In need of some Jamaica advice
 

I've been fortunate enough to be able to travel throughout the Caribbean, but never to Jamaica. Any thoughts/advice for four girls planning a possible trip to Jamaica? We found a pretty great deal to the all-inclusive Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort, but never done an all-inclusive before. Anyone been? How's the food, cleanliness, beach quality, etc? Thank you for an suggestions you may have.

Depending on your level of expectations, The Sunset Grand may or may not meet needs. In general, that resort rates about a "B-" at best to me. If however it's the only property that fits your budget......then it beat the alternative of no trip to Jamaica in my book. If at all possible, I'd try to get out of Montego Bay. Negril or Runaway Bay would be better abeit a 60 or 90 min drive. Negril would offer some very good moderately priced choices (Coco La Palm to name one) that would also allow you access to very good food, drinks and entertainment all within walking distance. Not to mention a fantastic beach. Good luck!

It's a huge property/730 rooms -- and in Ochi -- but it's the flagship of a major hotel group on island. For someone who's not been to island before, it won't yield much of 'the real' Jamaica/a very small taste at best since you'll be hotelcentric. All of Ochi is hotel-oriented behind gated entries off the main -- with the cruiseship port, the craftmarkets very touristic. This hotel is a good choice for families but I'd not put it high on your shortlist of possibilities for 'four girls' (assume you mean a group of 4 women). You may find comparable deals at far smaller places , which would be more personable and have more character than a big hotel resort. Consider the small boutique hotel Idle-A-While and the hotel/spa Jackie's on the Reef in Negril, both of which would be very comfortable and less A-I confining than Sunset Grande. Neither would break your piggybank.

Sunset Grande would not be at the top of my list for Jamaica. I agree with the poster who suggested looking at Negril, or Runaway Bay. If you do go to Negril, there's really no need to do AI, since there are plenty of moderately-cheap restaurants, many with very good food.

In Negril, if you need cheap, and don't mind lack of direct beach access, you could try ROCKHOUSE, which has thatched huts with staircases going to the sea. It runs about $100/night.

Coco La Palm is quite nice and on the best part of the beach ( I've been 4 times), but as I wrote in an earlier post, it's got some minor maintenance issues, and some of the rooms in the lesser categories are really subpar.

I definetely agree with all the above. Don't pick Ochio Rios....or an all inclusive. Big question is when you want to go. The most charming area is now South Coast...Treasure Beach. try logging on to Tivertonhouse.com...but be prepared to book well after Easter. There are some great deals on small villas. People are wonderful...
By the way, Rockhouse is not $100 try $175 and up and is a terrific place.

I don't mean to be rude, but in the standard room category, rooms at Rockhouse ARE $100/night. Studios are $130. We were just in Negril, and I have their rate card.