My wife and I have visited quite a number of vacation spots all over the world, and are always looking to experience different adventures. On our most recent trip to Jamaica last December, we wanted to do just that. While we certainly have enjoyed staying at some of the larger all inclusive resorts in Jamaica, we wanted to try somewhere that was not only smaller but also quieter. We decided on the 20 room Royal Reef Hotel in Montego Bay based on the recommedation of a friend who had previously stayed there.

We picked up our car from the car rental agency at the airport in Montego Bay and drove a quick 15 minutes to the hotel. The newly constructed highway along the north coast of the island made the ride very easy, and the developments along the way makes you feel that you are never far away from anything. We were greeted very warmly by the hotel's receptionist and were quickly taken to our room on the second floor. We had a large, clean, nicely decorated room with a balcony, and a good view of the lush hillside. The TV was pretty small but that's not a priority for us on vacaton. During the times we choose to have breakfast and dinner at the hotel, the food was great and service was good. The beach area and main swimming pool were both small but really did not bother us at all. The property has one main dining area, 2 bars, one by the beach and one by the main swimming pool .

The Fish Hut restaurant was great for seafood and less than 5 minutes away, and appx. 10 minutes away, there is also Scotchies which served great Jerk Chicken and Jerk Pork. The City of Montego Bay is about 15 -20 minutes from the hotel and affords fine shopping and dining. The newly built Shoppes at Rose Hall are also good for shopping, and the Chukka Adventure ATV tour in the hills of Rose Hall was pretty cool.

So we did'nt have nightly entertainment, a fancy nightclub or multiple restautants to choose from, but staying at the Royal Reef allowed us to get away from the larger all inclusive resorts for a change and experience the other side of Jamaica. Overall, we think the room and food prices were reasonable, the property was clean, and the staff was really great. Royal Reef provided the kind of peacefulness we wanted on this trip and we certainly would not hesitate in staying here again.

Don't be fooled by the reviews you may read about this hotel. I wouldn't say that the information provided by the hotel is a lie, but it is very much misrepresented. The hotel is in a very depressed area. It will cost you a minimum of $150.00 USD to go anywhere to do anything. There is a/c, but only in your room, and it's not big enough to cool the room since the windows aren't sealed. Outside your room, such as in the eating and gathering areas, they rely on floor fans, that they quickly turn off once you leave the area. The pool was green, and the salt water pool was black. The "beach" area is not much bigger than a standard bathroom. My wife and I were afraid to go across the street to eat at one of the locations that are mentioned in some of the reviews. We were approached by many young men who wanted to either buy or sell drugs. If we make back to Jamaica, we will NOT be coming back to this hotel. You are better off spending a little extra to stay in one of the all inclusive hotels closer to MBI.

I have been traveling to Jamaica for eleven years and have stayed at many places - without a doubt, this is one of the best. I never stay at all-inclusive facilities but do not mind relaxing at a well managed, clean, comfortable establishment. This is it. The food is great and the staff are wonderful.

It is about 20 kilometers east of Montego Bay. The Fish Hut is a great local restaurant within walking distance, The hotel is directly across the street from Greenwood, which has a great neighborhood bar with a pool table for the adventerous.

My only concern is that everyone will read this and there will not be enough room for the group that I bring with me each year.

We have just returned from a week's stay at the Royal Reef, and it was a wonderful experience. The staff was very warm and friendly and made us feel comfortable from the very beginning. The room was lovely with a nice panoramic view of the ocean and the lush mountainous landscape just across the road. The bathroom was huge, and the small balcony was also a treat. It was exhilarating to go onto the balcony and watch the sunrise each morning.
The included continental breakfast was an added bonus, but the other meals were a bit pricey with a very limited menu. We found a restaurant just across the roadway in a small shopping center with great prices, much better than the hotel's and with more menu choices. We learned from an older staff member that there were many restaurants, bars and clubs in the immediate area; no one told us that upon our arrival. There was also an absence of brochures and activity information in the lobby, but reading material in the room was helpful in planning our outings. We learned from others staying at the hotel, those who went scouting around a few blocks, that there was a lot to offer in the immediate area, and we discovered that the locals were very friendly. We only went out in groups, though no individual encountered any problems when going to the nearby stores.
There was no complimentary shuttle service, and the arranged shuttle was pricey, but we were able to bargain with the driver for great group rates for all of our excursions and he was extremely prompt and very protective of us, not letting the locals overwhelm us to buy things. He drove us around and gave us history lessons while on the way to our chosen destinations. He also guided us to the best shops and restaurants with the best prices, and suggested the best meals. He made our trip much more enjoyable and memorable than we ever could. Forming a relationship with our guide (Dwight) is what made our trip so wonderful. Others who stayed at the hotel gave similar stories about their guides.
We didn't swim in the hotel's pools or beach, but one of the people we met there told us that the water in both pools was fantastic (we stayed gone all the time). She also told us that she went out in the beach, guided by a staff member, and the water remained knee-deep for an "astonishing" distance. We did need insect repellent while on the patio at night.
I would recommend staying at the Royal Reef if you want to be away from the larger resorts and want a bit more privacy. It's 19 rooms offer a more quiet atmosphere, and being 15 minutes from Sangsters Airport gave us more interaction with the local culture. Though local bus transportation is available, I would recommend paying the extra money and using a guide for a more enhanced travel experience while you venture out.