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The best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, from honeymoon hot spots to family-friendly resorts – The Points Guy

Jamaica is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean — and it’s easy to understand why. This island nation has a bit of everything, from beaches and rivers to mountains and rainforests.

Not to mention, it’s easy to reach from the U.S. thanks to numerous direct flights from Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and others. Even budget-friendly Southwest has a fair share of flights to Jamaica.

But let’s face it: What draws most people to Jamaica is its resorts.

Hotels are plentiful here, but many of Jamaica’s standout properties are those with all-inclusive packages. Whether you’re seeking an adults-only oasis or a family-friendly property with a massive water park, you’ll find an all-inclusive option that suits your needs.

These are the best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica — and everything you need to know about each.

Azul Beach Resort Negril

Negril, Jamaica

AZUL BEACH RESORT NEGRIL/MORIS MORENO/FACEBOOK

Best for: Families on a budget.

Why stay here: An excellent spot for water-loving families, this property sits directly on the beach and within walking distance of Jamaica’s largest water park.

Best way to book: Book Azul Beach Resort Negril directly through Karisma’s website for special offers, including resort credits.

Right on Negril’s famous Seven Mile Beach, Azul Beach Resort Negril is made for families who prefer to be in or by water as much as possible while on vacation.

Guests can walk to the sprawling Kool Runnings Adventure Park complex to enjoy waterslides, tubing and more when they’re not busy kayaking or snorkeling at the beach. Four swimming pools, including one that’s part of the resort’s kids club, are also available to cool off in on a hot Caribbean day.

Beyond the water-based activities and facilities, visitors can try out various pursuits on the resort grounds, such as archery and basketball. All kinds of locally inspired classes, which focus on everything from basket weaving to Jamaican cooking, are also available.

This property caters to families with its plethora of kid-centric inclusions (think: loaner strollers, bottle warmers and complimentary baby food in restaurants). However, adults will find several amenities made just for them, too.

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There are margarita and wine tastings, fitness classes like pilates and beach boot camp, and a spa with various fee-based services, such as massages and facials.

When stomachs start to grumble, enjoy a meal at one of six restaurants serving Caribbean, Italian and Thai, among other cuisines. Don’t miss dinner at Mahogany, which hosts themed nights and features an open kitchen so you can watch all the culinary action as your food is prepared.

After a busy day in the sun, retreat to one of 283 suites. Each has a furnished balcony or terrace and modern beach decor featuring blond wood, white and beige textiles, a neutral tile floor and colorful pops of turquoise or blue in throw pillows and wall art. Upgrade to a swim-up suite for direct access to a lazy river.

All-inclusive rates at Azul Beach Resort Negril start at $509 per night, based on double occupancy.

Beaches Negril

Negril, Jamaica

BEACHES NEGRIL/BEACHES

Best for: Families who want easy access to a plethora of water activities.

Why stay here: Resort amenities like a kid camp, nannies and a water park make this a great choice for family fun.

Best way to book: Book Beaches Negril directly through the resort’s website to take advantage of special rates, including last-minute deals.

Part of the Sandals family of all-inclusive resorts, Beaches Negril is the place for nonstop family fun right along Seven Mile Beach. Younger guests can spend their days at the teens club or kids camp, where they may spot some of their favorite Sesame Street characters. Adults can enjoy a treatment at the on-site spa (charges apply).

For family fun in the sun, visit the water park to zip down slides or head to the beach to borrow complimentary water sports equipment like kayaks, Hobie Cat sailboats, paddleboards and snorkeling gear. If you’re a competitive crew, consider challenging each other to a friendly game of basketball, soccer, tennis or beach volleyball.

On-site dining options are diverse, offering something for even the pickiest of eaters. You’ll have 10 different venues from which to choose, including the Italian-focused Venetian, the casual Bar B Q Park, a pizzeria and a seafood restaurant where you can dine directly on the sand. For seemingly endless options, visit the buffet-style Mill.

Once you’ve filled up on gourmet fare, retreat to your family-friendly accommodation. All 185 rooms and suites have contemporary beach decor like tropical fish wall art and white and blue color schemes.

They also offer flexible sleeping arrangements such as double beds or king-size beds with pullout sofas or daybeds with trundles. Standard suites come with flat-screen TVs, stocked minifridges and private balconies or patios, while upgraded accommodations offer concierge or butler services.

All-inclusive rates at Beaches Negril start at $872 per night, based on double occupancy.

The Caves

Negril, Jamaica

THE CAVES/FACEBOOK

Best for: Couples in search of low-key fun.

Why stay here: The most intimate of Jamaica’s all-inclusive resorts, this 12-cottage property never feels crowded or cramped, making it an ideal place to relax and disconnect.

Best way to book: Book through our partner Skylark to enjoy elite-like benefits and on-property credits.

In Negril on Jamaica’s west coast, The Caves is an alluring all-inclusive resort that is the opposite of a cookie-cutter hotel.

Each of the 12 accommodations, which include one- and two-bedroom cottages and a three-bedroom villa, is built on the cliffs, offering phenomenal views of the property’s gardens, the Caribbean Sea or the Blue Hole — a mineral spring within a deep cave.

The Caves’ intimate, mostly child-free setting — kids 15 and younger are only permitted to stay in the Clandestino villa — makes this resort a terrific spot for couples.

Duos can cool off in the saltwater pool, partake in complimentary yoga classes, dive into the cerulean sea for a snorkeling adventure or indulge in a treatment at spa (for an additional fee). Opt for a body wrap using aloe vera grown on-site or a body scrub featuring Caribbean brown sugar or Blue Mountain coffee for a dose of relaxation with a Jamaican twist.

While the property’s small size means it lacks an abundance of dining options, know that the quality of the cuisine is top-notch.

There’s the Bamboo Terrace, where visitors can fill up on tasty Caribbean fare at night and wash it down with drinks served from a 24-hour bar with an eye-catching painting of Bob Marley. Closer to the water is The Gazebo, an alfresco venue that serves Jamaican breakfast delicacies like steamed callaloo (a mixture of local vegetables) and bammy (a thick flat bread made with cassava).

To dial up the romance, arrange a private dinner in one of the resort’s caves or watch the sunset from the waterside Blackwell Rum Bar, which is carved into volcanic cliffs. There’s also a beach bar, should you prefer to cuddle on the sand.

All-inclusive rates at The Caves start at $490 per night, based on double occupancy.

Excellence Oyster Bay

Falmouth, Jamaica

EXCELLENCE OYSTER BAY/FACEBOOK

Best for: Resort connoisseurs looking for a quiet escape.

Why stay here: An isolated location on a peninsula creates ample opportunities to relax and forget about everyday stresses at this adults-only property.

Best way to book: Book Excellence Oyster Bay directly through the resort website for discounts and advance booking sales.

Jutting out into the Caribbean Sea from its perch on a private peninsula on Jamaica’s north coast, this adults-only, all-inclusive resort is made for relaxation seekers who wish to be far from the typical beach crowds.

The all-inclusive rate covers all kinds of low-key activities, including yoga classes, bocce ball, paddle boarding and snorkeling. You’ll also have access to five swimming pools and four hot tubs if you’d rather unwind with a cocktail or a good book in hand.

In addition to various water sports, fitness pursuits and wet facilities, guests can check out the Miilé Spa, where a hydrotherapy area with Swedish saunas, an ice room and more complement the treatment spaces. Book the outdoor treatment cabana for your massage or facial (charges apply) for sea views while you’re pampered.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, venture to one of 11 dining venues — two of which are only accessible to Excellence Club guests.

Chez Isabelle is the ideal choice for a romantic date night, as the menu features French fare and an extensive selection of wines from the restaurant’s cellar. For something a bit more casual, check out the Jerk Hut (the poolside Jamaican barbecue restaurant) or the waterfront Kitchen Table (an international buffet open daily for breakfast and lunch).

Accommodations include 315 suites with modern sea-inspired decor, marble bathrooms with rain showers, spacious bedrooms with furnished balconies, two-person Jacuzzis and boxes for discreet room service deliveries. Pricier suites offer extras like private plunge pools.

Reserve an Excellence Club suite for additional amenities, such as access to private beach areas, concierge service, upgraded Bvlgari toiletries and daily in-suite snacks.

All-inclusive rates at Excellence Oyster Bay start at $624 per night, based on double occupancy.

Lucea, Jamaica

GRAND PALLADIUM JAMAICA RESORT & SPA/FACEBOOK

Best for: Families who prefer larger resorts.

Why stay here: Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa attracts fun-loving families in droves, as it offers a full activity calendar, ample kids amenities and one of the largest pool complexes in the Caribbean.

Best way to book: Book Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa directly through the resort website for special offers.

This massive 537-suite property in northwest Jamaica touts itself as family-friendly, and it’s easy to see why. Abundant activities and facilities keep children of all ages — and their parents — entertained day and night.

Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa’s most impressive feature is its expansive pool complex, which includes four pools (some with swim-up bars) and a water park with colorful slides. There are also various courts for tennis, basketball and beach volleyball, and families can take advantage of unusual (but welcome) amenities like a miniature golf course and an archery field.

Odds are you’re considering Jamaica for a beach vacation. If that’s the case, you’re in luck, as Grand Palladium Jamaica has a beach with all kinds of activities. Though you’ll have to pay for most water sports, select ones like kayaking and snorkeling do not cost extra. Younger guests won’t want to miss the kids club, which is divided into three age-appropriate spaces for babies, young children and teens.

With all there is to do on-site, it’s easy to work up an appetite. Fortunately, the resort’s all-inclusive package covers all meals and drinks at 12 restaurants and bars, so you’ll never go hungry. Check out the buffets for local and international dishes, or try a la carte eateries specializing in Mexican, Japanese, Indian and Italian fare.

Once you’re ready to catch some z’s, head to your suite, where you’ll find furnishings in neutral hues, with splashes of color here and there. Entry-level suites measure roughly 570 square feet and feature living areas, furnished terraces or balconies and bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Expect modern-day essentials like flat-screen TVs, coffee makers and stocked minibars.

All-inclusive rates at Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa start at $499 per night, based on double occupancy.

Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa

Montego Bay, Jamaica

HILTON ROSE HALL/FACEBOOK

Best for: Families looking for a fun beach vacation without breaking the bank.

Why stay here: With a solid water park and a beautiful beach, the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa has a lot to offer at an affordable price.

Best way to book: Book the Hilton Rose Hall directly through Hilton’s website for the lowest rates, whether you’re using cash or points.

In Montego Bay’s bustling resort area, the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa is a sprawling 495-room property packed with amenities. Its 400 oceanfront acres are home to a massive water park, a private beach and an 18-hole golf course, among other facilities.

Guests seeking an extra dose of relaxation will love that the property has two spas, including one offering beachfront treatments. Available spa services range from massages with Jamaican herbs and gemstone facials to specialty treatments designed to help those with sinus issues or side effects from chemotherapy. There’s even a treatment menu for kids as young as 5, should little ones wish to accompany their parents for a day of pampering.

Dining options include eight on-site restaurants, a coffee shop and room service, and the dishes mostly highlight local fare.

Choose from the quick-service Jerk Hut for casual Jamaican bites, a beachfront seafood establishment featuring regional catches, the aptly named Rum Factory (where you can pair your Jamaican meal with a local rum) and a buffet restaurant serving a mix of Caribbean and international dishes. Only the dishes served at Italian-influenced Three Palms cost extra.

For a restful night’s sleep, retreat to your modern sea-inspired room or suite. The design is simple but elegant, with mostly white decor complemented by blue accent walls and curtains.

Entry-level rooms start at 370 square feet and come equipped with flat-screen TVs, coffee makers and balconies that overlook the resort grounds, though there are upgraded spaces with views of the golf course or ocean.

All-inclusive rates at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa start at $367 or 96,000 Hilton Honors points per night, based on double occupancy.

Related: 7 things to know before booking a stay at Montego Bay’s Hilton Rose Hall Resort

Hotel Riu Montego Bay

Montego Bay, Jamaica



This post first appeared on Al Jazeera News Today, please read the originial post: here

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The best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, from honeymoon hot spots to family-friendly resorts – The Points Guy

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