Club Ambiance, Runaway Bay, Jamaica July 27, 2010

A hidden treasure in the Caribbean. If you are interested in an adults only, laid back resort where the staff actually talks to you and interacts with you on a personal basis, that is unique to resorts, this is the place. We have traveled a lot and never met a more warm and friendly staff. Activities are varied and fun and change daily. There is different entertainment each evening. Guests are invited to participate in all the entertainment and activities…you will laugh a lot and have a lot of fun in participating…. shame on you if you do not. The entertainment staff is terrific and if you don’t participate you will miss some of the warmth and fun of enjoying Jamaica as it really is.

The food is just fine. The selection varies each day with local cuisine, try the fish each day. Save room for the desserts, which are many. There is also upscale lobster for an additional charge above the all-inclusive dining. American food is also available at another of the patio restaurants. The bartenders are always ready to suggest a new mix and mix to your desires. Try some of the local drinks. There are three bars: one at the pool, one restaurant and one on the extended pier looking out over the water.

The resort is dated, but somehow that adds to its charm. The 96 rooms are cleaned daily. Each room has an ocean view, sometimes not a full view, but a view. You have easy access to the beach and main hotel. The AC and all room amenities work.

You have three beaches, one nude for those interested. The beaches have sand but you might want to bring water slippers as there are a few rocks. The beaches are clean and great for floating and relaxing but not deep. You can snorkel on the other side of the barrier beach rocks. The snorkeling in subpar but fun if you don’t do it often. There are dive and snorkel trips available nearby. There are always beach chairs and umbrellas open. Bring you lotions, bath products, etc. in those small containers for the flight. Items are expensive in the shop i.e cigarettes $12 per pack, 6 oz lotion $15.

There are several ways to book tours but they will cost an average of $50 to $90 per person. We went on the Zip Line and it was great. Many suggest you see the water fall. We also took a taxi instead of the $12 bus to Ocho Rios a tourist shopping district with a straw market, etc which we were told is more fun and closer then Montego Bay and then drove through the rain forest. Our driver, Fabian, and those on all the tours are very informative as to local history, etc. English is the language throughout the country.

We tipped as the services were provided and a little each day for the room maid as there are shift changes. The servers missed out on some tips from our group because you cannot get one dollar bills at the front desk or convenience shop.

We have been to 5 star Resorts and will not be going back. If large, elegant resorts with all the class, amenities, etc. are what you are looking for, Club Ambiance is not for you. The larger newer resorts were impersonal to us, the staff’s courteous but not friendly, and the guests generally not interested in fellowship plus it just takes a lot to simply get around, etc, and we did not like the lines and having dress codes……not laid back enough for us but that’s why we are all individuals in what we like. Nothing wrong either way one chooses to go in Jamaica.

To the many friends we met Annie/Jim, Christine/Dan, Pam/Mark, JJ/Lynn and David, thank you for adding to our best trip ever. To Maria and the entertainment staff, our cleaning lady for room 16, Fabian our taxi driver, Sean on the beach and the entire staff, thank you for being who you are and terrific people. We will be back.

Randy and Sherry
Chattanooga, TN

This resort has everything needed is rest and relaxation is on your itinerary. From the wonderful front desk personel to the staff at the bars, restaurant, entertainment staff everyone served it up with a smile, handshake and friendly Jamaican hospitality. The resort could use a little TLC but in my opinion it adds to the flavor and experience of being an established boutique style resort. I really enjoyed the fact that you could really unwind here.
The beaches are small and water shallow. I would of loved if anything deeper seas to allow for some swimming. The beaches however were always kept clean and raked over each morning. There is alot of pride taken in this resort by the staff and it clearly shows in all the guests that continue to return year after year.

This is our second trip to Club Ambiance, our fifth to Jamaica. If you like to stay in your room, watch flat screen TV with the A/C on, stay in the USA. Yes, the rooms are not plush, but they are clean and have everything we need to enjoy our stay. We have enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and really enjoyed those we became acquainted with on this trip. All the staff is friendly and always make you feel welcome. We love the fact that there are only 90 rooms, so there is never a huge crowd, with plenty of beach chairs and shade for when the heat becomes too much. We love CA just the way it is and hope it never changes. This is the most relaxing vacation ever! As a side note, we have a friend in Jamaica who picks us up and returns us to the airport, and takes us on tours as we want to go. We always feel very safe with him. Feel free to contact us for his phone number or any information you may need.

My husband, some friends, and I went to Club Ambiance for a week and had the best time. The staff was excellent, rooms were clean and food was great. I had one problem with my room and the adjustments were made immediately. They were eager to satisfy my concerns. I had never been to Jamaica before and Club Ambiance made it an experience I will never forget. We were not ready to go. Phillip, Mark, Maria, Captain, Omar, Junior, Barnwell and the rest of the staff were all wonderful. The hotel is not all that big and fancy but there is a lot of care, attention, great fun and big love there. Like visiting family. Jennifer, Harris, Brenda, and Ken, we highly recommend Club Ambiance for a wonderful vacation. ALABAMA TO JAMAICA