Molly

My husband and I are looking for a nice place to vacation for our 5th anniversary this spring. We are on a tight budget this year and our travel agent recommended Sunset Beach in Montego Bay- any opinions? We're a little suspicious of an all inclusive that is so much cheaper than the other all inclusives. We went to Couples Ocho Rios for our honeymoon and really enjoyed ourselves - how do the two resorts compare? Thanks for any input!!! -Molly

traveler

The two resorts can't even be compared to each other, apple and orange. If you stayed at a Sandals last time you will be very disappointed in Sunset Beach. When you look a all inclusive resorts and the price is so much lower there must be a reason for this. They cut costs with food, and types of beverages offered. You will also see a great difference in the level of service. If there is anyway you can afford it go up a step to Jamaica Grand, Hoiday Inn or the Wyndham. Any of those you should not be disappointed. Rethink Sunset Beach but if you do choose that resort keep in mind, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! Have fun and enjoy your vacation.

traveler

Opps, I just read your post again. Couple Ocho is where you stayed last time, You will still have a very hard time comparing that to Sunset Beach. Sandals, Couples, Grand Lido SuperClubs. All the same concept, good food and service. You may not find the same level at Sunset.

molly

Thanks for the great advice - I agree that you get what you pay for. How do Sunset Beach and Jamaica Grande compare? Our travel agent said when she stayed at Jamaica Grande she was annoyed by all the cruise ship crowds and children all over the place. I just care that wherever we stay is CLEAN with a decent gym and good pool. At couples we usually ate at the grill b/c it was fast and easy (gourmet food at a resort is nice, but not a necessity for us); We did not use a lot of the all-included resources, like scuba and other activities. Is it worth $1000 more to stay at one of the nicer resorts? Thanks for any further advice! -Molly

Stephen Schulz

Molly: My wife and I (now fortyish going on twenty-something,) spent A week at Shaw Park Beach Hotel, Ocho Rios, Jamaica about five years ago. This property is just outside the city, has it's own PRIVATE BEACH (no vendors,) and about 120 rooms. It's A low-rise Club-like hotel. I would describe it as A Mid-60's sort of Beach Hotel. The property was clen, but A bit tired (for lack of A better word.) Good size pool for the number of rooms, great beach/swimming. Beach groomed and raked evrey morning. I'm an early riser and watched them groom the beach while having coffee on the balcony from our room. Food was quite good for an all-inclusive, (I would go that way again) but you can do non-inclusive if you care to. Intersting mix of European, American, and Canadian vacationers. AI plan included local liquor,beer, meals, and A 20 minute massage (didn't make time to get one,) and free entrance to the on premise club "Silks Disco", which was open to locals, and a safe and easy way to get A feel of the locals. Breakfast and lunch were served buffet style, but dinner was table service, on the carribean open-air veranda. It HAS been A while since we were there, and it's hard to find current posts or opinions of this property. They did have A nightly band and entertainment at that time. This property was just large enough to have many amenitys, but small enough not to be impersonal (remember, this WAS five years ago). Back then I would have gone back in A heartbeat. I think you could still do the property for about 1,000 U.S. for seven days including air fare. You may E-mail me if I can be of help.

Mesha

Molly,

I have a few other posts at this site regarding Sunset Beach. My family went there last August for a wk. We loved it and would go back again. The private beach is a bit rocky, so have swim shoes. We enjoyed the main pool, the kids seemed to frequent the secondary pool more. A lil bit of everybody is at this resort, but you never feel overwhelmed by children. And mine went with me. The resort is set away from the airport and downtown activity. Three restaraunts--two requiring reservations which you should make as soon as you arrive, based on the wk(s) activities you want to participate in. There is also a grill, serving quick, good food, that we frequented several times a day. Activities throughout the day and especially at night. A bus to Margueritaville everynight, plus they come onsite one evening with entertainment. You can book excursions in the lobby. I suggest also, using the "unofficial" cabbies (cheaper)...ask for Roosevelt, and they hang outside the front gate. Did I mention this is a gated resort, so not just anyone can stroll onto the property. Several bars, including a swim-up. Slot machines. Staff was accomodating, prompt, and professional.
My opinion...you couldn't go wrong at this resort.