Spent one week with 4 adults and 4 children in Feb 2013. The resort is immaculate as staff are continuously clearing up empty glasses, plates, etc. Even the beach washrooms are well maintained and we barely saw an ant the whole visit. They have a no-reserving-the-palapas policy which works extremely well. Always lots of lounge chairs chairs by the pool and beach. The staff are so friendly. Annia and Annika run the kids show and offered lots of fun during the day with kids beach Olympics, tennis lessons, face painting etc.
The entertainment staff have boundless energy. Feel free not to participate or join easy activities like beach stretching, dance class. Buffet has good quality options with a lovely outdoor dining option. Food is tasty, fresh squeezed juices are a treat. As Canadians, we really appreciated dining under the stars with warm breezes.
Only item that pales with the many resorts we've been to in the Mayan and Jamaica was the pool. Really just one pool, split in two with a 4.5ft depth which means kids don't have a wading option and there isn't a change of scenery. But the beach offers that and the resort is very compact. Also took advantage of the free catamaran.
Overall, great place and the staff are incredibly welcoming. Whatever you ask for - no problem mon!

We were are Rose Hall Beach Jan. 25, 2013 for one week. The vegetation and flowers are beautiful and the grounds are well manicured. Thumbs up to the gardeners, we love all the flowers this time of the year especially since we are under about five feet of snow in Canada. Our room was overlooking the pool and the ocean, it was very lovely - maybe the balcony could have been more see thorough when you were sitting down and enjoying your first cup of coffee in the morning, but with the warm weather and sun shinning it makes it for a start to a lovely day. We like the coffee in the room for each morning. The buffet had more food in it that you could want and we ate there every morning and evening, lots to chose from, the soup was great, lots of vegetables to make a good salad and a good variety for the main course. We especially want to thank our "Monique" for the terrific service she gave us in the buffet, she is a real gem and very efficient with her serving of people. Such a pleasant warm individual! Also we had our afternoon lunch at "Uncle Tony's" and there we had great service and such kindness from our server "Duane" and "Arnold" who was doing the cooking. These guys were so pleasant, and just happy, just makes for a fun day. The beach was beautiful, you could walk for a mile or so on the soft silky sand and swim in the beautiful warm water. There were alot of people snorkling. We like an open lobby, as this one has doors and is air conditioned, but I'm sure when it is very hot, the air conditioning is very much appreciated. We also like to hear Jamaican music playing at the bar, as well as a few local musicians playing with a "rhumba box" during the buffet, but there was nothing like that. We toured the "Annie Palmer's Great House" - just a fanastic tour - lots of history! Had a great time!

This was our first time to Jamaica. We are a well travelled couple in our 40's.
The staff were all very friendly. I've never been asked as many times as here, "how is your vacation so far?", and or. "is this your first time to Jamaica?".
Food was great! I don't understand the people who reviewed otherwise. We never had a bad meal at either the buffet or the three restaurants. Never had an upset stomach either like I always do when we've travelled to other countries. (Definitely try the Curry goat, jerk chicken, and Ox tail)
Shopping..., there is a little vendor market past the dive shop (no security there). If you want more selection and better quality items, go to the Rose Hall shops via the hotels free shuttle. (Gated shopping) It goes every day 9-5. (Tip- start at the back shops first for better prices. Cheaper than the hotel shops)
Snorkeling was awesome. Yes, the water is a tad murky, but clear enough you can still see some great varieties of fish. Head toward the red bouy's in the water. There is a underwater rock wall where the fish hang out. I was surprised at the amount of coral and sea life that has already made it their home. We even saw three lion fish there.
Excursions... Definitely check out Barrett adventures. They are on Trip Advisor and I've written about our excursion to both the Dunn's Falls & Secret Falls with pics. They also have a website to show what excursions they offer. Better prices than the hotel and way more interesting places to go. We booked directly before we left Canada with no issues.
The only observation I noticed at the hotel to make comment about was our first day there, a large group was at the swim up bar and dared a guy to wear a "borat" bath suit as a joke. It was pretty funny, and had the crowd laughing. Some lady in management kicked him out telling him, " it's a family location and therefore not appropriate". Yet a few days later at the pool the hotel held a competition for girls to dance. This has two Brazilian girls in thongs smaller than the borat guy, and they were encouraged to shake their butts for everyone. Just a tad double standard if you ask me. Having raised kids, I think parents have no business hanging at the swim up "BAR" with small kids anyway. You have to expect adults drinking are going to have fun and blow of steam on vacation, and its not a place for kids. There is another pool they can use and the beach instead. Or better yet book at the "Suites" where there is a great kids pool with slides etc.
Most of the rooms have a slight view of the ocean/pool unless you book "ocean front", which is directly on the beach. The bed was
ok, pillows were flat and the comforter is a bit faded. Certainly nothing that ruined my vacation. Rooms were a good size.
Beach is decent. Lots of loungers and ample shade to find spots if you want some. Watch for people taking your towel. $10 if lost.
I would definitely go back. Good job Iberostar.

This is our second visit to an Iberostar hotel. We stayed at the Iberostar "Lindo" hotel in Mexico last October and had a great time. We were at the Rose Hall from Feb 2nd to the 7th 2013. Sometimes when we read these reviews we can't believe that people are talking about the same hotel. We arrived on Saturday at 11am and our room was ready. We paid for the Ocean view room and were not disappointed. The people at the front desk greeted us with a smile and a drink and we were off to a good start. When I asked for confirmation about our dinner reservations, (I e-mailed a week in advance the times and restaurants we wanted to attend), he told us to check with Simone at the Guest Services Desk. She greeted us with a smile and within 5 minutes she confirmed our reservations. The bell boy came over and showed us to our room. Shortly after there a knock on the door, and was greeted with a bottle of Jamaican Rum, and two Iberostar tee shirts.
The rooms were beautiful the view unbelievable! Within minutes we were at the beach having drinks. I would like to thank Kevin at the pool bar for taking care of us, as soon as he saw us, greeted us with a smile and our drinks and remembered us from that day on.
I would like to also thank DeSean at the buffet restaurant, he was in charge of the omelet station, again, greeted us with a smile every morning. Shanna was our morning waitress and Monique was our dinner waitress, both went above and beyond. Always smiling always having our beverages at our table when we returned from the buffet area. We did the Horse riding excursion which was awesome and the parasailing at the beach, why we waited so long to do this I will never know. We also did lots of snorkeling at the beach. Plenty of fish to see for the novice.
On Feb 6th, which was Bob Marley's birthday, they had a BBQ at the beach. The food was awesome. They also had a band playing his songs. The worst part of this vacation was having to come home........