Jamaica Inn

This was my second holiday here in 12 months. I am fortunate to holiday in other countries during the year, but this hotel is very special. If you care to look at my previous reviews, you will see how much it means to me. This visit was no exception, and I will try to remember some of those personalities who made it so. I call them personalities, because their interaction with the guests is quite the best I’ve experienced during my multitude of hotel visits over the years. There are so many of course, but here are a few: I’ll start with Eric, the hotel owner, who is regularly seen meeting and greeting guests at breakfast time. This is very reassuring, particularly for newcomers. The Managing Director is Kyle, who runs a very happy and tight ship. Sherlene, the Guest Services Manager really looks after all her guests by unobtrusive walk-abouts each day, making sure guests are happy. Reception is also heartening, with smiles from the staff and the warming “Welcome home” greeting. There is always someone there to go out of their way to help you, whatever the need. Around the corner to the main Bar, you will be expertly served by Palmer in the evenings. He mixes a mean Martini in the Ian Fleming style, amongst the many other outstanding cocktails from his repertoire. During the day you will be served there too by Murray, who won’t mind me saying, is one of the “Elders” here; a very experienced and well loved gentleman. He too, vies with Palmer for the martini accolade! I also have to mention two real characters in Teddy’s Bar on the beach; Patrick, a very experienced barman, who also gives a complimentary rum tasting experience once a week, with his boundless knowledge of the many rums available. Patrick also teaches Croquet to the uninitiated, and coupled with several others of the wait staff gives great enjoyment demonstrating his skills. I hate to see a grown man cry, so I always let him win!! Ashalene, the cocktail waitress who, in only a few months at the Beach Bar, is really making her happy personality noticed. She, too, is extremely adept in cocktail mixing. During the day, you are able to enjoy not just the beautiful beach and its surrounds, but take a tour around the gardens, tended by a team directed by head gardener Mr Taylor, who also gives complimentary guided tours around the site, one concentrating on the flora and fauna, the other dealing with the multitude of spices planted in the gardens. You will learn something different every time you take a tour, and sample some of the resident fruits and spices. The beach is absolutely idyllic, with soft golden sand dotted around by palm trees and equipped with super comfortable sun loungers, spaced with masses of room between them. The beach is kept so very clean and safe by a team of Life Guards, and I would single out two of them who looked after me like royalty, Christopher and Desmond. I nearly always have the same room when I stay here, and am looked after by Maria, a delightful lady. She is one of a team of Housekeeping that keeps everything so clean and tidy, with clean fluffy towels, abundant toiletries and floral arrangements. Evening meals under the stars are mostly served in the Terrace Restaurant which is extremely well known and considered to be one of the top restaurants on the Island. Food is of excellent quality and variety, headed up by the Executive Chef Maurice Henry. On the front line is a team of experienced and dedicated Wait Staff, who are also exceptional in their jobs. I will not name everyone but have to single out four whom I consider to be good friends as well, friendships formed over the many years I have been coming here. On the wines and drinks service are Patrice and Stretch, very knowledgeable and proficient, and then waiters Jason and Carter, two likeable characters, who also think they can play croquet! After dinner, Carter can often be heard singing many of the traditional Jamaican songs, entertaining the diners along with “Inner Groove” the resident band headed by their director Dalton with his great voice. He is joined by a real character Merrick, and Shai, a lady with an extraordinary voice, spanning 4+ octaves, with great clarity. That’s it! Obviously I have only mentioned a small number of people who make this place so magical. I do hope you are able to stay at this wonderful, happy and friendly hotel. It is not the only 5 star hotel on the island but definitely gives great personal service without the need for butlers and the like. That is why is has a percentage of guest returners in excess of 70%. Read less

My husband recently spent a week at Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios. This property is rich in history having been owned and operated by the same family for 65 years. Our accommodations were lovely, the staff in all areas of the hotel went above and beyond. The service was professional with a family feel. The owners were out amongst their guests and hands-on, which I believe, has a lot to the success of this hotel. We also had the pleasure of meeting Shadow #5. Shadow is a black lab that lives on the property and as I understand this is a tradition at this hotel. As soon as we were checking in I realized I had left a satchel with needed medication on the bus that dropped us off from Montego Bay. By the time I had made this realization the bus had left. Jodi, at the front desk, immediately made a couple of phone calls, but no answer as the service had closed for the day. She apologized, and said I probably wouldn't get the satchel until the next morning. However, within a couple of hours we got a call from the front desk letting me know they had my satchel. As it turned out Jodi was able to track the bus driver, and he was kind enough to turn back to return to the hotel. Which was a tremendous relief to say the least. I cannot say enough about what a pleasure it was to be at Jamaica Inn. From their fine dining to Teddy's Bar & Grill everything was delicious. There were plenty of water activities and the beach staff were all very informative and helpful. I loved how once we went to our lounge chairs staff was out to prepare it for our day on the beautiful beachfront. And then came the complimentary daily Rum Punch and/or fruit smoothie. And then there was Teddy's Bar situated close to the pool and lawn for crocket. (Teddy is/was a legend at Jamaica Inn). Besides providing excellent service, and great drinks the staff was always friendly and fun. Hearing Ashalene's infectious laugh was enough to make anyone smile! More honorable mentions include Patrick, the fearless leader, Devon and Williams. Each and everyone a true pleasure. Cathy Peterson Read less

Of all the vacations we have had the privilege to take, this was the first one genuinely about people. As such, it will always feel different from all the others, and will remind us what we had previously missed out on without even knowing it. Jamaica Inn is simply the only place we will ever stay in future visits to the country.. The level of service and genuine care conveyed cannot be matched. This is a whole other level of dedication. Were we even there, or was it merely a dream? Can't recommend this property and, especially its staff, highly enough. You leave feeling like a member of the extended family. They even rescheduled a rained out "Bond on the Beach" movie screening for my birthday to make it even more special for me. Simply the best. Read less