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Hotel overview
Location
Montego BayProperty information
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Hotel details
Hotel advisories
General policies & fine print
Check-in Policy - Hotel requires a credit/debit card authorization or cash deposit upon check-in for incidentals; this will place a hold on your funds.
Convention Policy - Individuals attending a convention cannot book this property for their stay. If found attending a convention, guests may be subject to higher room rates upon arrival.
Hotel Spring Break Policy - Spring Breakers are not permitted at this Hotel. A student group consist of those that travel without parent or a responsible adult in each room. This could refer to but not limited to high school or college students booking multiple rooms. The hotel reserves the right to deny lodging to any reservation of this type.
Transfer Policy - A price may display when children stay free, if your vacation includes transfer to your hotel.
General Information - Room taxes and service fees are included in vacation price. Minimum night stay restrictions may apply. Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel.
- No Show Penalty: 100% of balance due Applies: Sunday - Saturday 05May16 - 31Dec50
Ratings & reviews
TripAdvisor traveler rating
10195 reviews
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Mar 30, 2025Just Okay
This visit was our 7th time to Jamaica but our first time to Secrets StJames Preferred. The resort was recommended by an acquaintance. The resort is listed as “luxury” sorry this is 3 ⭐️ at best, there are other better options in the area. As per our usual winter break our visit was for 2 weeks. Room 4208 nice view of quiet pool but building 4 is far from restaurants and bar area, so if you have walking limitations not great. Asking for shuttle service seemed to be an inconvenience to staff vs a service. Shout out to Arelene in housekeeping who really took care of our suite (we missed her on her days off!). The StJames Preferred Lounge area in building 4 consists of a dining room setting where food and beverages were available. Breakfast buffet was limited and “hot” items were most cold. Shout out to waitress Stacy and beverage service Chelsea who were pleasant additions to our days. Restaurants were meh but that maybe due to fact that all restaurants are serviced by a massive kitchen vs individual kitchens by restaurant. Seemed more like a cafeteria rather setting rather than restaurant. Dress codes are not enforced, women in denim booty shorts, flip flops, men inside restaurants with swim shoes & baller shorts, luxury? Best meals were at Altitude in Breathless Resort. A peeve, there are not enough palapas on the beach as when not reserved by butlers there were only 1-2 available if you got to beach by 6am. Best beach server Kerry Ann! Shout out to Bellman Chris he is truly an Ambassador of service!
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Mar 30, 2025Read before you go !!
I posted this post in their Facebook page, but they deleted and blocked me, so I must of hit a nerve. We just left and wanted to share our experience as this group helped me with alot before we left. This is our second time at a Secrets and the experience was totally different from our first. In 2020 we went to Secrets Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic & was completely spoiled. This resort for the money didn’t give us the same fuzzy feeling and atmosphere. We talked to several folks who had been to this resort before, and said service wasn’t the same as it was before. Now don’t get worried, you will still have fun but for the $ we have had better service at other resorts. These folks made the trip fun and they made up for the other things that was disappointing. Rodane, Cruze, Marlon, TrudyAnn, Felicia (at the main pool) and Zugu were the absolute best. Take time to get to know these folks, they are all class acts and will make your vacation much happier !! Check-in felt and seemed chaotic and could use a little more order. Checkout was super easy. Download the app (the Inclusive Collection) you can check out the menus and the resort before you get there. You will use this at most restaurants and to communicate with the staff. The resort is beautiful with all the flowers but the buildings/pools does need some serious TLC. We didn’t have any issues with our air conditioning or the lights going off several times a day in our room, but we met several folks who had some issues. Our room was super clean, and housekeeping was more than happy to get us extra water any time we asked. Don’t worry about bringing shower gel, body lotion, shampoo & conditioner - what they supply is very good quality and would recommend not taking up valuable luggage space for it. Concierge’s need to communicate a little more, every time we asked about something they acted like we were bothering them. They definitely left a bad impression on our group. This was disappointing to us, as before these folks seemed to jump thru hoops for the opportunity to make you happy. For Crown Royal drinkers, you won’t find at any pool bar, but will find it in the lobby bar and all the restaurants in the evening. If you really need some while in the pools, the bartenders will go get you some at the lobby if they have time. All the food is located in one spot at night, if you go later in evening expect to wait longer for your food. Make sure you have comfortable shoes, as it can be a walk for some of the rooms. I’m a picky eater, but was able to find something at all the restaurants, the Mexican was my favorite, but I would say that the steaks at the Italian,French & the Asian were all really good as well. We ate at the snack shack during the day, overall good burgers/fries, pizza, etc. I was a little disappointed that the jerk chicken didn’t come out till 100pm or later, and some days didn’t see it at all. (But it was delicious, definitely try it!) If you want to take a ride into town, or to Rick’s Cafe go see John Smith and rent a driver. For 8 hours for a private driver to take us to Negril, go to Ricks, do some shopping he was $65/person and our driver was knowledgeable and super friendly! We spoke with some folks who had their driver take them to local grocery stores to get American beer. There are some barrels along the ocean sidewalk that has cold water in them, we didn’t realize that for a couple days. So wanted to share that with you all. We met a lot of wonderful folks in the pool from Iowa, Rhode Island, Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, Atlanta, England and Illinois ! Take time to meet new friends, you won’t regret it. THE Airport - we didn’t know about Club Mobay at the airport, we will definitely do that on our next trip to Jamaica. I read mixed reviews before we came and didn’t do it. Totally regret that-coming in we didn’t have a lot of issues with immigration but leaving we stood in line for the security for an hour and half!! The airport was super crowded and was a total cluster !?&$. (We have been to Jamaica 8 times I think, and never seen the airport this crazy!! Not sure if it’s like that on every Saturday or if it was just this time with us coming in March vs February, but the folks who had did club Mobay went to the front of the line and didn’t have to worry about if they were going to make their flights or not. Not sure how much it costs, but I would say it would be worth every penny!! I hope my review helps, and if you have any questions please let me know, I will try to answer any questions you may have. Go and enjoy yourselves and tell the bar crew that the girl who drinks all the Crown is bragging on them and she says hello!!
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Mar 29, 2025An Unplanned Holiday Extension!
We were taken to this hotel following the cancellation of our Virgin flight home and ended up having to stay for 3 nights. Although it is much larger than the hotels we usually chose we had a pretty good stay in the circumstances. Our room was fine with a very comfortable bed although it was a little dated. We had no issues with cleaning and most of the staff were pleasant and helpful, particularly the ladies at reception who helped with booking our room for extra days. The food generally was very good although the restaurants (particularly at breakfast) tended to be very busy. The evening entertainment while we were there was excellent. The main thing I disliked and found annoying was the competing piped music throughout the resort . It would be much better without it.
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Mar 27, 2025Really Enjoyed My Stay at Secret St. James
I really enjoyed my stay at the Secrets St. James. The rooms were clean and well maintained. The grounds were well kept and staff friendly. The food was delicious. The best bartender at the resort is definitely Mr. Ernel. The drinks were not watered down. He's a Superstar! The entertainment was superb.
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Mar 27, 2025
Excellent Customer Servicr
Super relaxing and enjoyable vacation! My wife and I went to Secrets after our honeymoon and the accommodations and people made it what it was. Special shout out to Ricky Ricardo and Janice at the spa on site who made our experience above and beyond - truly the epitome of customer service in their kindness and warmth. Excellent experience - we would book again.