Any Similar Resort to AI Barcelo Maya Palace in Jamaica

fur_252 · 05-19-2012

Im heading back to Barcelo Maya Palace in Feb. and its going to be the 2nd time there, I really love this resort. Was thinking about switching it up a little and want to explore Jamaica after this next trip. My question is AI Resorts like or better then Barcelo Maya Palace in the same Price range? What resort would you recommend to me.

heater · 05-20-2012

I would suggest a hotel in Negril. We go every year but don't stay at an all inclusive. We stay at a hotel called Idle Awhile. There's Beaches, Swept Away, and many others on 7 mile beach.

**Shammy** · 05-20-2012

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites is very nice! However, it's very likely going to be more expensive than Barcelo - most decent resorts in Jamaica will be actually. The Bahia is ok as is the Palladium. Secrets Wild Orchid and St. James are nice as well - adults only so a bit more money. It's not really a comparable destination, dollar for dollar anyway. You have to spend up to get the same quality you get at resorts in Mexico. When it comes to Jamaica and AI, you get what you pay for.

Rissask · 05-20-2012

Rose Hall is not in Negril, it's in Montego Bay. Nice hotel though, our niece was married there and the photos looked quite nice....but the beach is nicer in Negril, by all accounts.

I have been to Negril, we did not stay AI either, but on 7 Mile Beach at Rooms Negrilo, a basic but nice little hotel, breakfast was included.

I have also heard the AI resorts are not comparable.....I stayed at the Barcelo Palace this past winter, and I don't think you will find a comparable hotel in Negril, it's much more rustic than the Mayan area- but Couples would likely be your best bet.

Or, look at staying up in the Cliffs in a place like The Rockhouse. Not cheap, but very nice. When we return we will do a split stay-ideally there, and Idle Awhile on the beach.

heater · 05-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites is very nice! However, it's very likely going to be more expensive than Barcelo - most decent resorts in Jamaica will be actually. The Bahia is ok as is the Palladium. Secrets Wild Orchid and St. James are nice as well - adults only so a bit more money. It's not really a comparable destination, dollar for dollar anyway. You have to spend up to get the same quality you get at resorts in Mexico. When it comes to Jamaica and AI, you get what you pay for.

As far as I know the Grand Palladium doesn't have a beach, on the water but no beach. We drive by there on our way to Negril and that's what our driver told us.

heater · 05-20-2012

I have stayed at the Rockhouse and loved it. If I were to do the cliffs again it would be a tough choice between Rockhouse and Tensing Pen. I have heard that Couples Swept Away is very nice, they also own Idle Awhile where we stay each year. Maggie, 2 weeks next year baby!

**Shammy** · 05-21-2012

The Palladium does have a beach - not big but it's a nice swimming area:

heater · 05-21-2012

7 mile beach in Negril is pretty hard to beat! I see that there's a small beach at Palladium, sorry for the misinformation. Love Negril

Rissask · 05-22-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by heater

I have stayed at the Rockhouse and loved it. If I were to do the cliffs again it would be a tough choice between Rockhouse and Tensing Pen. I have heard that Couples Swept Away is very nice, they also own Idle Awhile where we stay each year. Maggie, 2 weeks next year baby!

JEALOUS!!!! Two weeks on that beach would be sublime...eating that jerk pork from that vendor and Niah's patties every day, washed down with Red Stripes....sigh!

queencityfan · 05-25-2012

As for AI's vs Non AI, we do both depending on our mood.

I have only been once to Jamaica, we stayed at Secrets Wild Orchid, right on Montego Bay.

We have also stayed at Secrets Maroma & Capri , Barcelo Maya, Iberostar Paraiso.

The beach and swimming area is fairly small but the pools are fun. Service was up to Secrets standards and we enjoyed our trip.

The best part of Wild Orchid was the dinning set-up. Most of the restaurants are set around a single building and the outside tables have a beautiful view of the hills and lights of Montego Bay. Add live bands on the plaza overlooking the bay, a piano bar and the warmth of the Jamaican people, well, we never missed an evening out there.

The entertainment was much better than I have seen in the AI's in Mexico, especially when they have the steel drum band in.

heater · 05-25-2012

There are some nice AI's in Montego bay, which is where the airport is. If you are a beach person then I definitely would not suggest MO Bay. Ocho Rios is supposed to be nice but it's over 2 hours from the airport. As you know Negril is my fave and it's an hour and twenty minutes from airport.

05-19-2012	#1 (permalink)
fur_252 sandflea Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3	Any Similar Resort to AI Barcelo Maya Palace in Jamaica Im heading back to Barcelo Maya Palace in Feb. and its going to be the 2nd time there, I really love this resort. Was thinking about switching it up a little and want to explore Jamaica after this next trip. My question is AI Resorts like or better then Barcelo Maya Palace in the same Price range? What resort would you recommend to me.

05-20-2012	#2 (permalink)
heater reposado Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 1,328	I would suggest a hotel in Negril. We go every year but don't stay at an all inclusive. We stay at a hotel called Idle Awhile. There's Beaches, Swept Away, and many others on 7 mile beach.

05-20-2012	#3 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,502	Iberostar Rose Hall Suites is very nice! However, it's very likely going to be more expensive than Barcelo - most decent resorts in Jamaica will be actually. The Bahia is ok as is the Palladium. Secrets Wild Orchid and St. James are nice as well - adults only so a bit more money. It's not really a comparable destination, dollar for dollar anyway. You have to spend up to get the same quality you get at resorts in Mexico. When it comes to Jamaica and AI, you get what you pay for.

05-20-2012	#4 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,641	Rose Hall is not in Negril, it's in Montego Bay. Nice hotel though, our niece was married there and the photos looked quite nice....but the beach is nicer in Negril, by all accounts. I have been to Negril, we did not stay AI either, but on 7 Mile Beach at Rooms Negrilo, a basic but nice little hotel, breakfast was included. I have also heard the AI resorts are not comparable.....I stayed at the Barcelo Palace this past winter, and I don't think you will find a comparable hotel in Negril, it's much more rustic than the Mayan area- but Couples would likely be your best bet. Or, look at staying up in the Cliffs in a place like The Rockhouse. Not cheap, but very nice. When we return we will do a split stay-ideally there, and Idle Awhile on the beach.

05-20-2012	#6 (permalink)
heater reposado Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 1,328	I have stayed at the Rockhouse and loved it. If I were to do the cliffs again it would be a tough choice between Rockhouse and Tensing Pen. I have heard that Couples Swept Away is very nice, they also own Idle Awhile where we stay each year. Maggie, 2 weeks next year baby!

05-21-2012	#7 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,502	The Palladium does have a beach - not big but it's a nice swimming area:

05-21-2012	#8 (permalink)
heater reposado Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 1,328	7 mile beach in Negril is pretty hard to beat! I see that there's a small beach at Palladium, sorry for the misinformation. Love Negril

05-25-2012	#10 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 3,343	As for AI's vs Non AI, we do both depending on our mood. I have only been once to Jamaica, we stayed at Secrets Wild Orchid, right on Montego Bay. We have also stayed at Secrets Maroma & Capri , Barcelo Maya, Iberostar Paraiso. The beach and swimming area is fairly small but the pools are fun. Service was up to Secrets standards and we enjoyed our trip. The best part of Wild Orchid was the dinning set-up. Most of the restaurants are set around a single building and the outside tables have a beautiful view of the hills and lights of Montego Bay. Add live bands on the plaza overlooking the bay, a piano bar and the warmth of the Jamaican people, well, we never missed an evening out there. The entertainment was much better than I have seen in the AI's in Mexico, especially when they have the steel drum band in.

05-25-2012	#11 (permalink)
heater reposado Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 1,328	There are some nice AI's in Montego bay, which is where the airport is. If you are a beach person then I definitely would not suggest MO Bay. Ocho Rios is supposed to be nice but it's over 2 hours from the airport. As you know Negril is my fave and it's an hour and twenty minutes from airport.

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