No credit cards, no internet, no working pool,. too much street noise, hot water only at certain times. Beaches are private and CB's beach opened at 830am, entrance one block down through Doctor's Cave Beach Club. No early morning beach run or walk. Beach strip is small, and quickly fills with jet ski's and boats. so no serenity. no beach. Food choices were suboptimal. no fresh squeezed orange juice. no fresh squeezed juices period. bought coconut for coconut water off the street.

Hip Strip, is not hip, and less than a strip. nothing to see. ATM only bank of Nova Scotia and they do not clearly post charges up to $15.00 for withdrawals. The casino across from Margaritaville charges $6.00 and only permits $200.00 withdrawals.

Breezes Hotel closed and the two hotels across from them were closed. Several other hotels down the strip were also closed. Decameron Hotel was open, but full and I was not allowed in, guard at gate, only guests. Not even to see perhaps a pending room to help with future hotel choices. What choices?

negotiate everything w/ taxis. Prices can differ by half!

The only acceptable restaurant was Pelican, down the "strip", next to the Burger King. Be sure to try their Ackee traditional breakfast. They were very courteous and accepted credit cards. Skip the Pork Pit.

Casa Blanca's room #8 had nice old plank floors, lovely balcony/verandah, and a great view [you cannot see Cuba]. that's it. There are no outlets/plugs, the bathroom was ugly, faucets didn't work properly, no shampoo, no soap. Poor lighting. Sometimes the TV didn't work, but that's another story. Felt as if i was in the middle of a renovation, cut short and made ready-ish for my stay.

Jamaican people are very nice. The staff are very nice, especially the housekeeping staff and Maxine and shanee [spelling] at the front desk. We paid $148.00 per night.

Montego Bay and its hip strip feel as if it is on the brink of decay. Of becoming a ghost town. Since I like jamaica, I can only recommend, especially for a short trip that you go to an all inclusive e.g. grand lido, or one of the newer properties. Decameron has to be your only bet on the so called Hip Strip, and if they lock out future customers, well, i don't quite know what to say.

If your looking for a 5 star American Hotel then this is not for you. However if you are looking for something nostalgic, romantic, beautiful and a look at Jamaica outside of the all inclusive resorts. This hotel is vintage and very interesting with alot of history. I loved the hardwood floors and balcony right on top of the ocean. I would stay here whenever I visit Montego Bay.

I stayed at the Casablanca Beach Hotel in March 1993, when my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We had a massive room and an equally massive balcony right over the sea - it was idyllic. We loved the food, the staff and the attention we received and couldnt fault it at all. What a shame the hotel ( according to other reviews) has apparently lost its charm and elegance, but there again, so has my marriage! - nothing lasts forever ! I personally would love to visit again to see for myself. Julie, Manchester, England

We stayed at the Casablanca just a few days ago (January 4-11, 2008 )so I have up to date news about it. The Casablanca is the oldest hotel on the Hip Strip, and you can literally feel the history of the place soak into you. Our room was fairly standard, but it had a huge bed, working shower, hot water, and a balcony right on the ocean. We could see fish swimming below and sea urchins on the rocks. It does have a delapidated feel to it. The owners could definitely put a lot of money into this place, but they don't seem inclined to do so. Some positives: about two doors down from Margaritaville!, not far from the new casino across the street, there's a mean security guard who will yell loudly at any peddler that tries to get to you, you literally walk out of the hotel lobby onto the hip strip, the Jamaican Bobsled cafe is down the street, the beach is down below the hotel, a cute lizard lived on our balcony, great views of the ocean, and you can walk to the craft market or practically anywhere else in Montego Bay. Some negatives: you often have to go through the public beach to get to the hotel beach, and really the hotel beach isn't a private one. They only accept cash!!! This was astounding to us and could really deter some people from staying there I"m sure. Overall I would probably say this is a place for people who are not into the all inclusive scene, for people who like to go to a place that has a lot of history, for people who like a sort of 1920s feeling, for people who want to be able to be at the center of it all, but can walk a few steps and get away from it all as well!