Starfish Beach Resort Hotel

I had a group of 5 people, we are all young to late 20's and are the kind of people who can have fun anywhere. Driving to the resort we passed by an AMAZING resort that I opted not to go to because of the price and chose the Starfish. Thats when I gulped cuz being the planner you get nervous. The front of the resort was a double gulp, but upon walking in there was a bar immediately and that was great, becuase the description said "everywhere you go you can find a bar". The staff was very nice at check in and the rooms were pretty small but really who stays in the room, so we didnt care. The view we had was amazing. I couldnt turn the AC off, but we left the balcony door open all night for some fresh air. (Im not a fan of A/C). The pools were a cloudy and I couldnt see my feet in two of them but they did their best to keep the debris out. There was a crab that crawled into one of the pools kinda cool. But when you step on a cup in the pool and cant see that its a cup it gets kinda scary. (haha) The entertainment staff was great, they learned all our names and ended up giving us nicknames. They stopped to make sure we were having fun at all times. The food, near the pool was so so, being used to American food and trying it at a place the doesnt specialize in it is an experience. This was also during the tomato scare so I was worried to even try those. The buffet was pretty good, I had two very picky eaters and they were able to get full. The Casablanca was amazing, as was the Japanese place. Another little problem is that the bars didnt open until 11am, and they dont all open at the same time and closed at different hours, so you may need to walk for a drink if its too early or late. They also had a red flag up most of the time we were there so no water sports were going on. So unless you like to drink and relax or create your own fun, this wasnt the week for you. The only really bad thing, that has NOTHING to do with the hotel is the airport..... they have LOTS of delays, our flight back was delayed 16 hours. I travel a lot so Im used to that but this was really bad. Its a great place to stay we had the best time, I recommend getting involved in the activities, even if you think they are silly, youll have so much more fun.

My daughter and I stayed at Starfish for 5 days in March 2006 during her spring break. We enjoyed our stay there and the weather was pretty good...82 and partly cloudy. A couple of days the wind was too bad to sit at the beach so we hung around the pool. Our room was large, freshly painted, and very clean. The staff at Starfish are very friendly and helpful eventhough the front desk help is a little slow. Food was above average at the buffet, but the italian restaurant was excellent. Even though we had to pay a surcharge, it was worth it. Bamboo Village next door was alright. Our guide said it best, "85 huts and if you've seen one, you've seen them all." My daughter got her hair braided there for $15. Drinks at the Starfish were excellent. If you buy a large wooden mug from the vendors, they gladly fill it up for you. The "sports grill" near the pool had good food from nachos and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken burgers, fries. All pretty decent. The activities for young people (teens) was good. My daughter met some kids while watching some of the fun competitions they had down by the ocean. Entertainment at night was good, not top notch, but entertaining. Don't get a room by the star pool...you'll be blasted by the speakers down below until around 11:00 at night. Be prepared for the goats on the roads on the way to the hotel from the airport. Also don't be alarmed at how the Jamaicans drive. Scared the pants off us. All in all, take in some tours. Go to Dunns River Falls and go on the Luminous Lagoon ride. All worth the money. Don't forget your camera!!

do not waste your money - hotel was clean, staff friendly -BUT if you want to go plastic heaven then the Starfish is the place for you. Plastic Chairs, Plastic breakers ok for the day time but in the evening as well I don't think so. it is so very tacky in every way Butlins aboard. But having said all that the beach is lovely if you like security guards. But you must go the Dolphin Coven & Dunns River absolutely fantastic - but do make your own travel arrangements go out of the hotel and agree a price with a taxi guy there make sure that he has air con in his car - you wont get ripped off and you can do both the trips in one day as they are right next to each other. We paid $80 return trip and the driver will wait for you. GOOD LUCK. I am going on hols again with my daughter in a fews weeks time to Tunisia hope I have better luck.

Our family went in July of 04 The resort was in bad condition. The pools were filthy. The food at the buffet was similar to Cafeteria food at a rest stop. Our room was humid, the A/C did not work properly and the blinds would not shut. We notified management several times but no help. We booked for a week and ended up leaving in 3 days and going to the Ritz Carlton. When we informed management we were leaving early due to the poor conditions, they called us a cab, no offer of refund or remorse. Save your money,this trip ended up costing us a fortune, we got no refunds and had to pay $450 a night at the Ritz (only place we could find with a vacancy)

Well, I read a lot of reviews and some of them should maybe think about what country they are in. The Starfish Trelawny was very good. Yes, it is only a three star but, the people that work there are a five. The fun you have is up to you. You can lay around and enjoy the great feeling of being relaxed at a very clean Resort or be busy and do many things available. We went to Bamboo Village daily just to mingle with the Jamaicans and had a great time doing that. The Jamaicans are very friendly and just like any other country your going to get the rude ones but, from wherever you come from around the world your going to reieve the same attitudes. So you people that drink your Lattes and wake up to strawberries for breakfast move on to the five stars. We went in Febuary 2002, and enjoyed evey minute of every day and just thought of the all the SNOW we left behind. We are now going back in 2005 for another 9 days of great summer weather and great Jamaican culture. The food was very good we are average people with thooughts that if you are eating food you would eat at home it must be all right. The food was your everday meals like Turkey, mashed pot, veges, ham, all different every night and always plenty of it. Breakfast was a very wide assortment of foods as well as fresh fruits avaiable at all times. So, if yu are readin this think about your lifestyle and where you come from this is not a wealthy Country. Will go back again, and again. Make sure you wear water shoes in the Ocean there is a lot of Sea Urchins and Kayak out to the Reef it is absolutely beautiful it is straight out in front of the Resort. Stay away from the Jamaicans on the right of the Resort not very safe.

Well after 4 visits to the resort it's hard to say we never had a good time or that we dislike the resort. As many other reviews have stated the staff are great, the grounds are well kept and the overall Jamaica experience is unforgetable! I think everyone booking this resort should understand that they will get exactly what they pay for. This is a three star resort with three star qualities. The rooms are simple,yet clean. The choices at the buffet are average but eatible. If you want extra...pay for extra. You've got to go into this vacation with an open mind. You can do as little or as much as you choose! It all depends on you. Do you want to spend your entire vacation trying to find something wrong with your accomodations? For what? In hopes of getting a free stay to return to the place you found so much wrong with...not worth it! Just relax and you'll have a great time as myself and my friends have experienced for the last 2 years (yup...4 times in 2 years!). Seriously, I could be a picky person but if I can do it, you can too! Just enjoy yourself!

Hi There. I have visited jamaica twice last year and I have stayed at the the starfish resort in OCHO RIOS , AND I AM RETURNING IN SEPTEMBER OF 04, i love the place the rooms are clean the service is EXCELLENT the food is great and the staff is WONDERFUL THE ENTERTIANMENT (WOW).

Let me first start with that I am a travel agent and I was a bit apprehensive about staying at this resort because of the rating. I was pleased with what I arrived to. The resort is beautiful, the people are friendly and the food was good. I will say that the rooms are in need of some attention. We had a great view of the ocean and the pool area, however the rooms were small and in need of some updating. We spent very little time in it so it was not a problem. I have to say the people is what made this trip so awesome. The staff and the guest were so friendly. I have to give credit to Soupy and Ritchie who were part of the watersport team they were awesome. The bartenders were always cheerful and fun. If you stay at the resort look for Garth, Dave and Marlon in the lobby bar they were a riot. This is a great family resort with plenty of things to do. It is not in a location that allows you to go explore a town or walk. You do need to set up tours for this or hire a taxi. We hired a taxi and spent the day in Mobay and Negril I strongly encourage this. We loved Margaritaville and Ricks cafe. The only diappointment was the disco, no one used it. We wanted to dance several nights only to find it empty. We travel to a new destination every year, however this time I will and I am going back to Jamaica in September. This trip made me realize once a year is not enough every six months is necessary.

Please let people know that this resort has been closed since late 2000 - early 2001. My daughter and I spent our first visit to Jamaica at this small resort. It was the best! It was small, and friendly, and cozy, and full of Jamaican charm!

My friends and I have just returned from the Starfish Trelawny and we STRONGLY encourage you to not book your vacation at this resort. The staff was very rude and would walk away when speaking to them. We switched rooms 4 times because the balcony door on the first floor did not shut, the beds were wet, air conditioning did not function and made a horrid noise. We finally were switched and were stuck with a bathroom door with a doorknob because it sat on the counter all week. We did not receive a free mini-bar among many other features. The tour desk made it a production to book a tour and lied to us when trying to book a tour. The free buffet was less than cafeteria quality, so be prepared to spend money on the restaurants. However the waitstaff was very helpful and courteous while the grounds were neatly groomed with a beautiful view. Had a nice time because of my company, not the resort.