MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

[hotfoot]

Hello. I'm planning a trip in July (for Sumfest) and I'm in need of hotel suggestions. Let's see if I can be a bit more specific: our group will be 2-3 women, so safety is important. I'm the only one in the group who has been to Jamaica before. We're not interested in all inclusives and prefer somewhere that is either on the beach, or very close to a really good beach. I don't like the Holiday Inn (too many children, too far out.) Smaller hotels are preferred, but so is a bit of anonimity.

Some I've found online are the Wexford, Doctors Cave, the Gloustershire, Casa Blanca (really bad reviews, though!), Coral Cliff (looks like it's on the main road and a bit trashy?), Reading Reef.

It seems to me that there are very many knowledgeable folks on this board and I would be greatly appreciative of any advice you may be able to offer. Thanks in advance.

[Mrs. Gibbs]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Don't even thinks about the Jamaica Grandioso. Stayed there last week. Never again.

[trelawnysmall]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

hotfoot~
I am from the Mo Bay area, actually in Mo Bay right now. What all are you looking for? would you like a villa instead of a hotel or do you want to stay right by the beach? How rate are you looking to pay & how many rooms do you need? You can email me if you like, but either way I am sure I can assist you some how.

[nattyheadgal]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Hotfoot...you might want to check out Hotel Montego. I spent 2 nights there in February. It is a 2 minute walk away from the airport and basically in the heart of town. We paid $60US a night. I was told that the rate is not per person but per room. Each room has 3 double beds with a/c.
Enjoy your trip!

[hotfoot]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Maybe I should share a little more info, to help with suggestions:

Two single girls travelling for Sumfest. We are dancehall FANATICS and will be at every single show. We're not into the touristy things and prefer off-the-beaten path stuff. You know, the real deal. I learned a lot about the culture (and how to cook!) after dating a wonderful Jamaican man a few years ago and spending time with his family at Christmas, so I'm not a complete neophyte, but my last visit was in 1994 - a while ago.

My hope for our hotel is that it will be on the beach or VERY easy to get to the beach. A safe and place for single girls, not too tame and not too rowdy.

Also - I'm happy for a hook up for a taxi/driver, etc. Most of the people I know are from Ochi or the Kingston area, so I'm leaving suggestions to the local Montego Bay experts.

My perfect vacation will include a lot of beach time, all the Sumfest shows, a couple of day trips, serious shopping at El Paso Records and lots of time winin' up mi backside - Bashment Time fi real~!

Helpful?

[dr. bones]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Buccaneer, Toby's, Gloucstershire, and Doctor's Cave Hotel are all on the hip street and close to either Doctor's Cave Beach, or Dead End Beach. These are all reasonably priced, and close to all the action. Gloucstershire also includes breakfast, and they have really good ackee and saltfish daily.

You also asked about a driver. We have a driver that we always use when in Mobay. He takes us wherever we want to go. Last year he took us to Sumfest and returned promptly when we were ready to go. His name is O'neil and he can be reached at [email protected] or at (876)783-2975.

[breggae]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

We've stayed at the El Greco three different times and its beautiful! Its great, because you've got about 2 minute walk to Dr. Caves Beach and about a 5 minute (if that) to Margaritaville. The rooms have kitchenettes and are all very spacious. Hope you guys have a GREAT time! (I'm jealous!)

[Adam Kita]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Hotfoot, you asked for a taxi driver and all I will tell you is if you want the Montego Bay area, then you must call LeeAnne. Visit her website at www.jamaicaconchtours.com. She will hook you up with anything you have in mind and more. Don't be fooled by the fancy website because her prices are really reasonable. Get in contact with her and you won't be sorry. She lives right outside of MoBay and knows the area well.

Adam aka Jersey Dude

[Grandmother]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

I second the reference to the ElGreco Hotel. It is a Family friendly or single female friendly property. It sits on a bluff above the Hip Strip, and has good security and people friendly staff. I was there to bring in the New Year with my daughter and sister and we decided it is our new Jamaican home. The staff will treat you wonderfully. Enjoy. Oh yes it is reasonbly priced.

[tivertonhouse]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Try Coyaba or the Reading Reef Club or Hopewell Cottages -- all on the main and ocean/beach- going towards Round Hill with easy links to taximen/drivers -- and a refuge from crowds,kids.

[geocox]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

tivertonhouse,
I have tried to get a site for Redding Reef house and Hopewell cottages, just cant get something to popup. If you or anyone has the sites please post them.

ElGreco,
was wonderful for me, there is no beach. BUT" there is an elevator that takes you down to the street for the night stuff. Hop a taxi or walk to the night spots.
El Greco was so professional an extremely safe. Wrist-Band hotel so guests have a big problem at night.
Geo

[hotfoot]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

So is Reading Reef or Hopewell actually ON the beach? I think I have an idea of where El Greco is - up on the hill above Doctors Cave, no? It's been a while since I've been. The wrist band thing could be a problem if should I get my groove back while a yard. A little romance would be nice...(am I bad?!)

I guess I'm trying to decide whether I'd rather be on the beach and a taxi ride from everything, or on the strip. I think I'd rather be away from the noise a bit. Am I helping or making it worse to offer advice?

Geocox: I'm DYING to know more about the dances out in country!! I want to go! I want to go! Not that I'm the best dancer, but not bad for an American girl, and I really want to bring back all the new dances to show off upon my return! I still don't really know what de River is - I couldn't see the stage well at the Elephant Man show I went to last month!

[geocox]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Where is Classy?
She is a dancer, for the US.
Shan Paul G ( MoBay expert) is in Las Vegas with her Jamaican man, imagine his first impression WOW!

HotFoot,Dancehall, on de pond on de bak,
Classy might be there than; lets see if she shows.......

Hmmm....first a place it think you might like The Gloriella (sp) its safe, loose, within walking to all the stuff. Not as up scale as El Greco; I don't think you need the restrictions . I understand.

Sunday Night is Grange Hills best night, its some distance from MoBay down the road from Lucia,thats the best country Dance Hall.
Solomon, my driver,could take you and stay with you??

Late night in MoBay,
Margaretville after 12am Moods, Pleasure Dome in Iron shore. All are about the same times for the Jamaicans.

I would be tempted hook U up with my g'friend, one of the best DH dancers in Jamaica, but she might get you'all into to much mischief.
Geo.

[hotfoot]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

Mischief! Mischief! I want mischief! How you gonna do me like that, Geocox? Sounds like you're a lucky man.

If we venture out, we would certainly need a driver/someone to stay with us. But I much prefer the real dancehall, plus I've lost a few pounds and will have to get some new outfits to show off!

Did you mean Gloriana? I saw it posted somewhere else. On the beach or just near it?

[geocox]

Re: MoBay Hotel Suggestions Please!

hotfoot....Yes that's it, it's up on de hill above the action.
Lots of board members use the place, no bad conversations, I think its perfict,Pool ect.
The Beach in MoBay has never been something I wanted. I go to Negril,Treasure Beach or the Falmouth area. I don't want to see the air plane till I must get on it.
Lets see, g'friend is with me next week, I will ask her, I want her to stay in the country, but she must dance. She came 2ed in a contest 3 weeks ago in Anchovy, messed up her toe or she would have won.
Geo