Just got back from an 8 day stay. After reading other reviews we were a little nervous, but were pleasently surprised.
Yes the hotel is old, but is well maintained. The room are oversized and equiped similar yo a mid-pticed USA hotel, only thing missing is a clock. The property and rooms are kept very clean.
The staff, service and food were great. If you want something special talk to Mr.Lawrence, he'll do his best to accomadate.
Try to arrive on a Tuesday. Then you can use Wednesday as a recovery day at the resort. This a day packed with acrivities, you can participate or just watch, it's entertaining either way.
In terms of tours we used the cabs outside (Fabian our driver) the hotel and Yardie tours (www.yardietours.com - Christopher our driver) both were excelent. They were the same or lower than the main tour operators, but your in a private car instead of with a group.
We stoped to shop, eat, and drink localy. Staying as long or as short as we wanted and paying much less than at regular tourist stops. Example:
We were looking at T shirts with Christopher. We thought they were reasonable at $5 US each, but he said no. Then took us to the Tajmahal Center in Ocho Rios. Upstairs is Pay-Less offering 6 T shirts for $ 20.00 a store 2 doors down offers the same price with a slightly different selection.
If you want Jewlery etc Diamonds Forever is in the same plazea downstairs, tucked in the corner.
Have fun, and enjoy. We'll go back to Club Ambiance (as do many others) before long as it's going to be tough to beat the value and service.

It was a bit further from the airport than I expected; but the shuttle (a car) was there & ready to take me as soon as I arrived.
Wasn't able to get checked in till 3- but enjoyed waiting by the pool, so it was ok.
This is my 5th time to an all inclusive in Jamaica by myself & it was just as I expected.
Not luxorious; but small and relaxing, it's what it is described to be! If you are looking for a luxory hotel, this is not the place!
My room was fine, a/c worked, shower, etc all were comfortable and working- I liked that it wasn't a hi rise and my room, although not ocean front as described, was close enough to see & walk to the ocean w/ my morning coffee (coffee maker in room was a plus and a frig)
Staff were accomodating & not overbearing-
I thought the beach was fine; but it wasn't the best for sure- but if u like to lay out and enjoy the ocean breeze, it is perfect & there are many shaded areas as well. There is no lack of chairs or towels.
Food- Enjoy your breakfast, because that is really the only good meal there! But I didn't come for the food & was certainly able to make a meal at lunch, dinner and there is a grill, though it closes too early in my opinion! The burgers were fine for lunch! Dinner- just really bad...but there was always rice & veggies available and dessert was good! But they do run out of things and don't replenish if you like to eat later......
I was there for a short trip to relax & for me, it was perfect- visited the Bob Marley museum, the ride is an adventure in itself! There are plenty of other tours, etc- but I have done most of them in the past & didn't have enough time to venture out!

The staff are fine and the food is fine. What you would expect for 2 or 3 stars. However, the rooms are rough. The rooms have problems that do not relate to stars (amenities), but to upkeep and cleanliness. Problems like doors literally falling off, tiles lying about, and things in the shower that could not be identified. The beach is for laying out, not swimming or even playing in the water. If you are on a really tight budget, Club Ambiance is worth considering as long as you know the caveats.

Tiny man-made beach. Tiny place in general, with no room to breath. Food was Ok, staff was Ok. Room was typical for the price. Nothing special here, but - if you're going there to stay drunk and play dumb cruise ship games - you'll love it. Lots of drunk Europeans, alot of people who were too scared to leave the grounds. No kids is a plus.
For this price, it's a decent pit stop for those who want to get out and see the island, make sure you try the tours, or hire one of the staff to drive you around for $100 bucks or so plus lunch. DON'T MISS YS Falls, Alligator Pond, Black River, Luminous Lagoon. Skip Mobay, Kingston, and Ochee - too many cars and tourists.