Dreams Rose Hall

Despite we are not fond of large Al resorts, and did a extensive research (reviews weren’t amazing), we booked DRH because of their convenient location (15-minute drive from the airport and you can go full vacation mode) and its waterpark. It was a unique feature our teen daughter really looked forward to, as well as the Coffee Shop with free ice cream in the afternoon :) Hotel is very popular among locals and US families. A few were loud, as usual in these large family complexes, but nothing to complain. Restaurants: We dined at the buffet restaurant the 1st night and it was not to our taste so chose to eat a la carte the rest of our stay. We did the Rum Factory (local cuisine) restaurant on our 2nd and 4th night and it was pleasant. Nice atmosphere. Portions kind of small, though. On night 3, we tried the Seagrill (Italian), but didn’t like it as much. Couldn’t try the Oriental restaurant because it was closed our 4th night (the hotel info app said otherwise), reason why we gladly repeated the Rum Factory. Breakfast buffet was large with plenty of options. Always got asked if we had any allergies to be safe. Beach: we hanged everyday at the small beach closer to the waterpark. No “towel race” needed here. Even though beach was small, we always managed to get loungers under shade, AFTER having breakfast (before 9:00, towel hut opens at 7am). Beach was pretty, very clean with warm turquoise water, but not cristal clear like 7-mile beach in Negril. We were very glad, though, as we initially feared it would be filled with sargassum. And our Negril stay came after so we got the better beach on our last leg of the trip. Service at the beach and pool was great and attentive. Snacks were ok (Jamaican patties were my personal fave). Found drinks too sugary to our taste in general (with or without booze) but there were fruit infused iced water dispensers at every bar, very refreshing. There is another larger beach with cabanas past the pier but this beach was sadly dirty and full of sargassum. Even though they raked the sand with a machine in the morning the water was full of weed. A real pity. Room: we got a room on the 4th floor with partial sea view. It was big and comfy, furniture a little dated, but beds and linen were fine. Yummy plantain snacks and minifridge with drinks were refilled every day. A/C worked well but was old, I guess, as it was very rackety. We were able to sleep thru the night despite the noise, though. Water pressure in the shower was great. Bathroom fittings were old age but built to last. Sound proofing was excellent. Entertainment: we are not fond of it, as we prefer quiet and nature sounds, but weren’t really bothered by the music volume, noise of pool activities or night entertainment, which was usually brief. We knew in advance this wasn’t a fancy modern hotel and it would have the cons of a massive resort, so with that in mind, it did well according to our expectations with some better than expected things like no towel game, coffee shop, fun waterpark, pool and beach service. Hotel changed owners very recently so hadn’t really had time for any major renovations before our arrival. Hope they aim to bring it back to its best days. Read less

Dreams Rose Hall is not far from the airport but away from the busy area of Montego Bay. Feels very secluded and quiet compared to the Riu hotels close by. We had the ocean view suite with 2 bathrooms, a living area and a bedroom. Very spacious and clean. We particularly enjoyed the butler service - Alphanso helped us secure sun beds under the palm trees everyday, make reservations for restaurants, arrange golf times, and bring us little treats and wine everyday. We feel very pampered. The beach is private and clean. My son enjoys playing golf every day in cinnamon hill next to the hotel. He has a golf cart and a caddie - $75 junior rate and $20 tip for the Caddie. Amazing experience. The food is average like other Jamaican resorts. My husband did try to fish off the pier but was told by the manager he could not because it was marine protected area - which is not true as we checked the map. Other resorts in Jamaica did allow him to fish off the shore (away from the beach). Otherwise, it was a great experience overall. Read less

As my first all-inclusive resort, I was pleased with my experience. The beach was incredible with the stunning light blue water. I ate at a vast majority of the food places that were offered on the property, and I loved every single place, especially the jerk hut. I was with my friends from school on our spring break, so there were a couple of college students there. The club was dead unless they had karaoke, but overall, I had a wonderful time during my stay. I would also note that you should bring extra money to tip at the bars and restaurants. Lastly, don't order food service at night, although they had 24-hour service, the food took about 2 hours to come up. By the time we got the food, it was 2:30 am, and we were all about to fall asleep. Other than that, we were more than overjoyed with our stay! Read less

If you are looking for a relaxed family resort spend your money elsewhere. This place hold 2 firsts in our vacation history: 1, The first place we have ever wanted to return to. 2, The first place we have insisted we be moved from. It seems this place is now a conference / events venue. Catering for the biggest event at the time and your holiday will have to fit in around them. When we first arrived there was a big conference of churches from around the Caribbean this meant every meal was a collection of Caribbean dishes, ok I know we are in the Caribbean and I’m quite partial to a bit of curried goat, rice and peas and jerk something or other but after 2 days of cold versions of the above being served on the patio outside Fresh buffet our only option is the Sea side grill for Italian. Then to our great surprise the first meal in the buffet after the conference finished ………..Jamaican theme night at least it wasn’t served from stands on the patio so was relatively warm and we had an option of cold chicken nuggets and fries for the kids. This is when I noticed people sitting in the bar with bags of KFC (had a quick check and no Uber eats in Montego Bay). All of this we could deal with make the best of it and look forward to the resort settling down following the church conference ending………….How wrong we were. The next event rolls in well twerks in more like it’s the D11X party 4 days of pool parties beach parties taking over pools and bars & patios for DJs and dancing and the whole place turned into a Caribbean spring break ( 18 to 30’s if your from the uk) First day they set up on the Barking frog bar and terrace and hotel lobby when asked what was happening a staff supervisor told us it’s just a few hours and the hotel will be back to normal, complete lie we later found out by reading D11X poster in the lobby it’s four days of events, various organised pool parties & beach parties and open bars around the hotel. We were hounded off our Sun beds told that “you don’t wanna be here we have 200 people coming to this pool to party” So we had no choice but to move to the water park pool where everyone who wasn’t part of the pool party had to go. Only to be greeted by the hotel entertainment team set up playing loud music and overseeing beer chugging and strongman competitions a quick scan around the pool the only relativly quiet place was around the lazy river in the smoke of the jerk hut, there was no escape from the mayhem we ended up back in our room. We complained this time to a manager from the hotel only to be told it’s a conference hotel what did you expect. So we went back to our room packed up our stuff and started the process with our tour operator to transfer us out of there. Dinner that night would have been the ok if it wasn’t for the party mob fuelling up for their next big event as loud and shouty as ever. Next morning we spoke to another hotel manager who was understanding and informed us the hotel will release the money for our unused nights to our tour operator. A few hours later and we were out of there. I feel sorry for those families checking in at that time and seeing the parties going on. Add to this the place has seems to have a uncared for feel, with dirty pools, half eaten plates of food left out from day to day, deflated pool floats left in bushes for days. Spilt drinks left on tiles around the poolside, the steps up to the water slides were slimy and dirty. Never once saw someone hose the poolside off . The majority of staff are hard working and helpful but some are just not bothered. In summary spend your money elsewhere it seems the hotel would rather have the event / convention bookings anyway. We loved this hotel last time we visited and this experience has not only put us off this hotel it’s doubtful we will return to Jamaica again. Read less

I went with about 50 people as a family reunion. First I booked it as the Hilton Rose Hall at some point ownership changed. Check in was not great I was told that I booked a double queen Oceanview room which I knew I wouldn't be anything that I would book. I was then brought to the room with all my luggage. I looked up reservation once I was able to charge my phone and connect to the WIFI and I was supposed to be in a King Mountainview room. Well getting my room moved was not easy when I first checked in there were only about 10 people in the lobby and only about 20 minutes later there were about 80-90 people in a big mess. it took about 45 minutes for someone to help. Day two my room was flooded by the ac and had to get fixed. They said they couldn't change my room nor offer me anything after my clothes were soaked due to the hotel being full. They need better customer service and to not say no or that they can't do anything after you spend thousands at their hotel . If I could add video I would. The food was ok but your not able to take anything back to your room Read less