All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica
One of the great things about my job is traveling to amazing destinations so that I can visit resorts and do site inspections.
As a Team Leader with Magical Vacation Planner, I take my team on travel to experience and learn about a destination, resort properties there, restaurants, excursions, etc., that our clients will be interested in visiting. While visiting a destination, I’m looking for specific things my clients are interested in and evaluate the location, the resorts, dining, transportation, excursions, and other factors for the qualities and attributes that meet my standards and exceed my client’s expectations. I want to be sure I’m sending my clients to a destination and resort they’ll be thrilled with.
![women on bus](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Our-MVP-Team-on-Amstar-Transportation-Jamaica-1024x768.jpg)
Credit: Jenny Koppenhaver
On my last trip to Jamaica in August 2022, I stayed at the Secrets St. James Montego Bay and Zoetry Montego Bay and checked out Sandals Royal Caribbean Montego Bay, Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, and Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa.
Top 6 Jamaica All-Inclusive Resorts
Here are my top six Jamaica all-inclusive resorts.
Best for Adults – Adult All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica
Sandals Royal Caribbean Montego Bay
A top-rated Sandals all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay is the Sandals Royal Caribbean. I recently arranged a trip for two of my clients who stayed at Sandals Royal Caribbean Over-the-Water Bungalows for their honeymoon. The Over-the-Water Bungalows are unique in that guests can arrive, get swept away to their bungalow, and be waited on hand and foot. Food and drinks are delivered to you, and your private backyard is the Caribbean Sea. Kayaks, paddle boards, and jet skis can be delivered to your private deck. Your deck also has multiple lounges, sunning, and swimming areas. Inside your bungalow, you can relax in your oceanside tub, king-size bed, and watch the wildlife swimming below your bungalow through your lit windows to the sea.
![view of beach pool and ocean](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Over-the-Water-Bungalows-Sandals-Royal-Caribbean--1024x768.jpg)
Sandals Royal Caribbean Over-the-Water Bungalows are a private and romantic getaway, and you definitely get what you pay for. Sandals and Beaches properties are all-inclusive. For these clients, I arranged a private BMW for their transportation.
Secrets St. James Montego Bay Jamaica
Secrets St. James is nestled in the center of two connected resorts – Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa, and Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay. Secrets St. James has colonial West Indies style décor and a sophisticated tranquility about the property. All rooms are suites and ocean-facing. Some room categories offer private tubs on balconies and swim-ups. This resort is small, and it’s very easy to get everywhere. Getting to the beach, pools, food, and entertainment is easy and very stress-free.
![beach lounge chairs and ocean](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Beach-view-at-sunset-Secrets-St.-James-768x1024.jpg)
Staying Preferred Club is the way to go to have access to the private pool and club lounge as well as access to Breathless’ party scene. I stayed in an oceanfront Preferred Club Suite. Room service was pretty timely, and it was nice to order breakfast and dine on the balcony overlooking the ocean.
![restaurant entrance](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Culinaria-at-Breathless-Montego-Bay-768x1024.jpg)
Jamaican food can be challenging, but they had some satisfying offerings. When staying at Secrets St. James, guests typically eat at Wild Orchid and Breathless. On the other hand, Breathless Montego Bay and Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay offer more of a party atmosphere. Preferred Club guests can experience all the nightlife at Breathless Montego Bay Resort and Spa, which offers a more exuberant party atmosphere. I really enjoyed Culinarium. This is a dining option at Breathless where the chef comes out and invites guests to enjoy their culinary adventure for the evening. Midway through the meal, hosts invite dining guests to the parties and dance shows at Breathless.
At Secrets St. James, we had an amazing private dinner on the beach. As a party of 30 people, we were given two options – salmon or herb-roasted chicken. I chose the chicken, and it was very well-seasoned and delicious. Before dinner, we had appetizers that were so nicely paired with our wine. We had wontons filled with shrimp and other delightful handheld treats. A violinist played in front of the orange sunset while the silhouette of dancing palm trees swayed against the sunset as well. Our meal was delicious, and I will never forget this beautiful evening!
Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay Jamaica
Secrets Wild Orchid would be my top pick for adults because of the newer construction and fresh design. In addition, Preferred Club gives guests special treatment, including access to Secrets St. James and Breathless. The nightlife is very classy at Secrets Wild Orchid, and if clients want more of a party atmosphere, they can walk over to Breathless and go to their nighttime parties as long as they are staying at the Preferred Club level.
![bed in hotel suite](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Wild-Orchid-Oceanview-Junior-Suite-768x1024.jpg)
Dining, activities, and entertainment at Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay are included in your stay at Secrets St. James. The dining at Wild Orchid includes AMResorts restaurant favorites – Bordeaux, Portofino, El Patio, and World Cafe for buffet-style meals. Dining at Secrets St. James is shared with Wild Orchid, which is connected to Secrets St. James. The fresh fruit in Jamaica is delicious! Jamaica has bragging rights for their Caribbean jerk chicken and their patties. A Jamaican patty is a delicious flaky pastry that contains different fillings and spices baked inside.
The open-air theater, surrounded by the Blue Mountains, affords stunning views as guests sit back and enjoy the sound of the steel drum band. This is also where the Piano Bar is located. Evenings at Secrets Wild Orchid are the perfect nightcap experience in Jamaica. The island music drifting across the stone pathways against the mountain backdrop with a nice drink in hand is a setting I think we all dreamed of while travel paused for the pandemic. To sit there and actually experience it now was priceless!
![exterior of building and blue sky](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Piano-Bar-at-Wild-Orchid-Jamaica-1024x768.jpg)
When we travel to resorts to learn about them, of course, the main question always is, “Would I book a trip here for myself?” The answer is yes. Secrets Wild Orchid is a beautiful resort and will always capture the island vibe that Jamaican-bound travelers search for.
Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa
Staying at Breathless is like staying at a chic party palace. The design is very modern and up-to-date. The Culinarium restaurant was really enjoyable for our group!
![restaurant entrance](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Culinaria-at-Breathless-Montego-Bay-768x1024.jpg)
Our group sat at separate tables, and the chef came out to start the meal. He welcomed everyone and introduced us to the culinary experience we would be having. The friend who accompanied me on this trip was expecting at the time, and they made the biggest fuss over her! Each course was delicious, colorful, and presented beautifully. Before dessert, a hostess invited us to go outside to see the dance show, so we didn’t stay for dessert.
![aerial view of pool ocean and mountaints](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Pool-at-Breathless-Montego-Bay-1024x768.jpg)
I wasn’t sure what to expect from the dance show, but the dancers were talented and worked very hard to entertain the audience. The stage was open-air with dramatic lighting and was magical, set against the night sky. We didn’t go to the party later even though we were able to since we were staying at the Preferred Club level at Secret St. James. We decided to head back for the 5-minute walk to Secret St. James and call it a night.
Zoetry Montego Bay Jamaica
While in Jamaica on this trip, I stayed at Zoetry Montego Bay. I’ve stayed at other Zoetry resorts, such as Zoetry Paraiso De La Bonita in Cancun and Zoetry Agua Punta Cana, which are true luxury properties I’ve written about before. I’m sad to report that I can’t recommend Zoetry Montego Bay. It pains me to say this because the staff was so kind. This property has issues with enough staffing and needs training for the staff that they do have.
![view of hotel from ocean](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Zoetry-Montego-Bay-1024x768.jpg)
The Zoetry brand is known for its profound Zen-like atmosphere and wellness vibe hence the name – Zen and Poetry – Zoetry. Unfortunately, this property needs help filling the Zoetry brand’s shoes. Spa treatments were unsatisfactory, yoga classes were consistently canceled, dinner took a very long time, and was mediocre. On the other hand, I’ll shout out to Jerk Joe’s Caribbean Jerk stand. Several people in our group really loved this place.
RIU Montego Bay, RIU Reggae, and RIU Palace
These RIU resorts have a great price point for a budget-minded traveler and offer all of the main options all-inclusive resorts offer, such as accommodations, dining, drinks, pools, beach, and entertainment. If you’re mainly focused on enjoying the beach and pool on your trip, then this can be an option you could be happy with.
![bar at hotel](https://jennykoppenhavertravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Bar-at-RIU-Palace-Montego-Bay-1024x768.jpg)
Best for Families – All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica
Beaches Negril
If you’re interested in an all-inclusive family resort in Jamaica, I would recommend Beaches Negril. Although I didn’t visit Beaches Negril on this trip, I have stayed there in the past, and it is awesome!
Beaches Negril is a trusted brand owned by the same company as Sandals Resorts. Many guests prefer suites that include butler service, which the Sandals brand is well known for. This resort is best for travelers who want to share Jamaica with their family. One great feature of Beaches Negril is that this resort offers one of the Caribbean’s first Certified Autism Centers.
Beaches Negril offers 10 restaurants, 7 bars, and a ton of fun for kids. The Pirate Island Waterpark and Sesame Street Characters are popular, and if mom and dad want to have a date night, Beaches Negril offers Kids Clubs and Certified Nannies for help.
I remember wanting to bring my family back to Beaches Negril because I felt everyone would be happy there. This is also a great place for a family reunion, wedding, or wedding vow renewal.
The Sandals and Beaches brands are trusted brands that travelers can depend on to have all their travel needs met.
For more information about traveling to Jamaica and what to do and see when you get there, read my blog, “Jamaica Series: Part 1 – Traveling to Jamaica.”