On Google Maps, the big resorts in Rose Hall display a reassuring green “open” badge, followed by hundreds of glowing reviews and photos of turquoise pools and palms leaning over the beach. But a year after Hurricane Melissa, this idyllic picture often doesn’t match reality. Some resorts won’t reopen until 2027, and Google doesn’t know about it. Booking portals and travel agencies may still offer hotels on the Hip Strip (the main tourist strip near Doctor’s Cave Beach) that have been closed since the hurricane. Planning a holiday in Jamaica this year therefore starts a bit unconventionally—by checking whether your dream hotel is even operating.
The good news is that according to Jamaican Tourism Minister Bartlett, roughly 70% of hotel rooms were operational in September 2026. Most of the remaining ones should return by the end of March 2027. Do you want to walk to the beach, sleep near the airport, or lock yourself away for a week in an adults-only all-inclusive resort (food and drinks included)? This overview will help you choose where to stay in Montego Bay. You’ll find 18 hotels and resorts that are functioning after the hurricane, with approximate prices in euros. For what to see in the area once you’ve chosen your accommodation, check out our guide to what to see in Montego Bay.
TL;DR
- After the hurricane: Both Sandals resorts in Montego Bay are scheduled to open in December 2026, and seven large resorts in Rose Hall and Freeport not until 2027.
- First-timers walking to the beach: Hip Strip on Gloucester Avenue. A night for two costs from around €400 at the all-inclusive S Hotel Montego Bay, from around €190 at the all-inclusive Deja Resort, and from around €95 at Tobys Resort without meals.
- Adults-only near the airport: Both open RIU resorts in Mahoe Bay are adults-only (18+) and 3–4 km from the airport. Expect aircraft overhead, though.
- With children: Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites, Royalton Blue Waters near Falmouth, or Grand Palladium Jamaica near Lucea.
- Peaceful couples’ retreat: Excellence Oyster Bay or Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle near Falmouth, roughly 30–45 minutes from the airport.
- What you’ll pay: Accommodation is subject to GCT tax and accommodation tax. Check whether GCT is included in the price when booking. Half Moon adds fees on top of the room rate.
- When it’s cheaper: At most large resorts, high season from December to April is the most expensive. June to November is hurricane season, peaking in September.
The full destination guide: North America — guide and what to see
Which Area to Choose and Where to Stay in Montego Bay
Montego Bay is a long coastal stretch from Hanover in the west through the airport, downtown, and Rose Hall to Falmouth. Depending on where you stay, you’ll either walk to bars or spend an hour in a transfer. Distances are given as the crow flies, measured to Doctor’s Cave Beach from the bathing club entrance on the Hip Strip.
Hip Strip (Gloucester Avenue and Jimmy Cliff Boulevard). This is the most convenient area for walking and makes the most sense for a short stay. You’re 2–2.8 km from the airport, at most half a kilometre from Doctor’s Cave Beach, and surrounded by restaurants, bars, and clubs. Expect persistent vendors, occasional missing sidewalks, and noisy nights, though. Doctor’s Cave Beach charges admission and gets crowded. Hotels here are rather dated.
Kent Avenue and Hobbs Avenue near the airport. For a night before departure or after a late arrival, you’re closest to the terminal here—just 0.9–1.7 km away—and the beach is across the road. The trade-off is aircraft noise. Options include Airport Beach Hotel, The Blue Orchid, or the all-inclusive SeaGarden Beach Resort.
Downtown around Sam Sharpe Square. The city centre is for backpackers and solo travellers who want an authentic Jamaican town with markets and local food rather than a tourist bubble. It’s the cheapest option (try the Mobay Kotch hostel) and you’ll find two vegan eateries within walking distance. Expect bustle and noise, and be cautious in the evening. Doctor’s Cave Beach is 1.7 km away.
Mahoe Bay and Ironshore. The RIU hotel complex lies 3.3–4 km from the airport. The open resorts Hotel Riu Montego Bay and Hotel Riu Reggae accept adults only and suit couples and groups. Beaches here are small and aircraft fly over the RIU resorts.
Rose Hall. It attracts visitors with golf, the historic Rose Hall Great House, and beaches without aircraft overhead. A year after the hurricane, however, only Half Moon among the major resorts in Rose Hall proper is open. Most neighbours won’t reopen until 2027.
Little River on the eastern edge of Rose Hall. The gated Iberostar hotel complex lies 15 km from the airport. Families have Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites, and couples have Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach, which will become adults-only from 1 November 2026. The beach is smaller and has seagrass.
Falmouth and Trelawny. Newer large resorts with longer beaches and peace and quiet are located 30–45 minutes from the airport. According to the resort, Excellence Oyster Bay is 30 minutes away. You’re closer to the bioluminescent lagoon, which glows at night, and historic Falmouth than from most hotels in Montego Bay. Nightlife is far away from here.
Hanover: Hopewell, Lucea, and Green Island. Heading west toward Negril, you’ll find privacy in villas (Round Hill Hotel and Villas, The Tryall Club) as well as large family resorts. Grand Palladium Jamaica near Lucea is about 40 minutes from the airport according to the hotel. Princess Grand Jamaica is roughly 39 km from the airport, or about an hour and a half to two hours’ drive.
Freeport and Bogue. Skip the area by the cruise port. All three large resorts here won’t reopen until 2027 at the earliest.
What’s Closed After the Hurricane and When It Should Reopen
Hurricane Melissa struck western Jamaica on 28 October 2025 as a Category 5 storm, the highest level. The island officially reopened to tourists on 15 December 2025, though some hotels opened earlier. The large Hyatt and Sandals resorts in Montego Bay were hit hardest. Google Maps still shows them as “open” with old positive reviews. The list from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) at visitjamaica.com is more reliable, though not without errors.
Closed at least until early 2027: Secrets St. James, Secrets Wild Orchid, and Breathless Montego Bay in Freeport; in Rose Hall, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, Dreams Rose Hall (formerly Hilton Rose Hall), and Jewel Grande Montego Bay. Their opening dates have already been postponed twice, from January to November 2026 and then to 2027. According to industry publication Travel Market Report, you can cancel a booking at a closed Hyatt resort without penalty.
Scheduled to open in December 2026: Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean, which has been renamed Sandals Caribbean Cay, are scheduled to open on 18 December 2026. JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar (formerly Iberostar Grand, adults-only) is undergoing complete renovation and is scheduled to open on 1 December 2026, even though the JTB list shows it as open. The JTB also lists Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica as open. According to the RIU website, however, it won’t reopen until December 2026.
Closed permanently or without a date: Catalonia Montego Bay (formerly Holiday Inn) will be rebuilt as a 522-room Marriott all-inclusive resort scheduled to open in 2028. Grand Decameron Montego Beach on Gloucester Avenue and Grand Decameron Cornwall Beach are closed with no reopening date. Be aware that booking portals and travel agencies may still offer them. Sunscape Cove Montego Bay and Richmond Hill Inn are permanently closed. Sunset Beach Resort in Freeport doesn’t appear on the JTB list, so it’s best avoided.
New arrival: A brand-new adults-only resort, UNICO 18°77° Montego Bay, with 451 rooms is scheduled to open on 1 March 2027 and is already accepting reservations.
The status of hotels changes month by month. Therefore, verify your chosen hotel just before booking on the hotel’s website, and if you’re buying a package holiday, also with the travel agency. Older reviews on maps and portals may relate to stays before the hurricane, so rely on the hotel’s official website. Refunds after hurricane-related cancellations can take a long time. In case your hotel’s opening gets postponed, it therefore pays to have travel insurance with cancellation cover. Construction is still ongoing around some hotels and the airport terminal is being expanded, so expect noise from construction work and the airport in some areas.
How Much You’ll Pay and What to Watch Out For
The price you see in a search engine is just the starting point in Jamaica. What else might be added?
GCT tax and accommodation tax. Tourist accommodation is subject to Jamaica’s GCT tax at a reduced rate of 10%. According to the state budget, it’s set to rise to the standard 15% from April 1, 2027, which the hotel association is protesting. On top of this comes an accommodation tax based on hotel size, typically 1 to 4 USD (€1 to €3.50) per room per night. All-inclusive resorts and travel agencies usually show prices including taxes, while smaller hotels on booking portals may list them separately. Always verify whether GCT tax is included when making your reservation.
Resort fee and service charge. Half Moon adds a 10% resort fee, 15% service charge, GCT tax, and 4 USD (€3.50) per night accommodation tax to the room rate. In total, you’ll pay roughly 37% more than the room alone. The resort fee covers wifi, coffee, water, sodas, fitness, tennis, kayaks, and snorkeling.
Tipping. RIU, Iberostar, and Royalton neither prohibit nor require tipping. Many staff members are still recovering from the hurricane’s aftermath, so a small tip is appreciated. Bring small bills of 1 to 5 USD (€1 to €4.50).
Timeshare sales. At some large resorts, you may be invited to a sales presentation for timeshare ownership and club memberships.
From the airport. A taxi from the airport costs around 15 to 25 USD (€13 to €22) to the Hip Strip and 30 to 40 USD (€27 to €35) to Rose Hall. To Negril you’ll pay 80 to 100 USD (€70 to €90). Always agree on the price in advance. Licensed taxis are identified by their red and white license plates. Resorts usually sell transfers separately, or you’ll have it included in your package from a tour operator.
When prices are high. High season is the dry period from December to April, when prices are highest, with February typically being the most expensive. Outside of peak season, some large resorts are cheaper, but June through November is hurricane season with its peak in September. SeaGarden Beach Resort, The Blue Orchid, and Mobay Kotch maintain almost the same price year-round. After the hurricane, fewer hotels are open and tend to be more expensive. Always verify prices and availability directly when making your reservation.
18 Best Hotels in Montego Bay to Stay At
We’ve organized the hotels by area, from the Hip Strip through Mahoe Bay, Rose Hall, and Falmouth to Hanover and the city center. Quoted prices are approximate rates per night for two people, with all-inclusive options including food and drinks.
Some resorts and guesthouses sell stays for a minimum of three nights. Always verify directly before booking whether GCT tax is included in the price and what the current room availability is.
1. S Hotel Montego Bay
S Hotel Montego Bay is located on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, one hundred meters from the entrance to Doctor’s Cave Beach. The hurricane did not affect operations and the hotel functioned without interruption. The all-inclusive here offers four restaurants including Rocksteady, focused on fine dining, and three bars. You get free beach access with lounge chairs, with no need for early morning space-saving.
During the day you’ll enjoy the spa and live steel band right by the pool. Evening drinks can be savored in bars open until 1 a.m. The hotel accepts children from age 8, and at least one guest must be at least 21 years old when checking in. Private airport transfer costs 15 USD (€13) one way for up to three people.
A night for two with food and drinks runs from around €400. It suits couples and families looking for all-inclusive services while wanting the city within easy reach.
💡 Tip: Non-guests can purchase a day pass for 195 USD (€175) per person.
2. Deja Resort
Deja Resort on Gloucester Avenue is a budget all-inclusive resort directly across from Doctor’s Cave Beach. The property is owned by two siblings and a pleasant family atmosphere prevails throughout the premises. The hotel maintained operations without interruption even in the post-hurricane period.
Facilities include a pool and cocktail bar. On your departure day, they may leave your all-inclusive wristband active until 5 p.m. – check with reception.
A night for two with food and drinks runs from around €190. You’ll appreciate this resort if you’re planning a full-service vacation while carefully watching your budget.
💡 Tip: Doctor’s Cave Beach across from the hotel is open until 5:30 p.m. and lounge chairs are charged separately. Plan your swimming for the morning or early afternoon.
3. Polkerris Bed and Breakfast
Polkerris Bed and Breakfast is located on Corniche Road above the Hip Strip boulevard and offers peaceful accommodations with ten rooms divided between two houses. Each building has its own pool where you can relax. You can comfortably walk half a kilometer to the entrance to Doctor’s Cave Beach.
In the morning, breakfast is served poolside by the owner Peter himself, with vegetarian options included. The guesthouse excels in cleanliness and views of the bay and sunsets.
A night for two runs from around €220 for stays of at least three nights, with breakfast included. The guesthouse will please couples seeking tranquility outside of hotel complexes and vegetarians.
4. Tobys Resort
Tobys Resort is located on Kent Avenue at the edge of the Hip Strip, surrounded by gardens. A bar and two saltwater pools provide relaxation. You’ll reach Doctor’s Cave Beach after about 400 meters, and walking from the airport takes approximately 20 minutes. The building has no elevator.
The restaurant is popular with locals who come here for dinner. Right on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, Hotel 39, Jamaica offers an alternative – a standalone hotel without resort amenities.
A night for two without meals runs from around €95. The location works well for your first or last night of the trip and for travelers exploring the island by car.
💡 Tip: Shared route taxis stop right across the street and will take you for 150 JMD (€1). The hotel driver charges 10 to 15 USD (€9 to €13) for a ride.
5. SeaGarden Beach Resort
SeaGarden Beach Resort on Kent Avenue is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort with 140 rooms. After the hurricane, it reopened with renovated rooms and a clean environment. An entertainment team runs the program, and sports activities are complemented by tennis courts and non-motorized water sports.
Facilities include a private beach club and two pools including a children’s pool. Two à la carte restaurants, The Chatham and L’Albero, are charged separately.
A night for two with food and drinks runs from around €185. It suits families with children looking for an affordable vacation with sports activities.
💡 Tip: Children under six stay free during promotional offers – find the conditions on the hotel’s website.
6. The Blue Orchid
The Blue Orchid is a bed and breakfast on a hill on Hobbs Avenue, 900 meters from the airport. It has a pool and its own kitchen with chef Elvis, where the cooking is excellent.
A night for two runs from around €130. It works well for a night before your flight or after arriving on the island. If you prefer staying right by the coast, an alternative is Airport Beach Hotel on Kent Avenue, located across the road from the sea with local cuisine. However, it has no pool.
💡 Tip: Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m., so for early morning flights plan on leaving without breakfast.
7. Hotel Riu Montego Bay
Hotel Riu Montego Bay in Mahoe Bay is a large adults-only all-inclusive resort operated by RIU under its RIU Party brand. Its location just 3.6 km from the airport allows for a quick transfer after landing. Choose it if you’re looking for entertainment – that’s the main draw here.
The accommodation offers spacious rooms with balconies and daily housekeeping. Dining consists of a buffet and à la carte restaurants. The resort appeals to couples and groups of friends heading for a shorter stay full of fun. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €325.
8. Hotel Riu Reggae
Hotel Riu Reggae forms a quieter counterpart to the neighboring resort in Mahoe Bay. The complex with a capacity of 454 rooms welcomes adults from 18 years old and is just 3.3 km from the airport. The local animation team takes care of entertainment. The rooms are spacious and clean.
The resort has an outdoor stand serving jerk specialties – spicy grilled Jamaican meat. The resort suits couples who want activities and entertainment without non-stop partying. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €355.
💡 Tip: If you have a reservation at the closed Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica, RIU may transfer you here. Check directly with the chain to confirm where you’ll be staying.
9. Half Moon
Half Moon is a resort with golf, a golf academy, and Fern Tree spa. The Eclipse at Half Moon zone with 57 beachfront rooms and separate villas reopened on April 2, 2026, while the Founders Cove section is still preparing to open according to the website.
The resort doesn’t offer an all-inclusive plan, but the Eclipse section has a buffet and à la carte restaurants. With some luck, you might experience sea turtle releases. It suits couples, families in villas, and golfers. A night for two without meals and before fees costs approximately €400, with the fees described in the pricing section added to the price.
💡 Tip: With the Welcome Home promotion, you get the fourth night free, and golfers can go for a package with golf and breakfast – find the conditions at halfmoon.com.
10. Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites
Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites in Little River becomes the only family hotel in the large Iberostar complex from November 1, 2026. After the hurricane, it opened on November 10, 2025, and allows you to use the services of the neighboring Waves as well. For families, there’s the Star Camp kids club and an aquapark. The gastronomy includes gluten-free meals and features a Greek restaurant.
The resort suits families with children looking for varied activities in one place. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €300.
Adults traveling without children can choose the neighboring Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach, which will be adults-only from November 1, 2026.
💡 Tip: You can dive at the Dressel Divers center, which operates in the neighboring Waves.
11. Excellence Oyster Bay
Excellence Oyster Bay near Falmouth is a luxurious, romantic, and quiet resort on a private peninsula that exclusively welcomes adults. According to the resort, the journey from the airport takes approximately 30 minutes.
Rooms with hot tubs and a rooftop bar are available. The resort is designed for couples and honeymoons. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €470.
For a lower price, an alternative is Ocean Eden Bay in the Trelawny area, which is also adults-only and offers a good mix of partying and relaxation.
12. Royalton Blue Waters, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort
Royalton Blue Waters, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort in Trelawny reopened on September 15, 2026, after extensive renovation of the lobby, furnishings, and linens. Kids will enjoy their own aquapark, and the animation team energizes the entire stay.
You can choose the club section Diamond Club with personal butlers. The resort is suitable for families with children. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €365.
For couples without children, there’s the neighboring Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, which accommodates only adults.
13. Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle
Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle near Falmouth is RIU’s newest resort in Jamaica. It opened on May 4, 2024, and after the hurricane welcomed travelers again on December 15, 2025. According to travel websites, it’s adults-only from 18 years old. It stands out for its clean spacious rooms, delicious food, and varied entertainment program.
It’s over 30 km from the airport, so the journey from arrival is a bit longer. It suits fans of the RIU brand and couples who want a new resort. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €355.
If you prefer the privacy of an apartment, in the gated Stonebrook Vista neighborhood there’s The Vista Inn with a rooftop terrace and pool. You can reach the bioluminescent lagoon in 5 to 7 minutes, and getting to the beach takes about 15 minutes by car.
14. Round Hill Hotel and Villas
Round Hill Hotel and Villas on a peninsula in Hopewell is a legendary luxury resort with villas and cottages called pineapple houses, a private beach, and a fitness center. The property reopened on December 8, 2025. For families, there’s a childcare program so you can enjoy undisturbed relaxation.
It suits luxury lovers and families looking for privacy in villas. A night for two without meals costs approximately €660.
If you’re looking for a similar style of accommodation, private villas with staff and a golf course are also offered by The Tryall Club in Hanover. In this case, you’ll find out the price directly from the club.
15. Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa – All Inclusive
Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa – All Inclusive near Lucea is an extensive family resort with 537 rooms and 15 villas that shares services with the neighboring hotel. The kids club for children aged 4 to 12 operates free of charge from 10 am to 10 pm. All food and drinks are included except imported brands. The beach was free of brown sargassum seaweed in summer 2026; check the current status at sargassummonitoring.com. The Italian-Jamaican restaurant is also worth a visit.
The resort is especially appreciated by families watching their budget who don’t mind the 40-minute drive from the airport. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €215. A higher service category is offered by the sister resort Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton.
💡 Tip: The shuttle from the airport is free only for Palladium Rewards loyalty program members, so arrange your registration before traveling.
16. Princess Grand Jamaica
Princess Grand Jamaica in Green Island is a new family resort from November 2024 that reopened after the hurricane on February 10, 2026. The property is spacious, looks modern, and offers a clear layout. You’ll find an aquapark for young children, butler services, and an evening piano bar.
The accommodation suits families looking for a new resort who don’t mind the distance of an hour and a half to two hours from the airport. A night for two with food and drinks costs approximately €315.
If you’re traveling as a couple and prefer peace and quiet, try the sister resort Princess Senses The Mangrove for adults only, which features overwater villas.
17. Blue Paloma Bed & Breakfast
Blue Paloma Bed & Breakfast is a family-run villa with a pool located above the town of Lucea. The owner Andrea manages the property, and chef Conroy prepares multi-course dinners using local ingredients. You can look forward to warm hospitality, a clean environment, and peaceful surroundings with lovely views.
The villa is ideal for a longer stay if you want to experience the Jamaican countryside and a slower pace of island life. Keep in mind that it’s over 28 km to the airport, and you’ll need a car to reach the beaches. A night for two starts from around €105.
💡 Tip: Since meals are prepared by the chef, request a vegetarian menu in advance.
18. Mobay Kotch
Mobay Kotch on Church Street operates as a pleasant hostel with shared dormitories and private rooms in a Georgian-style house. It’s located just 300 meters from Sam Sharpe Square. It offers a shared kitchen and a courtyard where dogs and a cat keep you company. Rooms have fans instead of air conditioning. Manager Vanessa helps create a friendly atmosphere where an international crowd naturally mingles.
The hostel suits backpackers and solo travelers looking for affordable accommodation in the city center. A night for two starts from around €40.
How to Choose the Right Hotel and What to Watch Out For
In Jamaica this year, it’s not enough to pick a nice pool and a palm tree outside your balcony. A year after the hurricane, what matters most is whether the hotel is even operating and in what condition.
Recently reopened resorts. Hotels that only reopened in summer or fall 2026 (Royalton Blue Waters and Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters on September 15, SeaGarden Beach Resort between July and September) have undergone renovations. Before you arrive, verify which restaurants and services are already operating.
Adults-only or with children. Both open RIU resorts in Mahoe Bay, Excellence Oyster Bay, Ocean Eden Bay, and from November 1, 2026, Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach are adults-only, and Hotel Riu Palace Aquarelle is too according to travel websites. Families head to Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites, Royalton Blue Waters, Grand Palladium Jamaica, or Princess Grand Jamaica.
Aircraft and beaches. Keep aircraft noise in mind especially in Mahoe Bay and on Kent Avenue. The north coast, where Montego Bay and Falmouth are located, sees more brown sargassum seaweed than Negril and the south of the island. Track its current presence at sargassummonitoring.com.
Vegetarian and vegan food nearby. Vegetarians should ask about meal options directly at each location. Outside the resorts, you’ll find these establishments:
- Bollywood Dhaba: Indian restaurant with a large selection of vegetarian dishes on Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, located 123 meters from Tobys Resort, 266 meters from S Hotel Montego Bay, and 358 meters from Deja Resort.
- Millennium Victori: vegan establishment on Barnett Street in the center, 560 meters from Mobay Kotch.
- A Vegan’s Utopia: vegan restaurant on Thompson Street, 760 meters from Mobay Kotch.
- PRAPA SPICE: vegan establishment 1.4 km from The Blue Orchid. It’s 2.6 km from Hotel Riu Montego Bay, so better by taxi.
- Mystic Thai: Thai restaurant located in the Fairview Towne Centre shopping mall near the airport.
- Guestronomy Delight: Indian restaurant located in Golden Triangle Mall in Ironshore.
Where to Next
Once you’ve chosen your hotel, plan the rest of your Jamaica vacation:
- Beaches, waterfalls, trips to Negril, and the bioluminescent lagoon near Falmouth can be found in the guide what to see in Montego Bay.
- For comparison with another Caribbean resort destination, check out the all-inclusive in Punta Cana overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to stay in Montego Bay for the first time?
For the first time, the Hip Strip is most practical – you can walk to Doctor’s Cave Beach and to bars, and the airport is about 2 km away. A night for two at S Hotel Montego Bay with food and drinks costs from around €400, at the cheaper Deja Resort with food and drinks from around €185. Without meals, you’ll pay around €95 for a night for two at Tobys Resort.
Are hotels in Montego Bay open after Hurricane Melissa?
Most smaller hotels are, as well as the three RIU resorts (Montego Bay, Reggae and Palace Aquarelle), Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites, Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach, Half Moon, Round Hill and Excellence Oyster Bay. Hotel Riu Palace Jamaica and JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar are scheduled to open after renovation in December 2026. Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Caribbean Cay are set to open on December 18, 2026. Seven resorts in Rose Hall and Freeport (both Secrets properties, Breathless, Hyatt Ziva and Zilara, Dreams Rose Hall and Jewel Grande) will remain closed at least until early 2027. Always check the current status on the hotel’s website.
Where to stay in Montego Bay with children?
Families head to Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites, Royalton Blue Waters near Falmouth, or Grand Palladium Jamaica near Lucea. The RIU resorts in Mahoe Bay accept adults only, and Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach will also be adults-only from November 2026. S Hotel Montego Bay accepts children from 8 years old.
How much hotel tax do you pay in Jamaica?
Accommodation carries a 10% GCT tax (set to increase to 15% from April 1, 2027) and an accommodation tax of approximately 1 to 4 USD (€0.90 to €3.60) per room per night. Check whether the GCT tax is included in the price when booking. Luxury property Half Moon charges an additional 10% resort fee and 15% service charge.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
A taxi to the Hip Strip costs around 15 to 25 USD (€14 to €23), to Rose Hall around 30 to 40 USD (€27 to €36). S Hotel Montego Bay offers a private transfer for 15 USD (€14). You can walk from the airport to Tobys Resort in about 20 minutes, though with luggage you might want to consider a taxi.
When is accommodation in Montego Bay cheapest?
At most large resorts, prices are highest during the main season from December to April, with February typically being the most expensive month. Outside the main season, many large resorts are cheaper, but from June to November is hurricane season, peaking in September. SeaGarden Beach Resort, The Blue Orchid and Mobay Kotch maintain almost the same price year-round. Check the specific price when booking.
Is Montego Bay safe?
The U.S. State Department has maintained a Level 2 advisory out of four for Jamaica since January 2026, meaning increased caution. As of October 23, 2026, no travel advisory has been issued for international visitors, though vigilance is recommended in certain parts of Montego Bay. The Hip Strip is the main tourist zone, but normal precautions apply even there. Outside tourist zones, travel with a licensed driver.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (simple monthly subscription) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Find the Best Experiences
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