Moon Palace Jamaica

Just spent 12 days at MPJ as guests of a VIP member. I have also been to The Moon Palace in Cancun and in comparison this was quite different. It's a lot smaller which I preferred. It was nice to be able walk everywhere. The beach is lovely. There is lots of marine life to see close by, calm, clear and shallow water - great for kids! The beach is this resort's best feature. One other highlight was the food. Some of the traditional local dishes found at the buffet during breakfast and lunch were outstanding This was the main reason we ate breakfast and lunch there most days. I was warned ahead of time that the staff are not as nice or helpful compared to Cancun. I did find that some staff here were just that. However by the end of the trip I can see why some staff are not as friendly. If I had to guess, these staff members are fed up with inconsiderate entitled guests. By the time I left, I was too. The purpose of this trip was to spend some time trying to unwind, enjoy some quality time together as a family in a quiet, peaceful tropical setting. Unfortunately, we discovered that this was resort encourages more of a party vibe than a relaxing one. All 12 days we really struggled to find a peaceful place to enjoy the surroundings. There was LOUD music being played by pool staff at 2 different pools all day which could be heard clearly on the beach and across the water. The main pool was often overrun with loud, rowdy guests constantly around the bar pool many of whom had brought their own personal speakers (sometimes playing songs containing profanity). On this trip, a day at the pool was cut short due to a drunk guest vomiting repeatedly into the pool and then passing out before being able to get out of the pool. The lack of help coming from staff during this tells me it happens often. My young and impressionable kids had a lot of questions about what they saw that day. Most other days, on top of the loud music coming from the pools, guests were playing inappropriate music from their own speakers, using foul language around young families, inappropriate dancing, inappropriate swimwear, inappropriate evening wear at dinner etc. It seemed the only place for a truly tranquil experience was at the other end of the resort reserved only for the Elite/Diamond/Residence members. We often had to relocate due to guests smoking, swearing, blaring their own music, littering or pool staff running games/dances etc at volumes that were much louder than they needed to be. Our most relaxing times were when we left the resort on excursions. A private tour company (first one that comes up in a google search) took our family of 4 to Konoko Falls for $130 USD total (a big difference from what MPJ was going to charge us). We went in the morning and pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. It was the best day of the whole vacation. The amazing water sports team also gave us some respite from all the noise and chaos by taking us out from time to time on their Hobie cats. Speaking of the water-sports team, they are all great (especially Ralph), for ensuring conditions are safe enough. If they won't let you do a particular sport that day because of winds, currents etc., believe them. They know what they are doing. Despite the inconsiderate guests and some unfriendly staff, there are a few hidden gems that deserve praise for their abilities to be kind, courteous, attentive and go the extra mile. Some of the amazing staff members we did encounter were Patrice (front desk); Stormylee (Momo); Montgomery (Gondola); Orlando, Ryan and Shellisa (Pier 8); Patagaye (AWE Spa); Shelby (housekeeping); Rushashawn, Althea, Melika (Poolside waitstaff); Keisha, Dajhae, Ann- Marie, Shawauna, Kevin, Devan, Adrianna (Buccaneers) and Marjorie (groundskeeping). Suggestions for the hotel: -Have a dedicated quiet areas at the beaches and pools with adequate shade. -Ensure guests are smoking in designated smoking areas -Have poolside entertainment set up at 1 pool instead of 2 at a lower volume. -more umbrellas! - If there is a downpour around lunchtime, be more forgiving of guests in wet clothes (Pier 8). -Stricter dress codes for EVERYONE during the day and evening. Suggestions for the guests: -Please be considerate. Yes you are on vacation but so is everyone else around you. -Please be aware of your behaviour especially when kids are around. -Please leave your speaker in your room. -If water sports says it's too dangerous for something, trust their judgement. -Smoke in designated smoking areas -If there 50+ unoccupied loungers around you, don't pick the one inches away from an occupied lounger. -If you spill a drink on another guest's things, apologize. -If you are at the buffet and drop the serving tongs on the floor, don't pick it up and put it back in the food. Give it to a staff member. -If you are a VIP member, don't forget to treat yourself to complimentary hydrotherapy at the spa daily (didn't find out about this until halfway through the trip). Would we come back or recommend this place for a peaceful family get away? No. Read less

Very nice and friendly facility. Special thanks to our housekeeper Sabrina (rm#21425) she makes sure we have everything we need to feel comfortable staying and bringing beautiful smiles to us every morning! And thanks to NICKaydo at coffee shop making delicious Irish coffee for me every day to make my days better! You will be missed and made Moon Palace Jamaica really special!! Read less

The newly owned Palace Company has cut back on quality services and is investing in selling time shares. Those are the only people who are properly trained to get your money. The front desk staff couldn’t care less. They refuse to give a paper receipt if you request one. Ask for a Manager they pretend one is never around. They will just point to the direction to walk yourself to customer relations. Don’t believe in their resort credit scam. You go to the gift shop it’s just a few items it’s good on and by the time they adjust the credit you’re really buying the item out of pocket. You will be paying $40 for a straw beach bag that you can get back in the states or your Country for $10 or $15. The items are well overpriced so you’re literally paying for any item you choose. The food is not to die for anymore. For such overpriced hotel, it’s better to go to the RIU or Bahi Principe. There are a lot more nice Resorts on the North Coast to choose from. AirBNBs are even nicer. Service was absolutely poor. I strongly encourage you not to waste your time and money. Read less