Dragon Bay - Port Antonio (Hotels in Jamaica in general)

Member Name: dragonone

Product:	Hotels in Jamaica in general
Date:	12/08/01 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sports, Beach, Relaxing

Disadvantages: little remote

Dragon Bay is about 10 minutes drive from Port Antonio., I have written a separate review on PA. Set in it’s own bay with a golden sandy beach, its own immaculate gardens I found this a perfect place to relax. The resort is well equipped with two restaurants, 2 bars, a swimming pool, Tennis courts, Beach volley ball, Massage, shop, diving, Bike/car hire.

Rooms and villas are clean and spacious with private bathrooms, many have views out over the bay which offers some amazing sunsets. The Room type range from ‘Superior’ (bed, wardrobe, bathroom), to Penthouse style. Many of the better rooms/villa have small kitchen – the fridge is the best item.

Breakfast is generally served in the beach restaurant. It is a buffet style affair with a choice of fresh local fruits, bacon, sausages and freshly cooked omelettes. I will say that the bacon and sausages are of the US style and the buffet is more continental European in flavour.

Lunch is also served in the Beach Restaurant and around the beach bar. Select what you want from the bar menu, burgers and local dishes.

Dinner is generally in the main restaurant and offers a wide variety of traditional Jamaican and international cuisine, try the curried goat. Sometimes dinner is served on the beach, this happens at least once a week.

Dragon Bay's main claim to fame is as the setting for the beach bar that Tom Cruise worked in on the movie 'Cocktail'

There is live entertainment each night, listen to ‘The Jolly Boys’ for real Calypso and Mentho tunes, requests are taken. Not to be missed is the weekly ‘Managers rum punch party’, warning the drinks tend towards the strong.

Day trips can be organised to the local attractions, Port Antonio, Somerset falls, Navy Island, Nonsuch Caves and a little further afield, but I recommend hiring a jeep and exploring yourself.

The Resort generally is of high standar
d; the staff are welcoming and friendly without being obtrusive I have stayed here 5 times and there is always something new.

Getting there: Two general methods of getting here, either independent or with a package. It is a lot cheaper to go with a package.

Independent travellers should fly to Kingston and hire a car, travel along the main coast road (A4) towards Moran Bay/ Manchioneal and Port Antonio, the resorts is on the right about three mins after Boston. An alternate route is to cut across the island (A4) towards Annotto Bay then head east towards Buff bay and Port Antonio, drive thru PA and 10 mins later the resort will appear on the left.

Package tours I would recommend using Kuoni, I will be review them separately.

Costs.
Flights to Jamaica are from £550 return per person on BA London to Kingston
Car Hire is £15-25 per day
Rooms start at US$120 for a standard room to US$350 for a penthouse

If anyone would like more info, please comment and I will revise this review accordingly

Summary: