Issue:
July
2010

By Buzzy Gordon
 

Iberostar Rose Hall Hotel & Resort
P.O. Box 999
Rose Hall Beach, Montego Bay
Jamaica
866-799-3661

Many Caribbean resorts are jumping on the all-inclusive bandwagon, but few have done it in the comprehensive style of the Mallorca-headquartered Iberostar chain of hotels. Numbering more than 100 properties in North America, South America and Europe, every Iberostar resort is situated on a coveted stretch of beautiful beach.

Iberostar’s all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean consist of twin or triplet properties representing two or three levels of luxury: from the Beach Hotel to the Suites to the Grand Collection. The lead hotel is the Beach, followed by an adjacent all-suite hotel simply called Suites; both are suitable for couples with or without children, offering family activities as well as kids’ clubs that keep younger children occupied while parents relax.

The latest Iberostar innovation is its Grand Hotels, a limited edition of enhanced luxury hotels for adults only: no children under 18 allowed. The Iberostar Grands kick up the luxury a notch: they feature 24-hour butler and concierge service, and customized mini-bars, stocked with the exact premium liquors and imported wine and beer specified by guests. 

The newest Iberostar Grand to open its doors is at the chain’s Rose Hall, Jamaica, complex, a 20-minute drive from Montego Bay’s international airport. The surroundings of the Grand’s oversized suites complement the personalized service: wide hallways are covered in plush, sound-deadening carpets, while the spacious verandahs come with overstuffed porch swings. 

Even the Iberostar Suites, however, are adorned with touches that radiate thoughtfulness: the digital air-conditioning controls are conveniently reachable from the beds and calibrated to adjust the room temperature by the half-degree. The mini-bars are filled with bottled water, soft drinks and two kinds of beer. While there are only four elevators serving the sprawling property, the cars arrive unusually promptly when summoned. Verandahs are equipped with retractable drying racks for swimsuits.

All suites are furnished with the latest electronics: plasma TV, DVD player, CD-clock radio with docking station, data port, etc. Bathrooms are large and well appointed: dual sinks, stall shower with raindrop head and double bathtub.

Rose Hall contains a satisfying variety of buffet (breakfasts are particularly lavish) and a la carte eating choices: in addition to buffet dining catering to American and European tastes, the Beach has a steakhouse and Cajun restaurant, while the Suites houses Mediterranean (specializing in fish and seafood) and Mexican restaurants. Suites guests enjoy access to Beach restaurants as well, and Grand guests may eat in any of the three hotels’ restaurants (Beach guests are restricted to Beach offerings only).

Only Grand guests may eat at the four restaurants in that hotel -- Gourmet, Italian, Japanese Teppenyaki and “Surf and Turf” -- even if others are willing to pay extra for the option. Each restaurant has ambitious menus and stunning ambience, designed in exquisite detail.

Regardless of luxury level, no-one ever goes hungry at Rose Hall: snacks are laid out 24/7, while room service (available until late-night, and resuming at breakfast) is part of the all-inclusive package.

In fact, just about the only things not covered in the all-inclusive category are Internet access (whether in rooms or public areas), spa treatments and motorized water sports. (At the cigar bar in the Grand, the cigars, but not the brandies, are extra.) The resort boasts two spa facilities: one shared by the Beach and Suites, and an exclusive spa at the Grand, with enhanced amenities (the outdoor whirlpool baths are unheated). There is also a PADI SCUBA-diving operation on the premises. Golf, at specially discounted fees, is available at the nearby Cinnamon Hill course. 

While the nightlife of Montego Bay is only 25 minutes away, Iberostar prides itself on its own professional entertainment, live every evening in each of the three hotels’ private theaters. During the day, there is ample shopping along the Montego Bay-Rose Hall-Ocho Rios corridor; a particularly exciting (if slightly expensive) outing is afforded by the attractions at Mystic Mountain, just over an hour’s drive away, with its signature “Jamaican bobsled” rainforest ride, multi-stage zipline and panoramic restaurant featuring scrumptious local desserts. 

The iberostar.com website is very tech savvy, with streaming video and the ability to book online. After checking out the rates, you might also want to check prices with Iberostar’s travel retail and wholesale partners, like Thomas Cook; they may be running a promotional special that can save you additional money on the Iberostar resort of your choice.

© March 2009 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.