Overall the Ritz Carlton is a lovely resort. I went with a friend as part of a group trip and spent 5 days/4 nights at the Ritz. Below are some good things to know about hotel, food options and getting around Montego Bay.
Hotel - great rooms. Clean, comfortable beds, colorful design, large bathroom, and all the amenities including bathrobes. The balcony is large and we spent one morning eating breakfast there and enjoying view of the pool and ocean. All of the staff are friendly and polite and always want to know if you're enjoying your stay. No one ever walked past us without saying hello. The Concierge spent 40 minutes working with us to find spa appointments (fully booked that week) and was great with arranging reservations for dinner. That being said, I know a couple of people who had a really bad experience at nearby restaraunts recommended by concierge, including one operated by Ritz and never got more than an apology (no credit or discounted meal option). The Spa is great and has all services you'd expect with a sauna, steam room, and plunge pool. Also while I didn't really spend much time there the gym looks nice with all the amenities. There is a lounge off the lobby that has a nice bar scene with live music playing every night. The ONLY bad thing about hotel is the beach. It is not for swimming. Too rocky with seashells to walk into water and the markers don't allow you to get far.
Food - options are plenty at the hotel and food was pretty good. Breakfast was the only dissappointment (ordered room service but there is a $35 buffet option) as the eggs were stiff and flavorless. By far the best food is the Jerk Center on the beach. REally good jerk chicken, pork, and you can order one plate to feed 2 people as its plenty of meat. We also shared sides of rice and peas, plaintains, and all was really good. All of the mixed drinks are excellent - not stingy with the alcohol ($10 per drink) and be prepared to shell out $40-$60 per meal for 2 people if you're having a couple of drinks.
If you want to get off the resort you can take a taxi to a couple of places with good food:
1. The Sugar Mill - best food and ambiance on the island. Beautiful open air seating with flowers all around. Upscale so expect to pay about $35/entree and if you're drinking close to $60 each but food is absolutely worth it. Its only 3 minutes from Ritz and they send a van to pick you up. You will need to be dressed for dinner (no tshirts/jeans).
2. Scotchies and Pork Pit - both are good places for cheap, authentic jerk food and locals swear Pork Pit is best. Scotchies is 5 mintues from resort and you can get a taxi for about $10-20 (will get to taxi negotiations later). Pork Pit is downtown about 15 minutes away and again great food. We got couple of chicken servings with sides for 2 people and only spent $10.
3. The White Witch - upscale and located by the golf course so you will take a shuttle to get there. Mixed reviews as those who had the beef thought it was good but seafood options were bad. Poor value for the price. Sugar Mill was better and slightly cheaper (about $10 less per entree).
Getting around -
If you don't have a car you will need to take a taxi to get around the island. Be prepared to negotiate the price. You will have no problem getting a taxi as they sit outside the Ritz. Make sure you agree on the price before you leave and be aware they will often quote a price but its not the total. For example our conversation went like this " How much to take us downtown to Pork Pit? Response - $35 dollars. Total? Response - for each of you." If we didn't ask though he would have led us to believe we were only paying $35 dollars. He was going to charge $70 dollars to take both of us 15 minutes into town and back. We pushed back and told him he could let us out now as they have food at the Ritz and he immediately dropped the price to $40 dollars total for both of us. The good thing is most will work with you on the price and will often wait for you. Just be sure to agree up front so you don't get a surprise once you arrive.
Also the souvenir vendors are everywhere. On the Ritz property its not bad and there are a few sellers near the beach. Off property though people will approach you and try to sell all kinds of things. At Dunns River Falls i had somoene offer a "gift" and want to write my name on it but our driver had warned us this is only to charge you later as they will not be able to sell it to anyone else now. Don't tell them your name. We also had somone approach us and practically beg telling us they will not eat if we don't purchase. Overall these were the exceptions as most are friendly and not too pushy but you'll want to be aware. Everyone looks to tourists for cash so be prepared.
As for activities climbing the Falls was fun and so was the Zip line. The Ritz can arrange all kinds of activities and there is a tourist desk in the lobby to make reservations. I definitely recommend staying as the Ritz or the Half Moon Bay (next door) as these are the best properties in Montego Bay.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
