Secrets St. James Montego Bay

Opened in 2010, Secret St. James is not overly romantic, like Jamaica’s Couples resorts, nor is it downright raucous, like the hard-partying Iberostar Rose Hall Beach. Secrets St. James is somewhere in the well-polished middle, which allows it to have broad appeal -- evidenced by its many repeat guests -- even if it’s a bit on the old-fashioned side when it comes to decor. It sits on a secluded peninsula near the Montego Bay airport, next door to its sister property Secrets Wild Orchid. Nearly all features are shared between the properties. So, in terms of Secrets St. James vs Wild Orchid, the main difference is that the majority of restaurants and facilities are closer to the Wild Orchid side. Additionally, Secrets St. James rooms have a colonial-inspired design, while Wild Orchid suites are more contemporary and modern.
Both couples and singles tend to book here; however, romance is certainly possible here, enhanced by the building’s sense of privacy from its U-shaped design and secluded location. There are also soaking tubs or hot tubs in all rooms, and the spa features hot and cold pools and a Zen garden. But active couples can keep busy, too, thanks to the free water sports, tennis (with free loaner equipment), yoga and water aerobics fitness classes, bicycle tours, game room, and a small, sedate casino. Partiers can get free top-shelf liquor at one of the nine bars (though they may have to fight the crowds).
Note that as restaurants are shared and no reservations are required, they can get crowded in the evenings and require long wait times. Dress codes are posted but not widely enforced across the properties. Preferred Club guests get access to an exclusive lounge and pool, as well as to the adjacent Breathless Montego Bay, which is a livelier resort with foam parties and DJs.

Location is one of Secrets St. James Montego Bay’s best attributes: Its position on a secluded peninsula feels relaxed, and the broad ocean views from the U-shaped property are fantastic. Many guests at the Secrets St. James never leave the resort, and with 10 restaurants, nine bars, free land- and water-sports, shops, daily activities and nightly entertainment, and a spa, there's little reason to. If that’s not enough, there’s also Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay next door, much of which guests at St. James have access to. On the other side of the property is the hopping, adults-only Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa, which Preferred Club guests get access to. The resort is also a 20-minute drive from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, allowing guests to avoid expensive taxis (the hotel also offers a shuttle for an additional fee). Those who want to explore Jamaica outside of the Secrets’ all-inclusive complex might be disappointed, as very little is nearby. However, the hotel does offer free bicycle tours. Three golf courses are within a 35-minute drive, including Tryall Golf Club, Cinnamon Hill Golf Course, and Half Moon Golf Course.

While the 350 suite-style rooms at Secrets St. James have identical layouts to the rooms at Secrets Wild Orchid, the decor here is less contemporary, as it’s British colonial-inspired. Most have four-poster wooden beds, blue-and-white color palette evident in accent walls and geometric-print throw pillows, and white shutter doors. They’re attractive and spacious, and well-outfitted with lots of luxury-level amenities. The entry-level Junior Suite Garden View and Junior Suite Ocean View Rooms, for example, are both 559 square feet, and have sitting areas and furnished balconies or terraces. Many rooms have ocean views and the Preferred Club Junior Suite Ocean View Swim Out Suites are swim-up rooms with direct access to an exclusive pool. Master Suites have separate living rooms and big private terraces with outdoor hot tubs.
All rooms have queen- or king-size four-poster beds, private furnished balconies, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, coffeemakers, and free minibars that are refreshed daily with soft drinks, bottled water, and premium beer. Other niceties include plush bathrobes and slippers, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, nightly turndown service, free Wi-Fi, and Do Not Disturb light systems.
Peek-a-boo bathrooms have shutters that can be closed for privacy, separate walk-in rainfall showers and jetted soaking tubs, dual sinks, Gilchrest & Soames toiletries, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors.
There's 24-hour room service, and couples may particularly appreciate the “Secrets Box" in each room -- an incognito room service delivery system that's essentially a non-moving dumbwaiter. This allows guests to order room service without actually having to open the door for delivery. Rather, the meal is placed in the box and left for guests to access via a second door in their room.
Those guests staying in the Preferred Club section of the hotel get some additional freebies: upgraded toiletries and minibars, outdoor tubs on the terraces, and access to all of the VIP areas such as the Club Lounge and the Premiere pool, which is quieter and nicer than the main pool. Preferred Club guests can also upgrade to private butler service in their suites.

The “Unlimited Luxury” all-inclusive package at Secrets St. James includes all top-shelf liquor, non-alcoholic beverages, meals and snacks at restaurants, 24-hour room service, and most activities -- though keep in mind you’ll be sharing many dining and drinking options with the neighboring Wild Orchid property. All taxes and gratuities are advertised as included, though it’s expected to tip on top of the rate for all service. There are no wristbands required here.
Guests can also upgrade to a “Preferred Club” room, which means private check-in in its own building, upgraded in-room minibars and bath amenities, and exclusive access to a pool, area of the beach, and a Club Lounge with a round-the-clock buffet and cocktail bar. They also receive access to the lively Breathless Montego Bay, which throws afternoon foam parties with DJs.

It might be hard to imagine that a resort boasting a total of 10 restaurants would have a problem with crowds, but since the restaurants are shared with the neighboring Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay — and all located on that side — the number of guests trying to get a table is effectively doubled. The restaurants don’t require reservations, so guests wishing to avoid a wait should plan on eating early. Additionally, free room service is available 24/7.
The food itself, covered within the all-inclusive rate, receives mixed reviews, however, the quality is impressive for an all-inclusive. Top picks include the Mexican-style El Patio and seafood restaurant Oceana, though there are also Italian, Caribbean, Jamaican, pan-Asian, and French a la carte restaurants, as well as the obligatory international buffet restaurant. Around-the-clock dining is also available at Coco Café. Unlike a lot of other all-inclusive resorts, the atmosphere doesn’t feel strip-mall-esque; each restaurant is housed in its own freestanding structure and has distinct decor.
Restaurants have a dress code, with some of the nicer eateries requiring men to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Secrets St. James has nine bars shared with Secrets Wild Orchid, including the main pool’s swim-up bar, a piano bar, a music lounge, and a lobby bar. Drinks are covered in the all-inclusive rates, and that goes for the top-shelf liquor as well as the cheap rum punch and Jamaican Red Stripe. Non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, juice, coffee, and water are also free.

Unlike certain popular strips along the northern shore of Montego Bay and Seven Mile Beach in Negril, Secrets St. James' beach isn’t swarmed with beachgoers. Instead, the resort’s peninsular spot is secluded and serene, even with guests from both St. James and Wild Orchid sharing the half-mile stretch. The beach has fine white sand and clear, warm water, wicker lounge chairs, and palapa-style umbrellas for shade. Activities on the beach include beach volleyball, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, and paddleboarding. Catamaran sailing and diving both cost extra.
Certain sections of the beach are quite narrow. Though part of the beach is exclusive to the Preferred Club, the resort rarely seems to enforce the separation.

The large main pool at Secrets St. James has an infinity edge, a palapa swim-up bar, and breathtaking views of the ocean. It is surrounded by padded lounge chairs, where guests can sip on drinks delivered by the complimentary waiter service, part of the all-inclusive package at Secrets St. James.
The posh Preferred Club pool, just next door to the main pool (also with beach views), may inspire envy in the regular hotel guests. It's more serene, and a large placard warns guests that only guests with Preferred Club key cards should enter the area.
Guests at Secrets St. James can also walk over to Secrets Wild Orchid’s pool, which also has its own swim-up bar and cafe.

The 15,000-square-foot spa features treatment palapas and services that range from caviar foot treatments to green-coffee body wraps. Perks include a relaxation room with hot and cold pools, a yoga garden, a hair salon, and a boutique shop. Locker rooms also include saunas, steam rooms, pressure showers, and Swiss showers.
Secrets St. James shares its fitness center and tennis courts with Secrets Wild Orchid. It offers cardio machines and strength-training equipment, dumbbells, and free weights. Additional options for physical activity are abundant, consisting of free tennis, non-motorized water sports, dance classes, giant chess, darts, board games, aerobics, billiards, yoga, aerobics classes, cooking classes, ping-pong, and jogging trails. There are also activities that come at an additional cost, such as scuba diving (first pool lesson is free), motorized sports, private tennis lessons, horseback riding, and golfing at a handful of nearby courses.
Entertainment includes a small game room and sparse casino, movies on the beach, themed parties, a theater, and live nightly music and dancing. There tends to be a little more happening over at Secrets Wild Orchid.
Secrets St. James provides on-site planners that can coordinate events and meetings both large and small. There are nearly a dozen different spaces that can be used for cocktail receptions, banquets, performances, business retreats, or weddings. Packages are available, and guests can also create custom events.
A shopping plaza has several souvenir shops, a wedding planning shop, a coffee shop, and a jewelry store.
Free self-parking is also available for guests.

Weddings are big business in Jamaica, and Secrets St. James is definitely in on the game. The hotel offers a pop-the-question package as well as three wedding packages (bespoke weddings are also available). St. James also provides an exhaustive list of wedding services ranging from on-site wedding coordinators to pressing and steaming wedding-day attire. All packages include a wedding cake, sparkling wine, a bouquet and boutonnière, an officiant, and discount on spa treatments.
While ceremonies generally take place in one of several wedding pavilions along the beach, a vast array of meeting rooms and ballrooms are available for cocktail hours, receptions, and rehearsal dinners.
Secrets’ website also features a registry option in which marrying couples can request gifts be given in the form of credits toward a honeymoon at the resort.