Iberostar Rose Hall Suites- Jamaica (December 2015)

 

 

 

FAM Report by Leslie P

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites, Jamaica

 

I had the pleasure of spending 4 nights with my family at this property, our stay was fantastic!

 

Took Exceptional to Logan, please be careful when departing on American from Logan. We were 1^st dropped off at the original American section of terminal B, but we needed to be on the other side where the old USAir flights departed from.  Fortunately an AA rep. knew from our flight number, so we jumped back in car and was taken to other side  – it’s walkable but just a pain if at wrong area of terminal B.   AA flights were all good and on time, non-stop flight was perfect. Cleared customs in Charlotte, on the return (not too long) but that airport seems to get busier and busier!

 

I booked through our TL/ The Resort Collection as they offer each office a 3 night stay.

I stumbled across it on Mercavia: http://www.mercavia.com/Mercavia/Suppliers/Hotels/TheResortCollection/index.htm

There were 2 teens in our room, they were an additional $95 per night, so much for free … darn kids, haha!

 

Transfers: Iberostar did not include transfers.  I pre-booked with Jamaica Tours Ltd, it was $25 roundtrip per person, shared, gave 10% discount for agents.  Took about 40 minutes to get to hotel.

 

Iberostar Suites is a resort within 3. Iberostar Grand (adults only, access to all 3 resorts), Rose Hall Suites (access to Beach resort) and then the Beach Resort (limited to this resort)

 

I have nothing but great reviews, from check-in to check-out, every staff member was accommodating, friendly. The suites offer 2 beds (some a king) and a large sitting area with a pull-out sofa, balcony, garden or ocean view, huge double vanity, soaking tub, stand up shower, in-room WiFi, also at the pool and beach area. The hotel only has two family suites that includes an extra king bedded room (floor to ceiling window – no balcony in the extra room).  They do not sell this room as a category but try to upgrade people with families or more than 1 child.  We were fortunate to get this upgrade.  I highly recommend requesting if you have 2 older kids in the room, but it can’t be guaranteed.  The rooms are on 4^th floor, offer an ocean view but are not oceanfront.The railing of the balcony was so high, when you sat in the smaller patio set, you couldn’t see over it – my only downfall of the room.

Mini-fridge stocked with water, soda and beer, coffee maker. TV with a most movie channels.  Turndown service a pleasure – room feels refreshed when you come back up for the night.  Hotel offers lunch/dinner (not breakfast) menu for room service – took a while, but food was good (kids had to try it of course).

Resturants were all fantastic, but reservations are required. We were not able to get into the 2 nicer restaurants (Mare Nostrum or Calabash) they were either booked or closed on certain nights.  I really didn’t think that time of the year would be difficult but if going at a peak time, they should make reservations as soon as it is open.  The Steak House, Mexican and buffets were all excellent.  We never had a complaint.  Staying at the Suites you can also dine at the Beach Resort restaurants, 4 additional restaurants to pick from, it’s a nice option if you cannot get into the main restaurants but even they were booked on short notice.  Booze was very good quality.

 

The Beach is rather large considering you can walk the distance of all 3 resorts. Water is ok, it’s not the typical turquoise blue clear water, it’s a little cloudy.  Included watersports are really only snorkel or kayaks, limited to 1 hour per day, per room.  There are other activities all at a cost and cannot be billed to the room, it’s a separate company but very professional.  Girls went parasailing; it was $130 for the 2 of them. The activities directors are constantly doing something, the pool area is loud when the typical activities are happening (water aerobics, arm wrestling contests, bingo etc), but there is a smaller pool if you want a little quieter, the lazy river is small – but really perfect!

 

I did a site inspection of the Grand (adults only), amazing property, the lobby, pool and all restaurants are stunning. Pool has a concierge for towels, suntan lotion.  Each room has butler service, stocked mini bar with nips and you can request large bottle of booze of the smaller nips.  All booze is top shelf. 24 hour room service including small breakfast menu. The pool area has beautiful beach bed and cabanas that are 1^st come 1^st service, even the beach chairs look more comfortable than the other 2 resorts.  Being adult only – it was MUCH quieter than the Suites or the Beach Resort.

 

The Suites and Grand share the water sport beach booth, and between the two is a circular atrium where the theater, shops, spa (use of the wellness pool, saunas and whirlpool are complimentary for both, not the Beach resort), huge gym with Pilates/yoga classes, casino, shopping center, billiard room/bar and disco are located and all shared.

The shows were excellent and rather entertaining.

 

I would recommend the Suites or Grand to anyone, if not much more the Suites is well worth the upgrade from the Beach Resort, especially for all the added dining options, larger rooms – it’s well worth the upgrade!! The hotel has a shuttle that runs evey hour on the hour and will take you to the shopping center a few miles down the street, it looked very nice, it’s a true shopping center not an outdoor market.

 

We went on a zip lining tour, it was great Chukka Tours, it was $79 per person, we hit about 10 zips, lots of walking and the zillion mosquito bites were at no additional charge, that was after using the Jamaica bug spray too!  Good trip fun.

 

I’m so glad I went to Jamaica, I’ve not been in about 15 years, the island has changed so much. There’s so much to do now, it’s not just Dunn’s River or Negril for tours, lots of parks and adventurous things to do.  I’m eager to return!!!!

 

Thanks! Leslie P