The wait staff was great-even better at this resort when they are tipped. It wasn’t a giant deal, but just be aware. It turns out that the jogging trails are the sidewalks in the resort. The website claims to have jogging trails, which I looked and looked for and finally had to ask someone (I brought my running shoes to keep on my exercise regimen). It’s relatively easy to find a nice little cozy beach cubby. It also gives a more private feel to some areas as you aren’t lined up with hundreds of your closest friends. It gave several options for views along the resort. There are sea walls and other obstacles between them, so this is not a walking or running beach. Although the website says there is “over a mile of private beach,” don’t be lured to thinking the actual beach is a mile long. The way I see the photos, it looks as if there is one long white sand beach, when actually, the beaches are made up of several coved, scalloped beaches. The photos of the beach are a little deceiving. Just save your pennies if you want to enjoy your jerk chicken outside the resort! (More on Jerk Chicken later!). Of course, you’ll pay a pretty penny to get into the town of Montego Bay (or the nearby restaurants) as the only option from the resort is a private driver. Although the resorts feel remote, they are a quick ride to Montego Bay and to the airport. During our stay, I did not see one single beach hawker, hair braider, or ganja man. I love the fact that the resorts feel a bit more remote–they sit on a peninsula in Montego Bay (I actually saw the resort from the air upon our descent). James has a more of a British Feel with rich woods and furnishings and the Wild Orchid is a bit more Caribbean. They are treated as two separate resorts, however, one may move freely between the two. James actually combine to make one large resort. The Secrets Wild Orchid and the Secrets St. No more wet bathing suits hanging in the bathroom! One nice feature of the balcony was the drying rack attached to the wall. The balcony was spacious as well, although the furnishings were a bit sparse. These items are listed as included with the rooms, but you do have to request them. It is my understanding this is their common practice. The only curious thing was that we had to request (1) bathrobes (2) slippers….no slipping on wet floors and (3) shower gel, conditioner and lotion. The double sinks and wide vanity allowed for the Man and I to have our own space, which is nice because I am a space hog! The bathroom offered a large soaking tub that could either open up to the room (and the view) or have the curtain closed for privacy. Our room was spacious and comfortable with a four-poster bed, a couch, and a coffee table. The Man and I spent our annual pre-holiday getaway at the Secrets Wild Orchid in a junior suite with an ocean view. Their efforts in re-establishing a safe, beautiful, and hospitable Caribbean nation have been rewarded with new, notable hotels springing on the scene. Jamaica has been off my radar for a few years because of negative feedback that I feel is being addressed by the government, the hotels, and the tourism boards. It was the very first Caribbean Island I ever visited and those crystal clear blue waters sing to me. The beautiful waters of Jamaica beckon me from time to time.
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