#2 of 7 hotels
The Monarc.ca popularity scale (#1/15) classifies all the hotels of a single destination according to the number of grades received on 5 and the total number of reviews.
in
Runaway Bay
The hotel staff are genuine and attentive. The seafood gala buffet was incredible.
While the rooms are dated- the beaches are stunning [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
The strong points
beaches and safe feeling on resort
The weak points
the hotel rooms- children's pool bar had minimal drink options- the Italian restaurant is a disappointing experience
0 0
Certified
OPEN AND HONEST REVIEW
twcanada, Scarborough, ON
2024-10-07
Let me just start this off by saying this my my fiancés sixth time, my third time and our bestfriend second time coming to this exact resort. We always have such a pleasant experience here with all the staff members. We prefer to come during slow season because we come from a very busy city and need the break from the rush and the people. This resort was perfect for that experience. Usually when we come, we stay in block 11. This year (WITHOUT NOTICE may i add) there was ongoing renovations and construction going on in multiple blocks on the grand side including block 11! This was very disappointing to us as we book our room for the view, and block 23 didn't have the greatest view even though we paid for Oceanview. It was very far from everywhere we frequent so as someone with back problems this was a minor setback (but some advil helped with that) WE DIDNT LET IT RUIN OUR TRIP.
Let me also say, that the owners of this resort need a reality check, they have so many excuses as to why they're "short on budget" but they charge and arm and a leg to stay here. I WILL ALWAYS RETURN TO THIS RESORT, but please get your **** together!!!! These workers deserve so much more than what you are giving them, with the hours they work and the workload you give them. ITS NOT FAIR. Maybe if you paid them fairly, they would be able to be more POSITIVE and give these negative reviewers a BETTER EXPERIENCE. Its hard to smile all day when you get treated badly by your bosses. God bless all the workers on this resort that work so hard.
The grand side buffet is currently closed, so " The Round Table" Restaurant is considered our "indoor buffet". We had access to the luxury indoor buffet this year due to all the renovations (Poor luxury people who paid for adults only and had kids in their buffet) We also have the "outdoor buffet" by the grand beach, unfortunately that was only opened for about 3 of our 10 days. They took the option of steak away from the hot stations, which was a little disappointing. Jerk by the pool was absolutely amazing as usual, same with the Jerk hut that's attached to the round table. My only issue with the jerk hut was the wait times for chicken, that's the main dish of that hut, they should have it available for all hours that they are open. Some points there was a 45 minute wait for chicken to come out. As for Al la Carts i had no issues booking these on the app before i even arrived. We booked the Dolche Vita, RodizzioX2 and the KnifeX2 all which were amazing as usual. The cuts of meat at the knife (steak) could have been a little bit better to be honest, but it was still a great meal. AND DONT FORGET TO TIP!!!
Entertainment was absolutely phenomenal, the grand team never fails to blow my mind with their smooth moves, positive attitudes and their way of getting us to always participate in the activities they have around the resort. They offer us such a unique personalized experience with it being slow season, we get to spend a lot of time getting to know the resort and the ways of the Jamaican people. They always have special information for us about the country, their dances, their music. I love how informative and entertaining they all are. They all work SO hard everyday, just to ensure there's big smiles on our faces. Shoutout to Tiffany, Avel, Orlando and Derice. They made our trip very special this year, as they do every year. AND DONT FORGET TO TIP!!!
Drinks and bartenders, honestly this year was probably the best year for drinks. The bartenders all remembered us from the previous years, so without a doubt before i even arrived at the bar, there were three of our special drinks sitting there waiting for us. These guys DO NOT get the appreciation they deserve, Take a walk to every bar and get to know the bartenders, they all have a different story. ALOT of them sing, and have voices of an angel. Shoutout Damien, Denzel and Michael. AND DONT FORGET TO TIP!!
The GRAND beach is currently under construction as well, they have the first half as normal, but as your heading to the nude beach they have it all torn up and are tearing down trees to extend the beach further as the water level had come up. There are ALOT of amazing snorkeling spots around this resort but PLEASE BE CAREFUL of BLACK SEA URCHINS and LION FISH they are starting to show up more frequently and closer to shore since the hurricane. There are a lot more Rastas on the beach this year, but that's fine because they have very nice stuff on their boats, may i suggest paying them in Jamaican dollars as you get a better deal. If you don't want them bugging you just tell them You don't smoke and your not interested, and they'll leave you alone. The beach bar has been taken down, but they have a little cart that is on the beach now with few drinks available, better than nothing though!!! DONT FORGET TO TIP
The lifeguards are absolutely amazing as well, shoutout to Conroy and Harrington, those two made the couple rainy hours we had VERY SPECIAL. They came and spent time with us, explaining the clouds, the climate, the weather, and also Singing us songs!!! No matter what time a day, these two always had a smile on their faces and had open arms to us. We appreciate them beyond words and cannot express how much of an amazing experience these two made our "pool side" to be!!!!
Bellhop Fabien!!! Hes a real one, as soon as we pull up into the resort, he always has the biggest warm welcome for us!!! Ensures our bags are safe, we get checked in quickly, and that we are okay with our room. He also ensures hes EARLY picking our luggage up on the last day! Such a sweetheart, he will always be remembered by us!!! Last year i got stung by a bee(and being allergic) We rushed to the lobby where we found Fabien before his shift ended, he rushed us over to the nurses station and got me the help i needed very quickly. Always look forward to seeing his face when we pull up to the bahia!!!
I had one issue, ONE MAIN ISSUE that was really bugging me, There was a washroom maid by the grand pool towel hut named Samantha. My friend had a hat made up from a guy and that same guy had made me a basket, That washroom maid tried to hassle me for my basket!!! So out of the kindness in my heart, i offered her a giftbag that i had made up for workers around the resort. (including hygiene products, makeup, school supplies etc) I then proceeded to bring her down a bag and thanked her for all her hard work. During the following days, she continued to ask me to get her drinks, food, etc. I HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING IT ONCE, BUT PLEASE DONT HARRASS ME ON MY VACATION. I did not pay $1900 to serve you at the snap of your finger. I paid $1900 to be on vacation, relax, and BE SERVED MYSELF. This continued my entire trip, again I DIDNT LET IT RUIN MY TRIP, but it was very bothersome as at one point we totally avoided that area of the resort which is unfortunate because that's one of my favorite areas to hangout.
The rooms in block 23 are the usual to be expected, it is still the grand side, so they're unrenovated rooms, but the front door backs out to the luxury lobby and thats all we could hear all night long was the people in the lobby, as well as cars and trucks from the road (we were very close to the main gate) We didnt get a "welcome home" banner as requested, also supposed to get as returning customers. No big deal, i just like to feel special lol. Lots of lizards and Roaches over in that block as well, but im assuming they are migrating because of the construction, and hurricane that just happened. IT IS A MOIST ENVIROMENT, YES THERE IS ROACHES, NO ITS NOT GONNA RUIN YOUR TRIP. Either ignore it, or kill them lol. We had 2 rooms, as we were with 3 people... Our air conditioners worked perfectly all trip, our balcony doors locked, no issues with maids, no issues with fridge guy, we got extra pillows and blankets almost instantly when i called for them. Also got left extra face cloths and towels every day, (Thanks to the maids, you the mvp) DONT FORGET TO TIP YOUR MAID AND LEAVE A DOLLAR FOR THE FRIDGE GUY!!!
Now, my real big shoutout is to the Animal Control worker Jevaun that works on the resort. On our second last day we found 3 abandoned kittens right in front of our block. The mother had left them inside a bush, which was up high by the statue. The kittens kept falling off the ledge and hurting themselves, we carefully put them in a box in a safe place and awaited the mothers return, after over 24 hours with no site of mom cat, we decided to try to feed these babies as they're supposed to eat every few hours (They were only MAX 3 weeks old, just learning to walk, still suckleing instead of licking) After a few hours of sitting with these babies in the grass, and a few times of him walking past us wondering what we were doing, Jevaun approached us and assessed the situation. He took it into his own hands to ensure these 3 babies got to a safe place and that they were taken care of. They went to JSPCA, then transferred to Orkin "Cat Sanctuary" in Montego Bay, where they were quickly adopted out into loving homes. Jevaun continued to follow up with me until these kittens left Orkin's facility to their new home. EVEN AFTER WE LEFT JAMAICA AND RETURNED HOME TO CANADA. Every time i got an update i could have cried, i don't know anybody who would have done this ( Just because there is so many wild cats out there, they usually just let them go on their own and learn, but these guys were very vulnerable and young) I thank god every day for this angel that he sent us to save these kittens, we were so worried when we left what was going to happen to them if we just left them to fend for themselves. I left Jamaica with PEACE OF MIND knowing they were cared for with love. BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU TO JAVAUN FOR EVERYTHING HE DID FOR THOSE BABIES!!!!!! If you ever find an animal in need of help on the resort please go to the lobby and ask them to contact the animal control for the resort. Thanks in advance.
OVER ALL 4.5 / 5 I have no MAJOR complaints that would have totally ruined my trip, IT IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. If you let little things bother you, then your trip will get ruined. Just go with the flow, your in Jamaica. No problem mon! One love to you all, Enjoy your trips. and Do not let the negative reviews deter you from this beautiful resort. [Details]
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The strong points
Staff is wonderful, Beach is beautiful, Drinks and food are great, Lots of shopping available on resort.
The weak points
Rooms are outdated, Showers and toilets stink, Roaches and lizards everywhere in block 23, lots of renovations going on and no warning, certain employees harrassing guests for food and drinks.
0 0
First time in Jamaica
Ksb61, Orillia, ON
2024-05-29
This resort is VERY big, so lots of stairs and walking. Our room was on the same floor as the lobby which means the main buffet and most other restaurants, pool and beach require using stairs or elevator. Our room was rather outdated and the beds are in need of replacing as they have a valley in the middle. Not very comfortable. The toilet is very low, but our friend's room was a bit more updated including a higher toilet. Food was good, the gourmet restaurant was amazing, the knife steakhouse was just ok. We always wee able to find lots to eat. Drinks are strong but good. Staff is stand-offish, I had one girl in the main buffet roll her eyes at me because I brought my plate back in from the pool area. but Jessica at the gourmet Don Pablo) was beyond exceptional. She made our vacation! The beach once we found it and the point beyond is awesome and is located by the kids water pool. It's not a beach for a nice big walk though. The main pool is ok but suggest using the middle section although it isn't easy to get out of, don't know why there's no stairs. The sections of the pools on the ends have pool bars which means a lot of people peeing in the pool. Why the shallow kids pool is connected to one of the ends I have yet to figure out. That end has to be closed because there was a diaper accident! They do allow locals and off-duty staff to come by bus using a day pass. The majority that day took over the place and started dancing raunchy by the pool bar…. It was like a porno with clothes on - too much with kiddos around. Another reason to have the kids pool NOT connected to pool bar. We would return but the price point is a bit high considering the rooms are outdated and the majority of staff are rude. [Details]
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The strong points
Food good. views good. Beach preferred over pool
The weak points
Expensive. Outdated rooms. Most of the staff act like they're doing you a favour.
0 0
Beautiful Resort not so friendly staff!
Crissy Muise, Medicine Hat, AB
2024-05-13
This resort is so huge and it's very beautiful! Lots to do there! Beaches were amazing! Only thing that was disappointing was most of the staff! Not very friendly and very rude! A select few bartenders were nice. The ones in the sports bar off the main lobby were friendly but pretty much all the rest were not friendly. The maids who cleaned the room did not change sheets and forgot to restock fridge and toilet paper a lot! Loved the beautiful sceneries but unfortunately cause of the staff we will not be back! [Details]
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The weak points
Very rude staff and not so clean! Trying to get information for departure was awful and they acted like I was stupid and didn't want to help me!
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Certified
Beautiful place for getaway
Missnek, Winnipeg, MB
2024-04-02
I can recommend the place for family getaway in the beautiful country and among very friendly people. [Details]
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The strong points
All food was AMAZING! A la carte options and quality were great as well. Clean and updated rooms. Every night performances in the theatre were unforgettable. Thank you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The weak points
I should say the entertaining team worked pretty "lazy" near the pool and beach. Compared to other resorts we've been to, only aqua aerobics was consistently ok. All the rest activities were poor during the day.
Sanitary measures
No problem at all. GOOD JOB!!!
0 0
Certified
Good experience
Martine Larouche, Orton, PE
2024-02-28
Very happy with our stay at the resort, the food is amazing and the facility is great. Some employee at the bar and the towel station were a little bit rude and it took 2 days to get a blanket but other than that, we enjoyed everything. I'll go again. [Details]
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Certified
Anniversary Trip
Lorrie Mccullough, Belleville, ON
2024-02-21
The resort knew we were coming to celebrate our anniversary, upon arrival our door had a Happy Birthday banner. For 3 days we requested the proper banner, the banner was never updated. We were suppose to receive wine and chocolates - never received those. Finally we ran into a manager of housekeeping who changed out the banner right away. Most of the staff are friendly and accommodating. The pool closes at 6PM which is quite early. The service at the À la carte restaurants is excellent! Service at the buffet, no so good. Most of the time you are halfway through a meal before you can get a drink. Unlike other resorts you cannot get up and pour your own drink. The beach has a lot of rocks, is not maintained and also closes very early. The rooms are very spacious and clean which was great! Cleaning of the main common areas such as hallways were cleaned at the most inconvenient busy times causing them to be very slippery. Wifi is not very strong in this resort. [Details]
Room
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The strong points
Friendly Staff,
À la carte restaurants,
Spacious rooms
The weak points
Close the pool at 6PM,
Service at buffets,
Beach,
WiFi
0 0
Certified
Jamaica 2024
Gary Schaefer, Kitchener, ON
2024-02-17
The resort was wonderful, clean, reputable, accessible, friendly staff. We had an ocean view in our junior suite. We didn't feel crowded so much space in the room and thru out the resort. Food and drinks were fresh and plentiful. Would definitely go back and recommend to anybody. [Details]
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The strong points
Good sized rooms, clean, well worth the money, lots to see and do. Many options for activities off the resort.
The weak points
Room had huge leak in ceiling when we arrived. There was a huge puddle of water on the floor upon initial entry,
Balcony lights not working
Fridge, coffee supplies and towels were not replaced every day
No tv remotes
0 0
Certified
Great food
Reagen Unrau, Niagara Falls, ON
2024-02-03
Been to many resorts , but the food here was the best so far . Large resort and lots of walking . They do have golf carts to give you a ride if needed. Beach was nice , but not the best i have visited. [Details]
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The strong points
Best food we have had. Rooms were clean . Well manicured property.
The weak points
Locals would wander throughout the resort selling weed.
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Certified
1st Trip to Jamaica
Monty, Ajax, ON
2024-01-09
Although this was 1st time in Jamaica but for me and my family 2nd time with Bahia. 1st in Mexico and now Jamaica. The reason we return to Bahia Grand was due to our experience in Mexico and we where not disappointed. Wonderful facility with options for all family members starting for 6 month old to 60 years old. The staff are very friendly and accommodating, always helping in need. Rooms are always clean, always something happening. Wonderful experience [Details]
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The strong points
Location, beach, the facilities in the hotel
The weak points
Food - in terms of variety multicultural cuisine for all background which is great, however the taste of the food can be better. We are comparing with Mexico which would be 10/10 for us while Jamaica would be 7/10
0 0
Certified
Sweet
Cory Carriere, Kapuskasing, ON
2024-01-02
It was a good experience first time in Jamaica [Details]
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The strong points
Clean
The weak points
None
0 0
Certified
Good Experience
Dwyke Young, Toronto, ON
2023-12-28
Overall experience was really good. and would visit again. [Details]
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The strong points
I observed structure with their management team as they were always monitoring the environment and their subordinates to maintain high standards.. --- I was also impressed with the large number of locals and expatriates that
The weak points
-- In the vicinity of room 15304, there was a strong odor of sewage for a few days.. -- Water was pooling in the standup shower and not draining properly.. ---- Paper thin walls as everything on the corridors can be heard.
Sanitary measures
Cleanliness was well managed
0 0
Certified
Great vacation
Ruth Hercules, Mississauga, ON
2023-11-16
Had an amazing time, when my friend and I first got to the hotel we had the wrong room however that was quickly changed. My only thing was that we didn't know where anything was, the hotel is really big and we didn't learn until later that there were mini bus to drive you around. Also be careful of the bridges very slippery, I fell as it was wet and hit my elbow and knee. [Details]
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The strong points
Food is amazing and there is always something to do at the hotel. Find the elevator and use the mini bus to get around. Plus the beach is calm and amazing, it was great.
The weak points
Too many stairs and the bridges are dangerous when wet, watch out for stores in the hotel as some have better prices then others. Please book the excursion with your travel agent at the hotel, it will save you money.
Sanitary measures
Clean and tidy
0 0
Certified
Great experience overall!
Jeff, Québec, QC
2023-10-22
This little resort is amazing. The staff are kind and helpful. The pools are very spacious, which was excellent for my wife, as she enjoys swimming. I also loved the selection of drinks at the strategically placed bars: you can always find something to quench your thirst at this resort. The food at the buffets was ok, but the real treat is to be found at the specialized reservation-only restaurants. A special thanks to Monica Henry, the barmaid near the big pool always ready to make you a quality drink with a warm smile. Ask for her special cocktail and you won't regret it. [Details]
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The strong points
Make sure to book your 4 reservations at the "à la carte" restaurants. The food there is delicious!
The weak points
The only slight downside of the place is the presence of a employee at one of the buffets who seems to relish in inflicting small acts of indecency on guests, particularly non-locals: Felicia Anderson. This is the only reason I left 4 stars instead of 5.
0 0
A Mixed Experience at a So-Called 5-Star Resort
Vanessa, Ajax, ON
2023-10-05
I recently had the opportunity to spend an 8-day trip at this resort, celebrating a friend's 70th birthday. The check-in process was surprisingly swift, even though an entire busload of guests arrived simultaneously. However, it was somewhat disappointing that I had to specifically request information about the hotel's Wi-Fi, which should have been readily offered.
One of the less impressive aspects of our stay was the inconvenience of obtaining beach towel passes. This necessitated a trek from the beach to the front desk, which was a bit of an inconvenience that left me less than impressed.
The rooms themselves were a bit dated, and notably, bathrobes and house slippers were no longer provided, which was a letdown. However, there were certainly highlights to our stay, including the resort's expansive grounds, which were meticulously maintained.
The beach was a standout feature, with an incredible beach entertainment staff, and I must give a special shout-out to Derrice for making our beach experience truly memorable. Additionally, the fire show at the beach party was a captivating spectacle that added a touch of magic to our evenings.
On the flip side, there were some aspects that left room for improvement. The entertainment offerings were lackluster, particularly the nightly events on the lobby terrace, which failed to meet expectations. The absence of nighttime shows, replaced by one or two-person acts or small bands, was a disappointment.
The food offerings left much to be desired. The cuisine was generally unappealing and at times, bland. Our experiences at the a-la-carte restaurants, including Picasso and Rodizio, were inconsistent, with both food quality and service varying from visit to visit.
While the well-maintained grounds, beautiful beach, and exceptional beach entertainment staff were definite highlights, the dated rooms, inconvenient beach towel pass system, and underwhelming entertainment and dining options left me with mixed feelings about the overall experience.
Will likely not return to this resort in the future [Details]
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0 0
NOT a 5 star hotel. I DO NOT recommend
Jenny R, Montréal, QC
2023-08-06
Overall, the hotel is nice, however there are several things wrong.
1. The second we received our room cards, they were NOT functionable. The lobby was about an eight minute walk to the room. This happened twice in one week.
2. Front desk staff are arrogant and rude
3. The hotel corridors smell like mould, the smell was so horrendous and bad.
4. There was cockroaches; I saw 3 of them during my 7 day stay.
5. I paid extra for an ocean view room and in DID NOT see the ocean whatsoever.
6. Very very hot. There is no functionable AC nor fans anywhere. I am talking about in the restaurants , elevators and in the halls and especially in the lobby. The AC in the room was alright. [Details]
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The strong points
The bar and life guard staff was the best! I made a few incredible friends. This is the only thing that made this trip pleasing.
Evening entertainment was good.
The weak points
The second we received our room cards, they were NOT working. The lobby was about an eight minute walk to the room. This happened twice in one week.
Front desk staff are arrogant and rude
The hotel corridors smell like mould, the smell was
0 0
Certified
Grand Bahia
Hadjiali Devji, North York, ON
2023-07-01
The Grabd Bahia Resort is well built. The pools and the beach areas are well kept. The accommodation is excellent. The staff over all are very polite. The 3 times food had plenty of variety. The bar and drinks area were very well supplied. [Details]
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The strong points
Immaculate place. We highly recommend to aby new customers.
The weak points
None
0 0
Certified
Amazing
Nicole Barham, Ajax, ON
2023-06-14
From the greeting on arrival to check out, I enjoyed this hotel. The front lobby was beautiful and the rooms matched. [Details]
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The strong points
The pools were great, the food had Jamaican options at every meal, and the staff was very pleasant.
The weak points
Lots of stairs and the beach was rocky... still beautiful but definitely was grateful I had water shoes.
0 0
Certified
Bahia Grand Principe
Darylin Monahan, Innisfail, AB
2023-05-21
We definitely will be back to this resort with our family next time [Details]
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The strong points
This resort was absolutely beautiful. Grounds staff were always active and making sure you were well looked after.
The weak points
Buffet only open at certain times .
Nice beach was a little bit of a walk.
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Certified
Hotel has something for everyone
Nick Dellios, Scarborough, ON
2023-04-06
Restaurants were great, especially the staff at the Knife restaurant. Went out of there way to make my girls bday special.
Lots to do for the kids. They have a nice Kids Club with fun staff. A huge water park and a gorgeous beach.
Entertainment was amazing, went out of their way to interact with my 4 year old every day. Definitely made our stay very special.
Beds were so comfortable and the rooms were spotless. I always wipe down remotes, light switches and surfaces and not one speck of dirt found. [Details]
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The strong points
See above
The weak points
Very large hotel. Was hitting around 15,000 steps each day. But harder for older or people with disabilities or injuries.
Sanitary measures
.
0 0
Certified
Fantastic time
Georgealexander Kaldenbach, Milton, ON
2023-02-01
We had an amazing time, definitely would go back to this resort. I would listen to moat of the bad reviews, People could always find something to complain about but that's just the people they are. Go with an open mind and positive attitude, your on vacation in Jamaica, Enjoy it. [Details]
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The strong points
The entertainment team was wonderful. They were always getting my daughters involved. Anytime I needed something there was always someone to help out. They had plenty of everything.
The weak points
The resort and rooms were a little worn down (ie broken tiles or light covers) nothing that affected our stay. Nightly entertainment was only the kids show/entertainment (which was awesome) but then there was only a live band with a game in between set
0 0
Certified
Great Vacation at Bahia Principe Grand Runaway Bay
Randall Geddes, Pentanguishine, ON
2023-01-24
Overall the property offers great food, great rooms, great beach and pool areas. Lots of entertainment and things to do. The hotel is getting tired in areas so I hope the hotel rectifies this as it should not be allowed to get too run down ( carpets in halls, some rooms). Grounds are beautiful though. Checking in had issues with forgetting to give us towel cards and WiFi access and safe instructions. Late check-out also should be offered for later day flights as we lost a day coming in. Definitely would go back though. Just needs to fix little things to keep it 5 star. Love Jamaica ❤️ [Details]
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The strong points
Great snorkeling and beach and food
The weak points
Getting tired looking in certain areas
0 0
Certified
Luxury and relaxation
David Duff, Welland, ON
2022-12-28
The amenities were numerous and well maintained. The pools looked great and were warm from the sun. The a la carte restaurants had marvelous foods and even the buffet had white table cloths, changed if any spill. The beaches were pleasant and free non-motorized water sports were great when there was no wind. [Details]
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The strong points
I enjoyed the pools and restaurants and beaches. The details of the arm bands were softer than typical plastic. The staff were all friendly and helpful.
The weak points
The check-in to our room was disorganized. There was no information about how long after 3:00 p.m. it would be as it seemed Housekeeping had only paper methods of declaring all rooms ready, rather than individual rooms ready. Frustrating
0 0
Certified
Family christmas vacation
Gayle Gray, Toronto, ON
2022-12-12
everything from start to finish was amazing! the food is absolutely delicious and the entertainment staff couldn't be better. Orlando, Nikesha, Kendar and all the rest are fantastic. the pool bartender Denzal was so much fun and the terrace bar Natrice is great. I don't remember all the staff names but all are great! [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
The strong points
food, staff, room view, drinks
The weak points
always had to ask for the mini bar and coffee to be replaced (5 out of 7 days) and the beach
0 0
Certified
Great stay in Runaway bay
Couples trip, Angus, ON
2022-11-13
Hotel was very clean but a little dated. A lot of work going on to update the buildings. Pools were exceptionally clean and grounds well manicured. Food: buffet was plenty but luck-warm most of the time. Ala Cartes: very tasty and well presented. The Brazilian was excellent. The Japanese was also great. We did not do the show at Japanese this time as it was done before. Get the deep fried ice cream for dessert. You won't be disappointed . The knife and don Paublo also have amazing food, but we skipped them this trip. Rooms: dated but clean. They have coffee machines, stocked fridge with sofa, water and beer. We had issues with tv and fridge but both were fixed within minutes of calling. Beach: shallow calm water on the grand side. No need for water shoes. You can snorkel along the ropes and see fish. There is also a kids water park that looks very entertaining. Staff: the reason we return!! Always friendly and willing to help with anything you need. Great people who work hard to keep the resort in running order TIPS are accepted and much needed. Doesn't have to be much, but 1 or 2 dollars per meal in buffet and a few more at ala cartes are greatly appreciated by all. We also bring school supplies and toiletries to give to staff. These items can be costly in Jamaica. We have been 3 times to the bahia principe grande and will return again. The resort is big but getting around is easier than it looks. [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
The strong points
Very clean resort. Nice beach with sand bottom. Excellent staff
The weak points
Buffet needs to be hotter.
0 0
Certified
Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica
Jimbob, Toronto, ON
2022-10-09
We found the room to be nice, comfortable bed & oceanview balcony. Our room was beside an elevator which resulted in elevator motor noise all day. Lots of hot water but too much rainwater through bathroom ceiling. The bathroom had a tub with shower head but no walk-in shower which was disappointing to me. The beaches were ok, not great. All the food was great. The maid service was good. It took 1 1/2 hours to get ice to treat a sprained foot. Wet carpet from leaking ceiling in hallway was left with towels to soak it up for days and began to smell quite awful. I would give this resort a 3-star or 4-star rating not a 5-star. [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
The strong points
Buffet, A La Carte, Pools, room mini bar replenishment, friendly staff, shuttle service were all good.
The weak points
Maintenance of building & leaking roofs were a disappointment.
0 0
Certified
Hotel overall impression
Diana De Jesus Garcia Lamey, Toronto, ON
2022-09-19
The hotel was very nice and clean. Staff were great and friendly. The food was very good. [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
The strong points
The beach and pool were very nice and clean
The weak points
The nightly shows were a bit further from the main resort area in the Village. I feel that the nightly shows should have been near the main area of the resort where more people will gather.
Sanitary measures
I didn't see any extra sanitary cleaning.
0 0
Certified
My Mistake
Deborah Burke, Hamilton, ON
2022-04-30
So it began with the transfer bus from the airport to the hotel losing my luggage. I was told it was on the next bus to the hotel and after waiting 2 hours and walking to another section of the hotel, my bag was not with the luggage that arrived. I was then told by the representative that it was sent to another hotel. Due to my concerns I visited the desk where I was totally dismissed which I was then told by an onlooker that it was because I was a local. I am actually Canadian.
My bag arrived 4 hours later and was left at lost and found. I was then allowed to go to my room and soon realized my air conditioning did not work. Soon after I was visited by roaches (I have pictures as proof ). Used the restroom the toilet wouldn't stop running. My husband left his cigarettes on the balcony table and woke up to them ruined due to a leaking roof ( pictures as proof ). I tried calling front desk there was no answer, so I spoke with a supervisor who said they'd inform guest services who would connect with us. However, no one called or showed up.
Then there is the currency discrimination. The wonderful Canadian dollar is not accepted on site and treated as if it has NO VALUE and compared to the US currency. One guest suggested moving to the Luxury side of the hotel but after a ruined first impression I was unwilling to pay for an upgrade as I was already angry and unimpressed with the service.
After many all-inclusive vacations this was the most DISAPPOINTING holiday ever. I was in the middle of school and work and did not need this kind of unnecessary stress but it was truly a waste of time and money. Service staff are on top of guest care, managerial staff have their noses in the sky unless you look and sound like a tourist.
Just a friendly warning to potential guests..there are many fabulous all-inclusive hotels in Jamaica. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM!! [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
0 0
Great Time
Craig Jones, Peterborough, ON
2022-03-21
Not sure why there are negative reviews I have been travelling the Caribbean for over 25 years and this resort is very good. Food was excellent at al a carte and buffet was fine. Rooms we nice and clean. Hallways with carpet may have been a design error :). Staff were wonderful. [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
The strong points
Staff, Al a carte, service
The weak points
beaches are small, but that is a personal thing we like to walk on the beach
0 0
Certified
Relaxing vacation, big resort, almost Covid safe*
Nora Schmid, Woodstock, ON
2021-12-12
Hotel was great, rooms and grounds were clean, food was good, staff were friendly. Entertainment staff kept us entertained daily with different activities.
My only real complaint, (with knowledge that this was a new procedure) was the info, set up and process of paying for, booking your time and the actual testing for Covid required for our reentry to Canada. There was a lot of miscommunication or lack there of, unorganization and confusion. *All 3 areas for these systems were located in the same area at the bottom of a stairwell that was busy as it was also one of the main pathways to the buffet. Everyone was jammed in this area all around 9 am. No social distancing possible as it was quite a small area for all stations. Some basic signage to help those in need of the services would have saved a lot of confusion and wasted time and closeness in my opinion.
STEP 1) "paying station" is in *** area... please bring with you....ie passport and when to come (not the 2nd day of your stay) STEP 2) booking station is in *** area, please bring with you ie receipt of payment/ passport and when to come(not the second day of your stay) STEP 3) testing area.. what to bring, when to come etc.
Results should be available in a timely fashion. We were told results would be emailed at 8 pm the night before we were to go home (which is still late IMO). Finally received them after 11 pm in paper form after the security guard had to fetch them. This info would help ease some of the questions and pressure on the folks working in this area as well. [Details]
Room
Quality - Price
Front desk & Reception
Beaches
Location
Bathroom
Staff / Crew
Cleanliness
Food & Restaurants
Sanitary measures
The strong points
Definitely would go back. good beach- clear waters, vendors not pestering. Food was good with some variations. Drinks were good.
The weak points
could be a bit more Covid organized to feel safer, which would also help with guests feeling they "got away from it" for a couple days.
Sanitary measures
on site testing process needs some revamping. otherwise staff was masked (some not fully covered ie noses exposed in outdoor areas) and cleaning public areas.
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Family Vacation
While the rooms are dated- the beaches are stunning [Details]
OPEN AND HONEST REVIEW
Let me also say, that the owners of this resort need a reality check, they have so many excuses as to why they're "short on budget" but they charge and arm and a leg to stay here. I WILL ALWAYS RETURN TO THIS RESORT, but please get your **** together!!!! These workers deserve so much more than what you are giving them, with the hours they work and the workload you give them. ITS NOT FAIR. Maybe if you paid them fairly, they would be able to be more POSITIVE and give these negative reviewers a BETTER EXPERIENCE. Its hard to smile all day when you get treated badly by your bosses. God bless all the workers on this resort that work so hard.
The grand side buffet is currently closed, so " The Round Table" Restaurant is considered our "indoor buffet". We had access to the luxury indoor buffet this year due to all the renovations (Poor luxury people who paid for adults only and had kids in their buffet) We also have the "outdoor buffet" by the grand beach, unfortunately that was only opened for about 3 of our 10 days. They took the option of steak away from the hot stations, which was a little disappointing. Jerk by the pool was absolutely amazing as usual, same with the Jerk hut that's attached to the round table. My only issue with the jerk hut was the wait times for chicken, that's the main dish of that hut, they should have it available for all hours that they are open. Some points there was a 45 minute wait for chicken to come out. As for Al la Carts i had no issues booking these on the app before i even arrived. We booked the Dolche Vita, RodizzioX2 and the KnifeX2 all which were amazing as usual. The cuts of meat at the knife (steak) could have been a little bit better to be honest, but it was still a great meal. AND DONT FORGET TO TIP!!!
Entertainment was absolutely phenomenal, the grand team never fails to blow my mind with their smooth moves, positive attitudes and their way of getting us to always participate in the activities they have around the resort. They offer us such a unique personalized experience with it being slow season, we get to spend a lot of time getting to know the resort and the ways of the Jamaican people. They always have special information for us about the country, their dances, their music. I love how informative and entertaining they all are. They all work SO hard everyday, just to ensure there's big smiles on our faces. Shoutout to Tiffany, Avel, Orlando and Derice. They made our trip very special this year, as they do every year. AND DONT FORGET TO TIP!!!
Drinks and bartenders, honestly this year was probably the best year for drinks. The bartenders all remembered us from the previous years, so without a doubt before i even arrived at the bar, there were three of our special drinks sitting there waiting for us. These guys DO NOT get the appreciation they deserve, Take a walk to every bar and get to know the bartenders, they all have a different story. ALOT of them sing, and have voices of an angel. Shoutout Damien, Denzel and Michael. AND DONT FORGET TO TIP!!
The GRAND beach is currently under construction as well, they have the first half as normal, but as your heading to the nude beach they have it all torn up and are tearing down trees to extend the beach further as the water level had come up. There are ALOT of amazing snorkeling spots around this resort but PLEASE BE CAREFUL of BLACK SEA URCHINS and LION FISH they are starting to show up more frequently and closer to shore since the hurricane. There are a lot more Rastas on the beach this year, but that's fine because they have very nice stuff on their boats, may i suggest paying them in Jamaican dollars as you get a better deal. If you don't want them bugging you just tell them You don't smoke and your not interested, and they'll leave you alone. The beach bar has been taken down, but they have a little cart that is on the beach now with few drinks available, better than nothing though!!! DONT FORGET TO TIP
The lifeguards are absolutely amazing as well, shoutout to Conroy and Harrington, those two made the couple rainy hours we had VERY SPECIAL. They came and spent time with us, explaining the clouds, the climate, the weather, and also Singing us songs!!! No matter what time a day, these two always had a smile on their faces and had open arms to us. We appreciate them beyond words and cannot express how much of an amazing experience these two made our "pool side" to be!!!!
Bellhop Fabien!!! Hes a real one, as soon as we pull up into the resort, he always has the biggest warm welcome for us!!! Ensures our bags are safe, we get checked in quickly, and that we are okay with our room. He also ensures hes EARLY picking our luggage up on the last day! Such a sweetheart, he will always be remembered by us!!! Last year i got stung by a bee(and being allergic) We rushed to the lobby where we found Fabien before his shift ended, he rushed us over to the nurses station and got me the help i needed very quickly. Always look forward to seeing his face when we pull up to the bahia!!!
I had one issue, ONE MAIN ISSUE that was really bugging me, There was a washroom maid by the grand pool towel hut named Samantha. My friend had a hat made up from a guy and that same guy had made me a basket, That washroom maid tried to hassle me for my basket!!! So out of the kindness in my heart, i offered her a giftbag that i had made up for workers around the resort. (including hygiene products, makeup, school supplies etc) I then proceeded to bring her down a bag and thanked her for all her hard work. During the following days, she continued to ask me to get her drinks, food, etc. I HAVE NO PROBLEM DOING IT ONCE, BUT PLEASE DONT HARRASS ME ON MY VACATION. I did not pay $1900 to serve you at the snap of your finger. I paid $1900 to be on vacation, relax, and BE SERVED MYSELF. This continued my entire trip, again I DIDNT LET IT RUIN MY TRIP, but it was very bothersome as at one point we totally avoided that area of the resort which is unfortunate because that's one of my favorite areas to hangout.
The rooms in block 23 are the usual to be expected, it is still the grand side, so they're unrenovated rooms, but the front door backs out to the luxury lobby and thats all we could hear all night long was the people in the lobby, as well as cars and trucks from the road (we were very close to the main gate) We didnt get a "welcome home" banner as requested, also supposed to get as returning customers. No big deal, i just like to feel special lol. Lots of lizards and Roaches over in that block as well, but im assuming they are migrating because of the construction, and hurricane that just happened. IT IS A MOIST ENVIROMENT, YES THERE IS ROACHES, NO ITS NOT GONNA RUIN YOUR TRIP. Either ignore it, or kill them lol. We had 2 rooms, as we were with 3 people... Our air conditioners worked perfectly all trip, our balcony doors locked, no issues with maids, no issues with fridge guy, we got extra pillows and blankets almost instantly when i called for them. Also got left extra face cloths and towels every day, (Thanks to the maids, you the mvp) DONT FORGET TO TIP YOUR MAID AND LEAVE A DOLLAR FOR THE FRIDGE GUY!!!
Now, my real big shoutout is to the Animal Control worker Jevaun that works on the resort. On our second last day we found 3 abandoned kittens right in front of our block. The mother had left them inside a bush, which was up high by the statue. The kittens kept falling off the ledge and hurting themselves, we carefully put them in a box in a safe place and awaited the mothers return, after over 24 hours with no site of mom cat, we decided to try to feed these babies as they're supposed to eat every few hours (They were only MAX 3 weeks old, just learning to walk, still suckleing instead of licking) After a few hours of sitting with these babies in the grass, and a few times of him walking past us wondering what we were doing, Jevaun approached us and assessed the situation. He took it into his own hands to ensure these 3 babies got to a safe place and that they were taken care of. They went to JSPCA, then transferred to Orkin "Cat Sanctuary" in Montego Bay, where they were quickly adopted out into loving homes. Jevaun continued to follow up with me until these kittens left Orkin's facility to their new home. EVEN AFTER WE LEFT JAMAICA AND RETURNED HOME TO CANADA. Every time i got an update i could have cried, i don't know anybody who would have done this ( Just because there is so many wild cats out there, they usually just let them go on their own and learn, but these guys were very vulnerable and young) I thank god every day for this angel that he sent us to save these kittens, we were so worried when we left what was going to happen to them if we just left them to fend for themselves. I left Jamaica with PEACE OF MIND knowing they were cared for with love. BIG BIG BIG THANK YOU TO JAVAUN FOR EVERYTHING HE DID FOR THOSE BABIES!!!!!!
If you ever find an animal in need of help on the resort please go to the lobby and ask them to contact the animal control for the resort. Thanks in advance.
OVER ALL 4.5 / 5
I have no MAJOR complaints that would have totally ruined my trip, IT IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. If you let little things bother you, then your trip will get ruined. Just go with the flow, your in Jamaica. No problem mon! One love to you all, Enjoy your trips. and Do not let the negative reviews deter you from this beautiful resort. [Details]
First time in Jamaica
Food was good, the gourmet restaurant was amazing, the knife steakhouse was just ok. We always wee able to find lots to eat. Drinks are strong but good. Staff is stand-offish, I had one girl in the main buffet roll her eyes at me because I brought my plate back in from the pool area. but Jessica at the gourmet Don Pablo) was beyond exceptional. She made our vacation! The beach once we found it and the point beyond is awesome and is located by the kids water pool. It's not a beach for a nice big walk though. The main pool is ok but suggest using the middle section although it isn't easy to get out of, don't know why there's no stairs. The sections of the pools on the ends have pool bars which means a lot of people peeing in the pool. Why the shallow kids pool is connected to one of the ends I have yet to figure out. That end has to be closed because there was a diaper accident! They do allow locals and off-duty staff to come by bus using a day pass. The majority that day took over the place and started dancing raunchy by the pool bar…. It was like a porno with clothes on - too much with kiddos around. Another reason to have the kids pool NOT connected to pool bar. We would return but the price point is a bit high considering the rooms are outdated and the majority of staff are rude. [Details]
Beautiful Resort not so friendly staff!
Beautiful place for getaway
Good experience
Anniversary Trip
Jamaica 2024
Great food
Large resort and lots of walking . They do have golf carts to give you a ride if needed.
Beach was nice , but not the best i have visited. [Details]
1st Trip to Jamaica
The reason we return to Bahia Grand was due to our experience in Mexico and we where not disappointed. Wonderful facility with options for all family members starting for 6 month old to 60 years old.
The staff are very friendly and accommodating, always helping in need. Rooms are always clean, always something happening. Wonderful experience [Details]
Sweet
Good Experience
Great vacation
Great experience overall!
A Mixed Experience at a So-Called 5-Star Resort
One of the less impressive aspects of our stay was the inconvenience of obtaining beach towel passes. This necessitated a trek from the beach to the front desk, which was a bit of an inconvenience that left me less than impressed.
The rooms themselves were a bit dated, and notably, bathrobes and house slippers were no longer provided, which was a letdown. However, there were certainly highlights to our stay, including the resort's expansive grounds, which were meticulously maintained.
The beach was a standout feature, with an incredible beach entertainment staff, and I must give a special shout-out to Derrice for making our beach experience truly memorable. Additionally, the fire show at the beach party was a captivating spectacle that added a touch of magic to our evenings.
On the flip side, there were some aspects that left room for improvement. The entertainment offerings were lackluster, particularly the nightly events on the lobby terrace, which failed to meet expectations. The absence of nighttime shows, replaced by one or two-person acts or small bands, was a disappointment.
The food offerings left much to be desired. The cuisine was generally unappealing and at times, bland. Our experiences at the a-la-carte restaurants, including Picasso and Rodizio, were inconsistent, with both food quality and service varying from visit to visit.
While the well-maintained grounds, beautiful beach, and exceptional beach entertainment staff were definite highlights, the dated rooms, inconvenient beach towel pass system, and underwhelming entertainment and dining options left me with mixed feelings about the overall experience.
Will likely not return to this resort in the future [Details]
NOT a 5 star hotel. I DO NOT recommend
1. The second we received our room cards, they were NOT functionable. The lobby was about an eight minute walk to the room. This happened twice in one week.
2. Front desk staff are arrogant and rude
3. The hotel corridors smell like mould, the smell was so horrendous and bad.
4. There was cockroaches; I saw 3 of them during my 7 day stay.
5. I paid extra for an ocean view room and in DID NOT see the ocean whatsoever.
6. Very very hot. There is no functionable AC nor fans anywhere. I am talking about in the restaurants , elevators and in the halls and especially in the lobby. The AC in the room was alright. [Details]
Grand Bahia
Amazing
Bahia Grand Principe
Hotel has something for everyone
Lots to do for the kids. They have a nice Kids Club with fun staff. A huge water park and a gorgeous beach.
Entertainment was amazing, went out of their way to interact with my 4 year old every day. Definitely made our stay very special.
Beds were so comfortable and the rooms were spotless. I always wipe down remotes, light switches and surfaces and not one speck of dirt found. [Details]
Fantastic time
I would listen to moat of the bad reviews, People could always find something to complain about but that's just the people they are.
Go with an open mind and positive attitude, your on vacation in Jamaica, Enjoy it. [Details]
Great Vacation at Bahia Principe Grand Runaway Bay
The hotel is getting tired in areas so I hope the hotel rectifies this as it should not be allowed to get too run down ( carpets in halls, some rooms). Grounds are beautiful though.
Checking in had issues with forgetting to give us towel cards and WiFi access and safe instructions. Late check-out also should be offered for later day flights as we lost a day coming in.
Definitely would go back though. Just needs to fix little things to keep it 5 star. Love Jamaica ❤️ [Details]
Luxury and relaxation
Family christmas vacation
Great stay in Runaway bay
Food: buffet was plenty but luck-warm most of the time.
Ala Cartes: very tasty and well presented. The Brazilian was excellent.
The Japanese was also great. We did not do the show at Japanese this time as it was done before. Get the deep fried ice cream for dessert. You won't be disappointed . The knife and don Paublo also have amazing food, but we skipped them this trip.
Rooms: dated but clean. They have coffee machines, stocked fridge with sofa, water and beer. We had issues with tv and fridge but both were fixed within minutes of calling.
Beach: shallow calm water on the grand side. No need for water shoes. You can snorkel along the ropes and see fish. There is also a kids water park that looks very entertaining.
Staff: the reason we return!! Always friendly and willing to help with anything you need. Great people who work hard to keep the resort in running order
TIPS are accepted and much needed. Doesn't have to be much, but 1 or 2 dollars per meal in buffet and a few more at ala cartes are greatly appreciated by all. We also bring school supplies and toiletries to give to staff. These items can be costly in Jamaica. We have been 3 times to the bahia principe grande and will return again. The resort is big but getting around is easier than it looks. [Details]
Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica
Hotel overall impression
My Mistake
My bag arrived 4 hours later and was left at lost and found. I was then allowed to go to my room and soon realized my air conditioning did not work. Soon after I was visited by roaches (I have pictures as proof ). Used the restroom the toilet wouldn't stop running. My husband left his cigarettes on the balcony table and woke up to them ruined due to a leaking roof ( pictures as proof ). I tried calling front desk there was no answer, so I spoke with a supervisor who said they'd inform guest services who would connect with us. However, no one called or showed up.
Then there is the currency discrimination. The wonderful Canadian dollar is not accepted on site and treated as if it has NO VALUE and compared to the US currency.
One guest suggested moving to the Luxury side of the hotel but after a ruined first impression I was unwilling to pay for an upgrade as I was already angry and unimpressed with the service.
After many all-inclusive vacations this was the most DISAPPOINTING holiday ever. I was in the middle of school and work and did not need this kind of unnecessary stress but it was truly a waste of time and money. Service staff are on top of guest care, managerial staff have their noses in the sky unless you look and sound like a tourist.
Just a friendly warning to potential guests..there are many fabulous all-inclusive hotels in Jamaica. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM!! [Details]
Great Time
Relaxing vacation, big resort, almost Covid safe*
My only real complaint, (with knowledge that this was a new procedure) was the info, set up and process of paying for, booking your time and the actual testing for Covid required for our reentry to Canada. There was a lot of miscommunication or lack there of, unorganization and confusion. *All 3 areas for these systems were located in the same area at the bottom of a stairwell that was busy as it was also one of the main pathways to the buffet. Everyone was jammed in this area all around 9 am. No social distancing possible as it was quite a small area for all stations. Some basic signage to help those in need of the services would have saved a lot of confusion and wasted time and closeness in my opinion.
STEP 1) "paying station" is in *** area... please bring with you....ie passport and when to come (not the 2nd day of your stay)
STEP 2) booking station is in *** area, please bring with you ie receipt of payment/ passport and when to come(not the second day of your stay)
STEP 3) testing area.. what to bring, when to come etc.
Results should be available in a timely fashion. We were told results would be emailed at 8 pm the night before we were to go home (which is still late IMO). Finally received them after 11 pm in paper form after the security guard had to fetch them.
This info would help ease some of the questions and pressure on the folks working in this area as well. [Details]