A horrible weekend! Beware if you have small children.
by A TripAdvisor Member
My parents, my husband and I, and our two small children ages 2, and 5 stayed there this past weekend. We had their Presidential Suite 3 beds, 2 baths. We choose their hotel specifically for the indoor pool and also a huge tube playhouse (similar to Mcdonalds tubes for children to play in) however much larger. We check in friday to our room to find the one bathroom had not been cleaned AT ALL-BIG YUK! Similar to the bathroom we had found little hints thru out the room that it had not been cleaned well if at all. My parents slept on a broken bed they had thought it was just the mattress, however my husband in the morning discovered it was broke. (did I forget to mention the blood on their blanket) We told the front desk of our many problems, they said it would all be addressed. So we chalked it off as bad luck. Sat. afternoon we went to enter the indoor pool area in hopes of having a good time. My 5 1/2 year old daughter could not go on the tubes (per me) because their were 15 year old boys pouncing thru it in their wet bathing suits, and spitting on the mats in the play area (Rules are one this is only for small children and two you have to be dry) These boys by going in wet were making it unsafe, in addition were blocking the slide hole with the landing mat which was suppose to protect the little ones when they fell out. No one was managing the area. We asked the front desk to handle- manager went in and the boys were asked to leave the tubes. Meanwhile we take our kids to the boards. We come back later in hopes of again having a good time in the indoor facility. My husband and 2year old go in the pool area. My 5 1/2 yr old daughter went in the tubes DRY. 5 min. later 6 older girls soaking wet came from the pool to the tubes and proceeded to have fun meanwhile my daughter comes shooting out of the slide and slams into the fencing (not meant to happen) due to the water causing her to slide so quickly (not meant to happen) she is now crying in pain of course. I asked a manager who walked in to the room at this point to do something about the kids going in wet. He told me that they didn't have towels out and that was the problem. Not the problem, one the girls were to big for the tubes -two they made it into a water slide instead of a tube/and climbing apparatice it was meant to serve as for the young kids. He then became annoyed at me (the only parent and child actually following THEIR rules) The manager yelled at everyone to get off the tubes in order to close making it obvious I was the one spoiling all their fun. As I was walking away with my crying 5 1/2 yr old I said to the mgr "you would want it safe if this was your little girl", his response, " What do you want me to do this is a water park lady". I then pointed to their indoor pool and waterslide and said," No, that is your waterpark", " per Jim the manager at the front desk the tube apparatice is for small children that are DRY"
I walked out with now my 2 small children crying as my husband came from out of the pool to leave with us. We went to the front desk and spoke with Jim the manager who earlier in the day confirmed that yes our children have to be dry to go into the tubes. The only thing Jim could do for us at the end of the day was to offer us breakfast at their restaurant, and cancel our two future bookings this summer without their 25% charge.
Which we did as we plan to never stay there again. My husband wanted an apoligie from the manager who yelled at me for no reason, when I was simply following their rules and protecting my child. We never received it, nor did I expect one. In fact to add insult to injury when we went back up to our room we looked into the window of the indoor facility on our floor only to find he reopened the tubes and those 6 girls were having their fun in wet bathing suits on the tubes. Meanwhile, our children sat and cried in the room as we tryed to explain all this to them.
This was the worst weekend we have ever had away, unfortunetely the one who suffered the most were our children who were the ones we wanted to treat to begin with.
Do not waste your money!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
We picked Montego Bay Hotel because on there website they advertised new indoor pool and waterpark. The prices were really high but we have 4 children so decided this would keep them happy and busy. When we got there it was a joke. After paying and getting our room in the suite which holds over 8 people and they give you 2 keys we were disgusted by the mess that was in the room. We walked down the ugly halls of bright yellow and waited 25 minutes to get up and down on an elevator than after 25 minutes still had to walk 4 flights of stairs to go and speak to the ass of a manager Jim who to me is like a underage college kid that cant even wipe his on ass yet! We then discovered that they falsely misadvertised there website by saying the indoor waterpark and pool was open when it clearly was not ready. Please save your self the stress and DO NOT STAY HERE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF BETTER HOTELS IN WILDWOOD THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE WORST OF THE WORST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's a BEACH hotel
by TripAdvisor Member VA Mom 2
My kids and I have stayed at hotels in the Outer Banks of NC (Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk and Nags Head), Rehoboth, Wildwood, and being from Calif. originally, several up and down the coast there. The Montego Bay is neither all bad nor all good as a beach hotel goes.
Being an "older lady" it shows it's age. The elevators are old and slow and wish there was a freight elevator specifically for hauling suitcases and for the disabled alone. But the stairs are convenient, healthier, and let you out directly to both the lobby and in the parking garage (with foot shower area for hosing off beach sand).
The hotel has painted itself a brilliant banana yellow - garish to some, but I don't stay at a hotel based on its color. And it made it easier to find when arriving or returning from a day trip. I assume it's part of the "Doo-Wop" revitalization project going on throughout the Wildwood area and with Caribbean music playing from the hotel loud speakers, sets the beach-y image.
It is located at the north end of the boardwalk, just before it runs out. Guarantees you can pick up the tram car just a short few steps away at its first stop before it gets too crowded. There's also a bicycle rental place 2 shops down for early morning bike rides up and down the board walk before it gets too crowded. This also means you're in a *quieter* part of the boardwalk at night when the crowd demographics change dramatically from the day/evening "family" crowd to the night teen/young adult/bar crowd (but even then, police presence is constant and crowds are well-managed and not too rowdy).
We only used the water park once, and using the free passes we were given. If we had stayed longer than the 4 days we were there, we may have been tempted to go back once (and paid). I agree that it's a bit much to expect guests to pay for the privilege, but lifeguard salaries have to be paid somehow, why not by the guests who actually USE the place rather than by all the hotel guests through an extra charge tacked onto the rooms? But really, I don't go to the beach to go to an indoor water park! I go to spend time on the beach! We've got better water parks at home if we're so inclined and so it's a nice little "extra" for inclement weather use. Yes it could be better patrolled but when I was there, there were signs that PARENTS are responsible for their children and with only one exception (quickly remedied by the management), they were. Being an *indoor* water park, the chlorine vapor in the room made the hour or two spent there just long enough before stinging eyes and tight lungs led us to the fresh air of the beach anyway.
The room was as-expected for an older hotel, *beach* hotel. Mildew is a constant problem at the beach, even in the best hotels. The rooms were decently clean, older furnishings, but acceptable. We had an older couch bed with sagging mattress (leading to some hysterical moments when my 17 year-old nephew up-ended himself between the couch and the open mattress!) but problem was solved when we dragged the mattress onto the floor, letting him sleep Japanese tatami-style. With the renovations being done in the hotel, I'll assume furniture will be eventually replaced. Our kitchen and bathrooms were clean and our service staff always was gracious enough to provide extra towels when requested. (These folks earn minimum wage I'm sure and work hard for that -- I've always found a generous per-day tip ensures wonderful service!). If I had wanted the sterile-ness of a 5-star hotel, I would've stayed at a 5-star hotel with enclosed corriders, windows that don't open, top-of-the-line bedding etc. Here I felt I could open the windows/sliding glass door wide and let the beach air blow in and not have to worry about the carpet getting a little sand on it. As with any efficiency hotel I've stayed at, there ARE stains on the carpet, couch etc.; people eat on them. I did not find the ones in our room excessive and all utensils and such were clean. My only complaint is that the thermostat for the a/c was in one room, the main vents in another. This led to a lively nightly battle with the hot 17 year-old cranking it up, the kids, aunt and I freezing in the back bedroom (and we thought we had hot flashes before!); only somewhat solved by keeping the bedroom door open. But we were in the older wing and I suspect the a/c was an add-on from older days with no a/c. We obtained extra blankets from our service staff and just snuggled away.
The hotel is also conveniently located to a supermarket only a short-drive away (once I found it) so stocking the kitchen with breakfast and snack goodies was convenient.
We went to Wildwood last year and we're looking forward to going again this July. I'll update my impressions if anything has changed. But I guess the biggest recommendation is to go looking to enjoy the beach and boardwalk and the community, not to have a fabulous room with the latest furnishings and amenities. If that's what you seek, this is not the hotel for you. If it's convenience, an almost-like-home laid-back atmosphere, and with it, a few minor inconveniences (like slow elevators) is what you want, this is the place. And attitude is everything! Pleasantness to the staff guarantees top-notch assistance in return.
Enjoy your stay. Maybe we'll see you there. We'll be the ones swaying to the Caribbean music!
Fun and Convenient
by A TripAdvisor Member
Prior to going to this hotel, I read all the reviews posted here, but opted to keep an open mind. I am glad I did! Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the hotel is in a great location - right on the boardwalk, beach access, playground very close. The indoor pool area does get warm and the pool and jacuzzi temperatures are moderate....what do you expect? I don't know about you, but I don't want to swim in bathtub temperature water, I would rather it be a little cooler and the children did not seem to mind. The mild temperature of the hot tub/jacuzzi allowed you stay in for a longer period of time. They all enjoyed the slide and play areas and contrary to what was posted in previous messages, the attendants DO try to keep wet children off the equipment.
The staff was friendly to us and accommodating...Yes, the downside was the elevator (or lack of a few more), but once you make the trek with your luggage, unless you are handicapped, you can take the stairs and get some exercise in the process. If you have children ages 7-15ish, I would recommend this location.
Incredible!!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Absolute best hotel i've stayed at in Wildwood. The location is IDEAL, the rooms are outstanding and the staff is great! Being right on the beach is awesome. You might think being right on the boardwalk it might get loud at night, but let me tell you it's extremely peaceful! This hotel is an ASSET to North Wildwood, I plan to return every summer!
Best Hotel Ever!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Montego Bay Motel in Wildwood, NJ was one of the best hotels that I've ever stayed in! When people say bad reviews... they are talking about Surf Song Motel which is older than Montego Bay but it is owned by the same family. If you stay at Montego Bay Motel, then you DO NOT have to pay for the kids waterpark! The view is great and since it is right on the boardwalk, there are many things around you which makes it very convenient! I enjoyed staying there very very much and I would definately reccommend it to anyone of any age visiting Wildwood!
Filthy and Out Dated
by TripAdvisor Member TrumpetofDestiny
Upon arriving at Montego Bay RESORT (a term to be used loosely), we were disappointed to find out that a group of 7 girls who requested joining rooms were given one room on the 4th floor and one room on the 6th floor. It would have been nice to at least have 2 rooms on the SAME floor, considering the RESERVATIONS were made in Febuary of 2005. Furthermore, the cleanliness of the rooms were sub par. It appearred as if a group of fraternity brother had just rushed a few pledges in our rooms before we showed up. Additionally, the pool water was so cloudy that you could not see the bottom. However, for those of you who are into health and excercising this would be a good place for you to stay, because in order for you to get in or out of the hotel in a timely fashion you will need to take the stairs considering the elevators are beyond slow. Needless to say I'd rather spend a humid evening on the beach than spend another evening at Montego Bay (left out RESORT this time).
Dissapointed with Montego
by A TripAdvisor Member
The room we had was dirty. I should have requested another room but I didnt.The seal was broken on the slider window which made it hard to see out. The maid never cleaned the room she just put in towels.The elevtor wait was terrible and the hallways dirty. The only bright spots were the water park and the restaurant. we will never come back again. way overpriced for this motel.
Do not stay here!
by TripAdvisor Member alynn
We stayed at the Montego Bay from 6/20 to 6/24. I went with my husband and two children and in -laws. Let me begin by saying this hotel is entirely overpriced. Both of our rooms were filthy. I mean filthy not a little dirty. I had to tell the maid to clean behind our toilets and bathroom door becasue of all the hair and dirt. It was disgusting. My kids liked the waterpark, but that was about it. We had an oceanfront room and that may be the older side of the hotel, but for the money they charge they need a complete renovation. We spent approx 800 on those 4 nights and we felt totally ripped off. My father in law is handicapped and those rooms are a joke. You have to go through the bedroom to get to the rest of the room and they did not even have handles in the bathroom for him to hold onto by the toilet. He had to get help to even go to the bathroom because of that...how pathetic. I know you should not expect a palace anywhere in Wildwood, but please do not waste your money on this dirty hotel. The Sans Souci (another hotel in N. Wildwood) may not have a waterpark or restaraunt, but that hotel is immaculate and so is their pool. The Montego Bay was very disappointing and we will never return.
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