But when the destination is the Beaches Boscobel resort just outside of Ocho Rios, Jamaica, it is worth the trip, headaches and travel-induced stress.
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The relatively small, compact resort on the island nation’s north coast is a paradise for families, offering plenty to keep the young ones occupied, good food, clean lodgings and, perhaps — most important — a friendly, conscientious staff.
The hospitality begins the moment you walk out of customs at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, where Cookie Monster from Sesame Street welcomes your family at the Beaches/Sandals suite, offering free refreshments (Red Stripe beer for the adults, fruit punch for the kiddies) while you wait for your ride to the resort.
Admittedly, the two-hour ride from the airport to Boscobel is long, and it is tough to relax watching people drive in Jamaica, but the scenery of this lush, green country is beautiful, with mountains to the right and the Caribbean Sea to the left.
Beaches Boscobel sits atop a bluff overlooking the sea and is an oasis of sandy beach surrounded by a rocky shore. One staff member put forth the rumour the hotel was once a Playboy Mansion, but this couldn’t be confirmed. However, a section of the hotel was cleverly designed into the face of the bluff leading down to the beach. Atop these three-storeys of rooms is the main level of the resort, where you will find the pool (with swim-up bar), stage and main restaurant — the Bayside buffet. Another storey up from that is the main hotel tower.
A word of caution if you have mobility issues — as the resort is built on a bluff, there are a lot of stairs. There are ramps and elevators to provide some alternatives, but it is difficult to get around without encountering some flights of steps.
The suites at Boscobel are clean and well appointed, but should really only be used for sleeping. As with any vacation, the experience here is outside.
There are activities for children of all ages. A Sesame Street-themed children’s centre is open daily, and if parents need — or want — a break, there is child care available. Younger ones will also delight in a waterpark that features several slides catering to kids under 6, sprinklers, floating island animals and even a jacuzzi. Every night, there is a stage show targeted to the younger audience, and it is usually starring Elmo, Bert and Ernie, Grover and the other stars of Sesame Street.
Older children can take a ride on the bigger waterslides, play in the large pool or partake in any number of organized activities, from dances and short cruises (to a beach where a portion of the James Bond movie Dr. No was filmed) to a scavenger hunt and making tie-dyed T-shirts. They will also be drawn in by the interactive stage show that will have them up dancing, singing, playing silly games and guessing trivia each night.
On the ocean, and included in the cost of your trip, is snorkelling (an amazing reef runs along the north coast of Jamaica, featuring a vast array of fish and other aquatic wildlife for your observing pleasure), a glass-bottomed boat, sailing, banana boat tubing, kayaking and — for a small fee — scuba diving.
To escape the sun, there is an arts and crafts centre running programs daily as well as an Xbox garage to give kids a video game fix, should they need it.
But with so much to do, this garage is rarely used. Our kids (aged 9, 11 and 13) brought iPods, PSPs and Nintendo DSs with them, and they never left the safe. They barely even turned on the TV in our room for the duration of our stay.
The food at Boscobel is astounding.
There are five restaurants on the resort from which to choose, ranging from classic Italian to a good old-fashioned barbecue pit. The Venetian was a personal favourite of our crew, but we also enjoyed Arizona’s. The steaks aren’t quite as thick as you would get at home, but the eatery is situated on a deck stretching out into the ocean. The setting is spectacular.
The Bayside is the only restaurant open all day, every day. Specials change daily, and it cleverly features a kiddie section — Sesame Street-themed of course — with smaller counters, smaller tables and chairs, and a selection of children’s favourites, from hot dogs to macaroni and cheese to chicken nuggets.
There are several trips offered off the resort, including swimming with dolphins, a safari and hiking up Dunn’s River Falls. These cost extra, and as a word of warning, Jamaican merchants in these tourist areas are extremely aggressive. We opted for the hike up the falls. It’s a tourist trap, no doubt, but a fun way to spend an afternoon. The kids had a blast.
But perhaps most important, our children, and those of most every other family at the resort, were smiling and laughing the whole week, and brought home with them memories to last a lifetime.
kalvin.reid@sunmedia.ca
If you go
To Jamaica
Beaches Boscobel presents itself as a “cashless” resort. They put a $400 hold on a credit card when you check in, and anything you buy, whether it is souvenirs or excursions off the resort, are charged against that. Tipping is frowned upon, but it is always appreciated if you can discreetly slip a little something extra to a favourite bartender or waiter. Security is a priority. Resort officers take your name and room number down if you are leaving the resort, and note your return. The waterpark is crawling with lifeguards and uniformed security personnel. Safety was never an issue during our stay. For more information, see beaches.com/main/bo/bo-home.cfm.
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