Keoni and Bonnie

Atlanta has been exceptionally cold and rainy this winter and Keoni always wants to go play in the sun.  We decided at the last minute to go to Montego Bay, Jamaica.  The decision all had to do with flight availability (standby because of my flight priveliges) and the cheapest hotel that wasn’t a dump.  Keoni worked tirelessly on Saturday while I impatiently waited for his decision.  Usually, I choose our mini vacation destination but I wanted him to just tell me where we were going.  We knew it was going to be an island in the Carribean so the packing was easy.

Keoni found a deal in at the Holiday Inn Susnspree Resort for $204.00 a night which is an all inclusive resort.  We were pleased to find the staff friendly and the room more than adequate.  We even had an ocean view!  It’s nothing real extravagant , the rooms are kind of dated but clean, and really, who spends that much time in the room?

Since it was all inclusive, we wanted to get started on the food and drinks!   There are several restaurants, bars and food stands so that you never go hungry or thirsty.  The main restaurant was run-of- the-mill buffet style and the other restaurant that we went to was Seabreeze, which was Carribean. They also have a couple of higher end restaurants that for some reason did not have availability. At Seabreeze you just ordered off the menu whatever you wanted so we ordered all the appetizers and a couple of entrees.  They serve an appetizer made out of a local fruit called ackee.  It was really good, kind of reminded me of guacomole except it was yellow.  Keoni wanted to try the oxtail stew and I had pork fajitas.  Very good!  I tried the oxtail and can’t say I’m a fan.  Too bony!  One of the stands had jerk chicken that was really good.  Another place had burgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches that came with french fries that Keoni thought were exceptional!  There were a few items on the buffet that were unusual.  Boiled bananas, for instance.  I did not try those but I saw people piling them on their plates so somebody liked them.  I did try a fruit that the server called a Jamaican apple that was very red on the outside, very white on the inside and was shaped like an avocado.  I also tried smoked marlin and won’t be ordering that again anytime soon!

Ok, let’s talk about the drinks.  The only beer they served was Red Stripe and after trying it, I decided to make Shandys (beer mixed with a little sprite) Refreshing!  The liquors, for the most part, were cheaper brands.  I did enjoy some pina coladas but kept thinking about all the calories!  Don’t even think about ordering wine unless you like cheap, tasteless wine.  I know it’s not a red wine kind of place but at night the weather was cool and it would have been nice to sit on the deck with a glass of heart healthy red wine.  I’m just saying!

Keoni woke up early and secured chairs and an umbrella (for me).  We stayed out on the relatively quiet beach all day and enjoyed the glorious sun and ocean breeze!

The hotel does have a decent gym with free weights and machines that looks onto the beach.  They also have water aerobics and yoga classes daily.  There is also constant entertainment on the stage near the main pool.  They also have an adults only pool where you can belly up to the bar!

What a fun and relaxing mini vacation!

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE PICS!  <– Click the link