Best Beach Hotels in Jamaica

Half Moon takes its name from the two miles of spectacular, crescent-shaped beachfront -- with soft, white sand and warm, clear water -- that span the 400-acre property. Drawing everyone from Queen Elizabeth to 50 Cent, Half Moon strives for timeless, understated luxury (even at the swim-up bar). The 400-room resort offers attentive service, quality cuisine, and seemingly limitless activities like golfing and horseback riding.

The 70-room Treehouse is about the most relaxed hotel in Jamaica, almost to a fault. There’s only a skeleton crew on staff at night, and the rooms feature nothing but an old TV and a bar of soap. But most guests don't seem to care, once they're swinging on a porch hammock overlooking Jamaica’s best beach. Plus, great bars and restaurants are right next door.

Kids' activities galore, including a water park and "Sesame Street"-themed activities, makes this one of the best family resorts in Jamaica. (Guests seem to prefer it even to the cheaper Beaches Sandy Bay.) Both adults and kids will appreciate the location on one of Jamaica's best beaches.

The intimate beach at the adults-only Royal Plantation resort is among the best in Ocho Rios -- though its swimming area is fairly small. But the sand is exceptionally soft, the water is perfectly clear, and there are ample lounge chairs available.

A small, romantic resort that once drew Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, the Jamaica Inn is about quiet luxury -- a single thatch-roofed bar, a small pool, and beautiful rooms with oversize terraces and soft, colonial décor. The private stretch of beach, nestled between low cliffs, is bilssfully serene.

For an upbeat (at times obnoxious) all-you-can-drink mega-resort, the fresh-built Iberostar destroys the competition -- better food, liquor, service, and activities for less cash. The long stretch of white, sandy, well-groomed beach is better than most beaches in Montego Bay.

Restricted to couples ages 18 and up, this large (though quiet) 312-room all-inclusive is on one of Jamaica's best beaches. Modern rooms with Wi-Fi and iPod docks, quality food, and a low-key atmosphere best Sandals, but hundreds of guests share the beach and restaurants. Sunset at the Palms offers a more intimate experience, but it's across the street from the beach.