Zoetry Montego Bay Jamaica

This boutique all-inclusive property is much smaller than Montego Bay’s other sprawling oceanfront resorts, giving it an intimate vibe that's not entirely expected for this chain brand. It's a quiet, laid-back spot and incorporates wellness vibes with activities like yoga and fitness classes, a full-service spa with juice bar, and all-natural mosquito spray in guest rooms. The grounds match that ethos, and are full of blossoming hibiscus and ixora flowers punctuated with grassy fields and palm trees. A lot of thought was put into the resort’s oceanfront, and there’s a long wooden pier with a gazebo plus a beachfront patio with fire pits and gorgeous live-edge benches and tables. The lobby’s also a hip spot with plush white couches, a breezy tropical library with book-filled shelves, and earthy-green walls adorned with paintings of Jamaican life by local artist Marcia Biggs. Hotel guests are mostly mature Americans, Canadians, and Brits, most of whom are couples, and none of whom are looking for the party vibes found elsewhere in the region.

Zoetry Montego Bay is located in the Rose Hall area of Montego Bay, only an eight-minute drive from Sangster International Airport. It's set back from the road, but traffic is still audible from inside the resort. The nearest restaurant serves Jamaican cuisine and is a two-minute walk away. An Indian restaurant, fast food restaurant, a grocery store, gas station, and an ATM are all within a five-minute drive. There’s also a public golf course nearby. The Rose Hall Great House, a grand plantation house believed to be haunted and full of stories of murder and intrigue, is an eight-minute drive away. Montego Bay’s Hip Strip -- the touristy heart of town that's full of restaurants, bars, and shops -- will take about 10 minutes to reach by car or cab. Farther afield, head to Ocho Rios for the gorgeous Dunn’s River Falls, Mystic Mountain adventure park, Dolphin Cove, and the Blue Hole (around a 90-minute drive from the Zoetry). For a taste of Jamaica’s reggae history, Bob Marley’s burial site is an hour-and-45-minute drive away. 

The air-conditioned rooms at Zoetry are modern and sophisticated, with private patios, balconies, or shared plunge pools (some with ocean views). We love the smart, design-centric touches, like oversize hourglass-shaped wood baskets, woven-wood ottomans, double nested lamp shades, and sleek dressers with diamond-plate accents. Zoetry also includes useful tech touches like big flat-screen TVs with cable channels, tablets, and USB plugs integrated into the nightstand lamps. Bathrooms are equally excellent -- and huge (some stretch the entire length of the guest room). These include marble vanities with oversize sinks, magnifying mirrors, scales, and artsy accents. Expect big stand-up showers with rainfall showerheads and honeycomb-tiled walls with polished river stone accents. Some rooms also have whirlpool tubs. Aveda toiletries are standard and include bar soap, lotion, shampoo, body wash, conditioner, and moisturizer. Bathrooms also include vanity kits, shave kits, natural bug spray, and shower caps. Other standard features include slippers, steamers, irons, ironing boards, coffeemakers, full liquor bottles, snacks, and minibars stocked twice daily with soda, beer, juice and water. Minibars and liquor are free. There's also free laundry service and the free worldwide calling. All rooms also have dedicated butlers and free Wi-Fi.

By all-inclusive standards, the Zoetry is extremely generous and packs tons of free extras into its rates. In fact, features across the board are mostly great, though the beach isn't the nicest we've spotted in our travels. It's lined with lounge chairs, but is not great for swimming due to abundant sea grass. Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and Hobie Cats are all free to use, and the free introductory sailing lesson is a nice perk. Most guests can be found congregating around the hotel's pool, which overlooks the sea and is a great place to catch a tan. Fire pits, swim-out docks, and a pier with a gazebo round out the waterside features. There are three tasty ocean-view a la carte restaurants with menus that include organic, vegan, and gluten-free items. The Coyaba is the property’s breakfast and dinner restaurant, and serves themed dinners as well as a blend of Jamaican and international cuisine. They also have a private dining area and wine cellar. Polo Restaurant is the tapas restaurant modeled after -- you guessed it -- a polo club. Canoa is the lunch and dinner restaurant situated next to the pool with a fabulous oceanfront patio. Jerky Jo’s is a casual oceanfront jerk shack that's popular with previous guests. Room service is available around-the-clock, and Coco Cafe serves coffee, snacks, pastries, fresh fruit, and alcohol day and night. It’s a big plus and one of the only 24-hour resort bars in Montego Bay. There’s also a lobby bar. All-inclusive rates cover all food and drink 24/7, as well as top-shelf liquor.Zoetry’s small ocean-view gym has a Cybex recumbent bicycle and treadmill, an elliptical, spinning bikes, dumbbells, and an outdoor workout area. Free classes include yoga, Pilates, and meditation. The spa provides standard services like manicures, pedicures, facials, massages, salon services, and has a juice bar. There are also outdoor hot and cold plunge pools. When it comes to freebies, Zoetry has an impressive list in addition to the ones already mentioned. There’s free laundry service, a free 45-minute snorkeling excursion, free parking, and fast and free Wi-Fi throughout Zoetry Montego Bay. The hotel can assist in arranging tours, taxis, tour guides, and airport transfers. A gift shop sells sundries, snacks, and souvenirs. For stays longer than four days, free expedited immigration is included. Games like Scrabble, Boggle, Monopoly, Jenga, Uno, dominos can be borrowed, and there are beachfront checkers and backgammon boards.