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I think it's always a good day once I get the time to write a new review. I'll just cut straight to the chase. My most recent blog post was about the adventure that was Royalton Blue Waters . I'd been to Royalton Negril a few years ago, so I made it my personal mission to resort hop across the entire Royalton Jamaica chain. This brings us to the newly opened, Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, which is the adults-only section of the Royalton Blue Waters property. Fun fact, (which absolutely noone asked for?) Hideaway at Royalton Negril was a top honeymoon destination on my list. So I was sold on the concept of Hideaway at Royalton from as far back as 2017. So when I saw the construction taking place while at Royalton Blue Waters, I was geeked (are the kids still saying this?) [translation: ecstatic] . Location: Trelawny   (30 minutes from Montego Bay) Date Visited: March 2024 Type: All-Inclusive Resort (Adults Only) Cost at time of visit: $445 USD per night   Before we get furth er into the details, if you're not already an   Insider , be sure to subscribe to the blog and receive exclusive updates on all things Madd About Jamaica! Preface For a supposedly luxury hotel chain, the drive upon approaching the entrance to the property is a far cry from opulence. No shade to my beautiful country, but driving on a dust paved road and having a community bar with loud and lude music right across the road from a 4-star resort leaves much to be desired. I'm no real estate expert, so while the price may have been right for the land on which the resort sits, nothing beats location. I think hotel reviews may be one of the few instances where it's okay to judge a book by its cover. What do you think? sound off in the comments section! Style/Ambience - 8 out of 10 Royalton were in their bag with the renovation, I have to hand it to them [translation: they did a great job!] . This property was formerly Royalton White Sands, which, if you've ever seen pictures, didn't do much to leave a lasting impression. The style and decor are very modern and beach chic. there was a beautiful mix of materials which gave the space a lot of dimension. The muted blue hues, with shades of silvery grey and natural tones flowed really well throughout the property, and was very tastefully done to make it eye-catching. The linen, wicker and glass accent pieces add just enough of a luxurious touch. The lobby itself is quite a large space, and with the chandelier as a focal point, I guess not much else was needed in the space. So there were some nooks and crannies which felt awkwardly empty. But, if I were an interior designer, I'm not sure what could meaningfully fit in those spaces either. Room - 4 out of 10 Although my stay was months ago, my nerves get slightly irked any time I think about this room. The modern and chic aesthetic did flow into the room. The decor maintained that great mix of textures, with woven materials softened by wood earthy tones. HOWEVER . If you tell me I'm getting a luxury room, I will believe you. Compared to Blue Waters, these rooms are SMALL - I thought the renovation from the days of White Sands meant that they'd knock down some walls to give more square footage. This was not the case. Plus, for one of the higher room categories, the so called ocean-view was next to non-existent, which was a big disappointment. The wifi was also a bit spotty / weak, and this was the same regardless of where one was on the Hideaway side of the property. There are also many impractical features, such as the hanging lamp next to the bed. If you're not careful, you will bump into it. Thankfully the lamp shade is made from an acrylic plastic material, so it wouldn't necessarily break on impact. There is also no usable outlet to charge devices next to the bed (there are 3 under the TV though - make it make sense!) . The bathroom is equally small - my husband and I are average height and build and the two of us could not comfortably be in the bathroom at the same time. The water pressure from the lovely rainhead shower was also quite low during our stay. Our TV was also entirely in spanish during our stay, with no option to change it to english. While that's great for language immersion, I'm not sure if that is default and intentional on the hotel's part. Food & Drinks - 7 out of 10 The food was much better this time around than when we had stayed at Blue Waters just six months earlier. A big hit for us was the ice-cream at the cafe (banana split and rum cream flavours were so good!). The buffet selection is probably one of the best at any resort I've ever been to - and that's saying something! Pizzas seems to be a crowd favourite and there were a variety of options. As for the drinks? Terrible. I ordered a margarita and got what was essentially iced tequila. If they were trying to get me drunk, they should've just said so. It was very convenient to have the restaurants close to the Hideaway side of the property, so getting a meal was very easy. While we didn't eat at all of the available restaurants, the decor style was consistent throughout, which made the ambience welcoming and expectant for a good meal. The Asian restaurant - Zen - was a stunning piece of architecture, surrounded by a body of water. If I didn't have a shellfish allergy, I definitely would've eaten there. There are also a number of bars and casual seating areas all around, which makes the property really walkable and enjoyable to get a quick bite. Room service was great although the options were limited compared to other resorts. The delivery took longer than they stated it would (45 minutes) but it was worth the wait. Customer Service - 2 out of 10 Let me be very clear. This rating is exclusively for the two room service staff who were very nice and thorough. Everyone else? It seemed as though there was a collective effort to ensure guests didn't come back. When we arrived, the bellmen watched me lug the bags out of the car and didn't once attempt to assist me. Noone in concierge smiled or engaged in a friendly manner. Besides giving us the bracelets which served as a room key and telling us how to connect to the wifi, no additional details about the hotel nor our stay were offered. We also had a very strange and borderline uncomfortable encounters with the staff members overall. Ready for some story times? 1. There was a staff member advertising dinner on the beach packages. Not only did he approach us while we were having a meal, but he continued to say strange things such as "don't smash your vacation, I'm holding you accountable to enjoy it." - All with a stern, straight face. What does it even mean to smash a vacation?! It had the potential to be a nice sentiment, had it not felt like a threat! 2. We went to dinner at the Calypso (West Indian) because oxtail and rice & peas is a must! As usual, I report my shellfish allergy to the server. Having done so, the server's entire demeanour changed, and she proceeded to let me know (with no wasted breath) that I could not be accommodated / dine there. Was an alternative dining option recommended? Of course not. Amenities & Entertainment - 7 out of 10 Since the property is shared with Blue Waters, the amenities are more or less the same. At the time of our stay, the spa was finally up and running! There's also a new casino / gaming lounge with blackjack, slots and other casino games, which didn't seem to be a big hit amongst guests as it was empty all day, every day. There's also a really spacious full sized rooftop tennis court, which is very hidden away unless you're actively seeking it out (no pun intended). MADD Factor - Oh, you mean besides leaving? This section is supposed to be the piece de la resistance of any property I visit. However, I find myself wanting and clutching for pearls, straws and whatever else is clutch-able at this point. After rummaging through the annals of notes and memories, I guess I can say that the clothing store - Amiani - was actually quite nice! Very rarely does a gift shop or clothing store stop me in my tracks, especially at a hotel. The clothing items were very resort chic, fashionable and reasonably priced! I actually found myself browsing and warding off temptation to buy clothes I don't need. It was definitely a step up from the typical Bob Marley t-shirts and "no problem mon" mugs. Overall Rating: 5.2 out of 10 Verdict: Thank you, Next. Now that all the amenities are up and running, if I am ever to return to a Royalton property, I'd probably choose the Blue Waters side of the property. Now, as to the likelihood of returning to this or any Royalton property? Probably as slim a chance as a return to Iberostar Grand or Moon Palace . If you know, you know. As for what reviews are coming next? I'd love if you could help me to decide. My recent adventures have taken me to Ocean Coral Spring here in Jamaica, and on trips to Colombia, San Francisco, Canada, and Mexico. What would you be most interested in reading about first? Let me know in the comments and I'll happily oblige!

First things first. It's been well over a year since my last blog post. I know. To my day-ones, I have every intention of winning back your trust and smiles. If this is your first time here, thank you for choosing Madd About Jamaica as your source of truth! Second things second. Am I the only Jamaican that gets confused when you search for a hotel in Jamaica and see that it's listed somewhere other than where it actually is? That was my first reaction when searching for Royalton Blue Waters. Google says it's in Montego Bay. The hotel is named Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay Resort...but the yaadies (locals) know it's really in Trelawny -- which, mind you, is close enough but not 100% accurate. Unless someone can show me the property line, you can't convince me otherwise. But I digress. Location: Trelawny (near Montego Bay) Date Visited: September 2023 Type: All-Inclusive Resort (Family-Friendly) Cost: USD$425 per night Preface While this review is overdue (some aspects are no longer applicable - I'll indicate where), I still believe the content (my POV) at the time of visiting is still relevant and helpful if you plan to visit! Before You Go Ensure that your tyres are in good condition and/or you have a spare in tow. The road leading up to the hotel is not becoming of a 4-star resort. If you read my review on Secrets Wild Orchid - the sentiment is the same, so I won't belabour my point. My day ones may know that I'd visited Royalton Negril, which was quite the headache. Deciding to give the chain a second chance was years in the making. So let's get into it! Style/Ambience - 6 out of 10 Providing that you arrive with your vehicle intact, the property itself is not bad at all. The lobby is very spacious with mid-century modern styled furnishings. The monochromatic, sandy colourway made my eyes hurt at times. I could only hope that my stay wouldn't be as beige as the decor style. Notwithstanding, the modern beach chic style did evoke a sense of luxury and the neutral tones, will a bit muted, were calming. Although it was densely furnished, the space is just that big, that it still felt sparse. I wouldn't say anything about the decor was particularly eye-catching. In fact, I did prefer how the Negril property was styled! Room - 7 out of 10 The room can gwaan enuh! (translation: the room is alright!) Our room was on the third floor and had nice resort views. You enter the room to the iconic Royalton theme song playing on the TV (my husband hates it [cackles] but I think it's a bop!) and are met with a very spacious environment. Now, the majority of the points given here are for the space and the standalone soaking tub. There's very minimal decor, and what is there is quite abstract and a bit dated. It didn't feel like it tied into the overall theme of the hotel. There were varying textural elements from metal to leather to velvet. The accent pillows and pull out bed in the room are very reminiscent of the matching living room sets at Courts (local furniture store). Having an umbrella in the room was a nice touch! The random unbranded toiletries were probably the biggest let down. It would've been nice to know what would be potentially interacting with my skin, and if the products are locally/ethically made. Just saying! Food & Drinks - 5 out of 10 OOH. SIGH. YUCK. Those were my reactions in rotation throughout the entire stay. If I ate with my eyes then yes, it was amazing. Unfortunately, either the dishes or the ambience were a toss up. The buffet is probably one of the best I've seen. Options upon options. The fruit flies thought so too, cause they were also there in abundance. The tables were also poorly cleaned both on the surface and underneath. The room service menu, while good, was also a hit or miss. The food just suffered from being bland. Having eaten at the likes of Couples Tower Isle, my palette is very spoiled. On the other hand, the drinks and pastries are really good! Customer Service - 6 out of 10 The staff at Royalton Blue Waters were pleasant...for the most part! Our visit happened while there was construction going on, but they didn't let that dampen their spirits nor the overall vybe. At times, they were gathered together just chatting away, so attentiveness could've been better, especially since the place was more or less empty. At times, some of them just looked bored and didn't attempt to flash a smile as you passed. I can appreciate the authenticity! I wouldn't say that they went above and beyond in their service, it was just okay. Amenities & Entertainment - 7 out of 10 Any resort that doesn't give me a key card is already a partial winner in my book. The bracelets doubled as room keys and were waterproof. It's way too easy to forget a room key when you just wanna go have fun! There are more than enough things to do at this resort. However! I believe capacity would definitely impact how that feels. Since we went when not many families with children were around, we did feel as though we had the place to ourselves. The pools, beach and water park were well kept. As I mentioned, we went during a construction period, so the Spa was displaced to the lobby, which was very weird and awkward. The spa staff shared the sentiment but their jobs went on regardless! The gym was small compared to the size of the resort, but it gets the job done for those who (for whatever strange reason) need to exercise on vacation. The evening shows are as you expect - yes, another hotel with a Michael Jackson tribute show. There was a nightclub / dance party one evening which was very loud, so don't expect to get any sleep before midnight if one is happening while you're there. MADD Factor - The Lazy River and the Construction A lazy river may not seem that exciting to you, but it is definitely an eye-catching feature of the property! It's not a popular element at most resorts in Jamaica, so it's always fun to see one! Now about the construction bit. For anyone who had ever been to what was Royalton White Sands, or saw reviews, the construction should've excited you too (#IYKYK). Hideaway at the Negril property was one of my dream honeymoon destinations. So when I saw that they were doing away with the White Sands property and bringing in Hideaway as an adults-only option to Blue Waters, I was intrigued and may have a squealed a little internally. As a point of information, Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters is now complete and open for booking! I have also since yielded to my excitement and visited. So, stay tuned for that review to see if it lived up to expectations [cue dramatic music]. Overall Rating: 6.2 out of 10 Verdict: Maybe for a quick getaway? Royalton Blue Waters is a safe choice for a quick getaway with friends or family. It will neither wow you nor gravely disappoint. I'd definitely be quicker to go back there than some other resorts that I won't dignify with SEO content and keep unnamed. Although my overall score for Royalton Negril was higher, that was primarily due to the luxurious feel, which I'd not drive 4 hours for now. I'd recommend Blue Waters instead of Negril for sure! Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This review is not sponsored.

I know, I know, I know. It's been MONTHS. At first, you probably wondered if the link leading you to this blog post was a scam - but since you're here that either means you're glad I'm back after a near six-month hiatus...or you're easily scammed *cue side-eye* (please stay vigilant out there folks!) Fun and jokes aside, this review is long overdue. I promised a friend that I'd share the usual unbiased and unfiltered details of my stay and that's exactly what I intend to do! Let's get into it, shall we? Location: Montego Bay, St. James Date Visited: December 2022 Type: All-Inclusive Resort (Family-Friendly) Cost: USD$425 per night Before You Go Now this is a plug I got from a concierge at the resort and it changed the game for my stay. To save money but not skimp on the luxury, when booking a room outside of the Premium categories, request a room on the highest floor available for the lower category. While rooms are typically randomly assigned at check-in, the concierge will do their best to honour the request, especially if the booking was made way in advance. I'll show you why it pays off in a bit. Sidebar: If you want more luxury for less vacation hacks, I've got so many more in the blog post linked here! Style/Ambience - 8 out of 10 If you're a day one follower of the blog, you know by now that a key sign for me, and a foreshadowing of my entire stay if I can say so, is the experience at the gate upon arrival. Now, upon arrival to Jewel Grande, I was getting Moon Palace Jamaica vybes (you already know my feelings there). Between the big brass gates, the security guard scrambling to find my reservation in a tattered book and a random parked car with all its doors open...it was shaping up to be a long 4 days. Thankfully that was just the gate, for once we drove through, the opulence was something straight out of a Disney movie. The further we drove in the more the manicured lawns, the tall, white, palatial towers and old English-themed signage just came alive. In other words, the grounds are VERY pretty (pretty bad as we Jamaicans affectionately say). There's underground parking for guests, so we took comfort that our vehicle would be safe from the elements during our stay. Jewel Grande somewhat tastefully mixes the old with the new in terms of the interior design and décor. There's almost a nauseating amount of shades of brown/beige in the Lobby/Main Building alone but the wooden accents are kept well polished. A fun fact is that the resort was originally built as a luxury apartment complex/vacation timeshare rental. However, it was later converted to the hotel we know today. The property itself is MASSIVE and even has a football field. There are three 12-storey Towers (room blocks) on the property. The Sentry Tower is the newest build, is closest to the main pool and houses the more modern rooms. The remaining towers (Sabal and Silver) feature more antique, Queen-Anne styled furniture, and some have living rooms, kitchenettes and in-suite washer/dryer units. Another fun fact is that the Jewel Grande property is right next door to the Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Rose Hall resort. There's even a useless-for-guests bridge with a security guard at the other end who'll smile and wave at you, since that's all one can do from this point. Room - 8.5 out of 10 I will boldly say that this room was very close to perfection. If I were to do a quick ranking, this room surpassed my feelings of that at Secrets Wild Orchid and claims 2nd place of all the hotels I've been to, and is a few notches below my 1st place choice: Excellence Oyster Bay. Please feel welcomed to grab a friend or cousin and argue in the comments about that opinion. Let me be clear though. This rating applies to the rooms in the Sentry Tower only. If you've ever stayed in the Sabal or Silver Towers, please let me know your ranking of those in the comments. Every (and they mean every) room category at Jewel Grande has an ocean view. Naturally, the view is better the higher up on is. Our room was on the 6th floor, which is the highest for the non-premium category. The view from the balcony was nothing short of breathtaking! The room itself is quite large at 806 sq. ft., and is simply but tastefully decorated with mid-century modern inspired pieces. There's a standalone soaking tub, breakfast nook and modern ceiling lighting. There's so many storage options in this room, I guarantee you'll not be able to occupy it all. My two complaints are: 1. the wifi was quite spotty in the room from time to time, and 2. the resort doesn't have an app, so one has to rely on the guest portal site for daily activities and room service menu, which is lame. Food & Drinks - 7.5 out of 10 The meals at Jewel Grande were good for the most part, but no one dish was exceptionally memorable. My go-to vacation drink is a miami vice and I must say, they served the best one I've ever had. Of all the restaurants we tried, my husband and I have a toss up between the Mexican (JamMex) and the Italian (Moonstone) as the most underwhelming. The steakhouse however (Le Bouchon) DID. NOT. MISS. and is definitely my top recommendation for an amazing dining experience! Being completely honest, our truly favourite spot was probably the lobby café in our Tower, where we stopped for iced coffee, ice-cream and pastries every day of our stay. Amenities & Entertainment - 7 out of 10 The main activity that Jewel Grande seems to be known for is weddings. I'm sure there were at least three during our stay. Jokes aside, as a family resort, there's something for everyone. There's a Games Room (which is exclusively for those 18 and under *hmph!*), the usual water sports, a Gym (with steam room and sauna), a Spa and a sprawling beach. The "party pool" near the main lobby didn't seem to have the most sustained vybes as I've seen at other resorts but it was a very relaxing atmosphere overall. To be fair, we visited the week of World Cup Finals, so most persons were glued to a television somewhere on that occasion. The resort also hosted a Casino Royale themed beach party and a silent Disco party. Wait wait wait!!! How could I almost fail to mention that one evening, the resort hosted a Chocolate Buffet and they brought out a model who was covered from the neck down in nothing but a bikini and (you guessed it) chocolate?!?! She had a pedestal and everything! You just had to be there! Guests of all ages had a whale of a time dancing with and taking photos next to her. I can't make this stuff up! MADD Factor - The Grande Spa Have you ever been to a 30,000 sq. ft. Italian villa inspired Spa? Well neither had I until I set foot into the Grande Spa. Luxury dripped from the doorknobs inside that place! There's a 50% discount for Jamaican residents so be sure to take advantage of that benefit. The Spa houses a Himalayan Salt Lounge, a green smoothie/juice bar and hot/cold plunge pools. One can take a tour for free but be warned, you'll not want to leave once you enter! Leave your purse/wallet behind! Overall Rating: 7.8 out of 10 Verdict: Let's go back together! So...whose car are we taking? mine or yours? Cause I'm for sure going back! Jewel Grande is a great option for family vacations or a staycation with friends. The property is definitely big enough and well-laid out so one never feels overrun by a sea of people. The pockets of luxury are definitely there too for the bougie-inclined. I highly recommend booking at least 6 months in advance of the desired stay to get the best rates possible - they have a book now, pay later option! Until my next post, do keep up with my shenanigans on Instagram and Facebook! Tell a friend to tell a friend to like, follow and subscribe to the blog! Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This review is not sponsored.

Gloria's Seafood City at Victoria Pier was one of the first places I wanted to visit once the Jamaican Government lifted a few of the pandemic-related restrictions. The Easter holiday weekend presented itself as a great opportunity to do so! I was equally pleased to stay true to the Jamaican Easter tradition of having fish, as well as spending the Easter Sunday afternoon out with family. Location Gloria's Seafood City is located at Victoria Pier in Downtown, Kingston. This location is particularly scenic due to its strategic location by the Waterfront [See my short video below to get a glimpse of the views!]. One can also find the seafood brand at two other locations: the flagship restaurant, Gloria's Rendezvous, is located on Queen Street in Port Royal, Kingston; and Island Village in Ocho Rios, St. Ann is home to the other. Style/Ambience The restaurant is arranged for casual dining, and features wood-toned, rustic decor. Customers have the option to eat al fresco on the terrace, or be accomodated indoors. There's also limited seating by the bar. I visited with a party of five and we inititally picked a table on the terrace. However, the sea breeze proved to be a bit too exciting for us that Sunday afternoon. Gusts of wind would blow the appetizer of soup right out the bowl unto the table, leaving less to be enjoyed. Other guests around us didn't seem to mind at all, and carried on with their meals as the wind danced around their tables. My party, on the other hand, decided to relocate to a table indoors. Inside the restaurant, there's a cute feature wall by which guests can take photos as a memory of their visit. The wall reads "Awesome Experiences - Delivered with love by the Great Seafood People." Food & Drinks On this particular occasion, the restaurant only had fish and shrimp available. That's a bummer for anyone who may have allergies, as one person in our party did. The solution offered was plain alfredo pasta. Nevertheless, the majority of our party ordered fried fish with sides of bammy and festival, and we were pleased for the most part. The side salad was a bit dry, so I'd recommend requesting salad dressing. Customer Service If you've been to Gloria's before, the wait time is a quintessential part of the experience. Pro tip? Don't go to any Gloria's location famished. To ensure this aspect of my review was accurate, I did actually time how long we waited from when our order was placed. The total wait time? 1 hour. Depending on your temperament, that may or may not be a big deal. It was a big deal to us as during the wait, we were neither offered the customary glass of water nor the actual drinks we'd ordered along with the meal. Ridiculous. You're probably thinking, why didn't you beckon to your server for well...service? Well, while our waitress was fairly cordial, she didn't introduce herself by name. As such, unless she was in the vicinity of our table and could assist, it would take giving a lengthy description for another staff member to identify her on our behalf. Final Thoughts Overall Rating: 5 out of 10 I do think one should experience Gloria's seafood at least once. Nothing quite beats the views and crisp sea breeze at Victoria Pier. The food is delicious and filling, which may or may not make the wait worth it. However, one should definitely temper expectations regarding customer service as it's nothing exceptional. Nevertheless, staff are cordial, and it's the company with you that'll tip the scale of the experience for the better. I've been to all the locations in Kingston, so I am curious as to whether the one in St. Ann is any different. Stay tuned to see if I make it there! Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.

Right off the bat, I have a few questions for you: Are you feeling stressed and tired? Frustrated with your work colleagues? Having pain in your joints and/or back? Feeling like your body "pop dung"? (translation: broken down) If you answered 'Yes' to any of the above questions, I've got a prescription for you…it’s time for a vacation! We have a saying here in Barbados which is kinda boasty but quite accurate. It goes, “I live where you vacation” - because truthfully it is a popular tourist destination, which is our very own backyard. Now as an honorary Jamaican, I feel the same way about Jamaica. There are so many beautiful places to visit in Jamaica, that you could vacation for years without once leaving the country! Side note: if you’re wondering how I got this title of 'honorary Jamaican', I studied and worked in Jamaica for 6 years and became quite acclimatized (i.e. fell in love) with the culture, so my friends consider me half Jamaican, half Bajan!☺ The Meat of the Matter Now that introductions are out of the way, tell me in the comments below, when was the last time you went on vacation? And I mean a real vacation, not one of those 'take a few days off but still taking work calls' kind of vacations, but one where you took at least 2 weeks off from work, shut off your work phone, ignored work emails, got quality rest and actually did fun activities? HMM??? If you had asked me that question a month ago, I would’ve had to admit, I hadn’t had a real vacation in over than 2 years. Yikes! Recently however, I got...or rather took the opportunity to go to my second home, Jamaica, for a real, extended vacation, praise the Lord! Now this vacation was very interesting to say the least and didn’t go the way I planned AT ALL- that’s a whole story in itself which will unfold in this blog post - BUT let’s talk about why I highly recommend a vacation for every working adult at least twice a year. The Hard Cold Facts In a 2021 article, Forbes Magazine revealed some shocking statistics, including a study done by the World Health Organization in 2016, that some 750,000 people died from heart attacks and strokes solely due to the effects of working long hours. The article revealed that those who work more than 55 hours per week have a 35% higher risk of dying from stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart attack than those who worked a normal 35-40 hour week. The conclusions were as follows: You shouldn’t push your body to work consistently long hours (it was NOT created for that); Taking a vacation could actually save your life! Rest is "the cessation of motion or action of any kind and applicable to any body or being; as rest from labour; rest from mental exertion; rest of body and mind.” - KJV Dictionary Whereas a vacation is "an extended period of leisure and recreation, especially one spent away from home, work or in traveling." - Oxford Dictionary Therefore, you can actually rest daily but you’ve got to be intentional to plan and schedule a vacation in between the demands of your vocational and home life. If you didn’t know this, just the process of planning out your vacation leave in advance has been shown to be a therapeutic form of self-care, because you give yourself something to look forward to! 5 Reasons to Take Frequent Vacations Resting regularly and going on vacation yearly can help your overall wellness as it: Reduces your stress levels Improves your heart health and reduces the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension Improves brain function, concentration and memory Improves your mental health and decreases depression and anxiety symptoms Improves your sleep quality...and the list could go on! Your Vacation Prescription If you've read this far, I hope you can agree that a vacation is well needed. So what's next? A prescription of course! I've put together a list of 10 options to help you along: Go on a cruise - this has become very popular again because many cruise lines offer affordable packages for e.g., A 7-day cruise with stops in up to 7 different countries for an all-inclusive experience Go to a beach house or rent a cabin/villa with some friends Book an Airbnb (that’s my go to) near to high activity cities/areas then go exploring Bunk at a friend’s/relative's house for a change of scenery and do some fun/relaxing activities together Plan a 'Do Nothing' day! That's right. No responsibilities, no strenous activities...just stay in bed, eat good food, watch TV or read a good book. Have a Spa Day Try canoeing, biking, or hiking (i.e. if you’re the outdoorsy and active type) Have a Games Night with some friends and/or family Go Restaurant hopping (for all the foodies out there like me) Go to the beach, a river or hike to a waterfall (let’s stick a pin here) Fun Fact: Did you know that a regular dose of Vitamin Sea (i.e. sea water) has many healing properties such as muscle relaxation, improvement of arthritic/joint pains, clearing of the sinuses, exfoliation of the skin (from the sand) and just overall improvement of mental health? I think that’s why beach days are my favourite days! Share with me in the commments, what are some activities that you like to do on vacation? Sir...ma’am...have you booked that vacation as yet? Madd About Jamaica has great reviews on resorts in Jamaica. Click here to read them! How to Manage Getting Sick While on Vacation I know, I know, it's ironic right? To mitigate the likelihood of getting sick, one should take regular vacations, but what do you do if you do get sick while on vacation? Story Time: Remember earlier I'd told you that I had a very interesting vacation recently? Well, besides the fact that my suitcase got destroyed or that my Airbnb cancelled on me last minute, in addition to that, I broke my toe (Yes, you read that right) AND caught a really bad bacterial upper respiratory tract infection (which I thought was COVID-19, but thank God it wasn’t). While I may be a doctor, the fact is I am away from home and my go-to resources. Thankfully, I had my wonderful Jamaican doctor friends who really took care of me and helped a sister out. But what if I didn’t have their support? I’d have been caught off guard! The Fool-Proof Recovery Plan The plan is to get back to optimal health as soon as possible! Here are four tips to ensure a speedy recovery while on Vacation, wherever you are in the world: Pack an emergency First-Aid Kit! - Click here for an affordable travel-sized option. Before your trip, research the nearest health care facilities to where you'll be staying. Download the MDLink app, which is a telemedicine platform now available in many countries. Ensure that you pack and have on your person any and all prescription medication for any underlying conditions that you may have (take along extra medication too just in case!). Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your body takes a break from operating how it usually does. The truth is, a vacation will be whatever you make of it. Sometimes things don’t always go the way you plan (I know from experience), but it’s still a good idea to plan out your adventures, rest and relaxation so that you make the most of the time you have. Yours Truly, Dr. Esther Trotman (Star) About the Author: Dr. Esther Trotman is a 20-something Medical Doctor based in Barbados with a passion for primary health care and whole person health. Though born and raised in Barbados, she travelled to Jamaica to read for her MBBS degree at UWI Mona. While in Jamaica, she grew in other passions such as dancing, traveling, and writing. She developed a burden for helping people heal from physical illnesses, as well as mental health and social issues such as emotional and spiritual struggles. She launched a lifestyle blog addressing these issues, which blossomed into her holistic health and wellness consultancy, Star Wellness Lifestyle. Dr. Trotman is certified in Advanced Holistic Counselling and Psychology, as well as Diet and Nutrition Management. She is also the author of the Wholistic Wellness Journal, available on Amazon anywhere in the world! Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. All views are that of the author.

I don't know about you, but it pains me to spend money. While I'm not a miser, I'm increasingly aware of the value of a dollar as the cost of living goes up. For my fellow Jamaican residents, you know that our dollar is hanging on for dear life. Unless you're currently in a high-paying (or better yet, USD-paying) job or a scammer (not encouraged, just to be clear), a spontaneous weekend at an all-inclusive resort on the North Coast can seem like a pipe dream. Well, I'm here to help your budget but bougie vacation dreams come true! To put things into perspective, my husband and I go on vacation (usually a staycation) to a hotel, at least twice a year. For added context, I work in the public sector, where it's no secret that those salaries aren't anything to write home about (...and no, my husband isn't ballin' either). We're just two 20-somethings, with rent, bills and loans like the average person. Okay, I know what you're thinking now: "Cute story sis...but how do you actually afford the trips?". Well, I've put together ten Trip Tips, which are proven to help get the best bang for a buck. However! None of my tips will mention increasing income via additional jobs/side-hustles. While an excellent tip, I know that's easier said than done. Nevertheless, I hope my tips err on the side of being practical, simple and easy for anyone to use! Please let me know if they were in the comments. TRIP TIP #1: Book Well in Advance From the jump, the best tip I could give anyone would be to plan - plan well in advance. I try my best to plan and book my trips a year in advance. For example, My December 2022 trip was booked from January 2022. I secured a much lower rate for a luxury room than I would've had I waited til say, today! (I just checked and the room category is ~$200 USD more than when I booked). Many all-inclusive hotels have a 'Book Now, Pay Later' policy, where you can complete the reservation with no money charged upfront. As an added benefit, there's usually no penalty for cancellations made up to a week before the scheduled date - read the conditions carefully before booking though! TRIP TIP #2: Airbnb + Day Pass Combo If you're new to my blog, we keep it real over here (also, welcome!). The plain truth is that Hotels can be really expensive. Who am I kidding, they ARE expensive. Even with advanced planning, the average rate per night is $300 USD, and that's just not gonna work out for everyone. However, that's no reason to give up on enjoying an all-inclusive experience with all the accompanying amenities just like anyone else. That's where the winning combo comes in! A number of resorts offer day-passes, which gives patrons access to the property usually between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM with all-inclusive privileges included, that's right - unlimited food, drinks, water sports, etc.! Book a day-pass to the resort of choice, then book an Airbnb within budget close by. Soak up all the resort has to offer then at the end of the day, head on back to your cozy lodging and reminisce on a day well spent. Luxury hotel experience? check! A clean place to lay your head and shower after? check! It's a win-win all around. TRIP TIP #3: Invest in Vacations If in 2022 you haven't come across the principle of making money in your sleep, then I'd recommend a new friend circle. Traditional saving as we know it will no longer cut it. Our money needs to be making money. While investing and compound interest aren't new concepts, they have been increasingly popular in the last 3-5 years, especially as millennials look to and become more knowledgeable about generating wealth. I'm a firm believer that one should invest in rest and relaxation. So much so, my husband and I have an investment account exclusively to save for vacation. I can see you side-eyeing me again. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a lot of money to start investing. I highly recommend Golden Harvest Accounts at Credit Unions as an option for saving towards vacation, as they have excellent compound interest rates for fixed-term savings in comparison to Banks. TRIP TIP #4: Book Directly Many hotels state that booking directly through their website will guarantee the lowest price. Very often, this is true. I've proved this to be true for my trip to Excellence Oyster Bay, where a 5% discount code even popped up during my booking process, and boy did it go a long way. Additionally, hotels have special pages on their websites dedicated to discounted rates. I know this to be true for Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Moon Palace Jamaica and Couples Resorts. PRO TIP: Call the hotel you're interested in to ask if the rate on their website is the same for Jamaican nationals/residents. Also find out if there are any current promotions or discounts for special groups (e.g., senior citizens, first responders, civil servants). For example, the Couples Resorts group of hotels, which is Jamaican-owned, offers Jamaican nationals lower rates for rooms as well as a 15% discount at the Spa. TRIP TIP #5: Bank on those Rewards Did you know that your Bank probably has loyalty rewards and discounts that you're not taking advantage of? That needs to change immediately! I know for a fact that in Jamaica, separate to rewards for credit card holders such as cash back and travel miles, being a member at JN Bank, JMMB Bank (via Her Wealth), Sagicor Bank (via Sagicor Engage) or First Global Bank (via GK Value Rewards) gives one access to discounts at various Hotels, Villas, Guest Houses and the like across Jamaica. Check out your Bank's website for more information or give them a call to find out about all the discounts you've probably been missing out on! TRIP TIP #6: It pays to be Loyal Most all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica that I've come across have a rewards program of some kind to encourage repeat visits. If you've visited an all-inclusive recently, it's very likely that you got an email after your stay requesting two things, 1. a review of your stay (hopefully a positive one) and 2. to join the hotel's loyalty programme. I'd definitely recommend signing up, as there are exclusive rates, perks and discounts available exclusively for members. Some hotel groups, such as World of Hyatt (Hyatt Zilara/Ziva) and H10 Hotels (Ocean Coral Spring/Eden Bay), allow one to sign up for membership before visiting the hotel, giving access to perks right away! TRIP TIP #7: Digital Coupons There are three websites that I enjoy for trip discounts, namely: Gustazos, Brawta Living and Honey. Brawta Living and Gustazos offer exclusive discounts for locations in Jamaica. Additionally, Gustazos offers unique perks in collaboration with a hotel, such as discounts on return stays and resort credits. Another great benefit of booking through Gustazos is the potential to earn G-credits, which can be used to offset the cost of future bookings made through Gustazos or its travel subsidiary G-Travel. On the other hand, Honey has the option of a browser extension, which when activated, will automatically pop-up with possible discounts on the hotel's website. If you'd like to use my referral link to sign up for Honey, I'd greatly appreciate that: joinhoney.com/ref/ts8oet2 TRIP TIP #8: Use A Travel Agency There are benefits to be had in booking a trip through a Travel Agent or Agency. More often than not, Travel Agents have relationships with hotels and can offer rates that won't be found anywhere else. Additionally, Travel Agents have access to a host of vendors and can offer a discounted package for a hotel stay, a rental car, nearby excursions and much more. Booking through an Agency may also be the plug for some nice upgrades! Now, who wouldn't want an upgrade? My personal recommendation is P&S Events and Vacations, an award-winning local Travel Agency, whose instagram page can be found here: https://www.instagram.com/psev_travel_agency/?hl=en TRIP TIP #9: Timing Matters The time of year you decide to take a trip could be the difference between $100 to $200 USD in the price you pay. It is definitely more expensive to visit a hotel in the months of July and December. In Jamaica specifically, hotel stays are also more expensive around extended holidays, such as Emancipendence in August and Heroes Weekend in October. Interestingly however, these same hotels may offer special rates for said celebratory weekends, so be sure to look out for those deals as well. The day of the week your visit starts on also matters! Weekday room rates are usually less expensive than weekends. TRIP TIP #10: The More the Cheaper While solo travel is it's own delight, an excellent way to save money on a vacation is by going with your family and friends! This is especially true and most applicable for stays at Villas, which are an affordable alternative to all-inclusive hotels, without losing the luxury factor. Many villas offer the option for a private chef and housekeeping. My friend Stephanie (@thejellylife on IG) did a fantastic cost breakdown for the Spicy Hill Villa in San San, Portland. You'd be amazed at how affordable luxury actually is! Check it out here: https://thejellylife.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-stay-at-spicy-hill-villa/ Would you be interested in a blog post with my recommendations for the best Villas in Jamaica? Let me know in the comments! Wrapping Up So? How did I do? Were these tips helpful? Do you have any tips that could help someone save some coins on a future trip? Please don't keep it to yourself! Drop it in the comments below! While you're here, don't forget to follow Madd About Jamaica on all socials, see links below! Disclaimer: This post does not contain any sponsored links.

There's something about that first sip of a delicious drink that's like nothing else in this world. After all, water being turned into wine was the first miracle 😉. Each person has a unique palette, which is sometimes why it takes a little while to find that perfect drink for you. No worries, a little help never hurt anyone and you've come to just the right blog post😌. First things first. What do you know about drinking? Outside of what everyone does socially, it is important to know that a specfic alcohol almost always goes with a chaser. A chaser is a mild drink used to ease the burn of hard liquor and gives the entire drink a contrasting flavour, making the entire experience more bearable. Popular chasers in Jamaica are Ginger Beer, Ting, Cola and Cranberry Juice. More experienced drinkers prefer not to chase their alcohol, and have their drink of choice “on the rocks”. HA! This simply means that the glass only contains ice and alcohol. Yes, that's right, the cubes of ice are the rocks in question. PRO TIP: For my fellow Jamaicans reading, the best mix is to chase your alcohol, specifically rum, with water 😂 ...Just go to any community bar, look for the oldest man inside, draw a chair and he’ll tell you how it goes! Now that the basics have been covered, I've compiled five of the most-likely occasions one may find themselves in, and the best drink(s) I'd recommended in each instance. Occasion 1: Girls'/Guys' Night Out (GGNO) A night out with the gang calls for nothing short of absolute FUN! Good, clean, FUN! How else do we have that without an Ultimate Musgrave Madness from T.G.I. Friday’s? You simply don’t. 🍻 This drink is made with a variety of rum, has a tiffany blue finish, and does its job to give nothing short of a buzz to last the night. If you’re one to manage your liquor well, maybe 2 of these drinks will give you the necessary VIBE. Conveniently located in the heart of Kingston, Jamaica, T.G.I. Friday's will be your one stop to beginning (and maybe ending) your night out. Get the gang together, and paint the town blue with an Ultimate Musgrave Madness. 🤩 Occasion 2: WHAT THE STRESS! POV: It’s only 10:00 AM in the work day and you already want to SCREAM?! You start counting down the hours til work ends for that drink which will help to calm the nerves? It’s best you get yourself a Long Island Iced Tea! Another drink with a mixture of alcohols, traditionally: Gin, Vodka, Rum, Brandy, Triple Sec, Lime Juice and Cola. You see that? Without a doubt gets the job DONE. Don't you mind the colour. Just get that stress OFF you, sweetheart. If you don’t know who I am, you’ll know now that MicsDrinks is biased to T.G.I. Friday's. I'm here to let you know that they serve the BEST Long Island Ice Teas in Kingston. Period🤌🏾 Scenario 3: Finally Legal Drinking Age Here's the situation. You've just turned 18 (21 in the United States), it's your first time at a bar, not afraid to be carded by the bartender, but clueless on what to choose from the drink menu. Look for the Amaretto Sour. The light brown/orange-esque colour, topped with a light foam and a cocktail cherry? The tangy taste is the ‘sour’ that sends an electric rush through your body. It brings your life a kind of joy you didn’t know you needed. 🤤 10 out of 10, every time, everywhere. Don’t forget to try using your tongue to tie a knot with the cherry stem, drinkers' tradition! Imagine your first time, and you fall in love? Is this not what we all look for? 😭As we age, we may venture into trying the many other alcohol beauties out there, but make your first time(s) as great as possible. PRO TIP: If you don’t wanna dive in head first into something too strong, go for a Daiquiri! It’s fruity, refreshing and always a great option for first time/non-seasoned drinkers. Scenario 4: It’s a Celebration! Tick-tock on the clock, what time is it? Drink o’clock! 🎶 A great thing has happened, be it a promotion, an engagement or just having life! and what better way to celebrate than to pour it up and dance the night away!? Well, go grab the Tequila and some shot glasses (from @drinkboxshop of course) and let’s go! Tequila, whether white or red, delivers the party every time. Not great with shots? Grab a Margarita! It’s made with Tequila, Triple Sec, with Lemon & Lime Juice. The best part about this drink? A bartender can add your favourite fruit flavour to cater to your needs. So strawberry maybe? Or even peach? The answer is always YES! Just make sure that whatever it is, the Tequila keeps you up, moving and always grooving! 💃🏽 Scenario 5: Whatever Happens, Happens 🤫 Let’s top it all off with a little bit of Cognac 🥰, and the most popular, Hennessy! When you start, you aren’t exactly sure where you’re gonna finish, just know it will be memorable (if you actually remember anything). An article published in Quartz (2021), reported LVMH (Owner of Moët & Hennessy) Chief Financial Officer saying, “We could certainly sell more if we had more bottles”. Americans seem to have Hennesy as their top drink of choice, with a bit of Redbull or Cranberry juice as a chaser. Henny on the rocks? Quite doable, but be sure to know your limit before going in. If you've made it this far, comment below and tell me what's your favourite drink, alcoholic or not! The trick to making sure you get where you need to, is to ensure your glass is never empty, and always toast to something! Give thanks for life, *clink*, give thanks for health, *clink*, give thanks for the ability to have a good time, *clink clink clink*! Disclaimer: In Jamaica, one must be 18 years or older to purchase and/or consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly. All views are that of the author. This post is not sponsored. About the Author: Hi, I’m Mics, AKA MicsDrinks, because (obviously) I like to drink. Who am I? A digital marketer from Jamaica, with a love for everything entertainment. So yeah, I like to drink, and go out, and drink, and go out, and the list might not be much longer 😭 . Let’s chat about drinking, and hopefully we can grab a drink together some time (once I’m not busy with work of course 😋). While you’re here, check out my podcast The 876 Industry, and buy a gift box from @DrinkBoxShop on Instagram!

Twas the night before Christmas...well actually it was a few nights before but that's beside the point. It's been nearly two months since this trip and I'm still trying to discern whether my experience was real or not. The trauma is THAT fresh. I'm still waiting to find out if Punk'd is getting a reboot and I'll be run a cheque soon. Anyways, Let me stop rambling and get into it! Location: Ocho Rios, St. Ann Date Visited: December 2021 Type: All-Inclusive Resort Cost: USD ~$400+ per night First Impressions The property is massive, but upon approaching the resort, you may think otherwise. The entrance is nestled in the the town square, so one may have to navigate some [unruly] vehicles and pedestrians before glimpsing the resort's tall brass gates and the vacation bliss sets in. Well, my bliss didn't set in until I was half-way back to Kingston...but we'll get to this later on. Style/Ambience - 6 out of 10 The resort is modern, with floor to ceiling glass windows, abstract decor in neutral tones, marble floors and the like. My husband and I went the week leading up to Christmas, and just in case we were uncertain of the season, the 30-foot Christmas Tree [pictured] quickly solved that problem. However, noone could've prepared me for the SEA of people that had Christmas at Moon Palace on their to-do list. It was jam-packed! Di place did RAM, zeen? You'd have to wonder if a pandemic was still in effect. Chaos was on level 100 and I could barely hear myself think at times. The capacity clearly burdened the facilities, as evidenced by smelly, dirty bathrooms in common areas and long wait times at elevators. Room - 6 out of 10 We had an Ocean View room on the 10th floor and the view (well, depending on the angle) was spectacular. On one side is the beauty pictured below, but on the other side is the lovely scenery of rooftops and traffic in Ocho Rios. The website posits that this room category has a balcony, but the jury is still out on that as it was quite small - you may have to take individual turns to enjoy it. The room itself was an awkward shape but spacious enough for two people. The modern decor with neutral tones was maintained in the room. The bathroom had an enclosed glass shower and CHI bath products. However, there was only one sink and the room had towels but no wash rags, which I'm assuming was an oversight. Additional amenities (toothbrush, toothpaste, slippers) could be requested and delivered to the room via the Moon Palace Jamaica App. Food & Drinks - 3 out of 10 Warning: the review goes downhill from here. The majority of the food we had was terrible. If it wasn't hypertension inducing, it was as bland as water crackers. The mixed drinks were no better, and I strongly believe that Moon Palace has 'just pure/pour rum' somewhere in their mission statement (more on this later). Room service was equally disappointing. While the room service menu is the most extensive of any hotel I've ever been to, the sheer volume surely causes quality to suffer. It was the first time I ever experienced chicken alfredo tasting like cardboard (not that I've ever eaten cardboard but imagine that's how it'd be). The saving grace in this category was the Asian specialty restaurant Momo, where you'll find THE BEST pork belly this side of the world. Customer Service - 3 out of 10 That three is literally for the three staff members who did not royally upset me during our stay. If it wasn't flat out lies, it was omission of vital information; If it wasn't omission, it was very rude responses; If it wasn't rude responses, it was a scowling face or a bad attitude. From the Bell Hop to the Manager (who, after 4 hours of us waiting for our room, told my husband to get me some rum so I'd calm down) we were given a raw deal. With every complaint I made, the Manager condescendingly and consistenly reminded us that Moon Palace Jamaica is a family resort, so couples' expectations should be tempered accordingly [The logic behind this is still being computed...] Should I do a forum post detailing ALL the issues we had? I'd love to know how you'd have handled some of the situations because, honest to God? I nearly sinned my soul in that place! Amenities & Entertainment - 8 out of 10 The resort is always buzzing with activity, so there's little room to be bored. the Awe Spa is probably the largest hotel spa in the island, but the Salon section was relatively small in comparison. The gym was spacious and well stocked (but who really exercises on vacation?!) The poolside activities were also quite fun, we even caught an epic dance competition among the guests. There's also access to Dolphin Cove from the resort property, if one is so inclined. The flowrider surf simulator (pictured) was also a unique and beloved guest activity. There's not much of a beach, so not much to report on where that is concerned. MADD Factor - Wired Gaming Center & Arcade The true saving grace of this trip for us was the games lounge (pictured). It was a true place of solace for us amidst all the chaos and frustration. Quite frankly, we spent more time here than in our room, as the thought of waiting for an elevator to get back to our floor was deterring enough. Nevertheless, there were a myriad of TVs, seating areas, arcade and console games. There was also a snack bar inside with ice-cream, chips, soda etc. Overall Rating: 5.2 out of 10 Verdict: We will NOT be back! Under no foreseeable circumstance would our hard earned money be used to go back to this resort. Our stay was hardly enjoyable, save for the few moments of solace (emphasis on few). Moon Palace Jamaica is far too expensive to merely overlook the rotten experience we had (we can talk more in the Forum). I would not recommend this resort for a Couples trip, and apparently neither would the Staff. I left much more stressed out than before I got there, and found myself grieving for many a day after. Beware: Staff Members may try to scam you into buying a vacation package in exchange for 90 minutes of your time and resort coupons/benefits. Don't do it! Check out Moon Palace Jamaica: https://jamaica.moonpalace.com/en Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This review is not sponsored.

If traversing the many gaping potholes leading to the hotel gates was any indication of how the trip could go ...I was ready to turn back immediately. Having already driven 2+ hours from Kingston to get there, the added potential of damage to our vehicle's shocks definitely put a sour taste in my mouth. This resort is far too expensive for the road to have been that bad! Location: Montego Bay, St. James Date Visited: September 2020 Type: All-Inclusive Resort (Adults Only) Cost: ~USD $600+ per night First Impressions The resort is located on a private penninsula, which was a good distance away from the Main Road. Once the GPS told us our destination was on the left, the next emotion I felt was confusion. Secrets Wild Orchid shares the property with sister resorts Secrets St. James and Breathless, but the signs were in arbitrary places, and thus pretty useless in offering any sort of direction to the correct parking lot or lobby area. On a separate note, pandemic protocols were strictly observed by all staff, which was an added comfort. Style/Ambience - 6.5 out of 10 The property has a modern tropical chic decor style, with spanish-style architecture consistent across the three resorts. The dark wood furniture was softened by neutral/earth-toned accent pieces. The decor seemed dated and basic in some areas, but it's a gorgeous property overall. If you're unfit...be warned! The walking required from one amenity to another may cause you to consider medical attention. No two amenities are truly in walking distance of the rooms. The spa and gym are located on the Breathless side of the property, which felt like an almost 15-minute walk from the Secrets Wild Orchid side. Talk about a pun being intended in a name! There weren't any golf carts available to assist guests with that trek either. Room - 9 out of 10 The room? NICE BAD! We stayed in a Junior Suite Ocean View King room and I kid you not, it had one of the BEST views of any resort we've been to [pictured]. I wish my picture did it more justice! The room was decently sized, and maintained the tropical chic decor style, with a mixture of earth tone decor and natural stone accents. The bathroom was equally lovely, featuring double sinks, a standalone jetted tub and a separate glass enclosed rain shower with floor to ceiling marble. My husband would be up in arms if I didn't tell y'all that one can watch TV from the tub...and that he did. Apparently that's a major selling point! [insert brief cackle here]. Food & Drinks - 7.5 out of 10 The food was really good! [cue chef's kiss]. Room service was super quick and didn't miss the mark on quality. We had dinner at Bordeaux, the french-themed restaurant. BEST lamb I've ever had [pictured]. I highly recommend dining there if you ever decide to go to this resort. The real let down, however, were the drinks. If only they tasted as pretty as they had looked. At the time of our trip, neither the Breathless nor Secrets St. James resorts were open, so dining options were limited on a daily basis. Nevertheless, that meant that focus was really given to meal quality, and it showed. Customer Service - 8 out of 10 This trip was actually a surprise birthday gift for my husband. I had called the hotel ahead of time to let them know of the occasion, and they did not disappoint with complementary cake and wine once we got to the room! While the staff didn't always smile, they were always efficient and helpful. What tipped the scale with this rating however was a check-in call from the General Manager. It was completely unexpected, but nice to know how intentional and personal they were about guest comfort! Amenities & Entertainment - 6 out of 10 Mi nah guh lie (translation: I won't lie), the resort was a tad boring during the day. I'm sure the pandemic had a part to play in that, but even the staff looked bored on the job as we strolled around the property. Things sorta picked up in the evening, and guests got to enjoy an outdoor, under-the-stars movie night on one occasion. The spa is magnificent but the prices? NO SAH. They may as well charge just to go inside and look. The gym wasn't large but it was outfitted with all the state of the art equipment. Seeing as both are so far from the rooms, I'm not sure how much traction they got on a daily basis. MADD Factor - Secret Box I wish every resort had this feature! The secret box is a cupboard-like nook inside the room by the door, which staff access from the outside to deliver room service. Once guests are finished, used dishes etc. can be placed in the Secret Box and will be cleared away at a later time. As such, there is no contact with staff in this regard if not wanted! It was such a novel experience besides the room tablet, which controlled all the room's digital features (lights, A/C, etc.) and served as the communication hub between guests and the staff. Overall Rating: 7.4 out of 10 Our trip happened mere months after the pandemic started, so I know our experience was muted by that fact. While we had a good time, we'd definitely love to go back, especially when all 3 resorts are simultaneously up and running, to see how it'd be different. The overall vybe at Secrets Wild Orchid is very calm, romantic and couple-centric, so I'd definitely recommend it to newlyweds/honeymooners! If you're looking for more of a sexy, youthful vybe with a foam-party or two, then the Breathless side of the resort would be just up your alley. Don't forget to subscribe to get the exclusive on all things Madd About Jamaica! Check out Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay: https://www.amrcollection.com/en/resorts-hotels/secrets/jamaica/wild-orchid-montego-bay/ Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This review is not sponsored.

Our last trip before the Pandemic was to Royalton Negril! I raved about this resort to my husband, having visited once before in 2017 with one of my best girlfriends and having a great time. As such, we decided to do our vacation trip there. HOWEVER! It's slowly becoming a trend on my blog that going to a resort during the week of Christmas may not always be the best decision...as you probably recall from the details of our trip to Moon Palace Jamaica. Location: Norman Manley Blvd, Negril Date Visited: December 2019 Type: All-Inclusive Resort (Family Friendly) Cost: ~USD$300 per night [Discounted] Before we get further into the details, if you're not already an Insider, click the button below to subscribe to the blog and receive exclusive updates on all things Madd About Jamaica! Before You Go I'm not even going to try and sugarcoat it. This resort is HELLA FAR. The fact that I can fly from Kingston, JA to Miami, FL and back in the same time that it takes to drive to Royalton Negril is saying something. The first two hours of the drive were scenic and filled with excitement - But the last two hours?! Restlessness and anxiety. Heed my warning before embarking on the journey! Ensure that your will is strong, your playlist is stacked and your company is good. Pro tip? have a rest stop along the way to refresh the mind and body, as one can only play 'I Spy' so many times before every 'something blue' is the sea. First Impressions Once the GPS said that our destination was approaching on the right, I was overcome by relief. This feeling was quickly overshadowed by confusion, as signage wasn't immediately clear as to where Royalton Negril's Check-In was, as opposed to the Grand Lido and Hideaway properties. A security officer quickly assisted us and we were on our way. While my husband went to park the car, I proceeded with check-in. The check-in security officer fumbled for a few minutes with a thick stack of papers with guest details...only to tell me that our reservarion could not be found. Spoiler Alert: It all went downhill from here. Literally. Imagine my emotions at this point, worse after the four hour journey [cue tears]. It was difficult to distinguish where my annoyance was more directed - the fact that our reservation seemed to have gone on its own vacation, or that a 4-star resort wasn't employing a digital solution for check-in to achieve greater efficiency. I was soon told that the reservation must be at the Diamond Club (premium section of the resort) and I was escorted downhill to that Lobby. Surprise, surprise, our reservation wasn't there either. We then started going back and forth across the property via golf cart to sort out the check-in process. After an hour and a half and a few strong (but sanctified) words from me, we finally got a room. Style/Ambience - 9 out of 10 Royalton Negril has beautiful, luxurious architecture. There's a good balance of warm wood tones, glass/mirrored accent pieces and modern metallic furniture. The lobby area is quite large and al fresco, so one is greeted by a cool and soothing rush of sea breeze upon entrance. The decor is mostly cool toned, with light greys, browns and beiges to complement the relaxing aura. Room - 9 out of 10 I think the rooms at Royalton Negril are, for the most part, top tier. The rooms feature the same modern aesthetic seen across the property. We stayed in a Luxury Family Suite, which was more than spacious enough for the two of us. All Royalton Suites have a standalone jetted jacuzzi soaker tub, which is definitely a highlight. The room is divided by floor to ceiling blackout curtains. The bathroom area was also quite luxurious, with double porcelain sinks and a walk-in rainfall shower with a seating area. The point in this section was deducted for cleanliness, as when we arrived, my husband discovered an old, used bar of soap in the shower...and it remained there for the duration of our stay though housekeeping came daily. Food & Drinks - 5 out of 10 Half of the food we had was good, while the other half was not. To add insult to injury, the resort seemed to be near full capacity, so the wait time for a la carte restaurants was at least an hour. The food at the Italian restaurant - Grazie Italian Trattoria was so bland. The food at the buffet (Gourmet Marche) was okay, and the drinks similarly, but definitely nothing to write home about. The redemption in this category was the food at Score Sports Bar as well as the Hunter Steakhouse, which was really good, but the portion sizes were almost unbelievably small. Room service, for the most part, was pretty decent! Customer Service - 6 out of 10 The service at Royalton Negril was going well until our last day. Our check-out day fell on Christmas Eve and it was not pleasant at all. Most of the property seemed to be on lockdown by 11:00 AM, with preparations for Christmas Day well under way. As such, trying to find somewhere to get food in-between standard meal times was futile! We'd already left our room with the intention to check out in an hour or two, so room service wasn't an option. Staff were of little to no help; and one (fairer hued) staff member in particular was quite curt when we enquired about food options. After that encounter we were fed up and didn't hesistate to check-out early, thus leaving the end of our trip on a sour note. Amenities & Entertainment - 5 out of 10 My husband enjoyed the gym, which boasts two stories of modern equipment. I went to the Royal Spa and got a mani/pedi. While my pedicure came out great, my manicure left little to be desired, as the nail polish started to chip off by the end of the day. On the matter of entertainment, I found that not many guests were engaged with the daytime activities, which were limited to begin with. I won't lie to you, I was pretty bored for a decent portion of the trip. Children up to age 12 would give a better review, as there's a water park with a slide for their leisure. There's also a hangout lounge for teens, but I can neither confirm nor deny that it was open during our stay. The main infinity pool area was perpetually filled with people, and only those who arrived early claimed a lounge chair. The nighttime shows by the Amphitheatre were more of a hit with guests, with the classic Michael Jackson set tickling the fancy of many a tourist. MADD Factor - The Escalator I know you just read the sub-heading and are halfway confused. I completely understand. I really struggled to find something about Royalton Negril that sets it apart from...well...any other resort in Jamaica. While searching the depths of my memories (and trip notes), I recalled the novelty of the escalator, which leads from the main lobby to the ground floor of the resort with majority of the restaurants. You might think I'm reaching here, and I definitely am, but do YOU know another resort with an escalator?! Please, tell me in the comments. Overall Rating: 6.8 out of 10 Verdict: It was cute, but there are better options closer to Kingston A trip to Royalton Negril is not for the faint of heart. At the very least, it wouldn't be my first choice, knowing that Royalton Blue Waters/White Sands in Falmouth is less of a drive. I'd say that this resort is for those whose primary goal is to relax and unwind. The resort is quite family-friendly, and children could entertain themselves for hours. I'm not sure how parents with small children would manage that road trip though. If I were to go back however, I'd want to stay at Hideaway, the Adults-Only section of the resort and see how it compares. Before you go, click the links below to follow Madd About Jamaica on all socials! Check Out Royalton Negril: https://www.royaltonresorts.com/royalton-negril Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This review is not sponsored.