This 529-room upscale all-inclusive is adults-only, drawing many younger couples and honeymooners. The 110-acre resort is split into two halves by the road, and jitneys run between the two lobbies regularly. The Riviera Seaside Village and Ochi Beach Club are both on the water, while the All-Butler Riviera Villas and Great House are set back in the gardens, and offer butler service. There are lots of restaurants, bars, pools, whirlpools, and activities (including an 18-hole golf course overlooking the sea) on the premises, and it's a five-minute drive to downtown Ocho Rios for more spots to shop and dine. Just know that the beach isn't large and the hotel is an hour-and-a-half ride from the airport on the resort's free shuttle bus; those who prefer less travel time may want to compare rates at the smaller Sandals Montego Bay, and those in search of a better beach may want to consider the Sandals Negril Beach Resort.
This 529-room upscale all-inclusive is adults-only, drawing many younger couples and honeymooners. The 110-acre resort is split into two halves by the road, and jitneys run between the two lobbies regularly. The Riviera Seaside Village and Ochi Beach Club are both on the water, while the All-Butler Riviera Villas and Great House are set back in the gardens, and offer butler service. There are lots of restaurants, bars, pools, whirlpools, and activities (including an 18-hole golf course overlooking the sea) on the premises, and it's a five-minute drive to downtown Ocho Rios for more spots to shop and dine. Just know that the beach isn't large and the hotel is an hour-and-a-half ride from the airport on the resort's free shuttle bus; those who prefer less travel time may want to compare rates at the smaller Sandals Montego Bay, and those in search of a better beach may want to consider the Sandals Negril Beach Resort.
ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios is among Ocho Rios’ largest all-inclusive resorts, with more services and entertainment than some U.S. towns. The massive, upper-middle-range property feels like a city unto itself. Seven restaurants, an enormous private beach, and two large pools all top the list of features. The 846 rooms are typical of the Riu brand, with dark, traditional decor that's pleasant, but dated. In-room amenities are excellent, including daily-stocked minibars, liquor dispensers, and private balconies, many with ocean views. While downtown Ocho Rios is less than 10 minutes away by car, there's little of interest within walking distance. The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa is a more affordable, four-pearl alternative for those looking for adult-only fun.
ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios is among Ocho Rios’ largest all-inclusive resorts, with more services and entertainment than some U.S. towns. The massive, upper-middle-range property feels like a city unto itself. Seven restaurants, an enormous private beach, and two large pools all top the list of features. The 846 rooms are typical of the Riu brand, with dark, traditional decor that's pleasant, but dated. In-room amenities are excellent, including daily-stocked minibars, liquor dispensers, and private balconies, many with ocean views. While downtown Ocho Rios is less than 10 minutes away by car, there's little of interest within walking distance. The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa is a more affordable, four-pearl alternative for those looking for adult-only fun.
This 35-acre, 148-room all-inclusive resort has a lush natural setting filled with waterfalls, grottos, beaches, lakes, and jungles. It still has the features of a megaresort -- three restaurants, four pools, two beaches, four bars, a spa, and tons of free activities -- but it's one of the few large-scale resorts that manages to feel crowd-free and even intimate. The rooms and public areas could use some cosmetic updates, however.
This 35-acre, 148-room all-inclusive resort has a lush natural setting filled with waterfalls, grottos, beaches, lakes, and jungles. It still has the features of a megaresort -- three restaurants, four pools, two beaches, four bars, a spa, and tons of free activities -- but it's one of the few large-scale resorts that manages to feel crowd-free and even intimate. The rooms and public areas could use some cosmetic updates, however.
Set on a private beach within a short walk of downtown Ochos Rios, the 705-room Moon Palace Jamaica Grande is a sprawling all-inclusive that’d give Vegas joints a run for their money in scale, features, and extravagance. After undergoing a full renovation, this family-friendly property reopened in 2015 as a high-end luxury resort with majestic marble interiors. The sleek beach-house-inspired rooms have balconies with water views, and include iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, liquor dispensers, and welcome wine. There are four restaurants, multiple bars, four swimming pools, a world-class spa with 23 treatment rooms, a surf machine, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests can even swim with dolphins (for a fee). Travelers seeking a more intimate luxury experience could try Jamaica Inn.
Set on a private beach within a short walk of downtown Ochos Rios, the 705-room Moon Palace Jamaica Grande is a sprawling all-inclusive that’d give Vegas joints a run for their money in scale, features, and extravagance. After undergoing a full renovation, this family-friendly property reopened in 2015 as a high-end luxury resort with majestic marble interiors. The sleek beach-house-inspired rooms have balconies with water views, and include iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, liquor dispensers, and welcome wine. There are four restaurants, multiple bars, four swimming pools, a world-class spa with 23 treatment rooms, a surf machine, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Guests can even swim with dolphins (for a fee). Travelers seeking a more intimate luxury experience could try Jamaica Inn.
The phrase “you get what you pay for” rings true at Fisherman’s Point Resort, a shabby value property across from the cruise port in Ocho Rios. Though the hotel is within walking distance of the cruise ship pier, and tons of shops and restaurants, it has a slightly seedy vibe, with run-down rooms and an eerily quiet atmosphere. While there’s no beach, the hotel does have a mid-size pool. The property’s one redeeming quality is the delicious on-site Indian restaurant, though rooms located above it tend to have a lingering curry smell. Budget travelers will find nicer accommodations at the Pineapple Court Hotel, but it’s far from downtown and the cruise ship pier. Travelers looking for something a bit nicer might prefer Hibiscus Lodge Hotel.
The phrase “you get what you pay for” rings true at Fisherman’s Point Resort, a shabby value property across from the cruise port in Ocho Rios. Though the hotel is within walking distance of the cruise ship pier, and tons of shops and restaurants, it has a slightly seedy vibe, with run-down rooms and an eerily quiet atmosphere. While there’s no beach, the hotel does have a mid-size pool. The property’s one redeeming quality is the delicious on-site Indian restaurant, though rooms located above it tend to have a lingering curry smell. Budget travelers will find nicer accommodations at the Pineapple Court Hotel, but it’s far from downtown and the cruise ship pier. Travelers looking for something a bit nicer might prefer Hibiscus Lodge Hotel.
Hibiscus Lodge Hotel is an excellent mid-range option in Ocho Rios. Spread across three clifftop acres, Hibiscus Lodge offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. The 27 rooms are clean and comfortable, and many have stunning ocean views; just don’t expect cutting edge design of high-tech amenities. There’s a nice pool, but the beach leaves a lot of to desired — it’s a man-made plot of sand on the water. The hotel’s restaurant, The Almond Tree, is popular with guests and non-guests alike, and the adjacent Swing Bar is a fun place to hang out any time of day. Hibiscus Lodge is not without faults — the hotel’s spotty Wi-Fi, tiny beach, and so-so room decor might be deal breakers for some. Moxons Beach Club is a similarly sized mid-range hotel in the area that's also worth considering. Travelers looking for something a bit more upscale in Ocho Rios might prefer Jamaica Inn, though rates are much pricier.
Hibiscus Lodge Hotel is an excellent mid-range option in Ocho Rios. Spread across three clifftop acres, Hibiscus Lodge offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. The 27 rooms are clean and comfortable, and many have stunning ocean views; just don’t expect cutting edge design of high-tech amenities. There’s a nice pool, but the beach leaves a lot of to desired — it’s a man-made plot of sand on the water. The hotel’s restaurant, The Almond Tree, is popular with guests and non-guests alike, and the adjacent Swing Bar is a fun place to hang out any time of day. Hibiscus Lodge is not without faults — the hotel’s spotty Wi-Fi, tiny beach, and so-so room decor might be deal breakers for some. Moxons Beach Club is a similarly sized mid-range hotel in the area that's also worth considering. Travelers looking for something a bit more upscale in Ocho Rios might prefer Jamaica Inn, though rates are much pricier.