Stayed here for 5 nights, two late 20s couples. Had an amazing time here. Very close to airport, maybe 15-20 minutes. All the staff were outstanding. Even with Covid regulations we found that we were able to really enjoy ourselves. You can tell they take covid very serious. All the staff is always masked, and they even have sanitation crews constantly roaming and cleaning the facility (down to the elevator buttons). The resort itself is beautiful, from the architecture to the main pool area. We had ocean view rooms which are stunning. The rooms were amazing, very nice walking rainfall shower and jacuzzi tubs. Room service was superb, whether it was new towels, food, or restocking the fridge. The beach is beautiful, clear water, plenty of places to sit. Same goes for the pool which has both a normal and swim up bar. There are also activities at the pool each day (trivia, water aerobics, corn hole, pool volleyball, etc). One of the best features of the stay was access to the sister resorts. We found ourselves roaming every day, whether it was to try a new bar, new beach area, or a new restaurant. Breathless is the resort for partying. They usually have a DJ at either their main pool or rooftop pool. We enjoyed every single restaurant we ate it, which included the breakfast buffett, the french place, carribean/jamaican, mexican, and italian. Some of the best food I've had in my life. Be wary of dress code as some require long pants and close toed shoes for men. During the day there are also lunch vendors that roam where you can get jamaican beef patties and jerk chicken which are both phenomenal. Entertainment wise we enjoy the piano bar which also features a silent disco, two separate things that take place at the same time. There was an indoor night club-type event which took place in a theatre large enough to maintain social distance. We went to a crazy pool party during the day at the rooftop pool at Breathless. We also did the included free snorkel in the morning which was one of our favorite things we did. We did the power snorkel excursion which did not meet our expectations but that does not reflect the resort itself. We did hire a driver to take us off the resort to Ricks Cafe which is a popular bar where you can jump off a cliff into beautiful water (about a 40ft jump). Very fun time. All in all we loved it. Weather was lovely, drinks were plentiful, and of course make friends with the bartenders. "Mama" at the hotel lobby is a saint of a woman. She took care of us from day one and gave us great info on the surrounding area. Alvin and Marlando at the pool bar are two of the funniest characters you will ever meet. Be sure to ask Alvin to do the color changing shot. Last but not least my friend Dowaine at the Baraccuda bar is a great time to just sit and talk to. His "beer cocktail" was my favorite drink I had the whole time. Just be careful of his "nephew" haha.…
My wife and I spent a long weekend here. We have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and chose this resort based on it's calm clear water and proximity to the airport. Covid protocols were in place and all employees wore masks. The resort was at approximately 20 % capacity which was great for social distancing but not so great for restaurants and amenities. Numerous restaurants were closed every day and the food was of lower quality and small potions. The food was definitely a disappointment with no variety of gourmet food available just the basics. We ordered room service one night and it was the worst pizza, wings and fries we ever had. The rooms are dated but clean. The common areas are showing their age with chipping paint and cracking cement. The beach was very narrow and the loungers very close together. If the resort was at capacity it would feel very crowded. The loungers are very uncomfortable however the water is very clean and clear. The two female drink waitresses were the best staff we met. They made sure our cups were always full with a smile. The pool was nice and the pool bartenders were very friendly. The nightly entertainment was fun to watch as they tried hard with a small crowd. It was a nice get away but wouldn't return. I understand the resort is saving money and trying their best given the current covid epidemic with limited staff but certainly not 5 stars at the moment.…
We planned an impromptu long weekend with short notice and had a wonderful time! Rooms were really clean, food was wonderful, resort was nicely kept up, and all staff were really helpful and friendly.
We just spent a week at Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The staff could not have been more friendly and attentive. We left there feeling like the only thing warmer then the Jamaican sun were the genuine smiles and greetings of everyone who worked there. They greet you with "welcome home" and I took to replying "it's good to be home". It truly felt like we were long-time VIP's when in fact it was our first trip. From the time we were dropped off at the resort till we got to our room, someone was taking us through check-in and getting us to our room. Very quickly they tell you about what the resort has to offer, and soon enough you're out to explore on your own. Covid issues have certainly reduced some of what they can offer when things are normal because tourism in Jamaica has dropped radically, but we never lacked for finding great food and service. We always had several choices for lunch and dinner, and the breakfast buffet was varied and always delicious, including local favorites to get a taste of Jamaica. The dinner menues from the restaurants on-site also had a great selection with local and international offerings. Not only is the food very good, but the presentation was at a 5-star level too. I've never taken pictures of food before but there, it was like artwork so yes I snapped shots before enjoying the meal. The coffee bar is wonderful too with a good selection of coffee and drinks along with delicious snacks. The room we had was on the 4th floor and what a view, aside from the very comfortable suite. Room service was available and we could easily replenish our snacks / drinks supply from the system they have in place. You order and the goodies are put into a box from the outside, which you can reach from inside your room. Beaches on the resort are great for a swim or sunning, and on the one side you can swim in part of a national underwater wildlife preserve. There we found numerous starfish and other fish, that you can see even without having to get into the water. Table side service at the beach was always great, again filled with warm smiles and amazing service. The resort helped us get off-site tours and those were great as well, to be written about in other reviews. Not only that, but they had covid testing on-site so we could get the required test to come back to the USA, to be done within 3 days of travel. The medical people working there are top-notch professionals, and honestly they even stayed late on the day we went so they could get everyone tested on time for travel. They could not have been nicer and the results are ready the next day for guests. My kudos go out to them for putting up with some cranky guests as it never changed their smiles. One other thing, it's an adults only resort with guests ranging from in their 20's to 70's, and everyone had something for on-site for entertainment. The on-site shops too are also excellent and reasonable I think. We purchased several items for ourself and family members which were carefully wrapped for travel. I hope I'm not leaving anyone out as everyone there exceeded our expectations. This was our first all-inclusive resort and our first visit to Jamaica. It won't be our last as we would love to return. Thank you everyone at Secrets Wild Orchid! We were in need of a great vacation and we certainly found it with you.…
First I would like to say - I am not hard to please but when you have gotten accustomed to setting a receiving and setting a level of standards, you expect what you pay for. I would like to rate higher, but based on other resorts they set my standards have have been set. I would like to rate each category Bartender Karen was great! and I don't drink... Housekeeper Marie was great! I have no other names to mention. Day 1 check in - since a large group they had our rooms ready, however upgrades were promised if available. I called 2 weeks ahead, 1 week ahead and mentioned 2x upon checkin. They had no intention on upgrading since rooms were ready upon arrival. Eventhough I had a great ocean view room, they hotel was not full and I should have been upgraded. We were all upgradted to preferred, due to COVID and only 25% occupancy, why not. When asked what that all offered we were told it would be explained, and given a time to come down next day because needed to verify our transport time and day and get covid test scheduled. would talke about 30m and presentation given over breakfast and a we would be receiving a free gift ( I thought because of large group we were with for my friends birthday. My friend was asked to choose two couples to recieve a gift) We arrived when asked verified departure and received covid day and and story started to change when being escorted to breakfast presentation (mind you we thinking this is to tell us over 30m and breakfast about the preferred upgrade) I told them they could keep their gift and I was then told the employee would have to pay if we didn't show. I asked WHY? we hadnt received it or used it? Welllll.. come to find out it was a Vacation Club presentation and asked if we had 90m... Long story short we entered a room with NO FOOD and large presentation screens, by then Im furious and hangry. Ladies escorted us to breakfast buffet next door (im thinking we are bringing food back) but no; I come out and they are sitting at the table with their plates! I sit down and they start the small talk, which I interrupted to ask if this was part of the presentation time, where one stops eating and began to talk and give presentation for vacation club. Never mentioned current preferred benefits... My friends walked out we should have done the same., wasted my beach time Oh and after we checked and changed were were hungry and nothing was open for another hr. the coffee/cafe had small cold finger food sandwiches we were ready for a meal after traveling since 4am. Not even the pool grill whichis only open noon - 4 or 5pm dress code not consistent.... my husband away for having swim trunks and flip flops goes and change and our friend we were traveling with sitting there with trunks and flip flops AFTER waiting for something to open after a long travel day Day two rained all day so no beach time Ipad with services not accurate. Example room service shows continental breakfast items only. My friends called and was told they can order what they want. we found this out on day 3. Jerk chicken only available for about an hour from a jerk cart that comes about 12:30... no Jerk anything avaiable rest of day. IM IN JAMAICA MAAAHNN! No Irons, only steam. If you want me to dress for dinner, expecially men, they need to be able to iron. don't say its due to safety, we have stayed at Sandals and Couples Entertainment board in front of elevators didn't stay up to date with restaurants who were open and or entertainment. Example when evening got rained out things were moved. Speaking of entertainment I should not have to request carribbean or reggae music to be played. IM IN JAMAICA!! didn't hear any from DJ at the pool he played rock and elevator music was playing and Usher we kepted hearing. They also had a DJ request hour, yes... but Im in Jamaica and come for the mood, they mood was missing Food - im a foodie, not impressed AT ALL. We arrived Sunday had oxtail they were good, but nothing GREAT on Tuesday other folks arrive (we came early) had oxtails and about 8 folks got sick. my friend said it was the same menu from Sunday and the chicken looked suspect like from Sunday so she didn't eat it, but ate the oxtails again ald they all regretted. Had an excursion next day and were afraid to go (this was reported) Enterainment folks I say in - Showtime one night and around pool. never anywhere else on resort tallying people to come participate or remind of activities or interacting in other ways with guest (again, I guess my standards were set at other resorts). people lose track of time and feel more folks would have gotten involved especially if you had a group there like us. Resort - 4 grounds and beach Beach 5 - I live for the beach Food - 2 Service 3... some better than others. House Keeping Great ! would rank 5 (thanks Marie) Employee Entertainment 2 Water activities - we asked about the glass bottom boat and told to check on Tuesday not operable due to maintenance. It rained all day Tuesday so Wednesday were were told Thursday, Thursday we were told Friday, Friday were told Saturday which was our departure date. They should have just said we are not operating the glass bottom, wasted my time and energy... again. Room service ordersed messed up 3x our of 4x. had them correct each time Ocean grill - If i order the shrimp PoBoy and you know we are accustomed to PoBoys being a sandwich and yours is not... up your level of service and inform us. It was appetizer size bites replaced with Lobster... yaaaay. tasted great but not consistent in taste as next day ordered same thing, they tasted heated up and the sauce I got and hubby got two different sauces. I bring this up because it goes back to lack of consistency we received throughout our stay Breathless food much better My friend had visited and stayed at RIU 4 months prior and said food better, and price point cheaper. Please don't blame COVID, if you pride yourselves on a cetain level of service and above average; that will not change... If it wasn't for my love of the beach and Jamaica this would be worse…
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