check in good got 3rd floor last room (good exersize) oceanview, no clockradio but one arrived (thanks Juline) when I asked. Beds comfortable,able to adjust airconditioner or turn off. Breakfast okay to start day but have to ask for juice, fruit and muffins. Ate supper there firstnight and took 1 1/2 hrs to get with only 2 tables of 2 there. Bartender Herfran great, hi to Bryan poolboy, plenty of loungechairs on beach and at pool with towel exchange. Every thing else you needed was close by. Thanks captain Kirk for your tours. Would recommend, great basic hotel all tourists seemed happy. Great security.

Well I have so many stories I could share mostly about all the new friends we made in the brief week., the room, staff and service were all exceptional.

Summary:
My wife and I returned to the Island after being married there 19 years ago. We could not afford to take our teenage children to an all inclusiveness so we opted for a hotel and felt it would be good for them to experience the hustle and bustle of Ocho Rios.
What we found out was that the cruise ship days were different days for sure, but the rest of the time the locals did not have too many tourists around to work with, or to sell too. So Rooms clients are bread and butter for some. Knowing this helped you prepare for your daily ventures outside the gates, or to the beach as eating off site was the only and best way to go The restaurant was OK but expensive for what you got.
I got taken on some days for a few more $'s than i should have paid but we all learned from my mistakes. What you find out in Jamaica is there no one price for anything, even Dolphin's Cove can come at different rates , you just have to know who to talk with. There were no secrets with all the locals they knew what you paid, who you paid ,what you did , what you were going to do , and the day you leave. By the end of the week it was like you almost belonged and you watched the game start with the new arrivals, all the people were friendly once they knew you would tip a dollar here and there. Next time, we will go the all inclusive route to a place we can golf more as there are nice courses and everything in Jamaica is affordable. We wanted to show the kids not only the Island, but show them how other parts of the world live. They learned from my mistakes too,and even did better in me bartering in the market place with some items. Sometimes I bought just on the customer service. We feed many people in a week and we ate very well too for half of what we would pay in Canada, but probably for 10 times less then the locals would. lol. We did not go to KFC or Burger King once!!!! The beach is great, best on the island. Water spots are affordable too. Wish we could have played more beach volleyball, just not enough people around except cruise ship days.

Hi Peeps,

Rooms is a great place to stay if you'd like the NON-All Inclusive experience. With that said in mind you'd be able to experience the JA. culture by stepping out of the grounds and enjoying the experience. Trust me aint nobody robbing you, chasing you down, hunting for you, etc..... Its just like any other tourist place.... I've been to Spain and the amount of folks talking to me, trying to get money outta me, etc, you wouldnt believe. I just look at it like this: If i got extra cheese in my pocket and i can afford to bless someone with it, i will do it... If i can't i just can't, Ennit!.... But i won't cuss them or run them....

Reception: From getting off the transfer bus from mobay to Rooms and going to the reception i found the reception team very very friendly, helpful, full of smiles, and jokes.... There was one that didnt smile at first but after about the 2nd to 3rd day after walking by and having a small chat she started to smile.....You'd be surprised what a small conversation would do like, Hi, hows your day going? I hope you have a good day, see ya later.....Yes, there job is to serve the guest coming in but we as guest have to be polite as well....you get me!

Room: I had a room on the first floor. It was cool, i didnt mind, my other brothers had a room on the same floor and one on the 2nd floor, i think..... All the rooms were nice... Now remember i wasnt expecting to walk in the room with slippers, house coat, distilled/sparkling water waiting for me on the bed......So i knew what to expect and thats what i got, a nice room with a comfortable bed, bathroom with hot running water, tv, etc. I had no complaints with the room.... The only thing i would say is that dam AC is bloody cold, when it was on it was artic in there, freaking el.....

Dining area: Free WiFi....that right there was a plus for me.. I was able to use skype and keep the cost down on my mobile...The continental breakfast was very basic... I think all i had was orange juice and mint tea.... i went out and found a local place down the street to have my breakfast...I never had dinner there as i wanted to be out on the street and eat from the local places...So i can't dis or compliment Rooms food.

Staff: The staff were very friendly.... I didnt have any problems with the staff. I talked to them as if id talk to anyone with respect, even if they where grumpy..lol....The guy at the bar serving the drinks was mad cool also, i forget his name... Drinks was kinda pricey though but i didnt mind as it was a place to chill for a minute, have a drink, then hit the streets... The guy cleaning the pool was cool as well... Even the peeps at the security gate were cool, there on point... they saw my face every day but still asked what room im in..lol....I have a confession, i didnt know that we're suppose to leave tips in the room for the peeps that clean the room..... i'm reading post of folks leaving tips etc.. I'm sorry Anita for not leaving a tip... Yes i remember Anita.... She was very nice and took real good care of my room... Anita, i promise to leave a tip the next time im there (Feb 14, 2012)... as a matter of fact i'll leave one also for last year..... I once heard a young lady say (i won't mention no names) "unnu man from England cheap! unno tight wid unno money"... lol.....So hopefully Anita your still there so i can prove the person wrong... Ennit!

I think thats about it... I'm always in JA. thats where my peoples are from so i will forever love JA... If your on holiday and you wanna have a good experience in JA, check out Rooms in Ocho Rios... Dang, i felt like i just did a commercial for Rooms...lol

p.s. Hey Rooms i'll be there on the 14th of Feb 2012 can i get a nice room on the second floor please, Ocean View? Taa!

We went Jan 20th to Rooms at Ocho Rios. Our first room was on the main floor, the outside patio door locked but when jiggled would open, they sent maintenance three times to fix it the third time the maintenance man never even locked it and when we locked it and jiggled it it was still opening. After three days we received another room on the main floor when I jiggled the patio door the lock broke and had to be replaced. The both rooms on the main floor were unsatisfactory, the privacy curtains has moldy spots on them, the beds were comfortable but were damp every time we got in them, the air conditioner filled the room with a moldy smell whenever we turned it on. The shower went from hot to cold to lukewarm continually while showering. Some of the staff were so nice, the men waiters a few girls on the front desk and the security and maintenace men. The female staff of the restaurant were very unfriendly and acted like they were doing you a favor by waiting on you also a few of the girls on reception desk. Sometimes we got a towels, hand towels, and facecloths. sometimes we got one or two items. Our clothes even the clean ones had to be washed when we got home they smelled mouldy. They have the closet in the bathroom and the clothes were always damp. The beach was weedy when you got out deep enough to swim and the pool is very shallow more suited to kids. The highlight of our trip was Morgan our Cabdriver, he was very helpful took us sightseeing, we had a wonderful time with him. Ask for him at the gate. Make a trip to SunValley Plantation if you are interested in the fruit and flowers that are grown in Jamaica you get a very informative tour for $12 american and the owners are so nice and give you a snack athe end with a variety of the fruits that are in season at the time of your visit. Be prepared to pay dearly for attending any attractions. We did have a great time but wish we had chosen a higher end hotel, you get what you pay for.
Good restaurants were Almond Tree, Spring Garden and Evitas, the Hong Kong Restaurant across the street for the hotel, Good Jamaican fast food restaurants were Island Grill and Juici Patties, Mom's for good authentic jamaican food..