This was amazing! Having the all-inclusive unlimited luxury package made it extra relaxing. No need to be frugal, order up & try new things LOL!
I would recommend bringing 50-100 singles, as it seemed custom to tip for pictures, room service, bar, tye dye class etc..
Every employee really goes out of their way to make everything PERFECT for you, and they are the FRIENDLIEST people out there :)
Maybe bring OFF since there were some mosquitos (none on me, but they loved my bf!), as well as a waterproof camera (i wish i did)!
Enjoy a beautiful, relaxing & ROMANTIC vacation in paradise!!***

We just came back from a 5 night stay: Jan 31-Feb 5. We had a great time!! The hotel is almost brand new. Everything is very modern, the room had a spectacular view with a stand alone jetted tub and a stand up shower. Beautiful! 24 hour room service was amazing, we used many times after coming back from a late night.

The entertainment was, in my opinion AMAZING. The staff during the days at the pool went above and beyond to keep the guests entertained. We participated in crab racing (with real crabs!!), pool side large block janga, and bingo. Super fun.

The drink selection at the bar was above my expectations. There was premium hard alcohol at almost all bars. The bartenders knew how to make some cool drinks that I would have never asked for. The only down side I found was that the "house" wine was not good. And at dinner time they had alternative wine list that you had to pay for -- these bottles were good but over priced. Prices ranged from $30-$350. At an all inclusive it's nice to have a premium wine selection but the prices were too high to warrant a purchase.

We went with another couple and chartered the speed boat for an hour for $150 and went for a little tour and a private snorkel in the middle of the ocean. Fully worth while. There were TONS of fish!!! And our staff member: Junior was so accommodating and fun! He was great ;)

The nightly entertainment at the out door stage, again exceeded my expectations. In particular we LOVED the 3 little birds and the dancers who went along with them were out of this world CRAZY amazing!! Also Jerry Jackson - a reggae type singer was awesome!! We also loved the staff member who did the piano sing along every night great!!!

Another feature that was great was that the outdoor jacuzzi were open all hours. We often made a late night stop to jacuzzi :) AND the food carts ---- the jerk chicken was crazy good. We also loved the coconut guy and the fresh fruit lady. Perfect afternoon snacks :)


****Biggest Tip I Can Give******** Every Friday night they have a secrets talent show, where first prize wins 5 free nights!!! Second place 3 free nights and third place a massage. There was only 5 guests who signed up to compete so the odds were really in there favour. Future guests should totally rehearse and try to win!!! You can do anything: skit, dance, sing, comedy.

DOWN SIDES------

The food at all the night time restaurants is mediocre. The buffet on the other hand, for all 3 meals offered was great. The wrap place (by the pool) was also great. I just don't recommend he night time restaurants -- which is a shame because the atmosphere is great in all of them.

We also felt like the resort was trying to charge us money for every little extra: Internet, wine, snorkelling, sailing, there is a fee for all of these. Also despite what the website says the staff DO expect tips. And some deserve them - but with every drink ordered, question asked, snack eaten -- we spent a ton of cash tipping --- which wasn't our intention --- but it was what everyone was doing.

Bus to and from the airport was not included in our stay. Apparently the locals said it would topically cost $1 (yes that's right $1!!!!) to get to or from the airport but they rip tourists off and charge $40 --- each way. Huge rip off!! A shuttle should be included, especially given it is only 10 min away.

STAFF COMMENTS------
Our check-in to our check-out the staff were so friendly, Damien (double D, as we called him) the bell hop - remembered our name. Kevin (from the tour desk) and Brian (check-in staff) were so funny, professional and funny!!

Pool side entertainment staff were AMAZING: particularly Moya -- who remembered my name throughout my stay and every time she say me asked if I was having a good time. Genius was just strait funny and entertaining. She entertained us for 3 days at the pool and was a blast!!

Junior at the water sports desk was great.

We arrived at Secrets St. James & were told that we were being "upgraded" to Secrets Wild Orchid. It is virtually the same hotel, except St. James seemed a bit quieter. If you get room 2042
be prepared for a lot of noise from the horseshoe pit & the giant hot tub. Check in was very prompt & friendly. The only sore point was being told that they had "free coupons" for us. The coupons are in fact a ruse to get you to attend a long, tiresome sales pitch for their "travel club"
Beware.
The room was quite comfortable. The beer fridge did not seem to keep the beer cold.
The lighting in the bathroom was very poor. The inside corridors were very dark & gloomy.
Thats all the less than perfect stuff. The great stuff was not having to make reservations for a la cart meals. Divine. I enjoyed every meal I ate. Even the wine was drinkable. The serving staff were warm & friendly & very capable. Even the room service was tasty.
They have beer taps that you can serve yourself from. No more waiting forever for the bartender to make us some fruity mess.
They did not guard the beach towels. You could have as many as you wanted, no attitude.
The snorkelling trip off the beach was quite good. Worth getting wet. The beach wasn't great. Oh well. My Husband enjoyed his scuba trip & found the staff quite knowlegable. $110 us. for a 2 tank dive.
The most memorable aspect of our trip was the staff. What a wonderful bunch, not a snarly one on the whole property.
Heartily recommend this property but try to get an upper floor room for a better view & some peace & quiet.

My first experience at Secrets Wild Orchid was amazing, the customer service is none that I have every experience before. Special shout out to Ruth and her supervisor in housekeeping. Letiesha at the front desk, Archibald the bell man, the gentleman who sang to us in the main dinning room and all the staff of Secrets for making our stay the most memorable one. I really enjoy myself and would advise anyone seeking a hotel for vacation to go to Secrets. Love you guys hope to visit again soon.

Mrs. K. Lewis