We visited Jamaica for the first time early April 2008. Club Ambiance is a fun little place. It isn't a 4 star, but the staff went out of their way to treat visitors like royalty and with respect. As an all inclusive, we had a steady supply of food and drink. The food was good and very eye appealing at the start of each meal. It was very plentiful. They never ran out. Evening dinners were a little more formal requiring nice shirt, pants and shoes. No beach attire allowed. It added a little bit of class to the stay. The evening entertainment was fun with talented locals keeping things moving, something a touch different every night. The audience was encouraged to participate. Accomodations, although a little tired looking, were extremely clean and in good repair. Different trips were available for a fee such as the Canopy Tour, Cave tour and the Falls. All worth the effort and cost. Ocho Rios is a very interesting place. If you follow the advice given, the visit can be safe as well as enjoyable. There are two beaches available. One, a little nude bathing beach sort of shielded and the other for the rest of the sunbathers. Both were a little disappointing. You couldn't swim in the ocean and really couldn't walk in the water because of rocks. However, a beautiful pool was provided for swimming. Snorkling gear was available as well as kyacks and a boat. Over-all, I would say our trip was enjoyable and comfortable at Club Ambiance. Hope you have as enjoyable a time as we did.

We booked 5 days to start off a 3 week trip to Jamaica, wanting to get the all inclusive overly-exuberant drinking and gorging out of the way early...and it worked. We were not very happy about no real beach however. It made the property feel small and somewhat constricted. paddling in the lagoon just isnt the same. The booze is mostly house labels with a few premium bottles, but not many. The food is plentiful and mostly good. Not gourmet, just good. The "gourment" restaurant requires a surcharge that costs as much or more than going to a restaurant outside the club so it was not very appealing for our short stay. The room was awesome. Large and airy with a deck overlooking the lagoon, a canopy bed and huge tiled bathroom with tiered and sunken tub. great echo too. The staff were very friendly and hospitable and made us feel very comfortable. The only other thing of note might have a been a peculiarity of that week and that is that the predominant "type" of guest seemed to be older and very interested in "maximizing" the buffet opportunities. In other words, dont dilly dally at the buffet or you will find your some very negative feedback from the buffet frequent flying professionals.

What can I say??? This was our second visit to Club Ambiance. Our first time was in March 2007. We met so many wonderful people, most of which we still keep in contact with. We did our most recent visit, in March 2008. Because we kept in contact with many of the people we met there last year, we coordinated our visit this year at the same time. While some of our beloved workers had left, they were replaced with other beautiful people, which we now keep close contact with.

My advice:
No matter where you go, use common sense: OK, so, don’t wear your camera around your neck, no glitter and glam, leave your bling at home. I mean really, would you do that in NY??? Chicago???? Anywhere that people vary in incomes???? No, just be sensible. Many of the Jamaican people don’t have a lot of money… so don’t stuff what you have in their face. These are the some of the best, real people I’ve ever met. Nobody want’s what they don’t have shoved in their face. If you do, shame on you, you deserve what you get.

People have commented that no one gave them any attention… Well, did you give them any? If you aren’t sociable, the workers aren’t going to disturb your visit. Why? Because some people actually want to be left alone on vacation. If you are wall flowers, you will be treated as such. If you don’t want to interact, they’ll leave you alone… the glory of the resort.

On the other had, if you want to interact and make friends and have fun??? You best put your best foot forward. Put yourself out there for a minute and you will have the guest and workers alike swarming to make you happy. Join in a game or two. Just say hi!!! Seeing that you want to interact… you will be included.… the glory of the resort.

It’s really all about what you want and the vibe you give. You want to be alone with that loved one… you got it!!! You want to make friends, guest and workers alike, give a little indication and you will have friends for life!!!!

This is by far the cleanest AI resort I have been to. This puts a lot of the 5* to shame. These people work their butts off for you. Comfortable beds, great food, letting us spank your butts at volleyball :) NOT) ….

Ok, the food… they do have a 2 hour down time from 5 – 7 pm. If your hungry, just ask… there are plenty of places you can go, just a 5 minute walk.

If you do choose to interact with the staff and feel that they have treated you well and made your trip more enjoyable, please remember to tip them. Often they will reply with the word respect. In Jamaican culture this phrase says heaps. They use it when we Americans might say "hey, thanks buddy." But it means something much more than thanks. It means, you have treated me as an equal out of respect, you have done what you can to make my life more manageable out of respect. And for this, you have my respect.

They do work hard and for far less that we would think. What you may think won’t make a difference may very well make a difference to their standard of living.

In closing, we will be visiting Club Ambiance at least once a year in March. We seem to pick up new friends every year, and are sure we will coordinate our visits to enjoy all Club Ambiance has to offer year after year, from here to eternity.

My wife and I celebrated our 14th Anniversay and by accident stayed at Club Ambianc. We were bumped from another hotel which double booked our room, and drifted to Club Ambiance.

The entrance was not very inviting, however, when we ventured beyond the lobby, a whole new world was opened.

The staff was excellent and made you feel special. The rooms were nice, not a Ritz. A hotel room is a hotel room.

Because of the small size of resort, the staff and guest were like family. It is as if everyone knew each other.

Food and entertainment was very good.

We met some lovely people, who we think will continue to keep in touch with.

Unfortunately, it would not be a place for kids as there are nude sun bathers all around.

But overall, we enjoyed our selves and will certainly be back.