Couples Ocho Rios
by DabsThe hotel is about 5 miles from Ocho Rios and shopping, the resort offers a shopping trip or you can take a taxi ($30 US RT).
The Couples resorts are for heterosexual couples only, no one under 18 and no same sex couples. The age range was pretty wide, everyone from honeymooners to seniors. At this time of year it's mostly Americans and Canadians with a few Europeans, in the summer they said it was mostly British tourists.
For more pictures and description, see the travelogues.
Rooms-this is one of the first AIs in Jamaica and is really showing it's age. The rooms, although clean, were worn and not very flashy like some of the newer resorts. You can choose from a garden view or ocean view, there are 200 or so rooms. We were in the central building and it was quiet there at night.
Bathroom-didn't have a hot shower the entire trip although you could usually at least get a warm one. Toiletries included bathgel, shampoo, aloe and lotion but you had to ask to get them replenished.
Common areas-although clean, they seemed dated as well and not as showy as some of the newer resorts
Water sports-one of the pluses of the resorts were the water sports-scuba, kayaking, wind surfing, hobie cats, snorkeling trip and catamaran cruise were all included
Excursions-another for the plus column-Dunn's River Falls, horseback riding, Margaritaville and shopping into Ocho Rios all included
Daytime/Evening activities-like most resorts there is always something going on, talent shows, volleyball, newlywed games, craft demos, etc.
Food-the two reservation restaurants, French and Italian were good but not great although service was good at both. There was a buffet restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner, once again the food was good but not great. The final option was the beach grill for burgers, fries, etc.
Staff-another for the plus column-extremely friendly and helpful, check in was very smooth as was check out
Pool/hot tubs-OK but not spectacular like some of the other resorts in Jamaica. Only swim up bar was on the au naturel island. There were several hot tubs, 2 of them private in the garden but the water temperature was tepid at best.
Nude sunbathing-if you want to sunbathe in the buff, there is an island reachable by boat to do that at with a swimup bar and a tower that has a washroom
