Caribbean Travel Dreams Blog

I escorted a group of 40 to Breezes Runaway Bay for a 4 night "girl's getaway" 1/23 to 1/27/08 ("girls" of all ages, single, married, etc.).  Flights on Air Jamaica from Philadelphia and accommodations at Breezes Runaway Bay - Runaway Bay, Jamaica (about 25 minutes west of Ocho Rios).  This was the group's second trip to BRB, the first in 2004 prior to resort renovations.   A fourth trip for the group is planned for January 2009.  I have also sent many couples and singles to Breezes Runaway Bay with nothing but positive reviews.  (I always make sure my friends at the resort know my clients are coming, too.)

Flights/Air Jamaica:  As usual, Air Jamaica was a pleasure to fly, and the group was very happy.  This is my favorite airline to fly to Jamaica.  No charge for checked bags, complimentary hot meals, glass of champagne, and inflight entertainment - and the flight times are the best from Philadelphia to Montego Bay. Upon arrival at MBJ, the group was met by an Air Jamaica representative and escorted to the SuperClubs arrival lounge for pre-registration.  (Note:  $1 per bag is the mandatory tip for skycaps at MBJ.   If you're traveling with a group, be sure someone is in charge of collecting Skycap tips before you arrive at the airport.) 

Of Note:  Be sure to bring lots of small bills for miscellaneous gratuities for those not employed by the resort ... transfer drivers, tour guides, etc.  Although it is advertised that resort staff gratuities are included, my experience was that the staff at BRB did not refuse if you chose to tip.

Transfers & Road to Ocho Rios:  Our group had our own bus transfer to BRB, so we opted to skip the "pitstop" on our way to Runaway Bay.  The road from the airport to Ocho Rios is completed and it took one hour on the dot to get there.  Such a pleasure.  Prior to the completion of the road, it was a crazy ride to Ocho Rios! 

Resort:  I can't say enough about how wonderful SuperClubs & the staff of Breezes Runaway Bay was to work with to ensure my group was content.   One note is that BRB allows you to use your own insulated mugs to fill at the bar.  Be sure to bring one from home so your drinks stay cold and "non-sandy" at the beach!   The grounds are well kept and clean.

Accommodations:  What a difference compared to our stay in 2004.  The rooms in 2004 were definitely in need of updating, and they've done a great job.  I was in room 1027, the "new block".  Oceanfront, large room, mini bar, coffee maker, flatscreen TV, balcony overlooking the pool & ocean.  Other rooms categories have also been refurbished.  Towel creations on the beds each night (a la cruise).  The bathroom had a shower with 6 shower heads, which was a treat.   Wifi was available in my room category (for a fee).  I am told that complimentary WiFi in the rooms is a possibility in the future.

Beach, Pool, Land & Watersports:  The beach at BRB is very nice.  Not as long and walkable as the Negril area, but it is large with plenty of shaded areas, kept very nice, and my group of 40 were always able to find chairs.   The nude beach is no more, replaced with a new block of oceanfront room.  The new infinity pool and swim-up bar are a great addition.  Non-motorized watersports are included (Hobie cats, kayaks, etc.), as well as complimentary snorkel trips that go out twice daily from the resort.  The one plus with SuperClubs is that there are complimetary dives for certified divers (resort certification is available for a fee), and greens fees for golfing at SuperClubs Golf Course (complimentary Golf School with a pro daily as well).   A tennis pro is also available at the courts for lessons.  Interesting is the option to take trapeze lessons right on the beach with the Circus Crew ... fun to watch, but I never did get the nerve up.

Dining:   Dinner at Beach Terrace the first night (buffet, very good for a buffet); a private function for our group with an excellent set menu the second night;  Gala Buffet by the pool another night.   One night the group split in two, with some going to Pastafari (formerly called Martini's, fine dining, reservations required) and the rest to Munasan (open-air restaurant, benihana style).  Both groups were very happy with their choices (I dined at Pastafari ... excellent service and delicious meal).  On a previous stay, we dined at the Starlight Grill, not but not this trip.  Breakfast buffet was typical fare (although I never did get ackee & saltfish or breadfruit during our short stay).  Reggae Grill offers good jerk pork & chicken, burgers & dogs, french fries during the day as an alternative to the lunch buffet (closes 6:30pm).   For the night owls, there is a buffet set up at night from 11:30pm to 1:30am.  And there is also a "24 hour Snack Attack" set up in the lobby area.  Wish they still had the popcorn machines by the bar ...

Entertainment:  Typical games and entertainment ... your choice to join in if you choose.  This resort is a great for adult couples and singles looking for a getaway where no kids are allowed but also not focused completely on the "couples only" concept.  Although the resort allows age 14 and up, I would not send a family with teenagers to BRB and in all my stays maybe saw one or two teens.  Most games center around drinking, and some games got a little risque ... even though it isn't Hedo, some of the entertainment & games were more than I'd want my teen to be around.   Of note, you have resort privileges with Hedonism III (just down the road) if you want to check it out and spend the day or evening at Hedo.

Tours:  I prearranged three tours for the group:  the Zipline Canopy Tour and Mountain to Sea Bike Tour (both Chukka tours), and a sunset catamaran party cruise (private company).   All three tours were just about a 25-30 minute drive from BRB - canopy & mountain bike tours were booked for morning and had us back to BRB by lunchtime, sunset cruise left the resort 3PM returning 7-7:30pm.  The Canopy Tour (ziplining) was excellent and I highly recommend it for anyone.  There is a bit of a downhill hike to get to the first platform, but other than that it is not a physically demanding tour.  (We had a variety of ages and abilities in our group.).  Some of the girls were a little shaky on the first platform, but by the end they said they'd do it again in a heartbeat (including me with my fear of heights).  It's exhililrating!  The Mountain to Sea Bike Tour was mostly downhill, and on gravel roads so it was a lot of navigating pot holes and making sure the bike didn't skid in the gravel.  A little more physically demanding, nice vantage points of Ocho Rios.  Final stop on the bike tour was to a cliff cove at Chukka's farm for a short time to cool off and snorkel (not a beach).  Once again, the Chukka staff was excellent.  The safety and comfort of their guests is a priority.

The town of Ocho Rios is full of duty free shops and restaurants and only about 20 minutes from the resort.  Some additional choices for off resort tours would be Dunn's River Falls, Dolphin Cove and the new Mystic Mountain (Jamaican Bobsled ride).  I think I'll check out Mystic Mountain on my next trip.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip and the group is making it an annual getaway ... so that says it all! I