Beaches Boscobel Reviews

After reading various report on here we where a bit aprehensive,but need not have worried as the holiday was excellent,staff very friendly and couldnt be more helpful in anything that was needed.
would definately recomend going there again,We went for a christmas break that took in christmas day and new years day, One hel of a party on new years eve even though it decided to rain but who cares it's warm and any way the pool is there just to keep you dry. The only thing that spoiled it were the stars and stripes brigade!why have 1 towel each when you can take 6! and why have 1 sunbed each when you can have 3 and not use one of them!!!!!!,
one other problem coming home,got to the airport to fly out to be told all cases where overwieght,funny bought only 4 t shirts but all cases where overwieght by 13 lbs, we where not the only ones ";had"; like this,

All in all fantastic holiday would definatly go there again

Having read the reviews on this web site, we were very anxious about our forthcoming holiday to Beaches Boscobel. Having being reassured by Sandals and our travel agent, we have just returned after having a delightful time. We have tried to summarise our findings for the benefit of other families who are considering this hotel.

ACCOMMODATION/FACILITIES - The resort is a large complex made up of various room types, two separate swimming pools (one free form, one childs pool with two water slides), 5 restaurants. The main activity area, aside from the beach activities, was located either in the main pool or very close by where the stage was.

We had a junior luxury suite in the East wing on the ground floor with our own patio overlooking the gardens, which were extremely well kept and beautiful to admire.

There was never a shortage of sunbeds or towels (although sometimes the fresh towels were not available until around 10am), so if you wanted to guarantee your spot by the pool/beach, take you towel from the previous day to reserve your spot.

SERVICE/STAFF - The service provided by the staff was sometimes slow but absolutely first class (who wants to be hurried whilst on holiday in Jamaica anyway?)- friendly, professional, attentive and extremely well covered in all areas (tour desk, guest services, restaurants, bars, fun pals). We must give a special mention to Milton who made the best cocktails at the swim up pool bar and had a laugh that was contagious. Also the lifeguard 'Big Mike', who was a real friend to the children (and adults alike) and kept us informed of the football results at home on a regular basis. Jessica was the BEST waitress and Rolston the best barman in the evening (even if he did only give half measures sometimes)!!!!!

RESTAURANTS - During the day, you had the choice of three restaurants - BBQ Park and Arizona were waitress service and the main restaurant (Bay Side) served buffet. Please do not be put off by the word buffet - the choice and selection of food was amazing - we just preferred to be waited on! In the evening, you had the choice of four restaurants - Eleanor's was adults only which we heard was very fine dining. Regrettably we didn't get the opportunity to visit this ourselves. However the Arizona and Venetian (serving Italian cuisine) served excellent food. And also the buffet was open too. Our favorite night for the buffet at the Bay Side restaurant was the 'Seafood Night' - absolutely fabulous.

ACTIVITIES/ENTERTAINMENT - the list is endless but to name a few, in addition to the air conditioned fitness centre, during the day you could play volley ball, join in aquafit aerobics, fitness walking, tennis, basket ball, table tennis, pool, go on the banana boat, kiack, hobby cat, trampoline in the sea, play midday madness, fun and games, arts and crafts, glass bottom boat rides, scuba diving, snorkeling, golf (off site), charades. Additionally, there was an entertainment centre where you could borrow no end of board games.. Next to the entertainment centre, was the X-Box Games Room - a huge hit for the children and a welcome break from the sunshine - the room was air conditioned and well supervised - as were all the activities.

The activities were posted daily in the restaurant where breakfast was served. Everyone was encouraged to join in the daily activities although you were left well alone if you didn't want to join in. Besides, there were so many different areas to sun-bathe you could get away from it all if you chose to.

The evening entertainment was fairly good - some nights better than others but included reggae dancing, magician, dance troop, talent show, bingo, trivia, dancing to the resident band who were really good. All the while the 'fun pals' encouraged all the family to join in. But again, you were not forced to participate in anything if you didn't want to. The evening entertainment wrapped up by 10pm, but if you wanted to you could take the children to the disco until 11pm, but to be honest, it was nice to sit and relax in the open air bar with the friends we made before retiring.

BEACH - Very small and in our opinion, overcrowded with sun beds. There was lots of seaweed and not the turquoise waters you would expect. We spent little time on the beach and only visited it when we joined in the beach activities. Appletons Bar on the beach is a nice spot though.

EXCURSIONS - To avoid disappointment be sure to book these as soon as you have made your choice. We highly recommend the visit and climb of the Dunns River Falls - DO NOT take your camera unless it is an underwater camera because believe me - you will get wet. There are local's who video the experience and you have the opportunity to purchase afterwards along with one photograph.

We also went Swimming with the Dolphins. Although this was a fabulous experience, we did not think it was value for money. To save money - book direct and make your own arrangements for transportation.

TRANSFER - the journey to and from the hotel was in excess of 2 hours, but bearable as the buses were air conditioned and it was an opportunity to take in some of the other sights of Jamaica.

AIRPORT - Good amenities at Montego Bay and Kingston but be patient as ALL luggage for UK passengers is checked before departure. The alcohol and gifts are MUCH cheaper at the airport than at the hotel giftshop.

We had a great time @ Beaches Boscobel

Accommodation- Our 5* deluxe room was damp,had mould around the bath,door handles fell off, the TV did not work and out of 14 days we only had maybe 2 days with hot water.

Resort- Generally the resort was tired and run down.

Food- Advertised as having 5 restaurants,however one was actually a snack bar by the pool and on any night you would only have the choice of 2 or 3 restaurants which were adequate at best.

Daytime Entertainment- watersports i.e Snorkelling, scuba, Kayaks, Cats, Water trampoline on the beach OK.Poolside entertainment was pool volleyball, which consisted of a guy putting a net across the pool and throwing a ball in the water.If there was bad weather, the back up entertainment was board games in the main dining area and the games were in the same condition as the hotel.The Xbox room was always busy, as out of 20 games only 10 would be working.The teen centre was closed for refurbishment for the 2 weeks we stayed.

Night time entertainment- This started at 7 and finished at 9.30. Which was the same time as the restuarants were open. Most of the guests were in bed by 10.

Golf- The free golf was expensive, as a caddy was mandatory at $17 and tipping was customary at a minimum of $10.My 2 eldest sons (14 and 12) and I played on 3 occasions and each time payed for 3 caddies, but only given 2.

Bars- The bars were stocked with international brands but these would run out early in the evening. The main bar always smelt of sick.

last winter we spent many evenings looking in holiday brochures and were very impressed by Beaches 5* all inclusive promise.As you have just read we were very let down by Virgin and Beaches and would recommend anyone to think twice about booking this resort, as we feel the £8600.00 we spent on this holiday was a total rip off.

This was the best accom any family could opt for , whilst in Jamaica. The food has a good selection for everyone , adults , kids , vegetarian etc. The buffet restaurant we found was the best , but the italian restaurant has a good menu , also the jamasian restaurant but that i must admitt was very limited but good for a change. There are plenty to do for kids , they have the choice of games room , large swimming pool , tennis courts , zoo , waterslides , etc , what more could children ask for?.

Adults have plenty to do and with every caribbean island people visit you hardley move from the swim up bar . With drinks avail from 11am or abouts what more could you ask for. They aint shy with portions either , if you ask for a glass of champagne you'd more than likely be given the bottle?. This is a fantasic resort.