Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa

After changing ownership and undergoing renovations, the Jewel Grande Montego Bay opened in 2017. Offering a family-friendly alternative to its adults-only sister property Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa, the hotel attracts a range of travelers with its all-inclusive rates and proximity to the airport. Spanning three pale-yellow towers with white detailing -- each with rooms and different features -- there's lots of space to spread out, and having just 129 rooms means it doesn't feel crowded. A classically elegant, colonial style is found throughout, including rich wood furniture, earth-tone linens, and Jamaica-themed artwork. Like many all-inclusives, this hotel requires guests to wear a wristband, but these also act as room keys and are removable thanks to watch-like straps.Travelers spend most of their time at one of the two ocean-view pools or by the beach, though the water here doesn't compare to stretches found in Negril or Ocho Rios. Also on the downside, while the hotel promotes that each room receives butler service, this is largely a glorified concierge, and many past guests have complained of having difficulty reaching them. Others have complained of not receiving details about where everything is located. A kids' club and volleyball net in the pool add some buzz to the resort, as does music in the lobby and weekly cultural performances with dancing, singing, and drumming. However, it's largely relaxed and low-key here. Nevertheless, this is a great pick for peace-seeking couples and families who don't want to stray too far from the airport in Montego Bay. For more modern digs, it's worth comparing rates with Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. Families seeking something a bit more lively in the pretty area of Negril should look into Beaches Negril.

A big perk of the hotel is its location, along the beach and within close proximity (a 15-minute drive) to Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The hotel provides free transportation to and from the airport. On the other hand, Montego Bay's beaches aren't as impressive as those found elsewhere on the island, and lots of sea grass was in the water during our visit. Several other hotels are in the immediate surrounds, plus Cinnamon Hill and Half Moon Golf Course. Sights are farther away, including Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios (an 80-minute drive) and Cool Blue Hole (one-hour-and-forty-minutes). Negril is a two-hour drive, while the capital of Kingston is two hours a 15 minutes away by car.

The 129 suite-style rooms are all done in an attractive colonial style consisting of rich wood furniture -- including four-poster beds -- beige marble tiling and walls, earth-tone or red linens, and Jamaica-themed artwork. Rooms are bright and spacious, and all have separate living areas with couches, flat-screen TVs, well-equipped kitchens, and dining tables or islands with bar stool seating, plus sliding glass doors to furnished balconies or patios with either garden, partial sea, or direct ocean views. For the best water vistas, book an oceanfront unit. Rooms are quiet and comfy, and kitchens come with full-size fridges with soda, juice, Red Stripe beer, and water, as well as ovens, stovetops, microwaves, toasters, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and all the necessary cookware and dishes. Small bottles of liquor such as Appleton Rum are provided for free. Bedrooms have wardrobes with electronic safes, bathrobes and slippers, and ironing facilities, flat-screen TVs, and bedside USB ports. Honeymoon units have open bathrooms with big glass showers, separate tubs, an array of toiletries, and hairdryers. Non-honeymoon suites have shutters to block bathrooms from the rooms for privacy. Some higher-category rooms have two or three bedrooms and private plunge pools. Washer/dryers are also available, but guests have to request laundry detergent. Each room is assigned two butlers, meant to book restaurants or spa appointments, or bring room amenities, but many past guests have complained about interacting little with their butlers, or not being able to reach them at times.

All-inclusive rates cover unlimited dining at six restaurants, and premium liquor, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks from several bars and cafes. Room service, however, requires a nominal fee. The main buffet restaurant is excellent, with lots of variety and tasty fare. It has weekly Jamaican barbecues on the patio with live performances, which are a favorite with guests. A la carte eateries include the Jamaican and Mediterranean eatery Waves, which receives mixed reviews, plus the highly regarded Le Bouchon steakhouse and teppanyaki-style Pierside Restaurant, both of which are only open for dinner. Pierside has a gorgeous waterfront setting that makes it particularly alluring, and it requires reservations. Next to the central pool is Cricket's Beach Grill, serving decent fare such as shrimp tacos and burgers, while The Fiery Pelican Outdoor Grill serves a fusion of Jamaican and Tex-Mex fare for lunch and late afternoon meals.Coffee shops with pastries are in each building, and bars are found by the pools, beach, and in the lobby. The latter has live music and a tapas menu in the evenings, and it's open late. A juice bar is in the spa building. Premium liquor, soda, Red Stripe and Heineken beer are all included.

The crowning feature here is the long stretch of beach with soft white sand and ample loungers. Unfortunately, the water isn't as beautiful as those in areas like Negril, and it has a lot of seagrass and murky areas during our visit. Also on the downside, there are no umbrellas, though guests can rent beachfront cabanas for a fee. Still, it's a popular spot for sunbathing or utilizing the free non-motorized water sports that include kayaks and Hobie Cats. Overlooking the beach are the main pool by the lobby and another pool by the buffet restaurant. Both are decently sized and surrounded by cushioned loungers and umbrellas. the main pool has a zero-entry point, an adjacent hot tub, and a neighboring bar. The other pool is a bit more lively with a volleyball net, swim-up bar that also serves Jamaican patties in the day, and a separate hot tub. For further relaxation, the full-service spa offers a range of treatments, as well as a for-fee mineral pool, sauna and steam rooms, and a Himalayan salt lounge. Salon services are also available. Also in this are are a gift shop selling various wellness and yoga products, and a small gym with cardio and strength-training equipment. Also included are unlimited green fees at White Witch and Cinnamon Hill Golf Courses. A kids' club and outdoor playground are available for kids, but there's little in the way of daytime activities and nightly entertainment. Wi-Fi is free and there are meeting and event spaces on-site. Wedding services are available.