Jewel Paradise Cove Jamaica Review, A Jewel to Behold!

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Jewel Paradise Cove Jamaica Review, A Jewel to Behold!

Quaint, Friendly All Inclusive Resort
Nature Focused Resort Design
Lovely Seating Spaces
A Variety of Gourmet Meals with a Healthy Jamaican Flair
Extra Personal Touches such as an Elegant Dinner on the Beach, Coffee Shop, and Smoothie Stand

Three Fantastic Swim-up Bars
Superb Staff
Calm, Private Beach with Crystal Clear Water in a Cove
Fitness Center, Spa Services, and Yoga on the Beach and Gardens.
Easy Peasy Resort…. Restaurants, Pools, Beach, Rooms… very convenient using the garden filled walkway.

Looking for your next tropical all-inclusive vacation in paradise? The Jewel Paradise Cove Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica might just be a perfect match! Without a doubt, this resort checked all the boxes when searching out a vacation to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday!

As a result, we planned our trip for late February to escape the winter weather in western North Carolina. Furthermore, due to me being a yoga teacher, I booked this trip with FitBodies, a company that connects fitness/yoga teachers with resorts. As you can imagine, this type of working arrangement mixed with an all-inclusive vacation brings me so much gratitude! Continue reading to learn more about this charming, friendly, and one-of-a-kind resort! Warning!! This review did get long but it is listed in sections for ease of reading. Also, this review is unbiased and was written to inform and give my honest opinion. In addition, I have no sponsorship with the resort or any other companies mentioned in the review.

Logistics

Ahh…Where shall I start? The Jewel Paradise Cove in Jamaica is a slice of paradise located in Runaway Bay, Jamaica which is in Saint Ann Parish. Our vacation began late February with a flight to the Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica with Jet Blue.

Sangster International Airport was fairly easy to navigate. After retrieving our bags and a quick stop with the customs agent, we continued outdoors and were greeted with sunshine and warm temperatures. Of course, this was a greatly appreciated change from the winter weather we left behind in western NC.

Prior to our vacation, I set up our transfers through AmStar Transportation, a company that was recommended by the resort. Our driver was there promptly and he quickly whisked us away in his van. We paid for a shared transfer but were the only ones on the ride. In brief, AmStar transfers offers transportation that offers punctual, safe, and very courteous staff and drivers. Lastly, our transfer from the airport to the hotel took about an hour and a half, however, this is dependent on traffic.

A note about safety. We always felt safe and well taken care of at this resort. In addition to plenty of staff, there are security guards on duty throughout the resort. We especially found this to be the case on the perimeter of the property lines. Furthermore, the beach is completely private and not open to outside vendors or the public. Safety was taken very seriously and we were very gracious for it!

Rooms & Amenities

Our accommodations at the Jewel Paradise Cove was a pool view guest room. According to their website, this room is a spacious 347 square feet with a private balcony overlooking one of the three pools with a swim-up bar. In addition, these rooms come equipped with either a king bed or 2 twin, a very large and luxurious shower, a large walk-in closet, stocked mini-fridge, and nightly turn-down service. Specifically, we were in building number 3, room number 329, on the second floor.

For the most part, we consider this to be a perfect location and a very easy to walk to activities and events. For context, this building’s location is right across from the Irie Coffee Shop, which serves made-to-order coffees from 6am – 9pm. Speaking of coffee, I found the authentic Jamaican grown coffee served throughout the resort to be amazingly good. One thing to note, this hotel did not have elevators, which was not an issue for us, but something to keep in mind if you have mobility issues. Our room served us well. In noting a few things, we had complete shade and excellent wi-fi signal over our balcony most of the day, the room was very clean, the air condition kept things very cool, and the bed was comfortable enough for our liking with an added pillowtop.

In addition, there are also several other categories of rooms, such as premier guest rooms, ocean view guest rooms, oceanfront concierge guest rooms, and even butler- service guest suites! To learn more about the resorts accommodations see their website here.

*Pictures from Jewel Paradise Cove Website

Jewel Paradise Cove Pool View Guest Room

Beach

Beach – There are two beaches at the Jewel Paradise Cove. Both beaches are private to the resort and located in a protected cove. The water is crystal clear and as calm as bath water. A smaller beach is primarily used for snorkeling. We did not participate in the snorkeling but I was told by many fellow guests that it was fantastic! In this case, if snorkeling is your thing, take your gear and enjoy unlimited snorkeling daily.

Secondly, the larger main beach is used for sunbathing, swimming and wading. A nice added touch are the three trampoline islands in the water for sunbathing and relaxing. Schools of fish and hungry pelicans are plentiful. In fact, the dive show put on by the pelicans is daily entertainment for us relaxed vacationers!

One thing to note is that the beach is man-made. In addition, the sand is slightly grainy but nice. In addition, palm trees are sprinkled nicely along with umbrellas and chairs. Overall, a solid beach experience.

Pools

Pools – When it comes to selecting an all-inclusive resort, most people will agree that pools are an important factor. The attention to detail in the design of the three pools at Jewel Paradise Cove is quite incredible. Each pool is home to a swim-up bar staffed with smiling bartenders skilled at cocktail creation. Generally, the pools were refreshing and chest level or so in depth. Barstools are located in all the pools for enjoying a cocktail barside. Each pool seemed to have its own character and offerings.

For example, the Aquamarina pool has a grill attached for ordering snacks poolside. In addition, Emerald Lagoon pool had an area with a volleyball net for games. Also, the main pool has a very large grotto feature and tables inside the pool. Furthermore, there are several hot tubs to choose from throughout the resort in secluded locations. Finally, I have to mention, this adults-only resort has a huge waterslide that circles through the nightclub before dumping you into the refreshing water! Fun is intended to be had at the Jewel Paradise Cove!

Watersports

The Jewel Paradise Cove is described as a wellness and fitness resort and earns its name appropriately. Watersports were included and encouraged in the all-inclusive package. Waivers were required to be signed once for all activities.

Kayaking Single and Double Kayaks are available for use.
Stand-Up Paddleboard Available for use
Hobie Cat Catamaran Sailing excursions were offered with a private skipper.
Glass Bottom Boat Excursion Offered daily and were very educational and enjoyable.
Snorkeling Available but gear was not available (bring your own snorkel)
Other paid excursions are available as well, check in at the watersport desk for more information.
All watersports are dependent on weather conditions.

Gardens & Grounds

Gardens/Grounds – Calling all gardeners! If meandering through gardens loaded with native plants is your idea of heaven on earth, you will appreciate the landscaping at The Jewel Paradise Cove! The resort offers a natural feel with open air features linked with a garden path of beauty.

The variety of plants is very eye-catching. For example, banana trees loaded with ripe bananas are mixed in with tropical foliage and cactus plants. Additionally, the paths connect all the accommodation buildings with the restaurants, bars, nightlife, beach and pools. Sprinkled on the paths are many covered areas to rest and sit for a spell with a morning coffee or evening cocktail. Lastly, there is a garden tour offered by the lead gardener for those that are interested in learning more.

Restaurants & Food

Ahhh…. the FOOD!! Let me just begin by saying healthy, nutritious, and delicious food is very important to me, especially on vacation! This resort did not disappoint! The Jewel Paradise Cove offers a perfect variety of healthy foods as well as desserts, a jerk chicken hut, gourmet restaurants, snacks and sandwiches, and 24-hour room service.

The Coral Cafe

The Coral Cafe – The Coral Cafe serves up the daily buffet option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We enjoyed the open air ambiance and the ever changing selection of International and American dishes. The flow of the stations are very easy to navigate and offer fresh veggies, salads, fruits, proteins, breads, desserts, and handheld options. In addition, I enjoyed the authentic Jamaican cuisine that was available for each meal, even breakfast! Plantains at breakfast?? Absolutely!
Breakfast 7am – 10:30 am Lunch 12:30pm – 2:30pm Dinner 6:30pm – 9 :30pm

Court Jesters

Court Jesters – Wood fired pizza in Jamaica? The Jewel Paradise Cove does it up right! I must begin by saying the location of Court Jesters is absolutely amazing! In fact, this resort does an excellent job at utilizing all the spaces in a beautiful and functional way! The open air, two level space beside the crashing waves of the Caribbean Sea for Court Jesters becomes the Platinum Restaurant in the evening. Without a doubt, this was by far my favorite location for meals. Breakfast is also served in this location, which makes for a lovely start to the day.

Nonetheless, back to the pizza, the fresh ingredients, superb crust, and each pie being made to order make this an option not to be missed! Below are some of the examples of the creative variety of pizzas offered:

Green Island, Margherita, Calabrese, Quattro Formaggi, Quattro Stagioni, Grilled Eggplant, Calzone Jerk Pork or Chicken.

Open daily 12:30pm – 6pm

Aquamarina Beach Bar and Grill

Aquamarina Beach Bar and Grill – Sandwiches, wraps, burgers. OH MY!! Ingenious is the idea of serve up made to order snacks poolside with a grill attached to the swim-up bar! Indeed, when I think back about what made the Jewel Paradise Cove so special, I always come back to the ease of use with the amenities.

For example, while being served a cocktail at the swim-up bar, if the bartender overheard you talking about being hungry, she would accommodate anything you requested. Oftentimes, we would hear the bartenders putting in food orders to the grill for the guests. The staff treated you as family and took care of every request!

Grill/Snack Hours – 11am – 2am

Platinum Restaurant

Platinum Restaurant – Ahhh… The Platinum Restaurant… Where shall I begin? Hands down, this was our most enjoyable restaurant! The location alone is enough to get excited about. Heck, they could be serving up frozen chicken nuggets and the setting would make up for it! For instance, the restaurant is open air and perched at the waterside with the crashing of the waves setting the tone for a beautiful night. Tables are set with cloth linens and candles. Furthermore, above this dining experience sits the Sunset Bar (open air), which is super convenient for pre or post-dinner drinks.

We experienced our first dinner on vacation at the Platinum and, coincidently, enjoyed it so much we returned for our last dinner. Courses are served in the ambiance of the Caribbean sea air. Don’t miss out on the garden salad with the fresh soursop dressing! Better yet, couple it with the tenderloin as I did, and you are sure not to be disappointed! Fresh fish, steaks, chicken, and vegetable dishes served with a Jamaican flair!

Dinner Hours 6:30 – 10pm

Moonstone Restaurant

Moonstone Restaurant – Italian is on the menu at the indoor Moonstone Restaurant. We enjoyed this restaurant on our second night at the resort. The cozy space is dimly lit with tables dressed in linen. Traditional Italian cuisine is served in courses. In fact, if pasta is on your radar, this could be the dinner of your dreams. Snapper, the catch of the day, was an excellent choice and hit the spot!

Dinner Hours 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Jade Samurai at Paradise Cove

Jade Samurai – Interested in a Teppanyaki Japanese style dinner while on vacation? Look no further than the Jade Samurai! Indoor tables are shared by eight guests and the dinner is prepared and served at your table. For this reason, it is the only restaurant at the resort that requires reservations.

We enjoyed a scrumptious meal, the company of fellow guests, and the entertainment and talent provided by our chef! Upon being seated at our table of new friends, we were asked about food allergies and were given a menu. In addition, we were told to choose an appetizer and a dessert, everything else would automatically be served. Spring rolls were my choice for the appetizers as well as the Lychee cake for dessert. Each was perfectly prepared and delicious!

Main course offerings include: Stir-fry veggies and vegetable fried rice. Stir-fried chicken, steak, shrimp, and salmon. Above all, be sure to come hungry and enjoy yourself!!
Open for dinner from 6pm – 10pm, Reservations required.

Golden Saber Sushi

Golden Saber Sushi – Sushi rolls and sashimi were offered at Golden Saber, Sushi which is located inside the Jade Samurai Restaurant. To be completely honest and transparent with my review, we did not try the sushi. Coupled with us not being big sushi eaters and having so many delicious choices for dinner, we did not fit it in. However, I heard from many other guests that it was very well received.

Open 6pm – 10pm.

Jerk Chicken Hut

The Jerk Chicken Hut – A trip to Jamaica is not complete without indulging in some locally prepared jerk chicken! Of course, The Jewel Paradise Cove did not disappoint! The chicken is grilled up daily in a hut on the beach with authentic seasonings on a wood stove. In addition, white and dark meat is served with traditional jerk sauce and a Jamaican sweet roll.

We enjoyed jerk chicken several times for lunch while on our vacation. In fact, the location of the jerk chicken hut was usually directly behind our beach chairs, which gave us the opportunity for lunch under the umbrellas and palm trees. Once again, I cannot emphasize enough, how convenient and easy everything is at this resort! For instance, we would get a plate of jerk chicken to share and also make a salad from the salad bar at the Coral Cafe buffet for our lunch. We could easily make our plates and walk them back to the beach chairs to enjoy lunch without interrupting our beach day.

Opened Daily 1pm – 5pm

Irie Coffee Shop

Irie Coffee Shop – Made to order specialty coffee is something I do not splurge on myself often. However, in the gardens of Jewel Paradise Cove sits the cutest little coffee shop which is included as part of the all-inclusive structure. For this reason, I took advantage of the offering and enjoyed a specialty coffee each morning prior to teaching my yoga class.

Beverages Include – Expresso, Latte, Mocha, Cappuccino’s, Mocha Latte, Americano, Latte Macchiato, Red Eye, Black Eye, Hot Chocolate, Cold Brew, and a variety of teas.
In addition, there is an assortment of pastries available.
Open Daily from 6am – 10pm.

The Smoothie Stand

The Smoothie Stand – Without a doubt, the smoothie stand was one of my favorite extra touches of the resort! Indeed, I consider fresh made smoothies with fresh fruit to be a luxurious offering which was included in this all-inclusive resort. These smoothies were the real deal!

The stand is located on the beach, steps from the beach and main pool, and is made with natural ingredients without a lot of added sweeteners and juices. Specifically, there are three types to choose from on the menu with an additional special which changes each day.

Sunset Delight was a mixture of pineapple, mint leaves, mango, yogurt, coconut milk, and honey. (My favorite!)
Reggae Medley was a mixture of watermelon, mango, banana, guava puree, pineapple and honey.
Pink Rose included beetroot, yogurt, papaya, banana, vanilla, milk honey, cinnamon.
Opened daily from 10am – 5pm

Entertainment & Bars

Sunken Treasure Swim Up Bar and Pool

Sunken Treasure Bar is in the main pool area, which is also adjacent to the Coral Cafe and the stage for nightly showtime. Furthermore, the design of this bar is multifunctional. You see, this bar is designed to be a swim-up bar on one end and a regular bar atmosphere on the upper side. For this reason, this was the happening bar in the evening. In fact, we watched the show from our seat at the bar many nights during our stay. Also, karaoke is offered once during the week in this space as well. We enjoyed our evenings in this lively space talking with fellow guests. In addition, the bartenders and staff did an amazing job at keeping us entertained while also keeping our drinks filled!

Emerald Lagoon Swim-Up Bar and Pool

Emerald Lagoon Swim-Up Bar is the perfect pool for those that like plenty of shade! For instance, the entire bar area is covered and offers plenty of space for those of us that like to limit our sun exposure. Ironically, this was the pool that I viewed from my balcony in my pool view suite. Therefore, the convenience coupled with the shade made it our pool of choice! A volleyball net was also available for play and was very popular among the guests. Another thing to note, the design of this bar made it possible to cross a small bridge and remain dry while getting a cocktail from the bar, which is ingenious if you ask me! Once again, the bar staff did an amazing job at keeping us served up and happy!

Aquamarina Beach Bar and Pool

Aquamarina Beach Bar and pool is located closest to the ocean and offered beautiful views of the sea. We spent the least amount of time at this pool/bar due to the location being further away from our accommodations. However, this bar has the advantage of being attached to the burger/sandwich grill, which makes it very popular. Once again, there is also bar service at this swim-up bar to remain dry by receiving your drink on the upper side.

Sunset Bar

Sunset Bar is an open air space located above the Platinum Restaurant overlooking the crashing seas of the ocean. Indeed, the name serves it well, this was the best place to catch a beautiful sunset. Sunset viewing is a daily celebration in my family. For this reason, we spent almost every afternoon having a mimosa at the Sunset Bar while watching the ball of fire sink behind the mountains at the far end of the island. Afterwards, we would make our way down the stairs and to dinner to enjoy the rest of our night. Be sure to catch a sunset or two or seven at the Sunset Bar, you will surely be glad you did!

Jaspers Chillin' Piano Bar

Jaspers Piano Bar was an indoor space with a sing along vibe. There were plenty of seats surrounding the piano, which made for an interactive and enjoyable evening. In addition, the bar and an attentive bartender are just steps away to keep the party going.

Opened 9pm – 1am

Bling Nightclub

Bling Nightclub was the happening spot late into the night with live music and tropical decor. Did I mention the waterslide goes through the nightclub??? Anyway, our nightclub days are far in the distance for us. For this reason, I can’t offer too much about the nightclub. Overall, from what I heard, people seemed to enjoy their time at the Bling dancing the night away!

Activities

The activities team did an amazing job at keeping everyone entertained. There were games and events scheduled daily and were easy to participate in or just be a spectator. Below is a sample of some of the offerings while we were there.

Showtime each night on the Cafe Coral stage with live singers and dancers.
Cornhole Competitions
Sliding Board Races
Pool tables and table tennis Darts
Daily Beach Trivia
Karaoke
Croquet
Beer Pong
Dance Classes
Tie Dye Activity (Bring a white t-shirt and make a tie dyed shirt for free)
Nature Walks
And plenty more I am sure I have forgotten about…

Fitness Facilities

The Jewel Paradise Cove is a wellness and fitness-focused resort. For this purpose, it makes an ideal vacation destination for those interested in enjoying their travels while also staying focused on their wellness habits. A small gym was located at the far end of the beach and offered all the typical cardio and strength training machines. In addition, there are quite a few non-traditional ways to get in a workout Jamaican style such as:

The Fit Trail – There is a walking trail that winds around the whole resort with fitness stations. Many people use this trail for their workout during their stay.
Each morning, one of the trainers from the gym met guests for an early morning walking workout that was very popular.
Daily Water Aerobics in the main pool was a blast!
Tennis courts with organized play.

Yoga

Ahh… Yoga on the beach on a tropical vacation…. Let me begin by saying The Jewel Paradise Cove is very supportive of the yoga community on and off the island. Being the traveling yoga teacher, I was super impressed by the importance they put into my offering for the resort.

To begin with, they provided Manduka mats and blocks which are very high quality and excellent for practicing yoga. After speaking with the gym director, I was told I would teach an 8am and 4pm yoga class daily. In addition, I was given autonomy over my teaching style and location. As you can imagine, I was so excited to be able to teach in different beautiful locations at the resort. He gave me some good pointers about sun and noise and I was on my way to share my passion for yoga with the students who attended.

I chose to teach the morning class on the patio of the gym overlooking the far end of the beach and the afternoon class in the gazebo in the garden. To say it was magical is an understatement! To illustrate, the beach location was just a few feet from the clear Caribbean Sea with waves lapping the beach. The sound of the waves did a wonderful job of keeping us focused inward for a beautiful gentle vacation yoga flow. Conversely, my afternoon class in the shaded garden gazebo sang with birds and wildlife. Unfortunately, there was some traffic noise nearby, but we practiced our yoga and worked on staying focused and centered. It was quite magical in its own kind of way.

Generally, I had about half a dozen students ranging from beginner, intermediate, and even a couple of fellow yoga teachers to my morning class and usually 1-2 in the afternoon class. I felt such gratitude each day walking to my class excited about the new people I would meet and the experiences we would share together. To my surprise, I even had the honor of introducing yoga to several people that had always wanted to try it and had the chance while on vacation. Likewise, being an adaptive yoga teacher, this really made my heart sing!! To learn more about my quest to make yoga available for ALL people, check out this article! Furthermore, if you would like to learn more about practicing yoga with me virtually, click HERE for more information.

Teaching yoga while traveling to beautiful destinations is such a gift to experience. I am so grateful to Fit Bodies Inc for their assistance in making this available for professional teachers and much gratitude to the staff at the Jewel for making me feel like one of the family. For certified fitness instructors interested in learning more about teaching fitness classes while traveling, learn more about Fit Bodies Inc HERE.

Spa

The Radiant Spa was located in the same building as the gym and offered a full menu of treatments, facials, and massages. Unfortunately, I did not receive a spa treatment while on vacation, but I did talk to quite a few of the spa staff and they were just lovely. To learn more about spa services, check out their website HERE.

Other Things to Note

Dinner on the Beach – Once a week, the staff move the buffet dinner to the beach. Indeed, the effort to provide a candlelight dinner oceanside has to be quite a challenge. However, Jewel Paradise Cove did an amazing job at making it look effortless. The night we experienced this was amazing, the setting incredible, the food delicious, and the live Jamaican band was fabulous! Be sure not to miss this event!!

Bathrooms Galore – This might seem odd to some but we found the multitude of bathrooms throughout the resort to be very convenient. Moreover, we found that anytime we needed a restroom one was within steps and always clean and stocked.

Tipping – Tipping is a personal topic so I will keep this short. The staff work incredibly hard to keep the guests attended to and happy. American dollars go a long way for the staff and are greatly appreciated but always optional. Personally speaking, we take a stack of ones and give them out generously. Also, I like to tip the staff that sometimes get overlooked, like the room attendant and watersport staff.

Beach Towels – Beach towels were very straight-forward. Upon checking in, you receive a card per person to claim a towel for the first time at the watersports desk. These towels can be changed out for fresh towels as often as needed. Exchange your towels on the last night for the cards and return the cards back at check out. Easy peasy. Interesting enough, we used the same towels all week. Thanks to the very handy towel rack system on the balconies for drying swimsuits and towels.

Wi-Fi – Wi-Fi can be spotty. As a result, we learned the best areas for wi-fi and tried to limit our phone usage. Ironically, one of the best places for service for us was on our balcony. In contrast, our room had a terrible signal. Nonetheless, this was not a big deal to us. We figured out how to make it work for our needs and enjoyed the time away unplugged!

Beach Cabanas – There are beautiful beach cabanas sprinkled about the resort for daily rental. We did not splurge on this, but I did talk to a guest that did and she raved about how much her and the husband enjoyed it!

Final Thoughts

The Jewel Paradise Cove is quite the “Jewel” to behold. We thoroughly enjoyed our week in this idyllic piece of paradise. However, just as with anything in life, things enjoyed by some people may not be received the same way by others. Therefore, a few things to note when choosing your all-inclusive resort for a vacation in Jamaica.

This resort offers a smaller, quaint resort with fewer guests. In addition, this resort does not offer all the extra fancy bells and whistles like some of the newer, larger resorts do. Due to the boutique-style resort, there are no elevators. Many of the restaurants are open-air and do not require reservations. Plenty of healthy options on the menus, as well as much emphasis being placed on fitness and wellness. The staff are very personable and attentive to guests, oftentimes feeling family. Several of the public spaces could use updated renovations. Wi-Fi can be spotty in certain locations.

In closing, the good absolutely outweighed the few things that could be improved upon. Furthermore, I have to repeat that the ease of use at this resort is what made it such a jewel to behold. Enjoying my vacation with no schedule, appointments, and limited reservations is what made it so enjoyable for us. In the same way, having the beach, pools, restaurants, and rooms so convenient and easy to access is just hard to beat! And… of course, the incredible staff. Without a doubt we would love to return to the Jewel Paradise Cove as it proved to be quite “The Jewel to Behold!” Sign up below for my monthly newsletter and follow me on my social media sites at Facebook or Instagram!