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08 January 2009

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JAMAICA’S NEW LOOK: PART 1

The Jamaica Tourist Board, and WestJet host press trip to Montego Bay, Negril and Ocho Rios; highlight what’s new on the island
Lisa Raffaele

As part of an initiative to showcase Jamaica’s newest developments, The Jamaica Tourist Board, and WestJet hosted a media trip to the island from Dec. 13 to 18, 2008. The trip highlighted some of the newest expansions and enhancements including: the new spa at Half Moon, Mystic Mountain and the emergence of Spanish all-inclusive chains, along with long-standing favourites such as the Rose Hall Great House, Rick’s Café, Scotchie’s jerk stand and Green Grotto Caves.

The trip aimed at celebrating the expansion of WestJet Vacations’ in Jamaica. WestJet, which began flying to Jamaica in 2007, began daily service from Toronto to Montego Bay starting November 2008.

WestJet also announced that it will continue to offer non-stop service to Montego Bay this summer with four weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) from Toronto beginning May 3, 2009.

Day 1&2: Montego Bay gets new look

The group arrived in Montego Bay where they enjoyed a dinner and stay at Jamaica’s long-established Half Moon Resort, just 15 minutes from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. With 400 manicured acres, 398 rooms, 13 lit tennis courts, four squash courts, a croquet lawn and a shopping village, the 54-year-old Half Moon recently underwent a $15.5 million investment.

The spa at Half Moon

The most recent addition being the opening of Fern Tree Spa, a 68,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor spa which opened in November 2007.

The spa at Half Moon houses secluded outdoor areas and pools, treatment rooms that open to private gardens, an outdoor yoga pavilion, a meditation labyrinth and six adjacent oceanfront spas. Since its opening in 2007, the spa offers several signature treatments including massage, facials and manicures and pedicure.

Aram Zerunian, General Manager, Half Moon

For those clients who can’t commit to knowing what treatment they want to pamper themselves with, Fern Tree’s spa elder can customize a series of healing treatments and rituals designed to cater to their needs.

Although the resort may have been around for a while, Aram Zerunian, General Manager, Half Moon says it’s “still a growing business.”

The resort has recently adopted an all-inclusive option, a thing recently made popular as a result of the Spanish chains emergence on the island, which Aram noted has created a gradual shift towards people booking all-inclusive versus al a carte accommodations.

“Canadians mostly like the all-inclusive aspect, particularly when it comes to golf,” Zerunian said.

The Rose Hall Great House

After indulging in a mini sampling of Fern Tree’s offerings, the group arrived at one of Jamaica’s oldest tourist attractions, the Rose Hall Great House. Said to be haunted by the spirit of Annie Palmer, a plantation and slave owner, the home is one of only 15 mansions or great houses left in Jamaica out of the original 700 that once existed.

A taste of Round Hill

The group then travelled to Round Hill, a lavish resort with pool-side villas and a romantic ambiance, for a quick sampling of the Jamaican hotel fixture.

Complete with four-night yoga retreats offered three times a year (November, January and March), a family plan, couples villas, an all-inclusive plan option and 27 pools, Round Hill has been a long-standing tradition for famous getaway seekers; receiving repeat visitors like Paul Martin and Ralph Lauren.

The new Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa

At the end of the day the group arrived at the new Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa and Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa property in Lucea, located in between Negril and Montego Bay. Opened on July 1, 2008, the Grand Palladium is one of several Spanish-run chains emerging on the island.

The Grand Palladium complex, two hotels joined into one as part of the Fiesta Hotel Group, features a total of 1,056 rooms, all suites or junior suites. The Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton consists of 516 rooms, divided into 13 villas and 48 “adult only” oceanfront villa suites. The Grand Palladium Jamaica consists of a total of 540 rooms divided into 15 villas.

Both resorts offer seven air conditioned a la carte restaurants, including styles such as Italian Trattoria, Indian, Creole, Asian and more; thirteen bars, three beaches and three buffet restaurants. There are five banquet and convention rooms that have a combined capacity of 20 to 264 people. The complex also offers five swimming pools and an open air theatre.

According to Maria Hoffman, Concierge, Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, the biggest market the hotel chain has seen since its opening has been from Canada, in part due to contracts the chain has created with Canadian tour operators. She also noted that although the December occupancy numbers were a little softer than normal, “November was good and January will get higher.”

Day 3: Chukka Caribbean Adventures

Day three brought the writers to Negril for an authentic Jamaican water experience at Chukka Caribbean Adventures and a “Wild Thing Cruise” to Rick’s Café.

Chukka Caribbean Adventures was founded in 1983 and now operates 28 tours in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and St. Mary, in Jamaica, Belize City, Belize, Half Moon Cay, in The Bahamas and Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

The Jamaican Dogsled Team

Lance Gibbs, Chukka Caribbean Adventures

In December 2005 Chukka launched its unique Jamaica Dogsled Team itinerary, the first of its kind. In July of 2006 they added the adventure tour version to Chukka Caribbean’s line of products.

Currently Chukka Caribbean Adventures offers everything from canopy rides, dune buggy adventures and Jeep safaris to an ocean safari, horseback ride and swim and river tubing.

According to Chukka Caribbean Adventures supervisor, Lance Gibbs, Canada’s pre-sold market is growing, now at five per cent. “Canadians love speed, the Dunn Buggy and the ATVs,” Gibbs told TRAVELHotNews. He added that although the season has started slow, he expects a great 2009, and he says that pre bookings are seeing a bit of an increase.

Wild Thing Catamaran Tours

For those clients looking at an unforgettable Jamaican cruise, Wild Thing Catamaran Tours offers daily sunset cruises, picnic cruises, horseback riding, private charters, snorkelling trips and free pick up and return from hotel.

Complete with a waterslide on board, their Sunset Cruise offers a picturesque view of Negril beach, the rocky cliffs of Negril’s West End lighthouse and the legendary Rick’s Café, recognized for its bar, with views of the crystal blue lagoon below and dazzling and daring cliff diving.

From traditional to new and modern, Jamaica has it

If your clients seek a relaxing beach fantasy vacation, bustling nightlife or a little of both, Jamaica’s North Coast has something for everyone. From classic Jamaican resorts like Half Moon and Round Hill to new Spanish complexes, Jamaica’s Northern Coastline can provide exactly what your client is looking for this winter season.

Click here for more pictures from Jamaica.