Jamaica’s miles and miles of stunning
coastline have long been a favourite sun destination for travellers who want to
get away from it all and with the arrival of the new Royal Decameron Cornwall
Beach, which opened last December, travellers have a new retreat where
island-style relaxation, boundless ocean views and unpretentious indulgence
await.
When I first arrived at the Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach I honestly didn’t know what to expect - aside from the obvious facts like the resort was new, 4-stars, 5-minutes from the airport, steps from Mobay’s “Hip Strip,” and that I would have exclusive access to all the facilities and services at the neighbouring 3-star Royal Decameron Montego Beach. So I decided I would go into this adventure with no expectations in the event I would be disappointed, but from the moment I stepped into the lobby and looked out at the lush almond tree sitting before an ocean of blue, I knew I had nothing to worry about!
Set on the beguiling shores of Cornwall Beach – one of
the best natural beaches in Montego Bay and there aren’t many of them, either –
magnificent ocean views, pristine turquoise waters and a spectacular beach are
some of the highlights you can look forward to when staying at the new Royal
Decameron Cornwall Beach. And for many travellers that alone would be worthy
of 5-stars! Oh, and did I mention that EVERY room has an ocean view?
The resort was built in a semi-circle around a gorgeous pool that extends onto the soft sand beach, so no matter where you are on the property you always look out at the ocean.
The resort was built in a semi-circle around a gorgeous pool that extends onto the soft sand beach, so no matter where you are on the property you always look out at the ocean.
The décor is a stylish fusion of Jamaican and
contemporary inspired design elements featuring natural wood finishes and
textures, overhead ceiling fans and African inspired prints highlighted by
fiery hues. This theme is carried into the 142 guest rooms and 4 superior rooms
that come with adjoining rooms for families and large terraces to take in those
Instagram-perfect views – never has a hotel’s free Wi-Fi been put to such good
use!
Bathrooms are well-equipped with large showers. Extras
include an iron and ironing board, a safe, a fridge with cold beverages and the
island’s famed Red Stripe beer, flat screen TV’s and private terraces. There is no 24-hour room service, but in all honesty I never use it so I never
felt that I was missing out. A coffee machine would have been nice, but
then I probably would have missed out on all the amazing specialty coffees served up on the second floor's De Café Bar that I
enjoyed in the comfy outdoor seating area that featured, you guessed it, boundless ocean views!
Decameron believes in authentic experiences and it shows. They incorporated Jamaican culture into their design and in their culinary offerings. The resort’s main restaurant, Jamrock, with its exposed wooden beams and overhead ceiling fans offers a buffet of international and traditional Jamaican dishes like festival (fried dumplings), oxtail, curry goat, rice and peas, as well as jerk chicken and pork with live cooking stations amplified by alfresco dining. Meals are on a nine day rotation so I always had something new to try, though I have to admit that I had a particular fondness for the chef’s homemade chicken stew with steamed rice. You may not find the huge selection you find in some 5-star resorts, but everything they offered was tasty and authentic and that says a lot!
Decameron believes in authentic experiences and it shows. They incorporated Jamaican culture into their design and in their culinary offerings. The resort’s main restaurant, Jamrock, with its exposed wooden beams and overhead ceiling fans offers a buffet of international and traditional Jamaican dishes like festival (fried dumplings), oxtail, curry goat, rice and peas, as well as jerk chicken and pork with live cooking stations amplified by alfresco dining. Meals are on a nine day rotation so I always had something new to try, though I have to admit that I had a particular fondness for the chef’s homemade chicken stew with steamed rice. You may not find the huge selection you find in some 5-star resorts, but everything they offered was tasty and authentic and that says a lot!
In a beach cabana nestled beneath a lush almond tree covered in wicker lanterns you will find Oliva, the resort’s Mediterranean à la carte restaurant. Here I dined on beef tenderloin covered in a three peppercorn sauce with grilled vegetables on a bed of homemade mash potatoes. Oliva also serves as an afternoon and late night beach grill – anyone care for fries on the beach? At Souk, the à la carte restaurant at neighbouring Royal Decameron Montego Bay, I savoured Caribbean specialities like fish steamed in coconut curry served with bammy (traditional Jamaican cassava flatbread).
Part of the resort’s appeal is its laidback vibe. Quiet nooks with postcard-perfect views are found throughout, which are especially inviting at sunset when the property takes on magical proportions. Every evening I looked forward to watching the sunset from a different spot – be sure to see it from the 5th floor outdoor terrace! Taking in a beautiful sunset is one of my favourite things to do on a beach holiday and because the sun sets in front of the resort, every night it's a glorious show.
After dinner I enjoyed sipping cocktails at Baba Roots Lobby
Bar, where I would get swept away by the vibrations of a local reggae band and other nightly
entertainment. Late night dancing took place at the Disco Glitter Club located
at the Royal Decameron Montego Beach. Guests who preferred to venture off the
resort were accompanied by bus to local hot-spots like Margaritaville and Pier 1,
which turns out to be the place to see and be seen in Mobay on Friday nights.
On any given day I could be found enjoying cocktails
at the bar located next to the resort’s gorgeous pool, partaking in free water
sports or basking in the sun on a lounger overlooking the crystal waters of the
Caribbean Sea. Activities included kayaking, canoeing, sailing and snorkeling –
there are lots of coral reefs around the property filled with exotic fish just waiting to be explored.
While children play at the Kid’s Club (located between both properties), adults can unwind with a treatment at the beachfront massage cabana or at the spa located at neighbouring Royal Decameron Montego Beach. I had the relaxing Ocean Harmony Massage and it was heavenly!
While children play at the Kid’s Club (located between both properties), adults can unwind with a treatment at the beachfront massage cabana or at the spa located at neighbouring Royal Decameron Montego Beach. I had the relaxing Ocean Harmony Massage and it was heavenly!
Staying on an all-inclusive resort doesn’t mean you
have to miss out on local attractions! I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on the spectacular white sands of Negril with a stop at world-famous Rick's Café
to see the cliff divers and watch the sunset. While staring out at the ocean I spotted a dolphin jumping before the setting sun, but try as I might I could not capture it on film.
I have been fortunate to visit Jamaica numerous times, but this was the first time I ever went on an adventure to the island’s South Coast to sail through mangroves and see crocodiles followed by a dip in YS falls. It was so much fun! You can book your excursions through Transat.
Travellers may be enticed by the affordable vacation packages
offered through Transat, but it is the Decameron’s friendly staff, laidback island
vibe and boundless ocean views that will ultimately capture their hearts and
have them returning again and again.
The Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach and Royal Decameron Montego Beach are available exclusively through Transat with service on Air
Transat - named Best North American Leisure Airline by Skytrax for five years
running – with direct flights to Montego Bay from three Canadian cities. Air Transat’s
winter 2017-18 schedule will include 6 weekly flights from Toronto, 2 weekly
flights from Montreal and 1 weekly flight from Halifax. For more information,
visit www.transat.com.
I have been fortunate to visit Jamaica numerous times, but this was the first time I ever went on an adventure to the island’s South Coast to sail through mangroves and see crocodiles followed by a dip in YS falls. It was so much fun! You can book your excursions through Transat.
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| Images of Royal Decameron Montego Beach |