Keisha Shakespeare, Staff Reporter
Left: The poolside at the newly-refurbished Sunset Jamaica Grande hotel. Right: The staircase that separates the two main lobbies commands a wide view of the interior. - PHOTOS BY ROGER ROBINSON/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
IT TOOK nine months, but the all-inclusive Sunset Jamaica Grande is a true representative of its last name.
Standing tall in the town of Ocho Rios in St. Ann, the resort now celebrates the completion of a multimillion-dollar renovation. The massive grandeur of its open-air lobby welcomes guests. Once you arrive you are greeted by a friendly staff with a cool glass of pure Jamaican fruit juice.
The resort is surrounded by a beautiful white-sand beach, the longest in Ocho Rios and which fringes the resort, the island's largest with 730 guest rooms. Formerly known as Jamaica Grande Resort, the property was purchased by Sunset Resorts. This is a Jamaica-based company that operates and owns Sunset Beach and Spa in Montego Bay and Sunset at the Palms in Negril.
The resort boasts its new amenities, including a completely redesigned, open-air lobby with newly-inspired architectural features. This includes a sweeping grand staircase, infinity pool water feature, new bar and recreation area.
POOLS
Also added are three swimming pools, a plunge pool and a meandering water feature. Now there are a total of five swimming pools that offer fun for both adults and children. Two of the pools are designed so that guests and take a dip then relax at the swim-up bars. And for those who want to get a river experience then they can swim along the meandering river that links the pools along the pristine beachfront.
What used to be an open lot is now the new entertainment pavilion. Located on the north wing of the resort, it is complemented by a Lighthouse Pool Bar and Grill that serves up delicious Jamaican cuisine. Across from the entertainment pavilion is the new club, Mongoose. Designed for the younger children, it offers them loads of fun. A part of Club Mongoose's entertainment package for the children is the water jet area. Here children can cool off while playing in the Jamaican sunshine. Also added is a new club for teenagers, Jamstone Teen Club, that offers leisure time activities for older children. Beside Club Mongoose is the Café Jamalicious that serves classic Jamaican dishes.
For those who want to keep in shape and toned then there is the new air-conditioned Fitness Factory/Health Club. It is equipped with top-of-the-line equipment and an aerobic area. There is also the gracious Acqua Azul Spa, a fresh design, merging the water recreation areas and beachfront.
The resort is well known for its great restaurants that serve up a wide variety of exotic cuisines. Currently, the restaurants have been expanded and renovated to include: Grande Palm, the buffet style, open-air restaurant overlooking the fantasy pool's meandering river and waterfalls, or the sparkling Caribbean Sea; Ginger Lily that features Asian cuisine infused with Caribbean dishes; LaDiva Italian offering regional pasta dishes, sea food and more. There are eight bars so that guests can unwind and socialise over a few drinks.
The rooms received a soft refurbishment featuring private balconies, wood and rattan furniture and cool tile floors. All include either a king size or two double beds. The rooms come with a modern bathroom, cable television, telephone and other amenities that will make your stay more comfortable.
The resort also has several tours that visitors can part take in while they enjoy the beauty of the island.
Members of the media got the opportunity to explore the new hotel and observed that it is now even more ideal for family vacations than before.
