’s Global Soul in Brooklyn, New York. The former star of the Food Network’s Melting Pot has been featured on Soul Kitchen, My Country/My Kitchen, Emeril’s Holiday Special, Sara Moulton’s Cooking Live, Sweet Dreams with Gayle Gand, Gordon Elliot’s Door-Knock Dinners, In Food Today, Chef du Jour and Ready, Set, Cook!
  
• UK celebrity chef, Antony Worrall Thompson. The award-winning chef is a well-known TV personality. He opened his first restaurant, Ménage à Trois, in Knightsbridge in 1991 and currently has two restaurants: Windsor Grill and Kew Grill. Antony became the resident studio chef and main presenter for BBC2’s Food & Drink program and was previously a Ready Steady Cook regular.
• Chef Rupert Bourne from “The Home of Jerk” Boston, Jamaica
• Ocho Rios’ own Scotchies’ Jerk Specialist Mark "Max" Miller

The Judges: The judging panel will include celebrated chef authors and key food players including Virginia Burke, Gariel Ferguson and Dennis McIntosh. This esteemed team of judges will conduct a blind tasting before announcing the winner of the Jamaica Jerk Challenge.

John Lynch, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board commented, “Jamaican cuisine is quite literally a melting pot of the world’s flavours and just one mouthful can reflect the island’s textured heritage. Jerk is our signature dish and is both tasty and original so it seemed like a great idea to host this challenge with some incredibly talented chefs from different countries and backgrounds. This initiative should help to showcase Jamaican cuisine to travelers who might not otherwise think to sample some of the more traditional dishes during a trip to Jamaica”.

Labels: Ocho Rios

posted by Paris & John @ 3:46 PM

Half Moon Unveils Spring Packages

We've always felt like Half Moon has something for everyone--a jumbo spa, golf, dolphin swims, horseback riding, meeting facilities, you name it. Now this Montego Bay resort has unveiled a whole series of special packages aimed at various travel interests, all valid into mid-April.

Family Break

You and your family can stay a minimum of five nights and receive:

• daily breakfast
  
• round trip airport transfers
• kids under 12 stay free with daily breakfast when sharing room with 2 parents (maximum of 2 children)
• nanny service daily for up to 5 hours (5 nights only) for 2 children under 4 years in a room

Booking Code: The code for this package is FBW09.
Dates: This package is valid through April 19th.

Romantic Rendezvous

This package includes:

• accommodations
• a couple's massage in a gazebo overlooking the sea
• rejuvenating soak in stone tub complete with champagne and truffles
• either a romantic dinner in a secluded beach cabana or in room
• a welcome gift in room on arrival
• a bottle of champagne
  
• a managers' cocktail party
• round trip airport transfers
• breakfast, lunch & dinner
• premium drinks at the bar and mini bar
  

Minimum Stay: The minimum stay is 3 nights.
Price: Rates start at $870 through April 15th for a Superior Room.
Booking Code: The Voucher Code is "Romantic Rendezvous Package."

Spa Package

The package just for the ladies includes:

• accommodations
• a 50-minute massage
• 50-minute facial
  
• choice of scrub or soak. It also comes with champagne, chocolate dipped fruit upon arrival and a spa gift sampler
• round trip airport transfers
• breakfast, lunch & dinner
• premium drinks at the bar and mini bar
  

Price: Through April 15, 2009, a superior room is $2,560 for a double occupancy based on a 3-night stay.

The Total Golf Experience

This package include:

• accommodations
• unlimited golf green fees, cart and caddy (18 holes daily)
• Golf Around Program- stay at Half Moon which allows guests to play golf at any other Rose Hall Golf Association member property (includes green fees and cart & caddy). For a 3 night stay, 1 Half Moon Golf round is required.
  
• round trip airport transfers
• breakfast, lunch & dinner
• premium drinks at the bar and mini bar
  

Price: This package starts at $780 for double occupancy in a superior room and children under 12 sharing a room with two adults are only $95 per child per night (maximum of 2 children).
Dates: The package is valid through April 15, 2009.

The Fine Print: All packages are subject to blackout dates and all room rates are subject to 8.25% tax and 10% service charge.

For More Information:

• visit http://www.halfmoon.com/

Labels: Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 4:53 PM

Reader Question: Anniversary Trip to Ocho Rios

Just seen your web-site. I want a vacation in the Ocho Rios area. Proposed to my wife over 10 years ago on Turtle Tower Beach in Ocho Rios back in October 1998. It's our 10 year Wedding anniversary this year. Where would you recommend for a week from her parents in Kingston, Jamaica?

Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary! You've got lots of good choices in Ocho Rios, certainly one of the most romantic spots on the island. It's a tough call but here are a few of our romantic favorites in the Ocho Rios area:

* Couples Tower Isle. Formerly Couples Ocho Rios, this resort is wrapping up a mega-renovation and reopening under a new name. The couples-only resort has an emphasis on romance with a 50s vibe and a private island.

* Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio Golf Resort & Spa. There are two Sandals resorts in Ocho Rios but this is our favorite (Sandals Grande Ocho Rios is too big for our tastes; the property is divided into a beachside portion and a mountainside portion that's comprised mostly of villas.) You can always hop the free shuttle and visit (and eat or play) at the other Sandals property.

* Couples Sans Souci. If the two of you like spas, this is a top choice. The resort is elegant, offers excellent dining options, and plenty of spa treatments.

* Goldeneye. Located east of Ocho Rios near Oracabessa, this boutique resort is located on the estate of the late author Ian Fleming of James Bond fame. Fleming's former home is now a villa but smaller accommodations are just right for couples looking for plenty of privacy. Quiet, upscale, and intimate, this resort offers peace and quiet (although check of the status of an addition to the property being built nearby. We've heard this won't interfere with the atmosphere of the property but haven't been here during construction.)

* Jamaica Inn. This historic resort (one suite is named for a favorite guest, Winston Churchill) is known for its attentive staff. It's pricey, genteel, and always memorable.

* Royal Plantation. Once a Beaches resort, today this property is no longer an all-inclusive but an exclusive hotel with a lot of attention to service, including butler service on the beach.

Happy travels! Paris and John

Labels: mailbox, Ocho Rios

posted by Paris & John @ 8:10 PM

Update on Direct Flights to Jamaica

Now that Air Jamaica has dropped passenger service from Atlanta, Miami and LA (they'll still be providing cargo service from those cities), we thought it was time for an update on the direct air service from the US to Jamaica. Always the fastest and easiest way to go, a direct flight really makes travel so much easier since you won't have the nail-biting connection worries. Here's a look at the direct service available as of now:

• Atlanta (Delta)
• Baltimore (Air Jamaica)
• Boston (USAirways)
• Charlotte (USAirways)
• Chicago (Air Jamaica, American, United, USAirways)
• Dallas (American)
• Detroit (Northwest)
• Fort Lauderdale (Air Jamaica, Spirit)
• Houston (Continental)
• Memphis (Northwest)
• Miami (American)
• Minneapolis (Northwest)
• New York–JFK (Air Jamaica, American)
• New York–Newark (Air Jamaica, Continental)
• Orlando (Air Jamaica)
• Philadelphia (Air Jamaica, USAirways)
• Washington, DC–Dulles (United)

Labels: Airlift

posted by Paris & John @ 1:33 PM

Jamaica Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Expo Planned

If you're planning a wedding in Jamaica and will be in the Long Island area the end of the month, be sure to make time for the 2009 Jamaica Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Expo ! We just received word of this show which will include a destination wedding giveaway, a live reggae band, Jamaican food, and more.

The event, which features the Jamaica Tourist Board, Worldwide Travel Group and JAMX Reggae Band, is scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Jamaica’s national carrier, Air Jamaica, and marvelous hoteliers including Half Moon, Sandals, Rose Hall Resort & Spa, and Couples Resorts, will be on site to tell couples of special deals for their big day and the days after.

Where: Holiday Inn, Westbury, Long Island
369 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY
516-997-5000
www.hiwestbury.com

Tickets: Buy tickets online at http://www.destinationweddingsexpo.com.

Price: Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Labels: weddings

posted by Paris & John @ 3:14 PM

TV Show Travels Jamaica with First Lady

Take a quick trip to Jamaica on Tuesday night thanks to a new show on WE tv. The first in a series of special calls First Ladies Tour, this week's show will feature Mrs. Lorna Golding, wife of Jamaica's Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding.

The one-hour show follows journalist Deborah Roberts on a VIP tour of the island as Mrs. Golding gives Deborah Roberts a peek inside her homeland. Highlights include:

• a helicopter ride along the Montego Bay coastline
  
• a look inside some of Jamaica’s most lavish homes and private resorts – including Round Hill, home to world famous designer Ralph Lauren, and Goldeneye, the former home of James Bond creator Ian Fleming
• a look at the Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW) Runway Show
• a tour with the adventure thrill seekers at Chukka Caribbean, gliding 200 feet above the Montpelier jungle and kayaking through the grotto-lined cliffs of Negril

When: Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 10:00 PM EST; rebroadcast Friday, March 6 at 11PM EST.

For More Information:

• visit http://www.wetv.com/on-air/first-lady-of-jamaica.html

Labels: tourism

posted by Paris & John @ 3:04 PM

Win Jamaica Prizes in New JamaicaTripper Contest

We've launched a new contest here on JamaicaTripper! To enter, just head over to our contest page for a chance to win two t-shirts and a beach towel from SuperClubs! One winner will be selected at random from a list of JamaicaTripper Twitter followers and Facebook fans so you've got TWO chances to win.

Labels: contests, JamaicaTripper news

posted by Paris & John @ 1:43 PM