We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.

The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa: Traveller Reviews

4.0 of 5
Mammee Bay | PO Box 858, Ocho Rios 00000, Jamaica
Hotel amenities
The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
Ranked #4 of 37 hotels in Ocho Rios
4.5 of 5 stars 1308 Reviews
Show the lowest price for this hotel*
Show Prices
*from our partners
Write a Review

1,308 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Very good(170)
  • Jerk chicken(165)
  • Entertainment staff(164)
  • Great time(142)
  • Piano Bar(118)
  • Room service(79)
  • Ocean views(27)
  • Hot tub(27)
  • Japanese restaurant(16)
  • Jade Samurai(15)
Traveller rating
    898
    287
    91
    24
    8
Only show reviews for Family (67) | Couples (1032) | Business (18)
Date Rating
Cambridge
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Good resort..”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

Overall we enjoyed our stay at the Jewel because of the small size, layout, and atmosphere of the resort. Its really relaxing if that’s what you want and fun too if you want to participate in the sports and activities. Some staff members were great, friendly and helpful, like the waitstaff at the Coral Cafe, the bartenders everywhere and the cooks at the Beach Grill. Use the water sports equipment. We sailed with Vidal and he took a bunch of great photos of us. For these reasons we would recommend the Jewel to others. Book an ocean view though. We booked the mountain view figuring we wouldn’t be spending much time in our room so it wouldn’t matter. But we weren’t expecting the next hotel to be at an angle and proximity where those guests could easily look into our room.
We would advise that you go with expectations of mediocre food. Specifically don't bother going to Moonstone (too salty, meats/fish were dry and over-cooked). Jade was fine and good to do at the start of your visit because it’s a great way to interact with other guests. The private candlelit dinner on the beach was lovely. Its an added cost but worth it. One thing I'd like to point out to future guests is that on one night some restaurants were closed because there’s a beach bbq party. It was on a Tuesday during our week there that Platinum was closed, don’t know if that’s always the night. Had we been told that when we checked in on Sunday it wouldn’t have been an issue because we would have gone to Platinum on Monday instead of Moonstone. But the only notification we received wasn’t until Tuesday morning when we read that day’s newsletter. We had already made plans for a private candlelit dinner on Wed, Jade on Thurs, and Fri is the resort’s dinner on the pier which we attended with guests we met during the week. We were really disappointed and felt cheated out of what may have been the only good meal at the resort.
A real negative experience for us at the resort was the front desk staff. When checking out, all we were asked was for our room key; no smiles, no inquiry as to our stay, no hope to see you again. During our stay we called the desk twice for assistance but those went undone. Because we had read Tripadvisor before arriving at the Jewel we know that the manager always asks that guests mention their concerns when they occur not after leaving the resort. So we visited the desk about those issues but the response was an insincere sorry. The impression that we get from the desk is that they don't care.
Fortunately there’s not much interaction with the front desk so again, overall we’d recommend the Jewel. It’s a nice intimate place so you see the same faces and meet a lot of great people.

Room Tip: Get a ocean view.
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Michael H about The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Scott Robbins, Manager at The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa, responded to this review
13 February 2012
Dear Guest,
thank you for staying at the Jewel for your vacation as well as your feedback that I will share with my team. I am sorry to learn that you felt that I was inaccessible from my team at the front desk as I do get messages everyday from them even though they know that they are empowered to try and help our guests along with my several other managers that their responsibilities is to take care of the guests needs. My office is also right next to the front desk if someone really needed me and did not see me walking around.
I am sorry that you did not see the opening hours and days on the menu boards in front of every restaurant to help you decide which day you can go there based on what days they open.
If I had known you were so upset we could have had you order from the platinum menu and just served it in Moonstone for you that night.
thanks again for staying with us and do hope you return and see the improvements.
regards
Scott Robbins
Hotel Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
1 review
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“A great hotel and a great vacation”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2012
4
people found this review helpful

This was our first holiday in Jamaica, and the first time at an adult only all inclusive hotel - and I must we are converts - the Jewel and its staff were tremendous.
First the room in the Diamond building was excellent, a great bathroom, and a suberb view of the beach.
All of the staff seemed eager to please and go that extra step to help and to make the holiday memorable, from the friendly bar staff to the gardener whose tour of the grounds was full of prode and enthusiasm for his job,
But the Entertainment staff especially were incredible, from early morning to late at night the worked at creating a great feel in the hotel and sharing the Jamaican vibe.
We tried some of the tours, Dunns River Falls were actually great fun but tougher than I had expected. The Firefly and Plantation tour were fascinating.
Lastly the hotel food was great especially the Italian - eating outside on the pier or on the terrace had a winning ambiance - and the Platinum restauarnt food was great but, the Aircon was just too strong to make the evening comfortable.
So overall a truely memorable holiday - cant wait for the next time .

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask John M about The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Scott Robbins, Manager at The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa, responded to this review
12 February 2012
Dear Guest ,
thank you so much for staying with us and being a convert to Jamaica. I am happy to hear that you had enjoyed yourself at The Jewel. thank you for the feedback in the restaurant, I will pass it on the the Manager in there as sometimes since he is wearing a jacket and the staff is running around they do not realize how cold the A/C can get.
Thanks again
regards
Scott Robbins
Hotel Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
milwaukee
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Great vacation”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

First time in Jamaica. All our previous winter trips were to Mexico. After being in Jamaica, we may never go back to Mexico. We arrived at the Jewel on Jan. 22, 2012 and were greeted by warm weather and a very friendly staff. We stayed in the Sapphire building - 5th floor/ocean view, which provided a great view of the grounds and ocean. Housekeeping staff was excellent, always had enough towels etc. Highlights of our trip included: Ocho Rios Highlite Tour - perfect way to spend half a day shopping, visiting the Shaw Gardens, and climbing the Dunns River Falls (start at the beach and do the full 900'); steel drums on Sunday night (a must see); sailboat ride (ask for Vidal) to the beach where parts of the James Bond movie Dr. No was filmed; nature walk on the grounds with Leabert; and the expert bartending of Cornell at the Tree Bar. Overall great food and service, especially Marcia at the Platinum Restaurant and Mark at the Aquamarina. The pizzas and jerk chicken wraps were perfect midday snacks. We would highly recommend this resort and plan on returning in the future.

Room Tip: Sapphire rooms ocean view above 3rd floor
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask daasch about The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Scott Robbins, Manager at The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa, responded to this review
12 February 2012
Dear Guest,
thank you so much for your review and staying with us. It was our pleasure taking care of you and we look forward to your return.
regards
Scott Robbins
Hotel Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Ottawa, Canada
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
122 helpful votes 122 helpful votes
“Fun resort, enthusiastic staff”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2012
2
people found this review helpful

My husband and I went during the first week of January 2012 and had a great time. It was his first all-inclusive experience and my second and we both enjoyed the resort facilities and the kindness of the staff that worked there.

Rooms are decently sized but something to keep in mind is that the only window in the garden view room faces directly across from windows of other rooms and onto the walkway, so you will have no privacy if you keep your blinds open. People walking by will have a perfect view of you sleeping/changing if you leave your curtains open.

For the rest of the resort, our favourite thing was probably the somewhat hidden hot tub near the spa facilities as it's never busy. The food was consistently great - we loved the Japanese restaurant (book early!) and thought the dinner on the pier was a beautiful experience and a great way to meet other hotel guests. We were fortunate to spend New Year's eve at the resort and they threw a terrific party with a wonderful buffet feast and live music and dancing by the pool. It was really well organized and a lot of fun. Throughout the week, the staff were always attentive, eager to make a good impression and ensure you were enjoying yourself without being pushy.

As for tours, we visited the Dunn"s River Falls and did the biking tour down Blue Mountain. Both were good and I'd recommend either although the latter is on the pricey side.

Overall, a relaxing and fun holiday. I'm not sure all-inclusive is something we'd want to do as our regular holiday (we prefer to be more on the move) but I'm very glad we came to The Jewel for this experience!

Room Tip: Upgrade to Ocean View so you have privacy.
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask kkyh about The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Scott Robbins, Manager at The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa, responded to this review
12 February 2012
Dear Guest,
thank you for staying with us at the Jewel as well as your feedback. We look forward to your return.
Regards
Scott Robbins
Hotel Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
brantford
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Pizza anyone”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Let me start by saying we visited the jewel for 10 nights in January/Feb., this was our 4th trip to Jamaica and they have all been Fantastic. The Jewel did not let us down, they left us wanting more.

It's been said many times the Pizza is great and this is very true, it has also recently been said the service is very slow. So what, if your local pizza store was busy while I was in Jamaica you waited just as long as I did, but I was waiting in 85% sunshine. Where I was asked over and over again is "everything OK Mon" (including Scott Robbins, who looked at me and said do you have a problem, he stopped turned back and again asked is everything good".

It rained one morning when we were there and it was windy, 85% wind!

Did I get a room upgrade, don't know, don't care I went to eat,drink and be merry!!

"Once you go,you know"

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask duke1brantford about The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Scott Robbins, Manager at The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa, responded to this review
12 February 2012
Dear guest,
Thank you for staying with us and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed yourselves. I don't think my exact verbiage was "do you have a problem". I have been known to say "are you talkin to me" but I do think it was more on the lines of "is everything OK". With that said I am glad that you stayed with us and look forward to your return.
regards,
Scott Robbins
Hotel Manager
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Travellers who viewed The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa also viewed

Jamaica Inn
5 of 5 stars 319 Reviews
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d148949?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
Couples Sans Souci
4.5 of 5 stars 1,431 Reviews
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d251578?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
Couples Tower Isle
4.5 of 5 stars 1,274 Reviews
Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d267240?&src=ShowUserReviewsHotels&fromServlet=ShowUserReviews&Action=QC_AlsoViewed
View all 37 hotels in Ocho Rios, ranked by popularity »

Been to The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Additional Information about The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa

Mammee Bay | PO Box 858, Ocho Rios 00000, Jamaica
Price range (per night):* 271 AUD - 594 AUD

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing
The Jewel Dunn's River Beach Resort & Spa
Show the lowest price for this hotel (from our partners)
Show Prices