Experience Jamaica!

I was lucky enough to be able to join this amazing trip to Jamaica in April 2024. This fabulous trip was hosted by Iberostar Resorts, World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Norse Atlantic Airways and the Jamaican Tourist Board.

We met on Sunday 7th April at Gatwick‘s South Terminal. I stayed overnight as I was travelling from the Midlands. Once we checked in and went through security, we had about 10 minutes before boarding was called. The flight with Norse Atlantic Airways was very pleasant, better than I anticipated. The plane was a modern Dreamliner. The seats were lovely and comfortable. Before arriving you need to register your passport information for immigration. Upon arriving you need to visit the little computer desks for the printout. You do this by scanning your passport and confirming all information is correct. Once you have done this you can proceed through Immigration/Passport Control and finally to the luggage carousel.

Our transfer was waiting for us, our transfer took about 20/25 minutes. Our first accommodation was the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, we would be staying here for 5 nights and WOW this hotel is gorgeous. On our first night, we were treated to a Beach BBQ, sitting on the beach with Reggae playing, that is when it hit me that I was in Jamaica. The next day we had a site inspection of our hotel and the adjacent Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel. Both hotels have a very relaxed and chilled vibe. The rooms in these two properties are pretty much identical. Nice large rooms with a balcony or a terrace and plenty of wardrobe space. All rooms have a stocked mini-bar that is replenished daily. Both are family-friendly properties. We tried different restaurants every night and each one was amazing. The food was beautifully presented and cooked.

The next day we had another site inspection, this time for the Adults Only property, Iberostar Grand Rose Hall. Oh my, this was stunning. The decor was sumptuous, with some dark tones in there too. We looked at the gorgeous theatre and a couple of rooms here too. We were treated to lunch at the beach buffet. This was a stunning location for the buffet, a stone‘s throw from the sea. The food was so fresh and beautiful.

The next day was filled with nerves and trepidation, we were to climb Dunns River Falls! We were picked up the following morning for our transfer with the Jamaican Tourist Board, which would take around an hour and 15 minutes. You need water shoes but if you don’t have any they sell them there for $10 as well as waterproof cases for phones as believe me everyone gets wet! There are lockers and changing rooms available once you get there. We started our descent down to the beach as you start your climb up the falls from here. Our guide was fantastic, helping us up and over rocks and advising us on where to put our feet for the best grip. It took well over an hour but everyone who completed it thoroughly loved it and would recommend it to anyone visiting Jamaica. If I was to revisit Jamaica, I would do it again. After we had dried off, it was time for lunch at Scotchies Jerk Centre a very popular place for Jerk Chicken. We had a beautiful meal of Jerk Chicken, Rice and Peas, and a thoroughly deserved drink! We asked if it was at all possible to stop at a shop on the way back to our hotel, to pick up some famous Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee, and the Jamaican Tourist Board obliged. After the slight detour, we headed back to our hotel for a relaxing evening.

Our next day was free, we could do anything we wanted. A small group of us decided we wanted to visit Nine Miles, Bob Marley’s final resting place and also where he grew up. This was well worth the visit, transfer was an hour and 45 minutes on the main road from our hotel and then half an hour north into the hills and villages. Upon arriving on a tour, you are escorted into the small car park where the gates are shut behind you. I can’t describe it but you are hit with an overwhelming sense of calm and tranquility. We spent time looking around his mother's home, his awards and achievements, and his room. We visited the onsite chapel and then we were able to visit his mother's mausoleum and then afterwards we visited the legend himself. What a surreal feeling. On the journey back to our hotel, we all had a sing-along and said how much more at peace we all felt. Such a special place! Tonight is our final night at the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, as we are moving for our last 3 nights to Secrets St James Montego Bay.

We were picked up for our transfer to Secrets St James Montego Bay, but before we arrived we had a site inspection and lunch at Zoetry Montego Bay. Wow! Stunning location on its own private beach. The hotel only has 49 rooms in 3 buildings. Beautiful rooms, some with swim-up options available. A beautiful and tranquil spa sits opposite the crystal blue waters. Lunch here was Jerk Chicken, sitting on the beach overlooking the sea.

After lunch, we headed 10 minutes down the road to our new home for the next 3 nights. We arrived at Secrets St James Montego Bay and we had a few hours here before we had an early dinner due to heading out for the evening to the Rose Hall Great House experience organised again by the Jamaican Tourist Board. I don't want to spoil it for anybody but this tour is a must for anyone visiting Jamaica. After this tour had finished we were taken back to our hotel. Myself and my roommate decided we were going to head to our room to chill and order room service, which you do via an iPad! We did this, it took about 45 minutes but it was hot and tasty when it arrived.

The next day, we had a site inspection of all three hotels on site, Secrets St James, Secrets Wild Orchid and Breathless Montego Bay. All of these hotels are adult-only. Secrets St James and Wild Orchid both have 350 rooms. Wild Orchid is the livelier of the two with restaurants and bars over that side of the complex. These hotels are in a peaceful, relaxing location on the peninsula of Montego Bay. The large guest rooms are equipped with a hairdryer and a clothes steamer. Mini Bars are refreshed daily. There are 7 Gourmet A La Carte restaurants and 9 bars/lounges. There is a buffet for breakfast time. There is a promenade between both hotels of shops, restaurants, bars, theatre and more. Authentic Jerk Chicken and Beef Pattie carts are on the beach and by the pool daily. If you have booked to stay in a Preferred Club room, you have access to Altitude at Breathless from 6pm.

Breathless Montego Bay has 150 luxury suites, most have an outside hot tub. There is no beach here but you are within a 5 minutes walk of the beach at Secrets. The age category for this property is probably between 25 to 35 years. Most rooms have a walk-in shower, XHale Club Suites have a bathtub. If you have booked to stay in an XHale suite, you have exclusive access to the Altitude rooftop pool and bar. Our last night was spent in Altitude with uninterrupted views of our final Jamaican Sunset. What a stunning place to finish our trip.

Jamaica will always hold a special place in my heart.