Montego Bay, Jamaica’s New Hyatt Resort Duo Caters to All Visitors
Jamaica’s Montego Bay maintains its stance in having high-end resorts and a number of white sandy beaches, with an international airport that makes it easier to get to. The country’s second-largest city—nicknamed MoBay—also houses a cruise line terminal and offers opportunities for duty-free shopping.
For those who want to skip tourist attractions and learn more about Jamaica’s history, consider visiting Rose Hall, a Jamaican-Georgian mansion with an eerie legend about its troubled female owner. For nightlife, head to Gloucester Avenue, also known as the “Hip Strip,” where bars, clubs, and restaurants are busy into the early-morning hours.
And, of course, beach time in MoBay is important. For more than a century, Doctor’s Cave Bathing Club has been a seaside fixture noted for its supposed healing waters. For a fee, visitors can dig their heels in the sand and use the private club facilities.
In December 2014, Montego Bay welcomed Hyatt’s first dual-branded, all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica catering to both sets of visitors: Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall. Jamaica has its share of adults-only resorts and family-friendly properties, and these new Hyatt properties bring both sides together in a separate but equally matched ocean-side space.
The result of an $85 million renovation of a former Ritz-Carlton, both beachfront resorts share the same grounds and coastline views, but each property caters to specific guests. The Hyatt Zilara is for adults only while its counterpart, Hyatt Ziva, extends to guests of all ages.
Owned by Playa Hotels & Resorts BV, each property has amenities that suit their guests without a need for compassion. The all-ages Hyatt Ziva consists of 496 plush suites, with 28 swim-up suites featuring oversized terraces with garden and ocean views. Guests who like to hang out by the pool will find eight of them, with five swim-up pools and three whirlpools; they can also linger poolside at a swim-up bar with service provided by a pool butler.
With lounges, suites, and dining facilities, the adults-only Hyatt Zilara also focuses on indulgence. The property has 125 guest suites including 30 romantic swim-up suites, as well as four chic and contemporary private pools, a pool bar and restaurant surrounded by chaise lounges and Bali Beds, and a private beach.
Fine dining will be the center of both hotels as both shared and separate offerings extend to a la carte, buffet, and food cart setups and international cuisines.
At Hyatt Zilara, Petit Pariz brings a Parisian setting during dinnertime with fine French cuisine. Also here is the gourmet buffet eatery Flavorz, which offers a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from fresh fruit and vegetables to special entrées. And with its “farm to table” format, Horizons touts global dishes with a focus on local ingredients, prime meats, and fresh seafood. In the Zilara lobby, the high-end bar Potionz features signature drinks. Islandz is a pool bar where adults can swim up and sip on drinks.
Restaurants and bars between both properties include Choicez, an international buffet with show-cooking areas; Di Roza, for Italian cuisine; Fuzion, for Pan-Asian cuisine with an open wok station and a yakitori grill; Calypzo, focusing on Caribbean cuisine; Barefoot Jerkz, focusing on Jamaican specialties, and Grindz, a coffee bar. The Moroccan-style Fez Roof Top Lounge is also open to all guests.
Other joint amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and full-service spa with a complimentary hydrotherapy service and a wellness center. For recreation, golfers will have complimentary access to either the White Witch Course or Cinnamon Hill Course.
These joint properties are 10 minutes away from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport.
