My Girlfriend and I were in Jamaica for a friends wedding. We were unable to book a room at the resort we were staying at for the night of the wedding, so we moved to the HEART for our last night. The price was great, and the grounds were lovely, but that was about it. The staff gave new meaning to the term "Jamaican Time." The service at the resorts was always top notch, but here it was too laid back. The front desk told me they would arrange a bus for us to the airport, they never did. They told me they would take care of finding my reservation info when I could not find my print out with my receipt, they never did. When we asked the waiter to bring us our check at breakfast because our bus (which I arranged) was going to arrive soon, he waited another 1/2 hour and brought it to us right as the bus arrived. They even mopped the floor and did not put the "Caution Slippery Floors" warnings anywhere near where they mopped, so I almost fell down on the wet floor. So, if you are looking for an affordable room to get to pre-planned events in the area, you could do much worse. But if you are looking for a place to stay that is going to be the center of your vacation, I would suggest the resorts.

I've stayed at this hoel several times over the past 3 years. I feel very comfortable there but this hotel is not for everyone. If you are used to the NY way of life with the rushing around I would suggest you stay someplace else. Jamaica in itself is slow moving. You are on vacation so I suggest before you go do all the reading you can on "their" way of life.
This hotel is inexpensive and clean. Maybe they can update things but this is the way it is. I stayed at the Royal De Cameron and left the next morning. If you want a clean room which is up the hill from the beach this is the place to stay. I have learned over the years to just chill out. I plan my days and have no problem. If you are bringing a family and want to do all the site seeing you can save lots of money staying at this hotel. Since swimming with the dolphins is an expense and everything else you can save a bundle staying here. The prices are about 95.00 per nt. based on two adults and children under 13 I think are free. You can get a room that has two double beds and look how much cheaper this would be. If you want the all inclusive you can stay at the Jamaica Grand hotel where I stayed years ago. With that comes a price tag of around 300.00 for two and with children they charge no matter what the age. It all depends on each family. I also traveled alone to Jamaica.
If anyone needs know anything about renting a phone in Jamaica or if you need pick up from airport please feel free to contac me. Gail10036@aol.com
I've made friends there over the years and recently took my sister in law with her kids and my 14 year old. It's all what you make of it. Everything is ire mon in Jamaica.
Let me give you some advice. If you want to stay at the Heart with their very reasonalble rates you can spend the day in Ocho Rios Jamaican Grand hotel. Each adult is 60.00 and children under 13 is 30.00. With this you can eat from around 9:30 am till 6:pm. All you can eat and all you can drink. unlimited. Its fantastic. They have more pools than I can count. It's a beautiul hotel with spectacular grounds. Bring your passports to the hotel. They need id. Very secure hotel. You can use all their water sports that is non mortorized for free. They have a swim up pool bar. Games for kids to play and so on, It's a great day for the kids.
I usually h it two hotels this way I can see what they are like. With the money you save by staying at the Heart you can go other places.
If you have any questions re $$, places to stay, what to bring and what to expect at the airport please e-mail me.


Ire mon

Gail

We have been planning to stay at this hotel for 10+ months and cannot get confirmation from the hotel - by the time we were ready to finalize travel plans, all other options were unavailable.

Repeated emails, faxes, telephone calls to everyone from the front desk clerk to the general manager of the hotel have all proved futile.

We have cancelled our travel plans to Jamaica because of this hotel.

The grounds of the hotel are lovely, but that's where it ends. I wasn't pleased with the rooms. They were not well kept and needed paint, new curtains (clean), a headboard, and update in the bathroom. I was afraid to fall asleep after wrestling with a large water bug (looked like a roach if you ask me). The staff was friendly, but extremely slow. Everyone was in training, so put on your "patience" hat. Overall, my biggest complaint was the need for the rooms to receive a big overhaul! Also, the beach is not located on sight, only 2 minutes away and actually the best thing about my experience at this hotel. Good luck to those who venture to this one...