Royal Decameron Club Caribbean

3 readers found this review helpful

We booked this holiday by chance to spend our 30th Wedding Anniversary away and could not have asked for a better place to spend it. It was a holiday of a lifetime and we will definately be returning. The staff and accomodation were excellent and the beach was amazing. It was the best place to relax and chill. The menu could could do with some variation but all food was always cooked thoroughly and hot to your choice. We would recommend for couples rather than with young children but overall FABULOUS!!!!!

Greeted on our arrival with a cooling drink and very friendly staff. What a contrast compared to the grumpy and unfriendly cabin crew on the Thomson flight.
Our cottage was clean and tidy and although it could of done with a little updating in the bathroom was sufficient for our needs. The cot supplied for our son as requested was already in the cottage. The whole complex was very clean and the food was of a very good standard.The whole feeling of the place was a lot more friendly than the normal hotel experience. Although the pool was not very child friendly (our son is 17months old) the lifeguards on hand where always very watchful of our son. The entertainment crew were also very friendly.In fact all the staff made us and especially our son feel very at home. Everyone went out of their way to talk to him even though they didn't need to. We are already trying to book again for next year we enjoyed it that much. Dunns river and Dolphin cove are a must

8 readers found this review helpful

On arrival I was disappointed and felt that perhaps I had made the wrong choice for my Family. The Chalet/ Huts do need a re-furb and certainly a marketing exercise and some good investment would see this rsort go up a couple of notches. However the holiday was excellent after a couple of days I was enjoying myself and relaxing so much I almost went native. My party consisited of my wife , son (21 ) and daughter (13) and I can only say it was great. Yes there are things that could be better but the whole package came together, the entertainment staff so talented, the majority of the waiters brilliant, the food acceptable varing from very good to moderate but always edible. We travel several times a year and in the late spring had 2 weeks in Abu Dhabi/Dubai who have a lot going for them but to me Jamaica wins.You will be hustled but that is their way fo life, enjoy it some of the interactions make the holiday, do not be afraid to go out it is different but enjoy it. Other people have mentioned George on the jetty, he is a great guy and makes the visitors very welcome. You do need to get out from the site and see other parts of Jamaica but ask me would I go back and the answer is Yes. I am still getting to terms what is was about it the Decameron Club and I would say evertime it was the feel rather than the look but saying that I bet we have all enjoyed staying at some really big hotel only for no one to talk and take a real interest.
I am not an expert but talking with the Jamaicans is a pleasure. We went on several non tour operator trips and enjoyed everyminute as they say in Jamaica 'No Problem'.
My advice go try it and see how it works for you , it certainly worked for us, well done Club Caribbean.

3 readers found this review helpful

When we arrived we were frighten by the way it looked in front. It was like an alley way. But when we relaxed and begin to look around it was not bad after all. The cottage was clean and the food was great. The staff was very friendly. We really enjoyed ourselves. Being a small resort, we were able to do things like dance on the stage and playing the drums.
We should not have judge the resort by its front cover. We had alot of fun and would return again.

3 readers found this review helpful

went for 2 weeks 8th may and was so pleased to have picked here over riu in ocho rios. everything was superb from our own cottage to small and friendly atmosphere of the complex. my wife is a chef and commented that the food was of a very good standard especially in the a la carte restuarants. the staff did everything to make sure you enjoyed yourself, george at jetty bar is the best barman in the world!. hairdryer in the room blew and within 1 minute of reporting , a guy came and replaced it .free watersports included water ski-ing and a glass bottom boat which took you to reef for snorkelling, and all for free.booked trips with raquel our rep , and she organised the outings on specific days that suited us with a no problem man.dunns river falls is a must and si is bob marleys homein nine mile.best surprise was rafting on marthe brae river, good relaxing day out.shopping in ocha rios is a buzz but expect to be hassled a bit. a firm no thanks is always greeted with a no problem man, so don't be afraid to go out and explore jamaica it's great and the people make it an experience not to forget

2 readers found this review helpful

Fantastic holiday & great value. Not pretentious like many higher rated hotels, just good food, good drink and a great laid back ambience. Can't believe the negative reviews we've read from others. We've travelled widely (Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, USA, Far East, Indian Ocean etc etc) and have to say we enjoyed this holiday immensely. May not be the flashiest of places but very low key, comfortable and atmospheric. You really feel like you're in Jamaica, not like in some of the bigger chain hotels.
We thought the food was excellent, very pleasantly surprised. You should never go hungry here.
Beach superb.
The best part of the holiday was George, the main man in the swing bar on the jetty. This was truly a piece of paradise, with the best of hosts. We stayed for 2 weeks and can safely say that he made the holiday, what a character. Thanks George for a great time. We will definitely be back soon (if George is still there), this time with all the family, they'd love him! We've still got the photos of him & us in the swing bar and look at them often to remind us of the great time we had.
As George would say - Later Baby!
Or, How you doin' Papa?
Yeah Man, what a holiday. Cheers George, see you soon, with any luck.

What an absolutely wonderful holiday!! From the minute we arrived everyone tried their utmost to make our stay special. The food was very good, plenty of it and a wide selection. The food could have been hotter on occasions but when you consider the amount of guests being catered for it was a really good effort. The standard of cleanliness was excellent. Staff are cleaning and tidying the area continually. The dining rooms were really clean with staff wearing personal protective equipment when filling up the serving areas. Waiters were friendly and efficient. Rooms were cleaned daily to a high standard. The only let down was the entertainment, it got a bit tedious when it was the resident dancers but there were some guest performers who were fantastic. There are plenty of excursions to be booked at the resort but we found a really good, reliable taxi driver who charged reasonable rates. Try Dolphin Cove for the swimming with Dolphins, it's a really emotional experience. Dunns river falls and the Bob Marley tour are both top tours.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just got back from 2 week holiday (april 29-14 may) staying at the Royal Decameron in Runaway Bay, having stayed with my 16year old daughter.
Can i just say what a fantastic holiday we have just had, so much so, i have cancelled Cuba in february to go back for 2 weeks in april 2009.
Flight with first choice-good, transfers-good, accomodation- really pleased with garden view cottage(which i requested),food excellent- buffet style and 2 speciality restaurrants.
Entertainment could not have been better, worked hard for your enjoyment, you could do as much or little as you wanted. Watersport activities were free and underused in my opinion, wish I had done more than i did.
Weather beautiful for 13 days out of 14, so that was perfect.
Trips-booked 5 trips with first choice, bit more expensive with tour rep but you have the knowledge of it being safer to do so.
1. Hooves horseriding down a mountain and into the sea, 5/5 brilliant.
2. River tubing, 4/5.
3. Bob Marley jeep safari, 5/5, well worth the visit-moving.
4. Night sunset cruise, 5/5.
5. Cool Runnings trip to Dunns River Falls, 5/5 fantastic.
Last of all, can i just say that the staff of the Royal Decameron were fantastic, from the check in staff, gardeners, maids, towel girl, sanitation staff, bar staff, ent crew and most of all, a big thankyou to the dozens of waiters-who made our holiday the best we have ever had.
They were more than just friendly, they remembered your name, always had time to chat, always with a smile on their face, this for me, you cant buy.
My daughter cried all the way home on the plane, and i felt a little teary too, so this is why we are going back next april. Holidays are what you make them, I went with an open mind and determined to enjoy myself-which i did.
Jamaica is a lovely warm country in every sense of the word, and you will find just a little bit more, when you stay at the Royal Decameron.

We went to Royal Decameron Club in the summer, it was really good.
This is my rating for everything:
Accomodation - 10/10;
Food - 8/10;
Staff - 9/10;
Activities - 10/10 - all free;
Weather - 6/10;
Cities - 8/10;
Pools 5/10 - closed too early and only 2 pools and kids can only go in 1.
Would recommend beach front hut!

This place is our heaven, just love it!!
We first stayed at Club Caribbean in the late 70s, when we were young, and this was only our 3rd visit.
The gorgeous beach-front cottages, set in beautiful gardens from where the sound of crickets and the lapping of the sea lulls you to sleep every night, makes for a beautifully restful, tranquil holiday.
We only left the hotel once, to spend a few hours at Dunne's waterfalls. The whole fortnight we never ate one single meal indoors.

We met like-minded New Yorkers there who just wanted to swim out to the bar every so often. In the evenings we sometimes played tennis (floodlit) or joined in the organised games if we got tipsy enough. Or maybe just lingered over a great lobster and champs.
Will certainly be back for more. Until next time, cheers all!! Just loved it!!