Written By: Geoff Millar, Owner – Ultimate All-Inclusive Travel Inc.
This month we are going to begin our journey through the Iberostar Resort chain. Iberostar is a privately owned Spanish Chain. Iberostar has 120 resorts in Europe, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Dominican Republic, the U.S. and Jamaica. For this article we are only going to look at the Iberostar Resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. These are resorts I have visited and have a very good working knowledge about. I want to provide firsthand information concerning the resorts I write about. These destinations are also the most widely sold by travel agents in the U.S.
The first location we are going to start with is Jamaica.
JAMAICA
Iberostar has 3 resorts in Jamaica. They are located in the Rose Hall area just outside of Montego Bay. They are a family 3 star resort, a family 4 star resort and an adult only 5 star resort. All 3 resorts are located in the Iberostar complex right next to each other. The Iberostar complex sits on a very nice beach and within close proximity of 3 great golf courses. It sits about 20 minutes from the airport. Because all 3 resorts sit next to each other and are different quality levels including an adult only selection, they are a great choice for destination weddings or family group vacations. There is a small upscale shopping center next to the Iberostar complex.
The first resort we will look at is the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach. This is a great midlevel family resort sitting on a beautiful stretch of beach. The resort sits at one end of the complex. I would rate this resort in the 3 – 3.5 star range. This resort does not have exchange privileges with the other resorts in the complex since it is the lowest rated resort. It has a fantastic pool area and is right on the beach.
Accommodations at this resort consist of standard resort view rooms, Superior Resort view Rooms that are closer to the beach and pool area, the pool view room, the Ocean View room, the superior Ocean View room, which is closer to the beach, Ocean front room, Ocean front Jr. Suite, and the Presidential Suite. Keep in mind that the Presidential Suite only has one bedroom. All rooms and Suites come with free Wifi, minibar, and room service.
As far as dining there are a number of options, 3 A La Carte restaurants and 1 international buffet. The A La Carte restaurants are, Asian, a steakhouse, and French creole. Remember at this resort the number of nights allowed at the A La Carte Restaurants are based on the number of nights the guest is staying at the resort, 3 nights booked = 1 night at an A La Carte restaurant, 4-6 nights 2 nights at an A La Carte Restaurant, 7-9 nights 3 nights at an A La Carte restaurant. There are 3 bars on the property to satisfy your guests thirst. A La Carte restaurants require advanced reservations. Long pants and collared shirts are the require dress.
Activities abound at the resort. There are two swimming pools. For those so inclined the resort had a fit and fun program combining physical activities with healthy eating. There is also a fully outfitted gym. For the kids there is the star camp with 2 sections, one for kids 4-7 and another for kids 8-12. There is a full slate of activities for the kids including a kid’s pool and park. If the adults want a night out, they can also hire a babysitting service. Don’t forget the beach and ocean. There is a dive shop on the property where you can schedule snorkeling trips and scuba diving. There is also nightly entertainment.
This resort is a great choice for families and couples who want a very good all inclusive resort experience but may be on a budget.
The next resort we are going to look at is the Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites. This is their 4 star family resort where every room is a Jr Suite or higher. It sits in the middle between the other 2 resorts. It has one of the nicest pool areas I have seen. With this resort you have access to the Iberostar Beach Resort next door. It sits on a great stretch of beach and as said, a short distance from 3 golf courses and 20 minutes from the airport.
As stated with this Iberostar every room is a Jr. Suite or larger. The accommodations start with the standard Jr. Suite Garden View, then the Superior Jr. Suite which has a garden view but is closer to the pool and the beach, you then have the Jr. Suite Pool View, and next, as expected is the Jr. Suite Ocean View, we move to the Superior Jr Suite Ocean View which is closer to the beach, next is the Jr. Suite Ocean Front, they have a Ocean View Family Jr. Suite with 2 bedrooms, one with king bed and the other with 2 double beds, finally there is the Rose Gold Penthouse Suite. It is over 2,000 sq. ft and it come with a kitchenette. Remember the Suite, even with its size, only has one bedroom with a king bed. There is free Wifi in every room as well as a fully stocked minibar.
Dining offers a wide variety offering 4 A La Carte Restaurants and 2 buffets. The A La Carte restaurants are a, Steak House, a gourmet restaurant. They do require that gentlemen wear a jacket for dinner, Mediterranean, and Italian. There are 3 bars including a swim-up bar. Remember the number of nights clients can use the A LA Carte restaurants is based on the number of nights booked. 3 – 4 nights booked = 2 nights at an A La Carte restaurant, 5-6 nights booked = 3 nights at an A La Carte restaurant, 7-10 nights booked =4 nights at an A La Carte restaurant. A LA Carte restaurants require advanced reservations.
When it comes to activities there is the beautiful beach, a fantastic pool area including a lazy river. You have the same fit and fun program as the other Iberostar resorts where they combine physical exercise with diet. There is the kid’s club for kids 4 – 7 and 8-12 with a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. They have a fantastic spa and a fully outfitted gym. There are tennis courts and a basketball court. There is a dive shop in the compound that can be used by all the Iberostar resorts. Clients can schedule snorkeling and Scuba diving tours at an extra charge. 3 golf courses are close to the resort. There is nightly entertainment every night.
This resort is great for families and couples who want a more upscale all inclusive experience. It is great for family and other types of groups.
The last Iberostar resort in Jamaica is the 5 star adult only Iberostar Grand Rose Hall. This resort sits at the other end of the complex and guests here have exchange privileges with the other 2 Iberostar resorts in the complex. At the Grand all rooms are Jr. Suite and higher This resort sits on the same great beach and is close to the 3 golf courses. This resort is designed in an upscale European style with Jamaican touches.
Accommodations at the Grand are Jr Suites and higher. They call every room category Suites. They start with the Suite, which is Garden View, it then moves to the Superior Suite, which is the regular Suite, garden view, but is closer to the beach and pool. Next we have the Ocean View Suite, and the Superior Ocean View Suite which has a slight better view of the ocean and is closer to the beach and the pool. We then go to the Swim-Out Suite, and finally the Ocean Front Suite. There is also the Presidential Suite, which is just under 2, 000 sq. ft. but still only takes 2 adults. All Suites except the Presidential come with either a king bed or 2 double beds. All rooms have free Wifi and a fully stocked minibar.
Dining is at a slightly higher level than the 2 other Iberostar resorts in the compound. There are a choice of 4 A La Carte restaurants and 2 buffets. With the A La Carte restaurants you have Japanese, a grill and steakhouse, a Gourmet restaurant, and an Italian Restaurant. As with the other restaurants dress is resort casual at the A La Carte restaurants men are required to wear long pants and either a short sleeved or long sleeved shirt.
The A La Carte restaurants require advanced reservations. There are no restrictions here about how many times a client can eat in the A La Carte restaurants.
Activities here are varied. Swim in one of the 3 pool areas, the infinity quiet pool, the active pool or drift down the lazy river. The beach is available, and guests can use the beach in front of all 3 of the resorts. Use the tennis courts in the complex, get a massage in the beautiful spa, workout in the fully equipped gym. Scuba dive and snorkel through the dive shop. These are at an extra cost. Play golf at one of the 3 golf courses close by. Golf is at an extra cost. Shop at the shopping center. Since this is an adult only resort there is no kids Center. There is also nightly entertainment.
This is a great resort for those looking for an upscale all-inclusive adult only experience in Jamaica.
The Iberostar complex is great for destination weddings as it provides accommodations for every level and you can set up a common area for the wedding where guests that stay at any of the 3 resorts in the complex can attend.
Next month we will continue our journey through the next group of Iberostar resort. Until then good selling and safe travels.