Sunset Jamaica Grande - Jamaica

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This place was excellent! Visited: June 2005 Posted by a_f_jones I traveled with a group of 13 ladies, and we had a ball. The staff was the most attentive, and the service was excellent. While it was true that some of the restaurants and the casino were not open, those attractions were not what made the experience for us. The staff was what made us want to return. They seemed to understand that we were here to relax and have fun - and they accommodated our request. I am certain when the other amenities open, this will only enhance the experience. The food was excellent, and we were within walking distance of the craft markets. Dunn's River was three miles away. There was also a casino and the Taj Mahal shopping complex (within walking distance). You can do the excursions, or you can relax here - it is entirely up to you. We are already planning our return trip for next year, and I can't wait. 4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was a beautiful experience. Visited: June 2005 Posted by wstfj9312 This was my third time visiting Jamaica. I got married here in June 26, 2000. Actually, my guests stayed at the Sunset, and my husband and I stayed at Couples the first time. We've been back twice since then and stayed at the Sunset. Our new "home away from home" is the Sunset Jamaica Grande. We love it. The hospitality is a delight. I travel twice a year and I have to say this hotel is one of the best. The only complaint I have is we need more time during our visits. We love it! 4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? The hotel WILL BE nice once completed. Visited: June 2005 Posted by dgiselle I tried to get a massage--but the jack-hammering made it painful. I tried to sleep on the beach--the drilling was incessant. THe staff at the front desk needs training but the houskeeping/grounds/restaurant staff were excellent and made our stay bearable. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Grande is awesome! Visited: June 2005 Posted by sparker The first time I had the pleasure to experience the Renaissance Jamaica Grande in 2000 of June, it was beautiful. The staff was exceptional, pleasant and graceful. The food was delicious, the activities motivated us to go for the gusto and live a little. Now that I had the experience for the second time to visit under new management and renovations, I still and always will give the new Sunset Jamaica Grande its props. The food was very good. And for all those people who had something not so good to say about my second home from home. I think they need to take a reality check with our stressful lives in the states, and be thankful to be able to visit a country as beautiful as Jamaica. I loved Ocho Rios. When you travel a lot, you know great hospitality when it is handed to you so freely. I could go other places in life, but for the next few years Sunset will be my spot. I give it ten stars. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Sunset Jamaica Grande offered great hospitality, but was not fully open. Visited: June 2005 Posted by schillydesign I was here from June 3rd through June 8th. Every day something opened up due to there renovation. We could tell the hotel was feeling the pressure of getting things open due to the complaints. We received a complimentary stay for two nights for expressing our negatism. The biggest complaint I had was that the non-motorized sports was closed, including the snorkeling. I do believe it is opened now, though. By the time we left, the fitness center, disco, two restuarants, swim up bar, entertainment, and activities during the day were open. Besides the fact that it was under renovation, I had an incredible time. This may be because I left the resort and went scuba diving, horseback riding, and a tour up to Blue Mountain. If you want a trust worthy local to take you to these extra things, go down the beach and ask for a Isaiah Brown and let him know Tracy sent you. He is a great local who won't haggle you to death! 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This hotel was just awesome, the hugest in Jamaica. Visited: June 2005 Posted by princess9311 My husband and I - along with our two kids - just returned 7/3/05. Due to renovations, the hotel was not fully operational, and we had a few inconveniences. But we all had a great time. All the drinks, the different food, the gym, the water sports, and the special activites were enjoyable. The staff was just amazing, they would do whatever it took to make sure we were satisfied. My five-year-old was so at home, he pratically knew the entire staff. I must say though, from observation, a few front desk staff members need further training. They are the first people the guests see upon arrival, so they need to give a better impression. But with additional training, they should be fine. After the renovations and extensions are finished, this hotel will be so fabulous. I can't wait to return next year. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? not quite opend Visited: June 2005 Posted by dee1 Hello everyone on the forum I'm am a new yorker that just happen to have a wedding at the sunset grande this past saturday June 25. I had 90 people and the wedding and it was great as for the reception i ran into a little snag with things being unorganized. The hotel is not complete. Water sports weren't available until this past Tuesday but by that time my guests were gone. Tuesday they also were filling up the slot machines so they are working on getting the casino running. The hotel I say won't be complete for another 4 months. That's coming from me, an architect, There are only 2 out of five restaurants open at this time and service has been kind of slow. My fastest time in and out of either restaurant was 2 hours. But as for those people that plan on using the hotel as a base to sleep and they are going to take tours and shop they won't mind too much. They are offering vouchers for those that inquire. There will be the noise of construction from about 9-6. At the end out of 90 people all were unhappy but did have a good time off of the property. Let me get back to my honeymoon at Couples Negril where it is wonderful. 1 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Be advised of current changes. Visited: May 2005 Posted by mpam0913 I noticed all reviews posted were from 2004. I just returned from a four-day stay on May 30th, 2005. This hotel has undergone a major renovation and they were far from being done. There were not six restaurants, there was only one. The swim-up bar and and spa tub were not open. There was no fitness room or spa tub. There was no health spa nor fitness center. Also, there was no casino or a game room. There were no gift shops, sundries shop, beauty salon or duty-free shops. There were no beauty shop, laundry services, florist or room service, either. We were here for a wedding, but the gazebo was not finished until one hour before the wedding. There was daily construction going on, and daily painting of the building. There was not a 24-hour nurse available. There were no watersports available, either. In addition, if you have not been advised, there was a 2-1/2 hour bus trip from the airport to the hotel. The "new road" was nowhere near completion. However, the hotel staff was wonderful and could not do enough for us. They were a credit to the hotel ownership. But the owner should be ashamed of himself to allow people to be booked at their hotel when it does not seem ready to accept guests. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? WILL NOT OPEN ANYTIME SOON Visited: May 2005 Posted by beech2108 Jamaica's government needs to get involved in this debaucle. Hotel was being renovated and forced to open to a convention it is nowhere near ready for guests. Incredible that they have been booking people knowing the hazzardous condition it is in. Everyone is having to cancel and or relocate. Terrible actions by the hotel. Jamaica's government needs to get involved in this debaucle. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We enjoyed non-stop excitement and relaxation. Visited: July 2004 Posted by jocelynberry My husband and I, and two other couples flew into Montego Bay and rode by bus to Ocho Rios (scary!). On arrival at the hotel, we were not able to have a room close to our traveling companions. However, the staff upgraded our room to a cabana with no charge to make up for this. I am not one to try different foods, but I loved all the different restaurants and spent most of my time at Jack's Cafe. We also partied at one of the discos every night while we were here. My husband especially enjoyed the three bars. The Dunn's River Falls was great, and our guide was very friendly! We could have not asked for friendlier staff. Although they were very busy, they were never rude or too busy to attend to our needs. Also, on Sunday, July 4th, there was a band that performed our national anthem and several other patriotic songs. They also had a U.S. trivia competition, and had decorated the hotel in red, white and blue. I felt like I was still in the states. The only drawback staying here was the ride to and from the airport and the "glass bottom" boat ride. I would definitely recommend this hotel to my friends, and we do plan on returning next year. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? It was amazing. Visited: July 2004 Posted by x69xlauzx69x The rooms were nice, and it was a very clean place. There were a lot of activities for the children - four pools, two jacuzzis, poolside activities and music. This had to be one of the best places I've ever spent my time abroad. The beaches were perfect, the staff was extremely friendly and chatty, And the night time activites were wonderful. The food was great, also. I rate it a 10 out of 10, and shall most definitely go back. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? OUR BAG WAS STOLEN... Visited: July 2004 Posted by grace1932 TRAVELERS BEWARE. STAY AT YOUR OWN RISK. THEY STEAL AT THIS HOTEL. Upon checkout, my bag containing over 5,000 worth of gucci, Louis Vuitton and other high fashion items were stolen and they never compensated me for them.. I would never stay here again. 1 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Sunset Jamaica Grande is wonderful. Visited: May 2004 Posted by deborbar8 "Jamaica Grande" is just what the name says. A grand experience is what we had. And this was not our first trip to the Grande (and it will not be our last). My sister and I travel twice a year, and we stay here. We have a tendency to call it our "second home", because that is how the staff makes us feel. The food is great, the service is wonderful, and the grounds are spectacular. What more can you ask for when vacationing from a busy enviroment like New Jersey? We have always had a great experience here, and I would recommend it to anyone. We are planning to return in May 2005. I can't wait to see what new changes have been made since the sale and renovations of the hotel. We very much look forward to returning "home". 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? It was very relaxing. Visited: May 2004 Posted by fonya I stayed at the Jamaica Grande in May 2004. It was my first stay at the hotel and I must say I had a wonderful time. I went with my sister and my girlfriends and we simply had a blast. There were many things to do, and the hotel staff was very friendly. The hotel offered an array of things to do - from water aerobics to nightly events that took place on the beach. Also, in walking distance there was a good nightclub called Amnesia. Margaritaville was another good club. Dunn's River Falls and The Bob Marley tour were very interesting experiences. Please beware of people who might try to con you when you are taking taxis. But I would come here again. 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Our stay here was simply marvelous! Visited: May 2004 Posted by sshadeun This hotel was much more than what I expected. As it was my first time to Jamaica, I chose this hotel from the advice of my travel agent. The ride here was the most unforgiving part of it all. Be prepared for a long and somewhat bumpy (and possibly not so comfortable ride). Upon arriving though, we were greeted with music and friendly faces right away. The male staff was extremely wonderful and very accommodating. I am an African-American female and found the women to be somewhat cold, but they were professional. I met people who I am still in touch with right now. The massage is recommended and of course, enjoy the food - which was awesome. I had a wonderful experience as far my entire trip went. My friends and I are actually planning to go back later this year and stay at Jamaican Grande again. Please enjoy it to the fulliest. It will be worth every minute of your time! 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a blast at the Renaissance. Visited: December 2003 Posted by anur05 Our stay was great - we had cabana rooms and could walk down to the beach. The rooms were clean, and the service was good. The food at the buffet was okay, the restaurants Cool Runnings and Dragons were both great. The entertainment was okay- Christmas Eve dinner was good. They had a church service and caroling on Christmas day. The discotheque was dead most days - but it was a good place to just sit and get a drink. It was a fun place - the kids especially seemed to have had a blast. 0 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We had a great time. Visited: November 2003 Posted by syoung Jamaica Grande was wonderful. My husband and I came here for our honeymoon. The staff was just great. The property was very clean and neat. The pools and beach were also clean. Our room was just perfect and room service was great. We always had clean towels! There was always lots of food, although not truly Jamaican, but it was still good. The entertainment was also great with live bands playing instruments and singing. There was also an art auction which was interesting to watch. We will definitely go back again next year. This time, we plan to include more activities in our stay. We were here for five days and still we did not have enough time to see everything. We are looking forward to our next stay at Jamaica Grande! 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is not a bad place to stay. Visited: August 2003 Posted by dst007 I read the reviews before I left and now will issue my own reviews. The Grande was a nice tourist attraction because of the onsight facilities. Technically, you do not have to leave the facilities to have a good time. I will start with the negatives. We arrived on the 26th to find that the superior rooms that we paid for were not that superior. Don't get me wrong, the rooms were not a dump, but did not live up to the name of the Grande. The elevators and hallways did not have air conditioners; therefore made for a hot transfer to and from. I, personally (others may disagree due to a lot of swimming), think that the hotel needed carpet in each room because each time we took a shower, the entire room became slippery. Beware of the hotel workers, because they will try to "take you out", knowing that this is against the rules. My least favorite restaurant was Mallard's Court (hated it, except for breakfast). For a single female with no children, there were many kids running around and I was looking for something a little quieter. Positives- Everything was on the property. There was plenty to do and the hotel staff provided nightly entertainment (up to you to participate). The hotel had a great view of the ocean (depending upon what you pay for). L'Allegro and Cool Runnings were my favorite two restaurants (I don't eat Chinese, thus I did not try the Dragon). The hotel was also close to souvenir shops. Words of wisdom: When visiting the Market, be firm and stand your ground. Also, I definitely recommend taking the Dunn's River Tour aboard the Cool Runnings Boat (this really made our trip). If you take the tour, ask for Stanley and tell him that the Mississippi people referred you to him (he is one of the boat captains and a really nice guy). Have Fun! 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Jamaica Grande was good, but not the best hotel in Jamaica. Visited: August 2003 Posted by assamaam I live in Jamaica and every summer I spend my vacation at a different hotel. Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort’s food was great, especially if you go all-inclusive. (I just love eating at 3:00 in the morning!) If you are between the ages of 1-12 or 18 and older there are many things for you to do at the hotel, but the hotel wasn’t very teen friendly. I'm 15 and I think if I went there with a friend or two, I would have had much more fun. The surroundings leading to the hotel was horrible and had a very rundown look. I was very disappointed in the routes you had to take to get to the hotel. I would not really advise anyone to go on the shopping trips, as there are many things to do in the hotel and the local Ocho Rians are very determined for someone to buy from them, especially people of fair complexion who they know are staying at a hotel. The rooms are very basic, but very cozy for a family of four. Once you get used to the hotel you will have a lot of fun, I promise. Jamaica Grande was a good place to stay but I much prefer hotels in Kingston or Montego Bay. (For those tourists who think that Jamaica is a poor place, that isnt really the case. Ocho Rios is a country area and that is why it has that washed-up look.) 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? What a great experience we had. Visited: June 2003 Posted by mc93 I don't understand the negative reviews about the Renaissance Jamaica Grande, when all one has to do is see how the locals are living. I guess after driving from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios and seeing how some people were living, I almost felt guilty for staying in such a gorgeous place such as the Grande. The beds were comfortable and we had a breathtaking view off of our balcony. The room was cleaned completely every day, and we never had a problem with hot water, or clean towels. They even left little voice messages reminding us what activities were planned for the night and brought us a copy of the New York Times every morning. There were several movie channels if you wanted to relax and watch a movie. The hotel was very beautiful and we never felt crowded because it had many nooks and crannies. There was plenty of food and the waiters were always right on top of things. I really enjoyed Cool Runnings restaurant where our table was right on the beach and we got serenaded by a Jamaican band. We enjoyed the beach parties on Wednesday and Friday with a huge variety to eat. The staff was nice, especially some of the bartenders and some waiters. Take time to talk to them about their country and their culture. They will be happy to sit and talk to you if you treat them as equals...not as servants. I learned some very interesting facts and they remembered us every night! Make sure you bring a lot of one dollar bills, and bring waterproof cameras and watershoes. Also, take the Dunn's River Falls boat tour - it is very worth it! If you want to snorkel, bring your own gear from home and you can go on the north beach every day. It was a cheap thrill for us and we saw plenty of fish. Also, wear sunscreen - especially you fair-skinned people. My husband was sunburned in one hour on the first day and he has a medium complexion. Most of all, lighten up and appreciate what you have, and appreciate the opportunities in front of you. Quit nit-picking! We definitely had a "grande" experience and met some great people from the US, England, and Jamaica! We had good times and good memories! 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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