However, there are differences between the different resorts even though it's the same chain. If you are thinking about taking a vacation anytime soon, consider one of these two places, but also consider the differences between them.
Maroma Beach, Mexico
Pros
The flight is only a couple hours
Voted best beach in the world several years in a row (huge, beautiful beach!)
Service was slightly better than Jamaica
Even though the restaurants are the same at all Secrets resorts, I felt this one had better options on their menu.
The entertainment staff was friendly and liked making sure everyone was having a good time.
One of the excursions (which we did) was to Chichen Itza, a Mayan pyramid that is one of the new seven wonders of the world!
Cons
Sometimes there is a language barrier. The servers in the restaurants and bars speak English, but the maids and some other hotel workers speak Spanish.
The property was very big, our room was in a separate building than the lobby and we felt like we were always walking far to get to dinner, the pools, etc.
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Pros
The official language of Jamaica is English.
The property was MUCH smaller - we did far less walking and could get to all the restaurants on the resort quickly and easily.
The excursion to Mayfield Falls (natural waterfalls and jacuzzis) was amazing!
The city of Montego Bay seemed safer for tourists than other places I have been.
The scenery was amazing - mountains, beaches, forests - I felt like we saw it all in this one location.
Cons
There wasn't much variety with the nightly shows - mostly singers or house bands. They need a magician, some comedy acts, just more variety. Also, the daily activities around the pool and beach didn't vary much either. They had the typical yoga, aqua aerobics, volleyball, blackjack, etc. but there wasn't as much to do as Maroma Beach
The beach was MUCH smaller and almost all of the chairs at the beach were in the shade - not ideal for catching some rays!
I felt the wait staff was not as friendly or personable as in Mexico or the Dominican Republic. They did their job but didn't seem to care about us personally - didn't ask where we were from, what we did for a living, etc.
Here are comparison pictures of the beaches in both Maroma Beach and Montego Bay. If you are a beach person I'd say definitely go to Mexico. If you are more of a pool person then Montego Bay would be great!
Maroma Beach, Mexico
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Was there a huge price difference between the 2 resorts? The first one does seem nicer but does that come at a higher price? Hopefully I can go to one of these places in person one day!
ReplyDeleteMaroma Beach was more expensive, but that could be because we added a Preferred Club package since it was our Honeymoon. It got us an ocean view room, a private lounge with a bartender, appetizers, free wifi, and some other perks. That trip cost us about $1800/person. Jamaica was cheaper and was $1200/person. We did not do the Preferred Club, we booked it only 3 weeks before we went, and we did what Apple calls a Square Deal which means you don't know what hotel you are staying at until you get to O'Hare that morning. BUT - you are guaranteed a hotel with a 6 golden apple rating (their highest ratings), so for us we knew we would get something nice so it wasn't a big deal. We ended up at the Secrets. The Jamaica Secrets was nice because EVERY room is an ocean view and you don't have to pay extra for that. Remember, an all inclusive includes roundtrip airfare, 7 nights in the hotel, ALL food and drinks, and transfers to and from the airport. You really can't beat it! (P.S. Who wrote that comment? I only see "Anonymous" and no name. Thanks for commenting!)
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