If you had to choose one in Jamacia: Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay or Round Hill?
 

My sister is trying to decide between the above three resorts for a family vacation later this month. She has reservations at all of them. She has 2 children (boys, 11 and 8) and is looking for the best of the following: (1) rooms, (2) beaches, (3) service and (4) childrens' activities. I realize that these may be mutually exclusive (i.e., the Ritz may have the newest nicest rooms but the smallest beach), but I would welcome your advice or recent experiences at one or more of them.

Thank you.

If the kids aren't happy, nobody's happy. Nestled into the hillside, Round Hill has a kid's club, tennis,classic tropic Jamaica style, a small beach -- as does the Ritz, if the style more Ritz international grand. Half Moon's beach and layout more spread out on the flat of the beach, style more casual, and might provide the best choices for kids. We'd also recommend for an 8 and an 11 year old hiring an expert tour guide like Carolyn Barrett for some trips away from the resortlife into a more exciting for kids and more intriguing for you 'real' Jamaica. She's been the guide of choice for many first-timers to island and Fodorites here. [email protected]

Not really looking for a free advertisement for your tour service, tiveronhouse, I have seen your numerous postings over the years plugging your company....looking for more specific advice. Suggest you read the guidelines on posting, above.

Sorry, AS -- it's NOT my tour service, but one we recommend without reservation to our guests.

Someone who makes reservations at 3 resorts in the middle of peak season, is unfit to receive any good advice, other than a lesson in manners.

To Tivertonhouse

My thoughts exactly ! Do the research first and then make the reservations. Otherwise, resorts will be forced to be

more strict with their cancellation policies, and we will all be penalized.


This board has a wealth of information in the archives and is a very user-friendly site. Research can easily be done.

And still, patient, kind people like you continue to answer the *same old* questions.

IMHO you should be thanked...not chastised !

To Tivertonhouse: Just wanted to say I also read a lot of your posts on Jamaica and I have found a wealth of info from them. Thank you.

Since everyone else is digressing, I will try to help, went to the Ritz last March without our kids but there were plenty there. Most of them were pre=school and toddler age because school was in session. If she's going school vacation week there will probably be more older kids there. She should get the AI Key to Paradise Plan and get an Executive Suite which has two bathrooms, 2 balconies and a separate living room with pull out couch. Note, the Ritz pool is basic, no fun aspects like slides, waterfalls etc. The food was good, the service fabulous, one restaurant did not take children. Don't have any experiences with the others but the AI plan at the Ritz was a good value, you could eat and drink as much as you wanted.

ASCarverIII,
If you have truly read postings over the years, you will know that lots of people here recommend Carolyn Barrett's tour service and that tivertonhouse has been very generous in providing helpful info on Jamaica on this board.

ASCarverlll

Even though I think your attitude leaves alot to be desired and you certainly need to know your facts before you go about insulting people (particularly Tiverton who is known to be very helpful on this board), I will rise above it all and respond. I stayed with a group of my colleagues at Half Moon a couple of years ago for a conference and quite liked it. We stayed in one of the villas which had its own pool and came with a cook, a butler and a housekeeper all of whom were very pleasant and efficient. We enjoyed wonderful Jamaican breakfasts on mornings in the villa's dining room but you can pretty much ask for whatever suits your tastes. Everything was fresh and wonderful. There were at least half a dozen resturants on property ranging from the very casual to the more elegant Sugar Mill. Each room in the villa (it was a five bedroomed villa)was spacious and well appointed. As regards activities for children, I checked their website and see that they have a whole slew of activities as well as a games room and bicycles for trail rides etc- see www.halfmoon-resort.com/index.cfm?id=03,50,00,00. If you take the time to research the websites of the hotels in question you will find alot of information which could help your sister make a decision.

ASCarverIII

Hope I won't confuse the issue, but I would recommend a villa at Tryall Club, about 2 miles beyond Round Hill. Each villa has its own private pool, the beach is 3.5 out of 5 (although I understand the resort has been working on the beach and it is rumored to be better) there is a very highly regarded Kid's Club, the tennis pro runs kid's clinics, and best of all, the villas are fully staffed so parents don't have to do anything except talk over with the cook at the start of the vacation the things the family likes to eat and then stand back. Also, the maid and laundress will pick up after the kids, wash, dry and press all the clothes every day and keep the villa in top condition so everybody in the family has a real vacation.
I know, I didn't answer the question you asked.
But if your sister can handle the $$$ at any of the 3 places you listed, a private villa at Tryall is well within the price range.
Check www.tryall.com or
www.jamaicavillas.com
I am not employed by Tryall or Linda Smith. I accept no remuneration from either organization. However, I do vacation regularly at Tryall.
Wow, SEC disclosure has gotten into everything.

ASCarverIII, I'll jump in and add that I know also that Tivertonhouse and Barrett Adventures are totally different entities....I recommend the Barretts often myself, they are good driver/guides. Probably be best for you in the future to check that sort of thing out before making such an accusation.