Secrets St. James Montego Bay

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Virgin rating

Junior Suite Ocean Front Room
Seaside Grill
Piano Bar
Pool
Preferred Club Junior Swim Out Room
Junior Suite Bathroom
Coco Cafe
El Patio
Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean Front Room
Preferred Club Master Suite Bathroom
Preferred Club Pool
Preferred Club Bar
Himitsu
Oceana
Desires Music Lounge
Barracuda
Bordeaux
Blue Mountain
Promenade
Spa Hydrotherapy Pool
Spa
Theater
Junior Suite Ocean Front Room
Seaside Grill
Piano Bar
Pool
Preferred Club Junior Swim Out Room
Junior Suite Bathroom
Coco Cafe
El Patio
Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean Front Room
Preferred Club Master Suite Bathroom
Preferred Club Pool
Preferred Club Bar
Himitsu
Oceana
Desires Music Lounge
Barracuda
Bordeaux
Blue Mountain
Promenade
Spa Hydrotherapy Pool
Spa
Theater

The hotel

Everything is luxury at Secrets St James. This adults-only resort holds an exclusive, breathtaking location in Montego Bay's stunning peninsula, and guests here will enjoy the experience of Unlimited Luxury® - from wait service at the pool and beach, to an extensive range of restaurants and bars, and free-flow access to the facilities at neighbouring Secrets Wild Orchid, there's so much to enjoy. If you need a break from gazing at the crystal clear waters, head out onto them instead, with an assortment of water sports available that will make it impossible to get bored. There's also nightly live entertainment, theme parties, and even cooking and dance classes on offer, meaning that you're bound to be left with plenty of incredible memories. And for those seeking ultimate relaxation, the 15,000sq ft Spa is the perfect place to indulge. This resort is so special that you won't want to leave, but if you do, you'll find that Montego Bay's 'hip strip' is close by, as are multiple Championship golf courses and local attractions.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis
  • Water Skiing
  • Windsurfing
  • Anniversary and special occasions
  • Honeymoon
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Games Room

Where is it

Situated on the peninsula of Montego Bay, surrounded by the breathtaking Caribbean Sea. Transfer time from Sangster International Airport: 25 minutes.

Hotel information

350 suites, with elevators in every building. All rooms feature classic decor, a private, furnished balcony or terrace, 55" flat screen cable TV, mini-bar refreshed daily, coffee maker, bathrooms with double vanity, separate WC, separate shower, hot tub, luxury bath amenities, hair dryer, TV speaker controls in bathroom, armoire, electronic in-room safe, bathrobes and bedroom slippers, clothes steamers, alarm clock with MP3 docking station, nightstands with reading lamps and telephone, desk with telephone, sofa, ceiling fan, motion sensor air-conditioning, 24-hour room service (hours may vary), Secrets Box for private room service delivery and complimentary WiFi. 

Junior Suite Garden View rooms have garden views, and either 1 king-size bed sleeping a maximum of 2 adults, or 2 double beds sleeping a maximum of 3 adults.


All Inclusive

Guests enjoy Unlimited Luxury® services including

  • Limitless access to gourmet a la carte dining options, without reservations required
  • Unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits
  • Unlimited natural fruit juices and soft drinks
  • 24-hour room and concierge service (room service hours may vary)
  • Pool and beach wait service
  • Mini-bar with soft drinks, juice, bottled water and beer
  • Daily maid service
  • Endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment
  • Theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment venues
  • No wristbands required
  • All taxes and gratuities included
  • Free WiFi

Junior Suite Ocean View rooms have ocean views, and 1 king-size bed sleeping a maximum of 2 adults, or 2 double beds sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Junior Suite Ocean Front rooms are in an ocean-front location with stunning, direct ocean views, and 1 king-size bed sleeping a maximum of 2 adults, or 2 double beds sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Preferred Club Junior Suite Ocean View rooms feature ocean views, and preferred club benefits, with 1 king-size bed sleeping a maximum of 2 adults, or 2 double beds sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Preferred Club Junior Suite Ocean View Swim Out rooms feature ocean views, preferred club benefits (including complimentary butler service) and direct swim-out access to swimming pool, with 1 king-size bed sleeping a maximum of 2 adults, or 2 double beds sleeping maximum 3 adults.

Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean Front rooms are in an oceanfront location with stunning, direct ocean views, hot tub on the terrace (as well as hot tub in bathroom), a spacious living room and dining area with seating for four, preferred club benefits (including complimentary butler service) and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.


Preferred Club Benefits 

  • Private check-in and check-out
  • Complimentary Butler service (for guests staying on Preferred Club Junior Suite Ocean View Swim Out category or higher)
  • Soaking tub with padded covers for lounging on terrace
  • Private Preferred Club Lounge
  • Preferred Club status and amenities
  • Access to dining, activities and amenities at Breathless Montego Bay
  • Private concierge service
  • Private pool for Preferred Club guests
  • Daily continental breakfast in the lounge
  • Afternoon hot and cold hors d'oeuvres
  • Exquisite desserts and fine liquors in the lounge
  • Complimentary internet access in-suite
  • Complimentary computer access in the Preferred Club Lounge
  • Complimentary newspaper in the Preferred Club Lounge
  • Upgraded mini-bar service
  • Upgrade bath amenities
  • Steam press

An expansive range of 10 restaurants (1 buffet, 7 a la carte, and a cafe) and 9 bars and lounges. No reservations required. Restaurant openings rotate throughout the week.

Restaurants include World Café (international restaurant, breakfast, lunch and dinner), Barefoot Grill (light lunch), Blue Mountain (authentic Jamaican-Carribbean fare, dinner), Bordeaux (a la carte French cuisine, dinner), El Patio (a la carte Mexican Cuisine, dinner) Himitsu (Asion fusion a la carte, dinner), Oceana (fresh seafood, lunch and dinner), Portofino (Italian cuisine with wine cellar, dinner), Seaside Grill (poolside a la carte with ocean views, lunch and dinner) and Coco Café (coffee and snack bar, open 24-hours).

Bars include Barracuda (pool and beach bar, with signature cocktails), Showtime (theatre bar), Sugar Reef (pool bar with cocktails), Marlin Bar (open-air bar), Revive Bar (spa fruit and juice bar), The Lounge (lobby bar with live music ), Rendezvous (lobby bar with live music in the evenings), Piano Bar (Cuban-themed lounge with live piano music), Desires (sports bar and dance club, late night) and Manatees (swim-up bar).

Regular entertainment day and night, including live music in lounges, and nightly entertainment at the Theatre (which features comfortable seating, bar service, and air conditioning).

Pool and beach waiter service. Large, free form swimming pool (partially heated). Private pool for Preferred Club guests (partially heated). Three outdoor hot tubs. Gift shops. Game lounge. Live entertainment. 15,000 sq ft Spa* with massage cabins, whirl pool, steam room, sauna and more. Fitness centre, with cardio equipment and weight room. Darts. Giant chess board. Bicycle tours. Aerobics. Bocce ball. Jogging trail. Cooking and dance classes. Tennis. Introductory scuba lesson in the swimming pool. Watersports, including guided snorkelling, paddleboarding, water polo/pool volleyball, wind surfing, kayaks, catamaran*, water skiing*, parasailing*, wake/knee boarding*, tubing*, banana boats*, boat tours*, deep sea fishing*, and glass bottom boat*. Authentic Jamaican jerk chicken and beef patty carts at the beach and pool daily.

Complimentary WiFi. 24-hour room service (hours subject to change). 

*Denotes local charge. 
Dress code: most restaurants require guests to wear cover-ups and no sleeveless shirts when dining. A ‘casual elegance’ dress code is in place when taking dinner at Bordeaux, El Patio, Himitsu and Blue Mountain, with gentlemen required to be dressed in long trousers, with dress shirts or collared shirts, and women can wear dresses, shirts or blouses, and trousers, with no flip flops or sleeveless shirts.
Please note: this is an adults-only resort, and bookings with guests under the age of 18 will not be permitted.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (5897)
  • Very good (2054)
  • Average (924)
  • Poor (423)
  • Terrible (298)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beautiful sunsets

Apr 10, 2024 Sunnyskynbeaches

We enjoyed our stay, property was beautiful but not much shade to be found. We had no problem getting loungers at one of the beaches around 9am but we had to leave by 2pm as no more shade to be found.. we had beach service or the illusion of beach service... the waiter came around 2 times between 9 and 2 ... we didn't even try for pool loungers… Read more
We enjoyed our stay, property was beautiful but not much shade to be found. We had no problem getting loungers at one of the beaches around 9am but we had to leave by 2pm as no more shade to be found.. we had beach service or the illusion of beach service... the waiter came around 2 times between 9 and 2 ... we didn't even try for pool loungers as they were all covered with towels.. not many people just towels... people save loungers but hardly use them... food was ok... didn't like that no dinner buffet was available for a quick dinner.. had to wait to be served... which is ok but not every night.. went to French restaurant and by the time we got fed we had lost our appetite and only had a couple bites.. it was 9pm by the time we had a table... disappointing... the seafood restaurant was our favorite.. service was great and getting a table was faster ... we found all the staff on resort very friendly and nice... entertainment... no where to sit and watch it as not enough seating available so can't really comment on that... disappointing... our room... loved the location.. garden view.. we were located behind beach grill... we left are patio door unlocked and used it as our enter n exit point all week... occasionally we had to use the door as the maid or turn down service would lock patio... room was very nice but detailed cleaning could be better... like baseboards ... corners... no big deal for us but it will only get worse... like I tell my staff .. if you always wipe it .. you won't have to scrub it.. on our last day we were walking all the beaches... got pretty grossed out when by the boats for water sports.... counted 12 dirty diapers floating in the water and washing up on beach... gross.... people swimming in that water made me gag.... bars... not enough easy access bars... the beach grill would be a great spot to put one.... cappuccino.. I drink cappuccino all day and night... unfortunately the only place to get one is the Cafe.. cant get at any restaurant or bar.... disappointing... would we return? Yes if the price was good! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Dissatisfied

Apr 9, 2024 Linda H

Having been to other all inclusives Secrets St James was disappointing. The resort is in serious need of repair. Our room had issues including a toilet that didn’t flush, a sink that didn’t drain and the handle/lock on the patio door was broke. The buildings have peeling paint and shingles missing on roof in places. The pool ladders were loose and… Read more
Having been to other all inclusives Secrets St James was disappointing. The resort is in serious need of repair. Our room had issues including a toilet that didn’t flush, a sink that didn’t drain and the handle/lock on the patio door was broke. The buildings have peeling paint and shingles missing on roof in places. The pool ladders were loose and one was missing a step. The pool filtration system was not working very well as a large area of scum and debris collected by pool steps daily. Breakfast buffet was ok. The lunch buffet was not good. Dinner restaurants were frustrating at times. It took up to an hour for food to arrive after ordered. All in all food was mediocre at best. Bar service was extremely slow but not fault of bartenders. The Piano Bar at night served hundreds of people with one to two bartenders. Staff for the most part were never rude but did not go out of their way to interact or smile. Entertainment was hit or miss. There are much better resorts to stay at. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Secrets Montego Bay Jamaica Honest Review.

Apr 2, 2024 aprasoulis Toronto, Canada

Nice resort in Montego Bay. Beach was a little small, but grounds were large and clean. Many restaurants but in the evening for dinner I found it hard to get a table quickly. The buffet for breakfast and lunch was great, and so was the beach grill, although the service was a little slow. The beef patties were delicious. The rooms were nice and… Read more
Nice resort in Montego Bay. Beach was a little small, but grounds were large and clean. Many restaurants but in the evening for dinner I found it hard to get a table quickly. The buffet for breakfast and lunch was great, and so was the beach grill, although the service was a little slow. The beef patties were delicious. The rooms were nice and clean and the staff was great. Overall, it's a nice resort. It has a preferred side which has other perks like butler service and private beach as well. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Extremely poor

Apr 1, 2024 Jamie0199 Plymouth, United Kingdom

This hotel is not all it seems, the rooms are in need of work, the cleaning of them is really poor, the turn down service starts at 6pm and goes to 10pm, we would often be in bed and they arrive to do the turn down!! The food is okay but they cater for the American pallet !! The reception staff we found to be most unhelpful at every… Read more
This hotel is not all it seems, the rooms are in need of work, the cleaning of them is really poor, the turn down service starts at 6pm and goes to 10pm, we would often be in bed and they arrive to do the turn down!! The food is okay but they cater for the American pallet !! The reception staff we found to be most unhelpful at every interaction. Be warned, if you just book st james and not any of the “preferred club” you will only be able to use the one pool that has music banging most days, it’s cramped and far from 5 star, however if you want to upgrade at £150 A DAY !!!! You can sit around a quiet pool, it’s a total rip off. So our holiday would of cost us an extra £2k plus. I would not recommend this place , they offer Corporate events to the USA who come for a few days at a time, you can’t move, it’s loud and they just take over. Fancy a bottle of wine? A pedicure? Your need to secure that against your home!!! A bottle of wine starts at 68us and goes in to the hundreds, the pedicure is 25 mins for 98us dollars, it’s offensive how the hotel try’s to cash in on a captive audience. Not to be repeated. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Service!

Apr 1, 2024 Alilynn1 Inkster, Michigan

We just returned from a great vacation at this property. I will say, my review is heavily influenced by having preferred /VIP service, specifically with our Butler Dane! He was fantastic--from booking beach chairs with water coolers, bringing us snacks, driving us around in a golf cart and making dinner reservations. I can't sing his praises… Read more
We just returned from a great vacation at this property. I will say, my review is heavily influenced by having preferred /VIP service, specifically with our Butler Dane! He was fantastic--from booking beach chairs with water coolers, bringing us snacks, driving us around in a golf cart and making dinner reservations. I can't sing his praises enough. Outside of this, the property was ok. The staff was friendly, the restaurants were just ok for us. There are water sport rentals on site which were a lot of fun but the highlight is the beach itself. The property is also VERY secure. They don't play around with safety. You do have access to all of the Secrets properties including Breathless and Wild Orchid. Breathless was a little more lively in the evening and their rooftop restaurant is a must do for dinner. The entertainment options could have been more varied, as we didn't find much that we wanted to do which is the only things keeping this from 5. I would go again but only if we had our same butler! Read less