Fall 2023 we stayed at two different family all inclusive resorts in Jamaica to compare them for families. I would encourage families to stay at either one with no concerns but different families are looking for different pros and cons. So here is how they compare:
Beach Scene
Moon Palace is situated in a bay in Ocho Rios with calm waters and a small beach area. There were always lounge chairs available so I wouldn't consider it "too small". Beaches Negril is situated on the beautiful open 7 miles of white sandy beaches directly on the ocean. Here you will have more water activities to choose from. Beaches (and Sandals) always have luxury included water sports. At Beaches Negril you will have kayaking, hobie cats, paddle boarding, diving (free for certified divers), snorkeling, banana boats and ocean trikes. Moon Palace offers paddleboarding and kayaking. If you want to spend the day in the shade or sun beachside, Beaches definitely has a huge expanse of options even while at 91% occupancy during our stay.
Moon Palace had some water activities available at an additional charge including a dolphin experience on property plus snorkeling and scuba diving for a fee.
 |
| View at Moon Palace, Jamaica |
Pool Activities
Moon Palace had a mix of all age groups and everyone seemed to have enough to do. There is a surfing flow rider that never had a line, water volleyball and staff creating activities in the pool. Beaches definitely has their young visitors under 10 covered with an entire Pirates Water park fully staffed with lifeguards and servers stopping by to check on you. There is water and beach volleyball and activities and crafts nearby at both resorts.
Beaches definitely wins on all accounts for the theming and pool features for children under 10. The staff clearly enjoys and engages with kids, there is a lazy river, slides, pouring buckets of water and a large expanse of water fun.
Kids Clubs
Both resorts offer kids clubs for all ages. The Beaches Negril kids area definitely wins in the category for guests under 10. They have a brand new facility opened in 2023, with the biggest climb through tunnels spanning two rooms I have seen. There are two "shoes free" rooms for the under 5 children so that any toddlers on the floor will be in a clean environment. Beaches partners with Sesame Street to bring the characters to the islands. There are parades with characters where the children join in, random character pop ups, theming and activities for the children to experience the Sesame Street team. There is also a club for 12+ but that is more of a meet up location where kids can check themselves in and out. Staff here is autism certified, CPR certified and clearly well trained. We saw several groups out throughout the week with groups of children eating, playing, and doing activities. Kids were happy and well taken care of, staff was in tune with the kids and the staff to child ratio was perfect.
My thoughts: Beaches for 10 and under, Palace for 10+. This is a general comment and of course many travel with extended family and have children that span that age gap. I would go on the side of the younger traveler if you want a peaceful trip where they will be occupied.
Spa
Both resorts have a spa and their spas do include some options for junior guests. I overheard some very excited teens on their way to their spa treatments.
Tipping
This one is always something to plan for in pricing your trips. When Beaches Resorts (and their parent company, Sandals) say ALL-INCLUSIVE, they mean it. Tipping is forbidden on site. This is much easier because on these trips you find yourself at a swim up bar and there's no good place to keep your money dry to tip. You don't see a difference in service based on the biggest tippers. Three places where tipping during a Beaches vacation is allowed but not required: transfer drivers, spa treatment and butler service.
Palace Resorts do not require tipping but it would seem weird not to tip. We tip our transfer driver, the bellhop, the dessert bar, the meals, the room service, bars...you get the point, it adds up.
Safety and Security
We get asked a lot about the safety of a trip to Jamaica, we are always surprised by the ideas some Americans have about travel to Jamaica. I can only assume it is from people that are getting off at cruise ports that are notoriously a frenzied mess or from stories of others that wondered aimlessly through the streets. My husband is a police officer and keenly aware of the dangers most do not notice in our hometown and surrounding area. He has never been concerned. First, we suggest you stay on property or leave only with the designated paid excursions that the resort has already vetted on your behalf. Next, don't wander off property intoxicated or in search of anything from the local "farmers". There are security personnel on property, video cameras on the beach and excursion desks available to book your trips should you choose to go somewhere. We waked the Negril open beach midday with no concerns and saw security, police and lots of tourists out. We did get approached by locals offering their wears but no one was aggressive, with a swift "no thank you", we were on our way. Since the beaches are public, there are people walking through or people offering parasailing or marijuana, you can politely refuse and keep walking with no issues whatsoever.
Accommodations
This really comes down to what you are looking for and what you value in your stay. Beaches properties are very clean with constant staff stepping up to clear all area of drinks, trash, and unused towels. Palace didn't seem to have the same high employee to customer ratio but it was certainly sufficient. The rooms, most meals and snack areas at Palace are in an air conditioned interior building. Our room was oversized with a nice stand up shower (important to me), our "resort view" was just laughable, we were looking at the dirty rooftop of the rest of the resort out our 5 inch French balcony. If a view matters to you, be intentional with upgrading to a room that is beachfront.
Beaches rooms have a very large range and one main reason that booking with a travel agent instead of booking yourself is so important. Again, we have the lowest category of room, it is clean and sufficient. The lowest level here is a garden view, so no dirty red roof! It is a full balcony and not the tiny fake balcony. However, the bathroom does show it's age and the intention of having a tub for bathing children. Then on the other extreme, there are the nicest beach front family accommodations I have seen on any property of any brand. They are astonishing (reach out for a video if interested). As this resort undergoes continual refurbishment I believe the lower categories will be more inviting.
The common areas at Beaches are designed for children under 10. It is smaller than some giant resorts allowing for maneuverability with small children without extreme hassle. There are a lot of multigenerational families and returning guests.
Restaurants
Both resorts have hibachi, sushi, brick oven pizza, jerk shacks, buffets and only a couple require reservations that were easy to secure at check in. Beaches has a delicious new option, Yaku Peruvian food which was excellent. We also enjoyed the Mexican restaurant, Mariachi at both lunch and dinner. They had me at fresh churros!
 |
| Moon Palace Jamaica has an area of different food court style options open most of the day. Grab sushi, pizza or sandwiches to order. Their dessert and coffee bar just keeps begging me to come back! |
Both have designated dessert restaurants open all day and ice cream which is a big plus for me! Beaches pulls ahead in this area with YoYos frozen yogurt with toppings.
One difficulty at Beaches is that the majority of the dining is outside under covered patios with fans. If you have someone that really needs to get into air conditioning to enjoy their vacation, this would be a frustration. There are no indoor breakfast or lunch options.
Price Comparison
Looking at entry level, balcony rooms September 2024 for 6 nights for two adults and two kids (14 and 9) the resort cost before flights:
Palace: $2,762.96
Beaches: $5,031.20
(this is not a quote for travel as prices continuously change and are different depending on dates and times of year)
Palace is nearly half the price so you can compare what matters most to you. As Disney enthusiasts, it really reminds me of Pop Century compared to the Grand Floridian. You pay more for the different amenities. So you have to decide what type of trip or experience you are most interested in.
Why choose Beaches?
We book and visit all locations and don't have an interest in one over the other. As travel agents we want our clients happiest so they make memories with their families and book return trips through us. As I contemplated the price difference, I considered who I would think would prefer Beaches.
- Divers: Free diving on site. If you have a diver in the family it is completely free for certified divers to dive twice each day by signing up the day before and showing credentials. Joe dove twice a day for 4 days, those 8 dives would have been expensive to book separately. All equipment is provided.
- Sesame Street enthusiasts: The characters are readily available throughout the trip, they stop for photos and interaction, have the on site parade and an inexpensive character breakfast option. There are also shows and activities with the characters included for no additional charge.
- Beach Lovers: If being on the beach and in the ocean are important to you, this beach is miles long in both directions and clear water. The Palace beach is small and a bay without clear water.
- Butler service: If it is in your budget, the butler options here are more worthwhile than Sandals in our parenting opinion! Start your day getting ready in the room while the butler brings an sets up your breakfast for the family. Butlers will beat the rush to grab your spot on the beach and mark it as Butler Elite, they bring a cooler to your site, fill it with your family's requests and refill as needed. They bring meals from restaurants, pizza or bbq out to your family at your request. Drinks are never empty and they are a quick call away for any needs you might have, forgot your sunscreen in the room but have toddlers at the beach? No problem, call the butler. This service would make the trip a lot less exhausting with young children.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are seamless and included at both resorts.
When you are ready to book this or hundreds of other locations, please reach out, there are never any fees to book with us and have traveled to bring you the most important insider info from each location! dillontravels@gmail.com
