GO AHEAD, TAP THAT CLASS
GO AHEAD, TAP THAT CLASS
Nestled along the sun-kissed shores of Montego Bay, Jamaica, the St. James Resort stands as a beacon of luxury, relaxation, and Caribbean charm. This exquisite resort, renowned for its world-class amenities and breathtaking surroundings, offers an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking adventure and tranquility. Whether planning a romantic getaway or a solo retreat, St. James Resort promises to cater to your every need. Note: This is an adults-only resort.
COSTCO Travel: Booking a vacation through Costco Travel offers a seamless and rewarding experience, providing members with exclusive perks and significant savings. Costco Travel packages often include a range of complimentary benefits such as room upgrades, resort credits, daily breakfast, and access to premium amenities, ensuring a luxurious and memorable stay. Additionally, Costco’s partnerships with top-tier airlines and hotels guarantee competitive rates and exceptional service. Members can also enjoy added peace of mind with Costco’s renowned customer support and satisfaction guarantee, making it a trusted choice for planning a hassle-free and cost-effective vacation.
For this trip, our booking included round-trip transfers and a Costco gift card emailed shortly after your return from the vacation.
We shared more about booking through Costco Travel when we wrote about our trip to Secrets the Vine in Cancun, Mexico.
AIRPORT TRANSFER: The beauty of the Costco package is that it includes a round-trip transfer. Upon arrival at Montego Bay, you follow the signs for Costco Travel, where a friendly employee will check you in and direct you to the waiting vans. No stress, no fuss.
RESORT: I initially had no specific reason for choosing this resort, but I knew I wanted to minimize travel time from the airport. Montego Bay or Negril seemed like the best options. While this resort was slightly above my budget, the experience it offered was well worth the cost. I’m not usually one to revisit the same resort, but the setup and the overall experience here have convinced me that I’ll be back for more.
When booking (and often when checking in), ask about upgrading to the Preferred Club. If there is availability, it will often be cheaper than booking it online in advance. For this trip, I didn’t pay for it, however, when I shared that I was celebrating the completion of my doctorate, the front desk woman upgraded me for free. The Preferred Club gave me access to a room on a higher floor, the Preferred lounge, and the ability to access the Breathless Resort.
OCEAN VIEW ROOM: An ocean view room at the St. James Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, offers a serene and luxurious retreat with stunning vistas of the Caribbean Sea. These elegantly appointed rooms feature modern amenities, plush furnishings, and private balconies, providing a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. The soothing sound of waves and the picturesque seascape create an idyllic ambiance, making each stay a tranquil and memorable experience. Ideal for couples and solo travelers alike, an ocean-view room at St. James Resort ensures a delightful blend of comfort and natural beauty.
TIP: The room numbers are set up as follows: The first number is the building number, the second number is the floor number, and the last number is the room number.
The turndown service each evening was delightful. While we were at dinner, the staff would place a mat beside each side of the bed and a piece of chocolate on the pillow. Although this was a nice touch, we have experienced more exceptional turndown service at other resorts. It’s surprising how one can be particular about turndown service, but I suppose I am! There is a safe in the closet, though we didn’t use it. I usually prefer to secure my belongings in my self-locking suitcase if needed.
ADDITIONAL RESORT INFORMATION: This resort stands out because it comprises three distinct properties that share restaurants and evening activities. A convenient concrete path along the beach connects Secrets St. James and Secrets Wild Orchid, while Breathless Resort is linked to Secrets St. James via an elevated walkway.
Secrets St. James and Secrets Wild Orchid appear very similar, with little noticeable difference as you stroll along the path. Guests can enjoy drinks at any of the resorts, but access to Breathless Resort is restricted to Preferred Club members from Wild Orchid or St. James. Although we had access to Breathless and will share photos later, it didn’t impress us due to its lack of ocean views, making it an immediate no for us.
Secrets St. James is the “furthest” from the central resort area where all the restaurants are located. We enjoyed the brief walk, which took about 3 minutes before and after each meal.
We loved the layout of the resort campus. Despite its size, it never felt crowded or overwhelming. The variety of options and delightful evening entertainment added to the experience. There is also a late-night club available, although we never visited, preferring our sleep.
Bartenders, servers, and housekeeping staff easily accept US dollars as tips.
WATER ACTIVITIES
We loved all the water activities available for free at the resort. We participated in paddleboarding and snorkeling.
I have previously paddle-boarded in calm Minnesota lakes or Colorado reservoirs, but paddleboarding in the ocean is challenging – at least it was for me!
Paddleboarding is one of the many activities included for FREE at the resort. The other free water activities include:
♥ Guided snorkeling (directly at the resort)
♥ Windsurfing
♥ Kayaks
There are also water activities available for an additional fee. Those activities include Scuba diving, Catamaran, Water skiing, Parasailing, Wake/knee boarding, Tubing, Banana Boat Ride, Boat Tours, Deep Sea Fishing, Glass Bottom Boat.
Stop by Captain’s Watersports to sign up for any activity you want to participate in.
POOLS
Both resorts offer a variety of pool options. Our favorite was the main pool at St. James, which offered excellent service around the pool, a swim-up bar, and stunning ocean views.
Each pool has a detailed map showing the different depths, a thoughtful feature I had never seen before at a resort.
ENTERTAINMENT
The evening entertainment at Secrets St. James in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a vibrant and captivating experience. Guests can enjoy various nightly activities that cater to diverse tastes, including live music performances, cultural shows, and themed parties. The resort frequently hosts talented local musicians and dancers who bring the rich Jamaican culture to life, offering an authentic and immersive experience. Additionally, themed events and parties, such as beach bonfires and elegant cocktail nights, provide the perfect opportunity to socialize and unwind under the starlit Caribbean sky. With its lively and engaging evening entertainment, Secrets St. James ensures that every night is memorable and enjoyable for its guests.
There is often entertainment as you walk into the breakfast buffet each morning. It is a great way to start the morning! Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be all right.
BREATHLESS RESORT
To celebrate my doctoral graduation, we were given a preferred key, which gave us access to the preferred lounge and the Breathless Resort. Since most people don’t get access to the Breathless Resort, we thought we would share some pictures of it.
We were not impressed with the Breathless Resort because you couldn’t see the ocean from the resort! You could only barely see an ocean bay from the ground level. Granted, from the rooftop pool (which is extremely small) you could see more of the ocean at a distance.
LeAnn is a mentor and the ultimate BOUJEE glamour gal. When she left daily drudgery behind in favor of following her own personal path to joy, she made a promise to herself that she would help others do the same. All she’s ever wanted is to do is stay healthy, live her best life, and give back to others by introducing them to their inner BOUJEE.
