Tips on Accommodations

The All-Inclusive: Safe Haven, or Not for You?

Of all the resorts of Jamaica, the all-inclusive has virtually taken over Ocho Rios, although Montego Bay and Negril have their fair share. The concept was pioneered by Jamaica's Butch Stewart with his Sandals properties (tel. 888/SANDALS) and has since swept the Caribbean, including such islands as St. Lucia. Sandals caters only to couples (male/female), although most other resorts welcome all known couplings.

All-inclusives are not for the independent traveler. At the all-inclusive, you get all your meals and most activities paid for as part of a package. Some dine-around plans help you break the monotony of eating at the same resort every night. With their 24-hour security force, these all-inclusives give you more protection than the smaller, independent inns without such expensive patrolling.

If you're an adventure traveler, you may not want such womblike security. You may prefer to stay at a small inn or little hotel where you're free to roam throughout the day, returning to your bed after a night of rum and reggae on the town.

Like a mother hen, the all-inclusive will pamper you during your entire stay, even pick you up at the airport and haul you back there for your return flight. At the little independent inn or small hotel, you're more or less on your own. The choice is yours.

If you don't want to stick to the all-inclusives, one of the best travel agencies specializing in hotel deals is Changes in L'Attitudes (tel. 800/330-8272; www.changes.com). For villas in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio, contact Elegant Resorts International (P.O. Box 80, Montego Bay, Jamaica; tel. 800/237-3237).

Other options include renting a self-catering villa or apartment, where you can save money by making your own meals in your own kitchen. Also noteworthy are Jamaica's simple but decent guesthouses, where low costs combine with maximum exposure to local life. Unfortunately, these sometimes lie far from beaches and offer few diversions or activities.

Booking a Hotel Room

Reservation services usually work as consolidators, buying or reserving rooms in bulk, then dealing them out to customers at a profit. They do offer special deals that range from 10% to 50% off; but remember, these discounts apply to the inflated rack rates that guests rarely end up paying. You're better off dealing directly with a hotel.

Here are a few of the best reservations services for Jamaican travel: Hotels.com (tel. 800/715-7666; www.hotels.com) and Quikbook (tel. 800/789-9887, includes fax-on-demand service; www.quikbook.com).

Online, try booking with Frommers.com and save up to 50%. Microsoft Expedia (www.expedia.com) features a "Travel Agent" that directs you to affordable lodgings.

Guesthouses

An entirely different type of accommodation is the guesthouse, where most Jamaicans themselves stay when they travel. Prices average anywhere from $50 to $100 for a double per night, although this can vary widely.

The term "guesthouse" can mean anything, however. Some resemble simple motels built around swimming pools; others are made up of small individual cottages with kitchenettes, constructed around a main building containing a bar and restaurant serving local food. Some are surprisingly comfortable, often with private baths and a swimming pool. (You may or may not have air-conditioning; rooms are often cooled by ceiling fans or breezes through open windows -- a security concern.)

Guesthouses can't be topped for value, however. Though bereft of frills, the guesthouses we've recommended are clean and safe for families or single travelers.

Condos, Cottages & Villas

If you're going as a family or group of friends, a housekeeping holiday can be one of the least-expensive ways to vacation in Jamaica. Self-catering accommodations are now available in many locations.

The more upscale villas have a staff, or at least a maid who comes in a few days a week, and they also provide the essentials for home life, including bed linens and cooking paraphernalia. Condos usually come with a reception desk and are often comparable to life in a suite in a big resort hotel. Nearly all condo complexes provide swimming pools (some have more than one pool).

Some private apartments in Jamaica are rented, either with or without maid service. This is more of a no-frills option than are the villas and condos. The apartments may not be in buildings with swimming pools, and they may not maintain a front desk to help you. Jamaican cottages often contain no more than a simple bedroom, small kitchen, and bath. During the winter, you'll need to reserve at least 5 or 6 months in advance.

Villas of Distinction, P.O. Box 55, Armonk, NY 10504 (tel. 800/289-0900; www.villasofdistinction.com), offers private villas with one to six bedrooms and a pool. Domestic help is often included. Descriptions, rates, and photos of the villas are available online.

At Home Abroad, Inc., 163 Third Avenue # 319, New York, NY 10003 (tel. 212/421-9165; fax 212/533-7277; www.athomeabroadinc.com), has a roster of private upscale homes for rent in Jamaica, most with maid service.

VHR, Worldwide, 235 Kensington Ave., Norwood, NJ 07648 (tel. 800/633-3284 or 201/767-9393; fax 201/767-5510; www.vhrww.com), offers the most comprehensive portfolio of luxury villas, condominiums, resort suites, and apartments for rent in the Caribbean, including Jamaica. The company can also arrange for airfare and car rental.

Hideaways Aficionado, 767 Islington St., Portsmouth, NH 03801 (tel. 800/843-4433 in the U.S., or 603/430-4433; fax 603/430-4444; www.hideaways.com), publishes Hideaways Guide, a pictorial directory of home rentals worldwide, including Jamaica. It includes full descriptions so you know what you're renting. For most rentals, you'll deal directly with the owners. Other services include yacht charters, cruises, airline ticketing, car rentals, and hotel reservations. Annual membership is $185; membership information, listings, and photos are available online.

Back to Top

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

		Email			Print			RSS

				Frommer's Jamaica, 4th Edition Author: Darwin Porter Pub Date: August 28, 2006 Price: $16.99				Related Titles: Bahamas For Dummies, 4th Edition Caribbean For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's Bahamas 2008

		Sponsored Links:	What's This?

			You Never Know What's Out There. That's Why There's AIG Travel Guard.