Looking for your next Caribbean island getaway? Well, my timing of this post is a bit rough as the island of Jamaica is in the midst of developing its recovery plan from the impact of Hurricane Beryl, but on the flip side, it may be timed just right to help drive and promote tourism and support for the island for a bounce back to all it's beautiful glory.
So I'm going to stay with the positive vibes on this one and share my thoughts on Ocean Eden Bay Resort. This stunning resort is in Trelawny, which is about 45 minutes from the Montego Bay (MoBay) Airport and totally worth the drive. Leaving me with maybe 1 queja (complaint) but really, that's from me being nitpicky more than anything that's really a reflection of the resort itself.
Ocean Eden Bay, is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It's actually 1 of 2 resorts on the premises, the other is a few steps away called Ocean Coral Spring, is the 'family' resort, offering many of the same features and activities as the adult side, with a few more family-focused activities/options available. A reservation at Ocean Eden gives you full access to both resorts, BUT it doesn't work the other way around. This is an important detail when you account for the options for restaurants and performances that are exclusive to Ocean Eden. Both offer a luxurious escape for travelers looking for that fancy-fied Caribbean experience even if you don't have an extreme vacation budget. While both Ocean Coral Spring and Ocean Eden Bay offer beautiful beachfront, excellent amenities, and dedicated service I'll go into deeper detail on why I believe Ocean Eden should be considered a top choice for couples and adults.
To be, or not to be...Privilege
One of the first things that I'll admit confused me a bit was the whole Privilege, not privilege fiasco. There is a difference in price and you may wonder, like I did, is it really worth it?
Opting for the Privilege category elevates your stay with a host of exclusive benefits. As a Privilege guest, you'll get to experience personalized check-in/out, and dedicated room concierge service, this isn't just room service, it's an assigned butler that can assist with managing not only your in-room requests but also assists with making dinner reservations, keeping you informed of the various activities across the property and so much more. You also get access to an exclusive lounge with premium drink options that aren't available at all bars across the resort .
Now, one thing I'm not entirely certain is privilege-related, but definitely, something to be aware of, is the invitation to join a tour group that, while not officially called a timeshare presentation, functions as a sales pitch seminar. While this may be a bit of a detour from your relaxation plans, they do offer Club Mobay lounge tickets for your return flight as an incentive. This perk, though nice, isn't essential for everyone but can be a pleasant end to your trip.
Attendee beware: The roughest part of this wasn't the initial chat, or even declining if you choose to; it's the fact that they actually ask you to take a look at your travel spend in a year, and well, for us, that wasn't a number we were ready to accept.
I came for the food and fun
The food though!!! Unlike any other all-inclusive we've been to, this place features numerous on-site restaurants, 14 between the two resorts including buffets, this doesn't even count the dinner show- One Love, which is a beautiful tribute to Bob Marley- A-MAZING! With so many options, including American diner-style Route 66, it's unlikely you'll go to bed hungry due to a lack of options.
Then there's the fun. Each day and night there's something new to do, from foam parties to Silent Party. Live Reggae bands or DJs, fancy shows with dancers in the water, or a personal fave- the fine art of Ka-ra-oke, there’s always something happening to keep you entertained.
There's even a bowling alley within Ocean Coral Spring (the family side), giving you something else to do indoors if that's more your vibe. Time limits are set for the bowling alley allowing everyone a chance to enjoy a game.
Activities feel pretty balanced between family-friendly and adults-only, easily navigating between the two options is also easy because of the split style of the resort. This makes it super easy to switch between tranquil relaxation or more active fun, depending on what side of the bed you roll out of that day.
All in
My thoughts are 1 in a couple thousand right? Yeah, I get it, maybe I had a really good experience, but the big takeaway here I'd say is really think about the basis of any negative review you may read. That may be that particular person's experience or preference as well. En route, our driver told us he'd heard complaints about the 'beach', man-made but adequate, and the food; for me, the only thumbs down was Route 66, but everything else far exceeded expectations. You shouldn't ever head to an all-inclusive expecting Michelin-star meals, so getting good chef-crafted and served meals made fresh, even at the buffet, is a major plus in my book. Making it a point to book your dinner reservations is key, because while most specialty restaurants allow walk-ins the wait can get longer for some, and the dinner show is reservation only due since it's perfectly timed for service.
I'm looking forward to returning again, and can't wait to soak in the sun and fun this resort has to offer.
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