Jamaica, the island with vibe. Located in the Caribbean Sea and the third largest island amongst the Greater Antilles, Jamaica has always been a favorite of mine. I can’t get enough of the joyful feeling and love that is given from the people of this country. For me, there is no bad day in Jamaica.
This last trip I tried the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, located within the realms of Montego Bay.
It is an adult-only all-inclusive resort connected to its sister family property Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall. The combined spread of the properties makes for an ideal vacation escape for families, friends, couples, and groups. In fact, during my stay there I met honeymooners, a couple destination wedding groups, anniversary couples, but the majority were birthday groups. It made for fun celebrations day and night around the pool bar and entertainment stage.
There are over 600 rooms total combined between the two properties with your choice of either a standard room or suite category. The rooms are then divided by their view of the brilliant blue waters and pristine beaches. One of the nice aspects was how the shore was protected which allowed for nice swimming access, particularly on the family side. You can be rest assured your toddlers could splash the day away without being toppled and taken by a wave. Speaking of water, all the non-motorized water sports are included and we saw many on catamarans and windsurfing given the breezy weather we were enjoying.
Both sides had spectacular pool areas and beaches for those who sun worship. And of course, service with a smile from your beach or pool butler that kept your beverages coming. However, if you wanted to venture from your chair, each pool had a swim-up bar for your imbibing pleasures as well as organized activities from the amazing Z-crew throughout the day. Jenga, bingo, line-dancing, water aerobics, trivia, and more were available for fun and getting to know the other guests. I don’t know about you, but part of the memories made on vacation are the new friends you connect with.
And I would be amiss if I didn’t tell you about the food. You are going to want or even need to partake in those daily activities or make a trip to the gym during your stay. The food was some of the best, if not the best I have had in Jamaica. Amongst the dining options were French, Italian, Asian, Brazilian, and Jamaican. It is the only resort I know that actually has a Jamaican themed restaurant. There was a main buffet restaurant open for all 3 meals offering American fare options for the less adventurous or the children. Most restaurants were sit down and no reservations were needed. There were always a variety of options available throughout the day or you could try some of the what I refer to as quick serve. We tended to choose this for lunch grabbing nachos from the nacho bar, a flat bread pizza, or making our way to the Jerk Shack for some jerk chicken. You can’t go to Jamaica and not have the jerk.
Of course each evening there was entertainment provided. Some of the pleasures we saw were a steel band, a Michael Jackson impersonator, and my favorite which I never experienced before were the synchronized swimming dancers. It was a truly spectacular show. If you are a late owl, then after the show head to the sports bar, Union Jacks. It’s open until 2am offering music, drinks, and good vibes.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive escape that has it all to offer, then consult your travel agent about the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall or Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall. Discover not only all that Hyatt has to offer, but all the things that make Jamaica special. Feel the vibe!
Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.
She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.