Rooms Ocho Rios

The scene at Rooms Ocho Rios definitely has that laid-back Jamaica beach vibe, complete with palm trees and vendors selling coconuts on the beach. It may be faster to buy snacks and beverages from strategically placed vending machines than wait for the oftentimes slow pool bar service.

Guests enter the hotel by walking right into the pool area, and the restaurant and front desk are visible inside. There isn’t a true lobby, but the open-air entrance to the dining area and desk is bright and spacious, and the front desk is large and easy to spot. Overhead, ceiling fans are painted in bright primary colors. A small gift shop is nearby, stocked with basic travel essentials and snacks.

Located right on the beach and a short walk from the town center, Rooms Ocho Rios is convenient to numerous sights, shops, and restaurants in the area. While the hotel is in between a number of other properties on the beach, plants, trees, and an ugly chain link fence help to keep the beach area private and separate from the other resorts. A number of restaurants, shops, and bars are within walking distance, and popular attractions like Dunn’s River Falls and Dolphin Cove, as well as local craft markets and water sports, are a short drive away. Ian Fleming International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

While the rooms at this hotel aren’t particularly fancy, they’re bright thanks to large windows that allow for natural light. Decor includes floral bed coverlets with matching curtains and dark wood furniture. Some rooms have private, furnished balconies with views of the beach -- though the chain link fence takes away from some of the romance. All rooms come standard with air conditioning and coffeemakers. Tube TVs, a charge for in-room Wi-Fi, and CD players could use an upgrade, and room decor is bland and tired. But bathrooms are the main drawback; tubs are deeply stained and faucets look corroded. Yellow vanity cabinet doors show their age.

Guests who prefer more space should consider booking the larger junior suites or family rooms. Rooms on the upper levels are quieter than those on the ground floor.

While the property itself doesn’t have as many amenities as other hotels in the area, it does include some convenient perks. The fitness center has Cybex cardio machines and several pieces of strength-training equipment along with some rusty looking dumbbells. Slot machines are housed in a small room near the restaurant. Two meeting rooms are also available, and staff can arrange a variety of water sports like kayaking, water skiing, and parasailing for an extra cost. A t-shirt kiosk between the swimming pool and beach sells beach towels, novelty t-shirts and bathing suit coverups. Additionally, the hotel’s close proximity to other resorts and the downtown area put it within easy walking distance of a variety of shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, and other local attractions and activities.

Many hotels in Jamaica require guests to opt for the all-inclusive package, which means missing out on trying restaurants or market food in the area. At Rooms Ocho Rios, guests get free continental breakfast (includes cold items like cereal, juice, and pastries) and the option of purchasing meal plans. The full breakfast (BP) upgrades you to hot dishes in the morning. A second meal plan costs a bit more and includes hot breakfast and dinner. The final option is three meals a day. Be sure to choose your meal plan while booking the room and keep in mind that it's non-refundable if you later decide you'd prefer a different plan.

The on-site restaurant, Fusion, offers a la carte lunch and dinner options plus snacks throughout the day. Menus have traditional Jamaican offerings and international cuisine like Chinese and American food, plus a kid's menu. Packaged snacks and ice cream are sold at the on-site gift shop and vendors on the beach are easy to find for coconuts and fruit throughout the day.

The beach at Rooms Ocho Rios is a real highlight. Guests have private and fast access to the postcard-worthy public beach. Cross a patch of grass to find golden sand and crystal clear water with few waves. A white line of buoy markers ensures swimmers don't go too far out; there isn't a lifeguard. The beach vibe is laid-back and guests drag blue sun loungers around to find the best angle under the Jamaican sun. Umbrellas aren't offered, but there are a few trees for shade. Guests can get drinks from the pool bar and bring them to the beach.

Guests can easily go back-and-forth between the well-maintained swimming pool and nearby beach. The pool is adjacent to the restaurant so snacks and drinks are available poolside at white tables under blue umbrellas. Blue sun loungers and striped blue-and-white towels are free. Tall palm trees and beach views, plus a swim-up bar, give the pool a definite tropical vacation ambiance.