Not long ago, the tourist-friendly city Montego Bay actually used to be a major center for lard production. When the Spanish settlers arrived in this northern city back in the 1500s, they immediately began hunting down local hogs and producing tons of lard for export. Indeed, any Spanish speakers reading this article could probably have already guessed that montego comes from the Spanish word manteca, which literally means “lard.”
Nowadays, Montego Bay is an internationally renowned beach resort city in Jamaica. People just love taking relaxing strolls along this city’s luxurious beaches, eating some fine Jamaican seafood at five-star restaurants, and checking out the great items for sale in the local markets.
If you’re thinking of visiting Montego Bay in the future, you really need to plan your hotel reservations way in advance. Our following list of the top five Montego Bay resorts has a little something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a dirt-cheap hostel or a prestigious resort & spa, you’ll find at least one hotel on our list to suit your budget.
From Humble To Haughty: The Top 5 Montego Bay Resorts
1. Five Gables
The highest reviewed hostel in Montego Bay is without a doubt Five Gables. This small villa has prime views of the Caribbean Sea and is only about a 15-minute drive from the downtown district. Five Gables offers six bed mixed dorms, double rooms, and single rooms.
In the common room, you’ll find three bathrooms, a laundry area, a veranda, and a shared kitchen. Note, there’s no air conditioning here, but there are plenty of fans all around. This hostel does offer free linen, free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and has a lockable front gate. So, if you’re looking for a cheap, fun, and safe hostel experience, definitely consider reserving a room at Five Gables.
2. Grand Palladium Resorts & Spa
Another great budget option on Montego Bay is the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa. This resort is about a 40-minute drive away from the Montego Bay Sangster International Airport (MBJ), and it’s located right on the coast of Montego Bay.
Some of the perks you’ll experience at this hotel include access to three buffet restaurants, 13 bars, seven restaurants, the largest swimming pool in Jamaica, a non-smoking lounge, a casino, and a beauty salon. Close to the Grand Palladium are some of MoBay’s finest horseback riding and golf courses. There’s also a “Mini Club” in Palladium that looks after guests’ kids from 9AM – 11PM every day.
There are 450 junior suites and 90 suites on property, all of which include a sofa bed, air conditioning, satellite TV, and either a pool, garden, or sea view. Your room purchase also includes free breakfast, free house wine at lunch, and free snacks at various Grand Palladium bars.
Overall, this hotel is perhaps the best deal on our list. Although it might not have the total pampering package of a luxury hotel, the Grand Palladium is a perfect option for people who want a reasonably priced non-hostel family-friendly resort.
3. Doctors Cave Beach Hotel
Located on trendy Gloucester Avenue, Doctors Cave Beach Hotel is a well-established mid-range hotel in Montego Bay. The main draw of this relatively small hotel is its proximity Doctor’s Cave Beach. In case you haven’t heard, Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most popular tourist draws in all of MoBay.
At Doctors Cave Beach Hotel, you’ll also find yourself within walking distance of great golf, tennis, and shopping destinations. Some great features at this hotel location include a luscious central garden area, a few bars, a refreshing swimming pool, and a Jacuzzi bathtub. Guests could choose from standard, superior, and luxury suites, all of which have views either of the pool or garden.
The staff at Doctors Cave Hotel can also help you book excursion packages or set up wedding events. This cozy vacation retreat located right by one of Jamaica’s prime tourist destination certainly earns its spot on our list of the best Montego Bay resorts.
4. Riu Montego Bay
The first luxury hotel on our list of Montego Bay resorts is the Riu Montego Bay. Riu Montego Bay is a great high-end resort for families thanks to its stellar entertainment program and sporting activities. Riu Montego Bay is only about 1.7 miles from MBJ and only three miles away from downtown.
Just a few outdoor activities you can take part in at Riu Montego Bay include beach volleyball, sailing, snorkeling, and table tennis. Plus, golf enthusiasts will just love the four Jamaican golf courses this resort offers access to. Numerous live music events are often scheduled both during the day and night on Riu’s property throughout the year.
As is the case with most luxury resorts, Riu has exceptional restaurants, a soothing spa, wedding service, and a fitness center on property. All of the guest rooms come with Wi-Fi, a minibar, satellite TV, a balcony, and central air conditioning. Guests looking to upgrade their experience could book an adjoining room or an exclusive suite. The main high-end features in the suites include hydromassage bathtubs, a lounge area, and gorgeous views of the sea. Riu Montego Bay is a phenomenal hotel to consider for anyone looking to splurge on their MoBay adventure.
5. Round Hill Hotel & Villas
As of today, Round Hill Hotel and Villas is the top rated hotel of all Montego Bay resorts listed on TripAdvisor. If that wasn’t impressive enough, consider this: Round Hill Hotel owns an astonishing 110-acres of property in MoBay. Whether you want to stay in a private villa or a Ralph Lauren-designed suite on the oceanfront, Round Hill Hotel has what you’re looking for.
The staff at Round Hill works hard to provide their guests with the best service on the entire island. Round Hill Hotel is an exceptional location for couples that want an idyllic Jamaican honeymoon away from the hustle and bustle of downtown MoBay.
In addition to an eclectic collection of award-winning restaurants, Round Hill has a Yoga Pavilion, Spa Gazebo, Fitness Center, pool, and private beach right by Round Hill Bay. Although you’ll have to pay a pretty penny for a room here, no one who stays at Round Hill ever regrets their experience.
Summing Up
These five Montego Bay resorts offer different vacation experiences. From a no frills hostel to a world-class private resort, there should be something on this list for everyone. Take a few moments to consider what you want out of a MoBay vacation before choosing what resort you want to stay at. Each of these Montego Bay resorts will give visitors a very different vibe. You should ensure your hotel matches exactly with what you want out of a MoBay adventure. Once you’ve figured out where you want to go, all that’s left is to book your flight for MBJ.