First of all, I want to thank all the TripAdvisor travelers who post reviews. You were a tremendous help. I didn't re-read any reviews before I wrote this, so as not to influence my impressions. If I misunderstood someone's point of view, I apologize.
Jamaica Inn was a perfect escape. A few things I read in other reviews that I kept in mind during my trip. First of all, the road from Montego Bay airport to Ocho Rios. There are no crater-sized potholes, which I was worried about after reading a few postings. The road was decent (and for Jamaica, pretty darn smooth, and I'm sure the new road will be just fine). An airplane ride will get you there faster, sure, but I didn't mind the drive at all, and I get carsick easily.
My husband and I went to Jamaica for a four night stay in late July 2004. We arrived at Montego Bay and cleared Customs quickly, but it took awhile for us to find our driver. My husband went to the information desk at the airport and we were soon united with our driver. (We were a bit early for him.) If this is your first trip to Jamaica, stay calm in the airport. Once you clear Customs you will have lots of people ask if you need a cab. A pleasant "no thanks" is sufficient. Our driver had Red Stripe and bottled water waiting in a cooler, and he was very polite. No excessive chatter, but not stone cold silent either. He came back to the hotel that night after dropping us off and took us to a good seafood restaurant.
If you've never been to Jamaica before, you've probably read about "Jamaica time" which may make you think it takes 3 hours to receive food in a restaurant or be waited on in a store. I am an impatient person, but I have found Jamaica time to be largely a myth. Jamaican people are so wonderful. It is one thing to live in paradise; quite another to share your country because it is a tourist destination. I can't imagine any country being as accommodating to travelers from all over the world as Jamaica is.
Another thing for first-timers: ants are a fact of life and are no indication that a hotel is poorly maintained. Tiny ants will be crawling all over your bathroom sink, probably from the flowers. Do not freak out. It's not like they are rattlesnakes. : )
It was raining a bit during the drive to Jamaica Inn, which I didn't mind, because the weather forecast had been for thunderstorms! When we pulled up to the Jamaica Inn property, the sun broke through the clouds and was shining brightly through the trees when we arrived. Talk about a welcome mat! One of the owners, Eric, greeted us when we arrived. I had read other postings about him and I must agree that he was very pleasant without being overly chatty. Sorry to dwell on the overly chatty but my husband and I work at jobs where we spend all day talking to people, so on vacation we want quiet. We don't Jet Ski, we don't go on booze cruises, we don't read novels. We do nothing. So it was nice to be greeted warmly but not in such a way that we couldn't wait to escape to our room!
After reading all the reviews, I was trying not to get my hopes up, because I didn't want to be disappointed. I changed my travel dates so I could stay there! I'm happy to say Jamaica Inn was exactly what I expected and wanted. I was spectacularly impressed.
A couple of things about the room. We stayed in a premier verandah suite, beachfront. There are beachfront and waterfront premier suites. Both have spectacular views, but the beachfront is unforgettable, and, in my opinion, more secluded. Not that any rooms seem noisy! The rooms in the main part of the hotel are in a two story building, but the beach wing is one story. Beach rooms are literally 10 steps away from the beach. Also, Jamaica Inn has lovely flower arrangements in your room (including the bathrooms) -- not just a hibiscus on the pillow. I didn't visit inside any of the other rooms, but all the rooms have a lovely view, and if you can't get a beach suite, it's not like you are slumming. : )
The suites have a spacious open-air living room, with a couch and chairs with white slipcovers, and a minifridge. The only thing that separates you from the sand is a pilllared half wall. It's easy to slip into the sand! And it's easy to catnap on the couch. Ah!

The other room is an air-conditioned bedroom, which isn't huge, but has a desk and dresser, a phone, a walk-in closet and a bathroom. One hard, one soft pillow for each of us. The towels and sheets were better quality. (Nothing worse than staying in a fancy hotel with Motel-6 quality linens.)
The inn appeared to be full when we visited, but we never felt crowded. Actually, most of the time we felt like we were the only guests there. The walls were very thick, so we didn't hear our neighbors. We did hear a couple of noisy cats a couple of nights, but it was kind of humorous. Every night, the tree frogs serenade you. It is a lovely sound.
A couple of nice things about the beach itself. It is situated in a cove, so you don't see other hotels and gives you a feeling of exquisite privacy. And you can see the lovely mountains in the distance. (If you are so inclined, you can take trips to the falls or see other "natural" wonders of Jamaica, only a few minutes away.) Beautiful sand and water. This, to me, places it above Negril, a place I love. Really, it is worth the trip to Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios just to sit on the beach, gaze at the ocean, and have someone hand you a Planter's Punch!
We got the all-inclusive plan (after our first night). I recommend it. I have no complaints. I do wish, for the sake of the staff : ) that the refrigerator would have been stocked, so I could have a drink after the bar closed, and, because I felt somewhat silly to call and order a beer from room service whenever I drained the previous Red Stripe (about once every five minutes). Every order receives special attention. When we ordered a beer from our lounge chairs on the beach, it was delivered with chilled glasses, and an extra beer in an iced silver wine cooler!
Which brings me to room service. A must! There is a white table and chairs in the living room, by the beach, and a waiter covers the table with a white tablecloth. You don't have to leave your room if you don't want to. No details are spared just because you ordered room service lunch in the heat of July. Silver place settings, fine china, the works. Exquisite. Dinner room service is especially nice by candlelight.
The food, both restaurant and room service, was carefully prepared. I have to say that it's easy to spoil your dinner with the hors d'oeuvres (including toasted coconut pieces and plantain chips, but that is the "bar food" -- the other appetizers are fancier). I especially like the fact that Jamaican food is on the menu (you can get goat for lunch, but I didn't order it) -- one nice touch to the breakfast menu is a meal that includes "just a taste" of Jamaican food -- although you can get an entire Jamaican breakfast if you wish. If the only grapefruit you have had is the sour U.S. grocery store kind, try the grapefruit at breakfast.
I did not receive the bottle of wine that was supposed to be included with the all-inclusive, but I didn't remind anyone about it.
The bathroom is rather small, and the fancy shower head did not deliver much water pressure. I have crossed off hotels from my list because of this, but I'm telling you, don't let this keep you from Jamaica Inn. The bathroom was scrupulously clean and as for water pressure, it IS Jamaica. (I gave up on showers and just took baths, no problem.)
We left a young son at home and my cell phone doesn't have world service, so it was comforting to know the library (next to the bar) had a computer with Internet connection, so I could e-mail the sitter. No one was ever in the library when my husband and I were in there so we felt like we had the place to ourselves.
The staff also made you feel that way. I can't really explain how they manage to be so friendly without being intrusive. It is a perfect blend of privacy and service.
We ran into a family at the Montego Bay airport that we had seen at the hotel. The man told my husband that he had gone to Jamaica Inn on his honeymoon 31 years ago, and had returned every year since. He's not the only one; we had heard about other repeat guests. I hope to go back as many times, if I'm lucky! It's not as easy to get to Ocho as Montego Bay or Negril, but you will be rewarded by peace and natural beauty.
One final thing, I left my camera bag at the hotel. It contained not only my digital camera, but my cell phone and irreplaceable jewelry. I realized I had lost it once I arrived at the Montego Bay airport to return home. Thankfully, an airport employee let me use a house phone. I called the hotel, frantic, and was told they had the bag. It arrived at my house in North Carolina less than 48 hours later!!! That alone is enough to make me recommend Jamaica Inn, but of course, there was so much more.
I highly recommend the inn to anyone who needs an escape.
I am not saying Jamaica Inn is perfect, but I haven't been anywhere that gets as close. I was a bit skeptical after reading so many glowing reviews. You have to go there, then come back to "real life" to fully appreciate how blissful it is.
Feel free to e-mail me with specific questions.

After a joyful (but exhausting) New York City wedding, my husband and I spent two weeks at the Jamaica Inn, and I must describe it as an experience, rather than a place. Imagine having held your breath for most of your adult life. Upon check-in, glimpsing the living painting of lush tropical grounds and stunning crescent beach through the frame of the open-air lobby will fill your lungs and spirit with the sweetest air. The 14 days that followed were, for us, a long, contented sigh.
While the physical property merits an ode too lengthy to share here, the heart of the inn is its gracious staff. From Shadow, the canine ambassador who greeted us with wagging tail at the front desk, to the smiling Kingsley, who refused to let us handle even the smallest bag, we felt embraced within 5 minutes of stepping foot onto the property. The Planters’ Punch served during the check-in process quickly inspired us to embrace right back.
I am glad to report that drinking rum before noon is the only dash of excess you will bravely endure during your stay :). The inn is an oasis of subtle elegance and exquisite serenity. The tacit agreement between like-minded souls dictates an absence of loud, intrusive behavior. The forging of new friendships is a gentle process.
The inn was near capacity during our stay, yet the beach still seemed dreamily deserted. We spent our days under the palm umbrellas reading, sipping Dirty Bananas and kayaking to work off the resulting stupor. Having delectable lunches served on our beautiful veranda completed the Roman Emperor experience. Drinks and superb dinners under the stars convinced us we had been very good in a past life indeed.
The North Star for this heavenly journey is Mary Phillips, the Inn’s general manager. Her loving and generous spirit nurtures the family that is her staff, which in turn adopts us, the lucky guests. May you be fortunate enough to share a drink with Mary and be graced by the sound of her hearty laugh.
Also wonderful are Terry, the attentive assistant manager, Carolyn, the spa therapist whose treatments are the best legal high you have ever experienced, and Kitty, whose flower arrangements on our pillows made us sad to lay down at night.
That I wept once upon leaving is to be expected, as I am a sentimental Italian. That my more stoic Irish husband was teary-eyed as well should really impress you.
The card on our bed when we arrived said Welcome Home. We felt unjustly deported as we said goodbye.

My wife and I just returned from a six day stay (6/28--7/3) at the Jamaica Inn. While we had never been to Jamaica before, we have traveled extensively throughout the world. I cannot imagine there being a better place to stay if you are looking to rest and be catered to. If you are up for lots of activity, this isn't the place for you.

We stayed in one of the Premier verandah suites located on the beach and it was great. We had all our breakfasts and lunches served on the large verandah. It was so much nicer than typical room service where you eat in the room you live/sleep in.
We opted for the all-inclusive plan which was nice as the food and drink prices are somewhat steep and we didn't have to think twice about cost when ordering. There was a very wide selection of choices for every meal and everything we ate was superb. I was particularly fond of the soups and salad dressings. Each night we had dinner under the stars in the main dining area while the band played and folks occasionally danced. It was very romantic. Teddie, one of the bartenders, has a great voice and added a welcomed sense of "festivity" to the meals.

(One thing I want to mention here that isn't mentioned in the other reviews if I remember correctly, is that a shirt with collar and long pants are required for dinner.)

The beach is absolutely perfect. A 700 foot stretch of private beach, soft sand and clear, calm water. Grab a raft and float into nirvana. When you need to dry out, let Rupert, another one of the bartenders, teach you the game of croquet. But don't wager...he's too good!

Without exception, the staff was marvelous whether it be the front desk personnel, maintenance folks or service people who all looked great in their white uniforms -- quite a throwback in time but one which clearly adds to the special nature and charm of the hotel. Quite honestly, I expected a laid-back, slow-to-serve attitude but, in fact, the level of service couldn't have been better.

The only time we left the hotel was to take a private horseback ride at Hooves, a local stables. An experienced rider (you don't have to be), I've never had the opportunity to go galloping through the ocean (water neck-deep on the horse). What an experience!

In closing, the Jamaica Inn absolutely deserves all the five-star ratings it has received here at Tripadvisor. My wife and I have never returned to a vacation spot, but surely the Jamaica Inn will be the exception. If we were to return to Jamaica, I wouldn't even consider alternatives as I simply can't imagine there being any better place if your goal is to unwind and replenish your spirit.

P.S. I'd be remiss if I failed to mention Shadow, one great dog whose company we enjoyed each morning while eating breakfast on our verandah. She's a sweetheart who added a very special touch to our stay.

I chose this hotel because I wanted to unwind from a hectic few months at work and wanted a week of luxury and to feel pampered.

I have travelled all over the Caribbean and Jamaica and this hotel is the best for chilling out.

I holidayed here on my own in May and it felt like a home from home. I didn't want a small room so I booked a deluxe verandah suite. It was on the ground floor, HUGE and beautifully decorated with a generous sized bathroom (very important for us girlies) and complimentary toiletries. The shutters opened onto a verandah with very comfortable chairs/sofa that you just sink into, writing table complete with Jamaica Inn postcards and writing paper and a view looking onto the croquet lawn and immaculately kept gardens with the beach within sight just feet away. You can step from the verandah to the gardens and beach just feet away. It was absolutely everything that it appears on the website and more. It was heaven!

My deal included the full breakfast which was superb. It was more like lunch! There was always a cooked Jamaican breakfast on the menu and I highly recommend the Escoveitch fish with banana and cassava bammy, fresh juices, pastries and tea/coffee. You could eat at the open air restaurant with views overlooking the grounds and the sea. Or, you could take your breakfast on the verandah. If you want to do this it's best to select your choice from the menu and hang it on your door knob the night before. You can choose what time to have it delivered. It was great to step out of the shower, wrap up and tuck in to a hearty breakfast in the warm sun. Perfect. There was afternoon tea (which was very comforting) and although I ate dinner there only twice all the meals I had were beautifully presented, tasted fresh and delicious.

There are no TV's in the rooms - you won't miss it. You can while away the hours on the private beach and take your drinks/ lunch there if you want to and there's nightly entertainment at dinner. Or you can join the other guests in a game of croquet.
This is a very quiet, genteel place, guests were late twentys upwards, quietly friendly and no children.

If you're travelling alone and you want to take a few day trips out speak to Shereen or other front desk staff and seek their advice. Mary Phillips the General Manager is warm and charming as is everyone who works here. You can go on oragnised tours where you're picked up and dropped off at the hotel. Or you can book one of the drivers assigned to the hotel for a day trip to Kingston or Port Antonio and the magnificent Blue Lagoon. Try to negotiate a price beforehand because the quoted price is pretty steep if you're travelling alone, US$250 for a day trip to Kingston. However, you will be in safe hands and guaranteed no boneshaker rides!
There was a complimentary bus into the duty free centre in Ocho Rios, the Taj Mahal shopping centre is good. Sunday is a slow day and you can usually negotiate a discount on your purchases.

There's an excellent open air Spa with various treatments.
It's very easy to stay here for your entire holiday and never leave but you should get out and about. If you can't bear the crowds (depending on what time of year or when the cruise ships are in) visit nearby Coyaba Gardens. A hiking trip to the Blue Mountains is an experience not to be missed. You can do this in a day, you won't get to the top but you can camp in the Mountains overnight. The views are spectacular and if you like coffee, Blue Mountain coffee is excellent.

This place makes you feel like you never want to leave and it's also so romantic. When my time came to leave I had a bit of a Harry Belafonte moment with his song 'Island in the Sun' going through my head and when I said my goodbyes I did feel a little choked. I will always remember my first time at Jamaica Inn and I'll definitely go back.