Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay

Everything about this resort was amazing! Only complaint would have to be the evening entertainment wasn’t the greatest and was way too loud as well as the pool section had no shade, was unable to use the umbrellas due to wind. The food was to die for!! We definitely gained weight while we were there lol it was clean everywhere the staff were pleasant. So many different places to sit, adults only pool was small but the island across the other side was also spectacular. I don’t usually go back to the same spots but met a few people that have been to this resort 8, 10 & 15th year. It is worth the money! Read less

Hotel: Hotel is dated. I've stayed in older hotels before which were still wonderful places to stay, but Holiday Inn Montego Bay whilst generally ok, was a lot more dated than I expected. It's recently been sold, which is perhaps why it’s the way it is currently. Hopefully the new owners bring it out of the 70s into a more up to date standard! Room / Facilities: Several things weren't working properly, such as the lift/elevator as only one worked, and sounded like it would break down at any moment. The TV in the room did not work (had no plans to be watching TV anyway luckily), the balcony doors were very stiff to lock, there was flaking paint, a lot of cracked tiling in the room that had been obviously filled in, phone in the room did not work so you could not call the front desk i.e - to request a porter, couch in the room was extremely stained and dirty and not suitable for use. Room lacked any decor, along with the rest of the hotel. But despite all that, the room did the job as all the basic functions of the room were fine. Service: The service overall was ok, but again basic, and I would emphasise to anyone going to this hotel, not to expect smiley, hospitable and friendly service from all staff. I'm always friendly, polite and always end up making friends with staff everywhere I go, but not this time. You could be as polite as possible but it meant nothing. Anything simple that you may ask of some staff, such as another cup of coffee at breakfast, is like a huge chore for them or that they're doing you a favour. The staff often seemed stressed out, resulting in a lack of friendliness and the feeling that they didn't want you there, with the exception of a few. The only helpful staff were the porters, our housekeeper who was very sweet, and one of the receptionists, who was initially unfriendly on arrival but later explained how stressed out she had been. Sadly SOME of the female restaurant staff had a really poor attitude, and it was clear they were very reluctant to serve you or unable to be friendly if they weren't being tipped. Cleanliness: Hotel was generally very clean; room was cleaned well. I felt during a portion of my stay there was a problem with rubbish and food being left all over the place by guests, which was not the fault of the hotel, but does need to be reviewed, and perhaps more bins need to be provided. Guests also should be encouraged not to take more food from the buffet than they can handle, instead of wasting it. It was evident that there were some people who lacked any respect and tended to leave plates at tables with a hell of a lot of wasted food on them, as well as lots of dropped food on the floor, not only in the restaurant but also in general sitting areas. In terms of dining and food, it was ok overall, but nothing wow. Food was not amazing but passable. Staff worked hard to keep food topped up and while a few more options would be nice, it was sufficient. Food from the jerk hut was really nice but was slightly disappointed it was pre-cooked and not straight from the BBQ with no gorgeous smell that really makes you feel like you’re in JA. I guess they can't have a blazing hot BBQ going for the whole day in that heat as its served all day. Burgers and snacks from the snack bar were also a nice option for lunch time. Dining was also pretty loud and chaotic most times (unless you book the other restaurants where it's more relaxed) but the restaurant served its purpose. Overall: Had a nice holiday, enjoyed the beach, entertainment was not bad, liked the music playing around the hotel. It's fine for those travelling on a budget but even on a budget you still expect working facilities and good service. I'm sorry to say I would not go back to this hotel at all as I've been to other places in Jamaica that were much much better and of a brilliant standard with amazing staff. Read less

I'm going to get to the point. When We arrived the bellman took us to the room and it started to look like a very nice suite on the adult side. Unfortunately, there were some concerns With the air conditioning. The tore screen on the balcony door rust and mold in the bathroom. Maintenance came up and got the air-conditioning working but had to put in a ticket to complete work. The Head of Housekeeping and the Supervising Inspector came up to view the issues. Where I'm thinking this was a positive. The head of housekeeping had an attitude. She was challenging everything I had an issue with: torn screen, mold on shower door rust on ceiling lights. Until she finally stopped overtalking me was I able to point out the rust and the mold build up on the bottom of the shower door. The inspector said everything will be taken care of the next morning. Three days past Still, nothing. Fortunately, Montego Bay offers a lot of activities so we didn't have to be around the hotel. But dreaded coming back to room. So the 4th day, the Manager on Duty finally came up and she saw the issues first hand and acknowledge there are problems. She then stated these issues should have been brought up day one. Then after revisiting her notes, she saw that they were brought up day one. And still tried to make excuses and ended the conversation with I apologize and let make it up with your next stay at the resort. No discounts, adjustment in bill No points, no nothing. But let me make it up next time. What does that mean? And do you think I'm coming back? Read less

Check in was stressful with a large party we were placed on the opposite side of the hotel to our family further away from the amenities. The food was repetitive never bacon and sausage together either or alot of the staff were nice and helpful with a few who's attitude was less than nice breakfast time is carnage trying to make toast with only 1 machine for the whole hotel trying to find a seat was challenging the entertainment was good the club was interesting the rooms were a huge let down the ac broke halfway through our stay so we had to re locate further away and a longer walk again we had cockroaches in our bathrooms and the vents in the bathroom connected so when you and the room nextdoor were in the bathroom you could hear everything even actually using the toilet it was very invasive and not private atall guest services were polite but slow to get things done upon checking out we met with some vehicle problem and finding someone to help when we had already checked out was impossible I had to make a fuss to get assistance all while travelling with 3 children I would not stay here again Read less

this place after 39 times over and over is getting better by te minute, i cant get enough of it. going back october/2024. this is my place as a 2nd home. Noel the manager of entertainment is awesome person inside and out, does such an amazing job, especially the night enetrtainment and re peat dinners are my best favourites with Mrs. Hooper she is just an icing on the cake, a bright star that outshines everyone and everything. Karen from seafood restaurant is one amazing person that always greads you with a huge smile and always ready to please the guests. Hotel has done lots of improvements in the rooms you get nice channels to watch, renovated bathrooms, the beach has nice new sand and new canoes, water bikes and etc... The staff is absolutely awesome, they greet you and treat you like you are the family. This place is a gold mind and I am exited and looking forward to my 40th return. Mu husband which is born Jamaican absolutely live the food that this place has to offer, authentic Jamaican food especially we cant stop talking about the food on Jamaican night, that was sooooooo goooood. Thanks again team and we will be back and bring more friends with us. Read less