My friend from Vancouver arrived the night before so we could travel on a direct flight from Ottawa to Jamaica together. The international and domestic terminal at Ottawa airport are the same. Our flight was to leave at 10:00 am and boarding was finished at 9:30. It was a great flight I had all 3 seats to myself I really love flying from Ottawa as planes are not packed. We got to Jamaica too early so had to sit on the runaway for a bit. It was beautiful.
We had to book with Westjet because of the direct flight. My travel agent friend Farah at Travitude Travel Group always does a great job of coordinating my bookings especially with coordinating travel with a friend from Vancouver while I live in Ottawa.
My best friend is Jamaican and her aunt who is our age still lives there. My friend and I have been to Jamaica a couple times together we usually stay in Montego Bay. This time we decided we wanted to stay closer to Ocho Rios to be closer to her family. There weren’t too many resort options in the area with Westjet. I am the person that reads all the reviews before I decide on a resort most of the choices were couples resorts. I also need a place that will accommodate my vegan diet and my non vegan friend’s need for authentic Jamaican food. After reading many reviews Jewel Paradise Cove seemed to be the only option. I didn’t have high expectations if you have not read my previous Jamaica trip post. Last time we stayed at Ocean where the facilities were beautiful but the service was terrible.
Bus transportation is included with Westjet it is a bus that goes to different hotels so it would take two hours. The resort is an hour and half away from the airport. We knew from last time immigration at Montego Bay Airport takes a long time and that becomes a long travel day. This time some things has been automated and new technology was being use but there were still some parts that were a long process. It was much faster than last year though. We did use private transportation with Chucky Jamaica Transport Tours last trip and Farah helped us book private transportation to the hotel with them. It was great well worth getting the car if you need to go far after a long travel day.
Check in at the hotel was fantastic and one of the front desk clerk’s had the exact same name as me. Most of the staff are really friendly and nice at the resort very pleasant surprise compared to the last trip. My friend and I are opposites and we both agree we really like the vibe at the resort it is more of a relaxing place than a party resort but it also has everything that either of us would want. It is adults only but it’s not just couples. They bring you whatever drink you want for the bar while you register at the front desk. There are no wristbands or even telling people your room number for things it’s very easy. Only one of the restaurants need a reservation and the rest are open for walk in. There is a concierge desk in the lobby to ask anything as well as a digital app. After check in they take you to the room. The only problem we had was my friend had a really heavy suitcase no elevator to the room so the staff did have to carry the suitcase to our third floor rooms. If you have mobility issues this hotel will not be the right place as there are stairs and steps everywhere although in the app they say most areas are accessible. We booked the lowest level room it is simple but has everything that is needed. I will post a link to a room tour once it is uploaded.
My friend ordered room service and I went out to explore and find food. Dinner restaurants don’t open until 6:30 at the resort and it was around 5 after check in. We hadn’t eaten since breakfast so was ready for a meal. Right downstairs from my room is a coffee bar. They had soy milk for my coffee I had a latte was really good. They are grinding the beans and everything. Staff was also super nice giving me directions. After that I found a food hut right on the beach. They told me the veggie burger was vegan. I enjoyed the beautiful view and my burger.
There is a Pier at the hotel so I watched the sunset and looked at the beach. I will post links to the videos once they are uploaded. For now some pictures.
Right after the beautiful rainbow came
Right after the moon was out
Then it was time for the buffet to be open so I decided to go see if they had anything vegan for dessert. This resort marks things as vegetarian but not vegan. I asked the chef if the stuffing that had a vegetarian symbol on it was vegan and he told me it has chicken stock and told me some stuff that was vegan but I don’t think he knew what we was talking about since he told me fish. I did try the tofu curry and had some fruit. They did have some other options not many but I won’t starve as a vegan here. They didn’t have much for meat eaters either just a small selection something for all diets but just a few food items that are good quality not standard resort food.
Later my friend came with me to the gift shop it was expensive so didn’t buy anything. Then we had tea at the coffee shop and that was the end of the day. There was a gecko outside my door I didn’t get a picture of. That was the end of the night at night there was constant noise I had to look up what it was and it was probably tree frogs. I will leave you with this cute sleeping cat at the resort.
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