One Love in Jamaica | Lifestyles

The star attraction at the largest tourism conference on the calendar, Jamaica welcomed movers and shakers from around the world to Caribbean Travel Marketplace this year in Montego Bay. Hosted by Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in collaboration with Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Jamaica Hotel Tourist Association, the annual event is a treasure trove of tropical vacation ideas. “What visitors to the Caribbean are seeking is a personal connection with our people and excellent service delivered with soul and pride,” said CHTA president Patricia Affonso-Dass. — www.caribbeantravel.com

Welcoming nearly 400,000 Canadians last year, Jamaica also has one of the highest repeat visitor rates in the region.

“Four in 10 visitors have been to Jamaica before with many of those coming from Canada,” said Dan Hamilton, regional director, JTB, Canada. “We invite our Quebec friends to come to Jamaica and embrace the spirit of One Love.” — www.visitjamaica.com

Easy to get to, Jamaica is a no-brainer for Montrealers looking to swap the winter blues for Caribbean views. “Air Canada Vacations offers over 40 different resort options and three non-stop flights per week from Montreal,” said Nino Montagnese, managing director, Air Canada Vacations. — http://vacations.aircanada.com

On a sprawling peninsula, Excellence Oyster Bay is the newest all-suite all-inclusive for adults-only near Montego Bay. Hitting the vacation bullseye, perks include 24-hour room service, massages on the beach and 20 bars and restaurants. “Excellence Oyster Bay is a flagship property for the Excellence Hotel Group making their mark in the English Caribbean with this property,“ added Montagnese. “There are several room types, from Junior Suites to Excellence Club Beach House Suites with plunge pools and ocean views.” — www.excellenceresorts.com/resorts/excellence-oyster-bay

New in Montego Bay, S Hotel Jamaica is island cool with 120 rooms and suites. Hip on the Hip Strip overlooking Doctor’s Cave Beach where Katherine Hepburn liked to chill in the 1950s, standouts include a beachfront pool, spa, Deck Bar and Lounge and a replica of the movie star’s car that greets guests upon arrival. — www.shoteljamaica.com

For a day away from the beach, Montego Bay Cultural Centre and the National Gallery West is catnip for art buffs. In the Sam Sharpe Square that commemorates the Emancipation War in 1830, the new exhibit called ‘Due West’ salutes the artists that call the west side of the island home. — http://montegobayculturalcentre.org

For fans of reggae, Island Routes ‘Zion Bus Line’ is a pulsating pilgrimage along winding roads to Nine Mile where Bob Marley was born and where he’s buried with his guitar, which is either a Fender Stratocaster or a Gibson Les Paul, depending on who you ask. Stay awhile and check out the Marley-themed souvenirs and vegan snacks in the Rasta Café. — www.islandroutes.com

Also popular with Montrealers eager to snag their spot in the sand, Sunwing all-inclusive packages are fan favourites.

“Resorts that are hot sellers include Royalton White Sands Montego Bay and Royalton Negril Resort and Spa with suites that can accommodate families,” said Marie Josée Carrière, senior marketing manager Quebec, Sunwing. “Additional options include Sensatori Azul Beach Jamaica in Negril, Riu Palace Tropical Bay, Riu Negril and the adults only Riu Reggae in Montego Bay.”

Sunwing flies three times a week to Montego Bay from Montreal. “It has never been easier to reach the home of ‘All Right’ from Quebec,” adds Carrière. — www.sunwing.ca

Life’s a beach at the Skylark Negril Beach Resort fronting Seven Mile Beach. The sister hotel to the chi-chi Rockhouse also in Negril, 28-room hotel is making a splash with laid-back vacationers and couples tying the knot without a lot of formal fanfare.

“We limit the number of weddings to one per week,” said owner Paul Salmon. “This is to ensure we deliver the dedicated support required for the big day.” — https://skylarknegril.com.

Also on Seven Mile Beach, Island Lux Beach Park is a must-see on a lazy afternoon. Eco-astute with thatched roofs, bamboo plates and calabash dishes, jerk aims to please with hefty portions of chicken, pork and fish. Linger for a scoop of soursop ice cream at the Beach House Sweet Eats and kick back on a sun lounger planted in the sand. — http://islandluxbeachparkja.com

Have you ‘herd’? Betty and Royal Brown at Sunset at the Palms in Negril are the proud parents of four kids born at the resort. Arriving courtesy of a farmer who swapped her for kitchen swaps to feed his pigs, the affable goat named Betty became the official hostess popping up in happy holiday photos. Soon after, a handsome fella named Royal Brown joined the party and although a shy guy, opposites attract and he and Betty became a couple.

To the delight of guests, the resort hosted their wedding which, as it turns out, was a shotgun wedding because Betty delivered her first set of twins soon after. Last year, Betty delivered her second set and like the first set, the new arrivals are the only ‘kids’ allowed at the adults-only resort. Guaranteed crowd-pleasers, Betty makes a star appearance at special occasions held at the resort. — www.thepalmsjamaica.com

For many more photos, see the story online at www.thesuburban.com