Montego Bay is Jamaica’s capital of all-inclusive resorts, catering to every kind of traveler and most budgets. Some resorts are reserved for adults only, but whether your budget runs closer to beer or champagne, Montego Bay also offers an excellent selection of family friendly resorts with kid-centric dining, amenities like waterparks, and kids clubs for all ages that take the job of entertainment director off the shoulders of the adults in the family for a few hours.
Here are the top all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay that put families first.
Large suites, including of the swim-up variety, entice families to linger at this Montego Bay luxury all-inclusive resort. Among the dozen-plus restaurants and bars on property is the only rooftop Moroccan themed lounge in Jamaica, and this family friendly resort caters with kids’ tastes with pizzas served alongside homemade pasta at the Di Roza restaurant and burgers and pub food at Union Jack’z. Families can rent a private cabana for the day, set off on a Hobie cat cruise, or part ways while the youngsters go to the kids club and the adults indulge in a spa treatment or fitness class.
Jewel Grande Montego Bay Resort & Spa
One facet of this Jewel that families will really appreciate is space: the absolutely smallest suite in this Montego Bay resort still tops 800 square feet, more than twice the average four-star hotel room in the U.S. That can be plenty of room for a family of four, but guests also have the option of accommodations running up to 4,397 square feet — a butler-served, three-bedroom villa with a full kitchen and wraparound deck and hot tub. And that’s just the rooms: resort amenities also include a dozen restaurants and bars, two pools, a kids club and teen lounge, and a 30,000-square-foot spa.
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection (yes, you can use Bonvoy points to stay), this 228-suite beach resort in MoBay has a lazy river and pirate themed water park and teen disco nights in addition to the usual collection of swimming pools and kid-club activities. Adults and children alike will also appreciate the resort’s 11 restaurants, including a gelato shop for the kids and a chef’s table that can be experienced by guests ages 12 and older.
The bigger sister resort to the Royalton Blue Waters has 352 rooms in the same neighborhood close to the Glistening Waters bioluminescent bay. The two hotels share amenities that, in addition to pools and restaurants, include tennis, water sports, and cooking and dance classes. Guests can upgrade to Diamond Club status at either property as well as taking part in Royalton’s weekly, family friendly White Party.
Holiday Inn Montego Bay Resort
Another hotel where families can spend points instead of cash for a vacation getaway, IHG’s Holiday Inn Montego Bay Resort is a step above the typical roadside hotel familiar to most Americans. With a full range of guest rooms and suites, this beachfront all-inclusive resort has five restaurants featuring local, Asian, and Italian cuisine, among others; land and water sports; and a luxury spa. Plus, we’re pretty sure this is the only Holiday Inn with its own private island.
Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa and Lady Hamilton Resort
Palatial is a good word to describe this 537-room all-inclusive resort, which sits alongside the 512-room Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa between Montego Bay and Negril. The location in quiet Lucia is a respite from the bustle of these other popular resort towns without skimping on family friendly amenities. The resorts share a water park, baby club (1–3 year olds), mini club (4–12 year olds) and teen club (13–18 year olds) along with 11 restaurants and 17 bars. All-suite accommodations promise plenty of elbow room for adults and kids alike.
Star Camp at the Iberostar Rose Hall resort has activities catering to kids from ages 4 to 17, including games like capture the flag, a lip-synching contest, and a kids’ pool and park. Throw in babysitting services and this is a resort that knows how to keep kids happy while still giving parents a break on vacation. The five-star resort features a broad range of room types and dining options (including an ice cream shop), nightly live entertainment, and an on-site dive center.
