Jewel Runaway Bay All-Inclusive Resort, Jamaica: Accommodation Spotlight

Jewel Runaway Bay – A Jewel of a Resort

For the third year in a row, this past March Break, our family visited Jewel Runaway Bay All-Inclusive Resort. We cannot say enough about this wonderful resort on Jamaica’s north coast. Fantastic staff, great activities for kids, wonderful restaurants and a beautiful beach…. who could ask for more?!

As you all know, we’re a family of five. And our oldest is 6ft 2in tall and growing. Finding a place for a family of five is not always easy. It takes loads of research when we visit a new location. I had been eyeing this resort for a few years before our first visit including regularly reading reviews on TripAdvisor. It seemed perfect. Something must have been wrong with it. Well, it was perfect!

When booking our first visit, we looked into a package deal but at the time, none of the sellers in Canada had rooms available for five. As it turns out, there was a room for five but it wasn’t available to them (I believe this room is now available to Canadian charters such as Sunwing and Air Canada Vacations now).

We decided to fly on points and book directly with the hotel. The catch – the room that could accommodate a family of five was a butler suite. We had never had a butler before. A whole new anxiety hit as to “what on earth will we do with a butler!?!’. Despite that, I booked anyway. And we’ve returned year after year.

Arrival

Jewel Runaway Bay is located approximately 75 minutes from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The resort provides transportation from the airport by tour bus.

Once you’ve passed through immigration and customs, visit the desk for JTL Tours in the lobby and they’ll guide you towards the air-conditioned bus. We’ve never had to wait long for departure as the bus is not on a schedule. Rather, it departs when full. If you’d prefer to hire a private transfer, that is also an option.

Depending on arrival time, your room may or may not be ready. That said, the resort will hold your bags and you are permitted to explore the resort and even have lunch if you’d like.

For this reason, I always pack one carry on bag with swim suits, flip flops and cover up for each of us so we can get on island time immediately. Oh, and don’t forget the sunblock in that carry-on bag. Those rays can be harsh!

The Suite

As mentioned earlier, Jewel Runaway Bay was to be our first (and so far only) experience with a butler suite. I was hesitant but it was simply perfect.

Our suite was in the Turquoise building which is the newest building nearest the ocean.  The resort also has the Ruby building, Topaz building and Opal building.

The Turquoise building is an L shape.  The oceanfront butler suites can be found on each end of the L, one on each of three floors.

You can see the L shaped Turquoise Building behind Sydney. The wedding chapel is to the left.

A closer look at the Turquoise Building with the beautiful beach in front.

There is a small pool and hot tub in the center of the L.

Our suite was closest to the ocean and had a beautiful sea view.

Who wouldn’t love breakfast on the balcony with this view?

The suite had a large balcony with a plunge pool and the sweetest three butlers that anyone could ever ask for.

Our balcony our first two years. It was nice to have the shade because the kids burned badly one year.

Our balcony last year. I’m sure this is the best view at the resort!

Our living area was arranged with two single beds and a double bed (for our tall boy) so that each kiddo could have their own bed.

We had a king size poster bed in the master bedroom. How awesome!

I’ve since learned that we could have, in theory, book two premium rooms for the same price and request that we get adjoining rooms (not guaranteed) but we loved our suite so on future visits we didn’t inquire about it. It is definitely an option though if you’d rather have two bathrooms.

Along with the living area (with three single beds for us) and the master bedroom, there is a large bathroom with shower.

The suite also had a couch and comfortable chairs.

Excuse the mess 🙂 This wonderful couch became the landing pad for many things during our stay. To the left is the mini fridge, alcohol dispenser and coffee maker.

The air conditioning worked very well but beware, the wifi is spotty throughout the resort. We had great reception on the balcony as the wifi booster was on the corner of our building but as these buildings were built to withstand hurricanes, the construction does interfere with wifi in the rooms.

The Food

Sydney has food allergies so eating buffet style is always a concern. On our first visit, we mentioned it to Miguel, one of our awesome butlers, and he introduced us to Frederick, the head chef. Frederick made sure to meet us at each restaurant and make sure that Sydney was safe. On our last night, when he learned that she hadn’t been eating dessert, he made an entire plate of different desserts for her alone.

Sydney’s wonderful dish of desserts!

Each visit since, we’ve either spoken with Frederick or the chef on duty. Everyone we’ve spoken with is allergy aware and all had the utmost patience with my questions and concerns.

Aside from the buffet, Jewel Runway Bay has Moonstone Restaurant (Aquamarine Grill during the day), Jade Samurai (Teppanyaki-type restaurant), Asian Dragon (sushi restaurant), Platinum Restaurant (a more upscale dining experience but still relatively casual) and Court Jester (pizza restaurant). Plenty of choices for everyone!

In addition, each Thursday is dining under the starts where a three-course meal is provided around the pool and each Monday is Jamaica night where a Jamaican buffet is set up on the beach. In all three of our trips, we didn’t have a bad meal.

We’re so lucky to have had John’s brother and his family meet us at the resort on our first two visits! Here we are at Dining Under the Stars.

Organized Activities and Entertainment

The true test of a family resort is if it can keep three children, with all very different personalities, happy and content over a 10-day period. Jewel Runaway Bay did that and then some!

Lucas met friends that he reacquainted with year after year. He loved playing beach volleyball, water polo and laser tag at Ruby Red Ranch.

Caiden, our youngest, followed his big brother around and enjoyed meeting new friends and hanging out with the teens and tweens coordinators. He loved snorkeling, the fantastic water park, playing pool and having the freedom to explore.

Sydney thoroughly enjoyed playing sports, hanging out with RhiRhi and Tinkerbell (teen coordinators), doing arts and crafts with Clyde on the beach and taking catamaran rides with friends.

There is a daily activity schedule provided in each of the rooms. You can have a look at the weekly schedule in advance on their website. Children’s activities are divided by age but if a family wishes their children to stay together, all coordinators are accommodating.

Activities include tennis, basketball, mini putt golf, laser tag, archery, water polo, field hockey, tag, and oodles of others.

Kids playing field hockey

There is also tie dying t-shirts so don’t forget to bring a plain white t-shirt from home!

We did tie dye t-shirts for the whole family and left them to dry in the sun!

Mid-morning and mid-afternoon the teen and tween counsellors are running the activities and competitions for all ages on the pool deck and beach. Participation will earn you Jewel Bucks which you can trade in on departure for local crafts or coffee.

The set up for tweens is like nothing we’ve ever experienced. Jewel Runaway Bay is small enough that they can wander but you always know where they are. The teens and tweens counsellors made each and every day fun and different.

Purple, teen counsellor and entertainment coordinator, was amazing with all the kids!

All evening entertainment is fun and family friendly. The evening activities include local singers, an aerial/circus act, steel drums and a talent show for visiting kids and teens. Best of all, at 10pm, all the kids meet on the upper beach area for capture the flag.

Our kids can’t wait to return!

Non-Organized Activities at Jewel Runaway Bay

While the activity coordinators and entertainment staff at the Jewel are exceptional, there are many (including myself) that prefer to watch all those activities rather than being an active participant. So what else is there to do, you may ask.

There are so many unorganized things to do at Jewel Runaway Bay that I thought it would be best to simply do a list!

12 Fun Things to Do at Jewel Runaway Bay

1. Snorkeling

Jewel Runaway Bay is located right next to a coral reef. That means, that you can snorkel just inside the swimming area where its totally safe for kids and adults but you can also see amazing sea life.

You can borrow fins and snorkel gear from the dive shop but the borrow time is limited and on a first come first serve basis so we decided to bring our own.

2. Non-motorized water activities

The Jewel Dive Shack has catamarans, stand up paddle boards, paddle boats and more. It’s all included at this resort and we’ve never needed to sign up in advance. We especially liked the catamaran rides. The guys steering the catamarans are super nice and the ride is safe and fun.

3. Jewel Lagoon Water Park

The Jewel Lagoon Water Park is a relatively new addition to Jewel Runaway Bay. It is so much fun!

For older kids, there are two water slides and for younger children there is a smaller in water play area with smaller slides.

Lucas enjoying the water park

Jewel Lagoon is way bigger than most water parks in Jamaica

On top of that, there is a fantastic lazy river for kids of all ages, including grandma and grandpa! The inner tubes are included and plentiful.

The water park also has a snow cone dispenser and a snack bar right there so you can spend the day!

4. Volleyball

Every time we looked there was a group playing beach volleyball. Usually Lucas was involved as, aside from hockey, volleyball is his favourite sport.

5. Walking the beach

The beach for Jewel Runaway Bay is one of the nicest and longest beaches on the north coast. It will not compare to Seven Mile Beach near Negril but it really is beautiful. You can walk the full stretch and even past.

John spent a lot of his time just walking back and forth along the beach.

If you keep walking, you’ll find locals selling their wares and eventually you’ll come upon a local bar/restaurant named Flavors. We’ve shopped on the beach but haven’t made it as far as Flavors. That said, I’ve heard the food is really good.

6. Tennis

The front desk has rackets and balls that you can borrow if you’d like to play tennis. The kids wanted to play a few mornings and while there were a few people around, it was pretty quiet. It may get too hot later in the day so early morning would be my first choice.

7. Shopping

The resort has two gift shops and a jewellery shop. The gift shops are small but very nice. The prices are the same or better than prices down the beach or in Ocho Rios. Over the years we’ve bought spices, jerk sauce, coffee, sundresses, t-shirts, souvenir towels and stuffed animals.

8. Crafts with Clive

Ok, so this isn’t really an ‘on your own’ activity but it doesn’t place you in the center of attention like many organized activities do.

Clive is a local artist who has a hut set up on the beach near the dive school area. Twice a day, kids and adults alike can learn to paint shells, rocks, a small canvas, etc. These make great souvenirs and you get the chance to meet a really great guy!

Making crafts with Clive

9. Relax around the pool or beach

Whether you’re a beach person or a pool person, there are plenty of options at Jewel Runaway Bay.

The resort has three pools. A smaller pool near the turquoise building, an infinity pool and the main pool.

The infinity pool

The main pool

We’ve never experienced any save the beach chair shenanigans at the Jewel. While some people do ‘reserve’ a lounger with a towel or a book, there are so many around that you do NOT have to get up at the crack of dawn to get yourself a chair. The pool area also has many sun umbrellas for protection.

The beach is deep and beautiful with many lounge chairs. It also has many palapas that anyone can use.

A beautiful beach palapa

The view from the palapa

10. Enjoy the resort drinks

Along with the fancy drink of the day, the Jewel has a drink menu of many alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks you can try.

Try a ‘Bob Marley’!

11. Explore the vegetation around this beautiful resort

The resort is well maintained and filled with local trees and vegetation. It’s beautiful!

Ackee ! The national fruit of Jamaica. Beware though, it’s poisonous if not ripe when eaten.

A palm tree with coconuts!

A fan palm!

12. Meet some really cool people

The staff at Jewel Runaway Bay are some of the nicest people we’ve ever met. Everyone is friendly and helpful.

Take some time to have a chat with the lady taking care of your room, the person bringing you drinks, the lifeguards, the local gardener, and the maintenance workers.

Every visit we’ve met someone new and interesting and have become reacquainted with those we met in past years.

Sydney with Adrian, our catamaran captain

A LAST WORD OF ADVICE

In June 2018 the Jewel Runaway Bay was taken over by a new company, Playa Resorts. At the time this post was published, the resort is still named Jewel Runaway Bay and it is still a family resort.

That said, there have been many changes since our last visit. Many of our favourite staff members are no longer there, including our three amazing butlers Miguel, Shurline and Hamantro, and new charges have been instituted for things such as laser tag.

It’s still the same beautiful resort and I would still highly recommend it but you will want to do a little research yourself before booking as I expect more changes will be forthcoming.

Other Accommodation Options

If you aren’t travelling with kids (or even if you are), you might be interested in checking out other all inclusive resorts and hotels in Jamaica .

You also may not be a fan of inclusive resorts. They definitely aren’t for everyone. Some of the best places to stay in Jamaica aren’t all inclusive and if travelling without the kids in future, we’d absolutely stay in one of these amazing locations.

Off Resort Activities to Consider

If you’ve decided to stay at Jewel Runaway Bay or another resort in Jamaica, check out our post on 10 Unique and Amazing Things to Do in Jamaica.

Also, please, consider visiting and donating to a local school. You can find out more about helping out local schools on our post Make Your Tropical Caribbean Vacation Count.

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