Girls’ Getaway: Luxury Vacation at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica

With winter fast approaching most people in the northern hemisphere are already fantasizing about white sand beaches, blue skies, and warm ocean waves.

I know I am.

Yet, I already managed to escape some of it with a five-day trip in November to beautiful, sunny Jamaica. Five days at a luxury five resort with three other fun and amazing women. We swam in the ocean, ordered cocktails in the pool, climbed waterfalls, were pampered at the spa, and ate delicious food. It was fun, easy, relaxing, and a perfect girls trip.

So if you are looking for somewhere warm and sunny to escape with your best girls over the winter months, here’s why you should pick the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall for a luxury girls’ getaway to tropical Jamaica.

Getting There

Montego Bay, Jamaica has its own airport only (Montego Bay Sangster International Airport) and it’s only a twenty-minute drive from the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall. Kick off your luxury girls trip right away and consider booking the Club Mobay pass which will allow you to skip through the arrivals line and enjoy a refreshing drink and snacks in the lounge while you wait for your airport transfer.

Airport transfers need to be booked separately, but we used Jamaica Tours Limited who were timely, friendly, and got us to and from our resort quickly and safely.

The Grand Experience

Iberostar is a popular resort chain with properties around the world. While they have different resorts for different budgets, the Grand line is all about luxury, sophistication, and elegance which is evident in everything from the restaurants, to the décor, and especially the service.

The Grand collection is adult only, and allows travellers access to all of the Iberostar properties at the destination. For example, as a guest at the Grand Rose Hall Jamaica, we were also able to visit the restaurants, enjoy the activities, and use the amenities of both the Beach and the Suites properties.

The Service

Without a doubt, the service at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica really makes this property a stand out. From the moment I arrived and the friendly doormen whisked by bags away, I was never left wanting. My room was beautifully refreshed every day; magically cleared of all the sand I seemed to bring in with me on a regular basis. My bed was turned down each night with a little chocolate. I even had a butler; a friendly staff member who would check in on me every evening to make sure I was ok and to give me the next day’s activities and weather.

Wherever I went I was greeted with a warm smile. I rarely had to wait for anything; from check-in, to dining, to the bar in the lounge, service was always speedy and friendly. Plus, there were dozens of little details, such as free sunscreen by the pools and at the beach and a welcome cocktail and moist towel on arrival. Often at hotels I overhead other guests complaining about the service and the wait times. I can honestly say I didn’t hear a single criticism about the service in the five days I spent at the resort from anyone.

However, while this type of service is the norm at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica, I absolutely felt like some of the staff went above and beyond for their guests, including me. Our group asked one day about coconuts, and one of the staff at the beach told us they would be in on Wednesday. Wednesday, when we came to the beach he remembered our request and went to get one for each of us.

Then, on our last day I got stung by a jellyfish on the beach. Being an avid diver, it wasn’t the first time this happened and I knew that the sting would go away in a few minutes. However, the  staff member quickly ran and got me vinegar, without my asking, knowing it would help alleviate the sting faster. A small act of kindness that really highlighted the top quality service that the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica is known for.

The Rooms

One of the great things about the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Jamaica is that each of the rooms is a suite and, aside from two exclusive presidential suits, they are all the same. The suites are spacious and comfortable, making it easy to share with your best friend (and all of your combined luggage!)

There is a massive bathroom with two sinks, a decadent jet tub, walk-in shower, and toilet. Toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, soap, a comb, bath salts, and toothbrush kit are included and replaced as needed.

The bedroom area is home to either one king bed or two cozy and inviting full beds. Fluffy white duvets and a number of pillows which you can select yourself from the nightly pillow menu.

There is also small living space with a desk and couch for relaxing, a fully stocked mini bar with water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and snacks. In room amenities included a safe, LCD TV, coffee machine, iPod player and more. My absolute favourite thing about the suite, however, is the beautiful walk-out balcony with a couch, a hanging basket chair, and sweeping views of either the ocean or the gardens. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea before starting your day, or for relaxing with a glass of wine in the evening.

The Spa

A spa session is a pretty important part for any girls’ getaway, but trust me when I say that the spa at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica is an absolute must.  While they have all the typical spa treatments, I have to recommend the Jamaican Ritual: a fully body scrub and wrap with Jamaican coffee and sugar. Then, a hot stone massage at the end. The treatment lasts two hours and, as someone who hasn’t had the best spa luck in the world, I can honestly say it’s heaven.

The oils used by the spa are all natural and made by a local Rasta woman who lives in the mountains. My skin felt so soft and looked so healthy after, I couldn’t stop touching it.

The spa also does makeup and beauty, and have actually been rated as the number one spa for beauty services in all of Jamaica- perfect if you have a special event or just want to get dolled up.

Finally, the spa also has a sauna and some relaxing pools with heated chairs where you can unwind and relax after your spa session.

*Tip: Ask for Mitzi as your massage therapist, she is fantastic! 

Shopping

If you are looking to pick up a little souvenir for yourself, or maybe something special to bring back to friends of family back home, the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica has a few shopping options for you.

The resort complex has a few of its own stores which carry everything from Jamaican coffee to funny t-shirts, souvenir mugs and shot glasses, or even jewelry. I picked up a pretty bracelet with a blue opal seashell charm as a memento for my visit at the on-site jewelry shop.

For those looking for more choices, there is also free shuttle to the Rose Hall Shopping centre. It leaves hourly throughout the day, just listen for the call in the lobby.

Excursions

While the sandy beaches and clear pools of the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall are certainly hard to leave, there are plenty of excursions nearby to take part in as well. Whether you are interested in history, nature, Bob Marley, golfing, or water sports, there’s something for everyone.

Watersports such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, or swimming in the Luminous Lagoon can be booked through Dressel Divers; a dive shop located on the Iberostar Property beach.

Other excursions around the island can be booked with the helpful staff at the resort. We opted for a trip to Dunn’s River Falls; an absolute must when visiting this area of Jamaica!

Dining

When it comes to all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, fine dining doesn’t normally come to mind, but at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica, cuisine is one of the top focuses.

The Grand has four sit-down restaurants; Italian, French, Surf and Turf, and Japanese. Of course, since you are staying at the Grand, you also have access to the restaurants at the other Iberostar properties, but from personal experience I can tell you that there is really no need to leave, the food at all of the above restaurants is divine.

However, if I had to pick a favourite I would say the Japanese ‘Kiniro’ was my top pick. Our chef cooked our meals in front of us and made it into a show. His enthusiasm and energy made the evening that much more enjoyable. That being said, the surf and turf came in close second as I love seafood and everything was fresh and delicious.

Of course there is the buffet which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and also serves delicious food. For lunch, guests can also dine at a beachfront restaurant which serves Jamaican-fare including delicious jerk chicken.

No matter where you choose to eat, the food at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica will not disappoint.

Nightlife

If you aren’t ready to call it a night after dinner, you have a few options on how to spend your time. The first is to attend one of the shows that the staff put on every night. From reggae music to Motown hits, there’s a different theme every night. The dancers and singers are entertaining and the sets are bright and fun. It’s a good way to spend a couple hours after dinner.

At 11pm the disco opens its doors, so if you feel like dancing that is definitely the place to go.

Or, if you just want a quiet evening with some drinks, the lobby bar is open 24/7 and they make a delicious rum punch or, for something less sweet, order a Grey Goose cosmo.

Our girls’ getaway to the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica was an amazing experience that combined both fun and adventure with relaxation and elegance. For any ladies looking for a luxury getaway, I highly recommend a stay here.

**Disclaimer: I was a guest of the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall Jamaica however, as always, all opinions are my own.