Couples Tower Isle

Even travelers who are turned off by the mass appeal of all-inclusive resorts might consider a property like Couples Tower Isle. It's decidedly more sophisticated than many competing resorts in the area, and amenities are great, from the beautiful spa to the private au naturel island to the multiple excellent dining options. In addition, the property is reserved exclusively for couples, so the resort's focus is on romance and relaxation rather than boozing and hard partying. Dating back to 1947, the Couples Tower Isle Jamaica was one of the island’s first resorts and a former playground for 1950s Hollywood A-listers. Nowadays, guests are couples seeking a relaxing, laid-back beach getaway sans the booming music and loud activities in the pool. Perhaps most compelling, though, are the resort's all-inclusive rates, which cover an impressive range of services.

The property closed in 2008 for a massive 13-month renovation and added its sleek villas a few years later, but certain details in common spaces, and particularly in rooms, show the property’s age. Still, guests here spend little time in their rooms, as there are plenty of things to do outdoors. Most guests spend the day either at the beach, the pools, or taking part in the slew of free activities available on-site, which range from motorized and non-motorized water sports to island excursions and glass-bottom boat tours. There’s some live music in the evening, and weekly cocktail parties are popular events. Nights, however, are generally quiet.

There are several other Couples resorts in Jamaica, including the nearby Couples Sans Souci and the Couples Swept Away, which is located in Negril. The all-inclusive package is virtually the same at all, but while the beach at Tower Isle is beautiful, it is smaller than the one at Swept Away, which is one of the top beaches in Jamaica. There aren’t many differences between the resorts in terms of features (the fitness center is bigger and better at the Negril property), though rooms at Couples Tower Isle and Couples Sans Souci feel a tad more dated that Couples Swept Away. Couples Sans Souci has a more expansive and lush setting filled with waterfalls, grottos, and lakes, plus it has fewer rooms, making for a more intimate and peaceful experience.

Couples Tower Isle is located along a beach in Tower Isle, Jamaica, just outside of the popular area of Ocho Rios. It occupies a secluded beach that faces a tiny picturesque island owned by the hotel. Nothing outside the 19-acre resort grounds is within walking distance; however, the resort provides a free shuttle to virtually every worthwhile attraction in the area, including Dunn’s River Falls, Dolphin Cove, Margaritaville, Ocho Rios’ city center, and Mystic Fountain, all within a 10- to 15-minute drive of the hotel. Transfers from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay to Couples Tower Isle are included in the standard rate. The drive takes about two hours.

Compared to the Couples Tower Isle’s chic common spaces, the rooms are a bit of a letdown. Both the rooms and the hallways appear to have received less attention over the years than the rest of the resort. The decor style is casual island, with a subdued pastel palette of yellows and blues, flowery prints on bed skirts, and tiled floors. Aquamarine accent walls are a cute touch, but bamboo-like furniture is somewhat dated. Room categories include Deluxe, Superior, and Premier, while suites range from Junior Suites to One-Bedroom Ocean Suites. The main differences between them are the views (either garden or ocean), size, and the floor they’re on. For the best ocean views, guests may want to book a suite, as they are on the top floors of the main building. All units, however, have furnished balconies.

Villas were added to the resort a few years ago. These units are housed in stand-alone buildings with small, walled gardens with private plunge pools, patio furniture, and fountains. Decor in these units is sleek and contemporary, with an all-white palette offset by pops of turquoise and stylish furniture with charming carved details. Villas include 493-square-foot Oasis Spa Villas and 639-square-foot Signature Spa Villas. Both categories offer the same top-notch extras, such as unlimited spa services and in-villa check-in. Signature villas add a living area and private access to the spa on request. There is a five-night minimum stay for these units.

The technology is up-to-date across the board and includes flat-screen TVs, iPod-enabled alarm clocks, and free Wi-Fi. Coffeemakers and custom minibars (replenished daily free of charge) are also standard amenities. Turndown service is provided in all rooms, suites, and villas daily.

Bathrooms are clean but plain in rooms and suites, with walk-in showers or jetted tubs (in suites only), single sinks, and limited counter space. Villas have bigger, more upscale bathrooms, complete with double sinks. Hairdryers, robes, and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries are provided in all room types.

Given Couples Tower Isle’s location outside of Ocho Rios, the property enjoys a relatively isolated strip of sand that is both deep and uncrowded. Vendors are rarely a problem here.

Most of the Jamaican Couples resorts have a dedicated nude section; at Couples Tower Isle, it’s the resort’s namesake island, a small rocky refuge about a one-minute boat ride away from the mainland. It's a cool little spot, with a small pool, a little bit of beach, and a swim-up bar. Guests can get there by taking a free boat ride.

Couples Tower Isle is known, among other things, for its excellent dining options. There are several restaurants to choose from here, including a buffet and four a la cartes, ranging from a casual poolside grill to a more formal Jamaican restaurant. Reservations are only required for Bayside, which serves up Asian cuisine for dinner in a romantic setting over the water, and Eight Rivers, the Jamaican eatery. Fresh fruit juices, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and dips are available at Veggie Bar, while the 24-hour pool grill offers a range of international and local dishes, including jerk chicken, burgers, pan-fried snapper sandwiches, and fried calamari. Room service is available free of charge.

In addition to the swim-up bar in the main pool, the resort features five other bars, including a swim-up bar on the private island, a rooftop lounge, a piano bar, and a larger bar at Patio Restaurant. There is also drink service at the beach.

At some all-inclusive resorts, rates cover buffet meals and watered-down drinks, but Couples Tower Isle's rates include airport transfers, golf green fees, catamaran cruises, glass-bottom boat rides, snorkeling, scuba diving, tennis, and even honeymoon packages with a couple’s massage and bottle of sparkling wine -- all for free. Of particular note is Couples’ all-inclusive booze policy, which includes the top-shelf liquors in addition to the usual beer, wine, and rum punch.

Included excursions range from day trips to Dunn’s River Falls, shopping tours, and even visits to the local Margaritaville.

Couples Tower Isle features two outdoor pools, both lined by loungers and umbrellas. The main pool is a rectangle bordered on three sides by walls that house the Beach Grill, the Patio restaurant, and the fitness center. The second pool, located on the other end of the property, is a tad smaller but features a swim-up bar and is closer to the beach, allowing for even better ocean views.

Unlike at other all-inclusive resorts, group entertainment is not the attraction here. Guests are offered dozens of activities they can take part in, but they’re mostly things they can do on their own, such as water sports. There’s a small range of activities available during the day -- such as dance and kayaking classes -- and even at night, including movie nights and piano sing-alongs. Free scuba diving, excursion tours to popular sights such as Dunn’s River Falls, and catamaran cruises are standout amenities.

The wellness center at Couple Tower Isle is easily one of the best spas on the island and has an art-deco-meets-Zen style. It is housed in a stark white U-shaped structure, and there is a serene plunge pool crowned by a Buddha statue in its center. There are also a few lounge chairs and umbrellas, a small juice bar, and a relaxation lounge. The spa includes a salon, which features hair, make-up, and nail services.

The gym is equipped with cardio and strength-training machines, and the resort offers spinning classes from time to time, along with meditation sessions. Four tennis courts can be used free of charge. Additionally, the all-inclusive package covers green fees at Upton Golf & Country Club, located about a 15-minute free shuttle bus ride away.

The resort offers several wedding venues, including a beachfront gazebo and a garden. Couples planning a bigger wedding can rent the private island, which can host up to 60 guests.