Pineapple Court Hotel

Located in an isolated area off the main road, the Pineapple Court Hotel can be difficult to find. Once found, however, the tiny property feels quiet and peaceful — away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Ocho Rios. The lobby is located a few steps down from the entrance, and new arrivals are often greeted by Tracey, the hotel’s gracious manager. Not much goes on at the Pineapple Court, and though there’s a pool and an on-site restaurant, the majority of guests spend their days off property. Guests are split between Jamaicans and foreigners. Jamaicans mostly come for business purposes, while foreigners are in town for vacation. 

As we mentioned, the Pineapple Court Hotel is located in an isolated area, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Ocho Rios. There isn’t much to see or do in the immediate area, but the nearest public beach is a five-minute walk from the hotel. Popular tourist attractions like Dunns River Falls, Mystic Mountain, and the cruise port are all within a 10-minute drive. The two nearest airports to Ocho Rios are Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay and Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston. Both are about 90-minutes from the hotel.  

Rooms at the Pineapple Court aren’t the largest, or prettiest, or most amenity-packed we’ve ever seen, but they’re clean and perfectly suitable for sleeping. There are two room types, with either one king-size or two double beds. We wouldn’t say the decor is dated, but it isn’t contemporary either. Walls are painted in a cheerful peachy color, which is complemented by orange bed skirts and colorful curtains. Rooms’ unstained wood furniture looks like it’s seen better days, but amenities like microwaves, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs look new. Bathrooms are tiny, but spotlessly clean, and are equipped with a toilet, sink, shower stall, and towels. 

There’s a small rectangular pool located in the rear of the property, and though it doesn’t quite conjure images of Caribbean bliss, plenty of guests use it throughout the day. The pool is surrounded by a skinny patio area, with a few lounge chairs and an umbrella-covered table. Dotted with dozens of buzzing air-conditioning units, the building’s exterior facade completely eliminates any chance of a peaceful poolside aesthetic; but the painted sunset mural on the back wall can at least help guests pretend they’re on the beach.  

Next to the pool is the hotel’s on-site restaurant. The small eatery serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and even has a small bar. Menu items typically consist of Jamaican specialities like curried goat, stew pork, and rice and peas. Adjacent to the restaurant, there’s a tiny meeting room that guests can rent for small events or conferences. 

The Pineapple Court Hotel has free Wi-Fi that works well across the property. There’s also 24-hour security and a secure parking lot. The parking lot is open during the day, but guests must provide their name and room number to gain access at night.