Moon Palace Jamaica

Our family of four (2 adults and 2 kids, ages 16 and 13) visited Jamaica for the 7th time in 8 years April 26 to May 3. In previous years, we’ve always stayed in Montego Bay at the Holiday Inn (now Catalonia Resort). We loved our time there, but based on recent TripAdvisor reviews and feedback from Facebook groups, it seems the resort is undergoing major renovations and has declined in quality. So, we decided to look for a new place and eventually settled on Moon Palace Ocho Rios—and we’re glad we did! Arrival & Check-In Yes, the bus ride from the airport is a bit long, but it’s well worth it. Upon arrival, we were all amazed at how beautiful the resort looked. While it does show some wear and tear, it still felt stunning to us. Check-in was decent. After getting your wristbands and room assignment, you’re directed to another desk to speak with Guest Services. There, you’re informed about the resort credits, which can be used for activities like swimming with dolphins (note: you still need to pay 16% tax on any activity). They also pitch a 90-minute breakfast presentation promoting vacation week ownership, which is similar to a timeshare but more flexible. We agreed to attend the presentation to earn extra credits so both kids could swim with dolphins—it costs 160 resort credits per person. However, once we declined to make a down payment or commit to a 6-year plan, things went south. While the sales reps were respectful, their bosses were not. That said, it didn’t ruin our vacation—our kids loved the dolphin experience, and that’s what mattered most. Dining The food was fantastic. We tried: • The Buffet (especially great for breakfast) • MOMO (Japanese, with both teppanyaki and à la carte options—delicious!) • Loud Bar (great place to watch the Leafs vs. Ottawa game in a chill atmosphere) • The Jerk Hut (amazing chicken and pork) • Snack Bar (rotates daily, with staples like burgers and hot dogs) • Coffee Shop/Pastry Bar (a daily must-visit for us) We didn’t try the Italian or Pier 8 (the steakhouse), mainly because my wife is vegetarian and my daughter is a picky eater. But the other options more than satisfied us. MOMO Experience The only downside was our à la carte experience at MOMO. It took a long time to get our main dishes, and we had three different servers during the meal. We also felt a bit judged based on our attire, even though we followed the dress code—others were in t-shirts and baseball caps. It was our daughter’s birthday, and despite mentioning it, nothing was done to acknowledge it (no dessert or song). One waiter even rushed us out, saying “You done? You done? Good, have a great night.” Not the best moment, but again—not a vacation-ruiner. Pools, Drinks & Entertainment There are plenty of pools, tons of drink options, and, of course, endless SUN! The arcade was a hit with the kids, and the evening entertainment was enjoyable. Check-Out Frustration The most frustrating part of our trip was check-out. I was first in line and waited 25 minutes while the staff prioritized check-ins. I had to speak up as we were on a schedule to catch transportation, and it didn’t seem like the staff cared much. It left a bit of a sour taste at the end of an otherwise great stay. Local Shopping Tip We ventured out to the Taj Mahal shops, which are good for souvenirs. But if you’re looking to buy alcohol, skip the tourist stores! Visit Progressive Foods, a local grocery store with much better prices. For example, CocoMania was $30 USD at tourist shops and only $13 USD at the grocery store (same price as duty-free). Final Thoughts Despite a few hiccups, I give Moon Palace Ocho Rios a solid 4.5 out of 5. Without those issues, it would’ve been a full 5 stars. My Recommendations: • Don’t funnel guests to a separate table for the 90-minute sales pitch—be more upfront. • During check-out, create two lines: one for all guests and one for VIP/Diamond/Elite members to streamline the process. I hope this review helps you decide. We truly had a great time and would consider returning! Read less

I most say the service at Moon Palace Jamaica is truly commendable. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that I was welcomed and valued. From the front desk to the dining staff, everyone is friendly, professional, and eager to assist. This level of service enhances the overall experience and made me feel like i was valued guest.i loved my stay I will be coming back. Read less