Our (my wife and I) first visit to Breezes Runaway Bay (BRB) was in November 2002. We loved the island of Jamaica, the people, and the resort so much that over the years we have returned to Jamaica 6 times, including the most recent trip (May 2 - May 11, 2008) and 5th time staying at BRB. Needless to say, if you stay somewhere 5 times, you like the resort and we do, but that's not to say there haven't been some minor issues along the way that we would have liked to see BRB address.

The last time we were there (November 07), they still seemed to be ironing out some supply issues (food, fruit for drinks) and some attitude issues among a small amount of the staff.

Well, we just returned yesterday from Jamaica and BRB and we were completely blown away by the attentiveness, attention to detail, and improvements (attitude and food) made in certain areas of the resort. Check-in was the smoothest ever, arriving at 1pm and thinking we'd hear "your rooms are not ready" but instead hearing "your rooms are ready" and being able to hit the beach by 1:30 and get a full afternoon in on our first day.

We usually shy away from the buffet at BRB, but immediately noticed a change in the food quality and selection available at the buffet. We also noticed that ALL the work staff had great attitudes and were always attentive (with coffee, silverware, etc).

We ate dinner at Munasan (3 times), Pastafari (3 times), and Starlight Grill (once) and nothing else can be said other than we had 7 magnificent meals.

The bars always had fruit for drinks (I like having a dirty banana now and then), the bartenders were on their game, always friendly and eager to please when I would say "surprise me with something strong and smooth" (I recommend a "Rusty Nail").

The on-site jewelry store was fun again, with a great selection of watches and jewelry at reasonable prices (something missing from our last trip).

One of the highlights on the last trip was the Blue Mahoe Spa when my wife and I received wonderful massages from Janyce and Georgeina. Unfortunately, they were both on vacation this time, but my massage from Claressa was awesome. I highly recommend starting off the trip with a visit to the spa!!!

The beach is gorgeous and impeccably maintained.

Not enough can be said for the following people:

- Sandra Holness
- Stacey Duncan
- Dorothy (front desk)
- Oliver (bellman)
- Omar (sports)
- Georgia (Pastafari)
- Sylvia (Munasan)
- Rodney, Wade, Nazur, Errol, Arlene and basically all the bartenders
- Everyone on the housecleaning staff

I think it would be remiss not to mention Kevin Levee (the GM) as well (even though we didn't meet him on this trip). We had visited BRB 3 times prior to his arrival as GM, and had loved the resort. After the renovations last year, and his subsequent arrival as GM, our 4th visit in November was good, but a bit choppy at times. We were skeptical about his abilities to manage 2 resorts ( he also is the GM at Hedo 3). After this trip, there is NO doubt he was the right choice. In the end, our impressions of the resort as guests is his responsibility.

And our impression of BRB on this trip was truly magnificent from start to finish!

Needless to say, we cannot wait to return to both Jamaica and BRB!!!

Here’s some stuff I wanted to know before I went, hopefully this helps you decide or prepare. Keep in mind this based on a May 2008 trip…

Overall I had a great time, but since I went single to a wedding, I’ll say the biggest disappointment was that BRB is a COUPLES RESORT. Now maybe if you travel around spring break or maybe in the Fall, it might be different, but while I was there, most of the people there were wedding parties and all couples. Now there might have been a single person here or there, but there was no way to tell, and the general environment made it inappropriate to find out. Let me put it this way single travelers, its not like some previous vacations I’ve been on where you stay at a hotel, and hit a bar at night. At BRB, you have a captive audience, and the resort is geared to couples and weddings. Also the resort is not Vegas sized, by the second day you’ve probably seen everyone staying there. Though new groups roll in all the time.

There are three different bars, but don’t think of them as bars, think of them as three different spots to grab drinks with different music, because its the same crowd at each, you don’t dress different for them (weather and pool aside), most of the time we bounced around them all in one night. There’s a lobby bar, a club/disco bar, and a beach bar. There’s also a pool bar.

We were able to visit Hedo for the price of the bus ride but we had to sign up early to do it. Hedo is a much more modern resort, seemed smaller, but newer, better looking bars, restaurants. The Pool was definitely better at Hedo, tons of under water tables to drink at etc. etc. BRB though has a wider layout and a much better beach. We only went there one night and it was kind of dead as far as activity so we didn’t stay long. We should've went back again.

I can not say enough about the staff, what great people. I have no idea how they can be that nice and helpful all the time, doesn’t it ever get to them? I mean, I saw some rude people while there, and it was all smiles while tossing them drinks.

The resort itself was a bit older, but really nice, and well maintained, the staff was constantly cleaning it. It had a luxury Miami Vice in the 80’s feel and look to it. The bed sucked, the mattress, the pillows the sheets, etc. etc. not comfy at all, fortunately most of the time I passed out in the bed vs. laying down and going to sleep. Which brings me to the drinks, excellent, premium quality, lots of variety, very tasty, and they do a good job mixing, and the bartenders are really entertaining cool guys. They only serve draft beer which got old, but if you get a room with a fridge they stock it with bottle beer, pop and water, its probably the best benefit you can upgrade too.

The food was good. Before I complain, I will say again, the food was good, don't get me wrong. With that said, it does get old around the 4th or 5th day for sure and its not cruise type meals where you can get tons of shrimp and a lobster tail. Some shrimp, they usually had a fish choice. At all spots, they do a good job preparing it. Its hard to say there’s not a lot of variety when you have buffets and different restaurants, but compared to my home, where there's Greek, Chinese, American, true Italian, BBQ pits, sub shops, the resort food does get old. You get beef at Japanese Steakhouse, beef at the Italian Grille, beef at the starlight, and beef at the buffet. No chicken parm, no pizza, no foot long cold cut combo, and their cheese isn’t good. Like I said, good food, great preparation, but I guess we’re spoiled by variety at home because it got old. I do feel like a gain 25lbs for sure!!!

I like sports, and BRB had ESPN, TNT, and CBC. If the game you are looking for aren’t on there, no dice. I hear there is offsight places to try, but I wasn’t interested in going there.

To dos in the area, you definitely want to go to Dunns River Falls. And to save you time and money do your trinket shopping there. We went on a private shopping tour, and others went on Breezes tour, but they all sold the same stuff. All shops will barter too, toss out a price, and walk away, most of them chased me down and met my price.

I used US funds for everything, and anything you pay for at the resort takes place at the front desk and you can use a credit card. No need to exchange money. You truly don’t have to tip, but I don’t know how you can’t when you see how great these guys are.

All in all, I’d definitely go back, certainly not alone this time though, and probably only for 4-5 days. Feel free to message me with questions friends, I had many questions prior to, received a lot of help, more than willing to help you out.

May 2008
This review is long overdue as me and my six girlfriends were there in October 2007. We went for my 40th birthday and had the BEST vacation ever!!!! It was the perfect place to go for fun and relaxtion. The beach was beautiful, with waitresses coming around taking drink orders all day. The infinity pool was great. We'd go there every day after the beach and spend time there. Swimming up to the bar was great and meeting all different people was awesome too. We had the rooms with the plunge pools. We never did use them but the rooms were great. The people and activities were great. There was always an exciting game to watch or participate in. The staff members were wonderful and really catered to your needs. The food was very good took, especially the japanese restaurant.
We took a trip to the falls and would hightly recommend going there. It's a must for great pictures. All in all we had no complaints and all want to make it an annual vacation spot.
PS Make sure to treat yourself to one of their great massages!!

We just got back from our wedding/honeymoon and it was wonderful. The wedding was perfect and they knew exactly what they were doing. The rooms were updated with flat screen TVs, multi-head showers and a private plunge pool. The staff couldn't have been more friendly or helpful. Beautiful property and not surrounded by a lot of other resorts. I would recommend Breezes Runaway Bay to anyone!