Since June of 2010, we've been researching, studying, and looking forward to a 15-day trip to Egypt! With less than 3 weeks to our departure and that part of the world's situation quickly deteriorating, our tour company informed us they were cancelling our trip. Although we had mixed emotions, very much relieved with regards to our safety but yet disappointed that we would not be seeing the pyramids and tombs that we'd spent a great deal of time learning about. It was as if we'd studied for the test and found out that class had been cancelled!
So, with that behind us.....on to plan B! We had cleared our calendars and were ready to go somewhere.... somewhere WARM! So with one week's notice, we booked a trip to Jamaica, chosen because we had not been there before.
We did our research on Trip Advisor and decided to book 7 days at an all inclusive, small, resort in Ocho Rios. We give our star rating, based on the reviews. First, that it wasn't a good place for kids, because there were no activities (*****) Second, if you were looking for a drinking and partying all night long, this wasn't for you because the place basically shut down around 10 p.m. (*****) Third, the accomodations were dated, but clean (**). Fourth, the food was excellent (*****) So, you can see the 5 stars outweighed the 2 stars....this is why we chose it.
So, on Wednesday morning, we got up at 3 a.m. to drive to Huntsville to catch our 6:10 a.m. flight. We arrived in Montego Bay around 12:45 p.m. It was 4 p.m. by the time we arrived at the "resort". So far....so good. We checked in. The staff was exceptionally friendly. We settled into our room that stepped directly onto the beach. You could walk 25 steps out our door and be in the ocean. However, the patio and bar were also right there. It did appear to be a quiet, laid back kind of place. Little did we know that everyone must have been napping when we arrived. We had dinner around 7 p.m. and although the selection was small, it was quite good. A combination of Jamaican and American food. Around 9 p.m. the karaoke began. Bad, bad karaoke right outside our door!
We had been told also that the property was full and there were no other rooms they could move us to. The next day we asked the front desk to call Apple Vacations and they refused. We could not use the internet because the service was down the entire time we had been there. I had a minor panic attack. We're in a strange country, unable to communicate with anyone. Not being allowed to call for help. Were we being held hostage? OK, I said it was a panic attack!
Finally, we kept pressing the front desk and they got us connected with Garfield Gayle, Apple Vacations. He was very helpful and found us a vacancy at Bahia Gran Principe, Runaway Bay. We quickly packed up and left.
The only thing that the two resorts had in common was that they were both in Jamaica! Enough said.
We love the Bahia and would highly recommend it.
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