Make a Break for The Jewel Dunn’s River – Ocho Rios

I love Jamaica. However, most of my time on the beautiful Caribbean island has been spent in Montego Bay. Until this time. I ventured 90 minutes east from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios, specifically to experience The Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa, a newly renovated property with 250 guestrooms.

Accommodations at The Jewel are comprised of three buildings with suites, butler service, ocean and mountain views and premier guestrooms. The Jewel is an all-inclusive resort, which means all you can eat and drink all the time; however, only rooms at Diamond Ocean View Concierge level and above feature mini-bars with a liquor packages – a fun perk, but not necessary at an all-inclusive.

The property features two pools with swim-up bar and concierge service and a 9-hole pitch and putt golf course. Active travelers (unlike me who prefers the activeness of a sunbather) may enjoy an assortment of non-motorized water sports, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts as well as pool tables, shuffleboard and giant lawn chess.

At The Jewel’s Radiant Spa, I enjoyed my customary spa service – a massage. This one ended unusually (not like that) with an exfoliating leg scrub. The scrub is a nice bonus, but one I prefer at the beginning of the service, pre-drool relaxation mode. The spa offers an assortment of typical services, including couple’s massage, facials, body scrubs, manicures and pedicures; and features a convenient outdoor workout facility stocked with cardio machines, free weights and a personal trainer.

Meals are served at six restaurants scattered around the resort, serving casual cuisine, gourmet fare and quick poolside bites. Room service is available for select guestrooms. Grab a pizza from Court Jester’s Fire-Oven Pizza in the afternoons when you’re too settled in at the pool to move; dine formally at Platinum when you feel the urge to dress up; and the next morning when you roll out of bed craving a full-service breakfast, stop in the Coral Café.

Interested in nightlife activities? Of course you are. The Jewel offers dive-in movies by the pool; a 6-course dinner on the pier; a weekly resort host cocktail party; local entertainment and cabaret shows, staff and guest talent shows (you know you want to get on stage); and live music.

The Jewel offers reasonable rates that vary throughout the year.

April 1 to 25 from $190/person, per night.
April 26 to 30 from $179/person, per night.
May 1 to June 30 from $166/person, per night.
Jul 1 to August 20 from $175/person, per night.
August 21 to October 21 from $147/person, per night.

Not bad for all you can eat and drink, plus entertainment and activities. For more information, visit www.jeweldunnsriverresort.com

For travelers eager to explore the area around the resort, Ocho Rios offers a variety of outdoor and adventure experiences: Dunn’s River Falls, Dolphin Cove, Mystic Mountain, Chukka Adventure Tours and Fern Gully, just to name a few.

Photo courtesy of The Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa