5 Best Hotels in Montego Bay, Jamaica

A favorite of celebrities and other wealthy people thanks to its private, elegant villas, this peaceful resort west of MoBay also has stylish hotel rooms in the Pineapple House; the rooms are decorated in a refined Ralph Lauren style done by the designer himself, who has property on the resort's 98 acres. Each villa includes a personal maid and a cook to make your breakfast, and most have private pools. It's a fairly quiet place, with a small beach and limited but good dining options. Many guests return again and again because of the personal service and excellent management.

With its many room categories, 28 massive villas (five to seven bedrooms), shopping village, a private beach, water sports, three pools, the luxurious Fern Tree spa, a children's village, golf course, and an equestrian center, this resort feels almost as though it's an entire town. What started in 1954 as a group of private beach cottages offered for rent during off-season months has blossomed into one of the most popular getaways on Jamaica's north coast. Renovations in recent years have added more than 50 rooms and a wealth of bars and restaurants, including a vegan café. The original beach cottages, just steps from the sand as well as public areas, remain a great choice. 

This adults-only beachfront resort with well-appointed rooms is trendy and sophisticated, offering the same all-inclusive service as its neighboring family-friendly sister resort, including a gym, a wellness center, and a spa in addition to freshwater pools and Jacuzzis. There are four dining options, including a Japanese restaurant and a steak house; guests may also eat at any of the restaurants at Riu Montego Bay and Riu Reggae. Land and water sports are in abundance, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the resort.

Four miles (6 km) east of the airport, this elegant resort has Jamaican-style buildings around attractive gardens and a less boisterous atmosphere than Sandals Montego Bay, offering a few more-formal touches, including nightly shows, unlimited fine dining, free nonmotorized water sports, and afternoon tea. A colorful "dragon boat" transports you to Sandals's private island (advertised as two vacations in one) for meals at a gourmet Thai restaurant or for private poolside fun.

The sumptuous villas— most of which have a private pool—and pampering staff lend a home-away-from-home feel to this golfers' haven west of MoBay; the beautiful seaside golf course is considered one of the toughest in the world and hosts big-money tournaments. The resort has other fun activities like tennis lessons, motorized sports (wakeboarding, banana boat rides, private glass-bottom boat tours), and a kids' club. The resort is even farther out than Round Hill, but golfers are more than willing to accept the relative isolation for easy access to the great course.