I am still dreaming about our recent Montego Bay getaway…
Way back in January Matt and I decided to plan a vacation for just the two of us to spend some time together after a tough year. Right away we looked at the calendar and decided to book our trip for Labor Day weekend in September. Not only is September my 30th birthday month, we remembered from our last vacation how empty the resort was by the end of summer once school was back in session and families were done with summer vacations. Immediately I went into planning mode and began obsessively researching destinations that were 1. a short, direct flight from Charlotte 2. adults only, all-inclusive and 3. had a beautiful beach with soft sand and clear water! We set aside a modest budget to work with so I wanted to pick a place that would allow us to stretch our dime and stay as long as possible! After weeks of googling and reading trip advisor reviews we decided on a 5 day getaway at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica!
The trip was everything and more we could have asked for and we were so thankful that Matt’s parents graciously agreed to chase after our minis while we were gone. The kids had the very best time being spoiled by Mimi and Grandad while we relaxed.
We took an early flight out of Charlotte and by 12 pm we were being welcomed with cold towels and champagne in paradise. We wasted no time once we checked in and immediately grabbed a yummy lunch on the beach, cocktails for both hands and parked it on the beach for the rest of the day.
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| Sources: Selfie Stick // Sunglasses // Blue & White Waves Tank Bikini |
I am pretty sure I checked the weather report for the week almost as many times as I did for our wedding day. Each day we were forecasted 80%-100% chance of thunderstorms all day. Lucky for us we didn’t see a drop of rain or even a cloud our entire stay.
We bounced back and forth from the beach to the pool each day. It was perfect.
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| Sources: Fedora // Bikini |
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From housekeeping to bartenders, the service was really great at the resort. It didn’t mater if we were perched up at the pool or the beach there was always a butler checking on us and keeping the cocktails flowing. Our room fridge was constantly restocked with snacks and drinks and our butler even made sure to have a hot bath drawn for me in the evenings. And on our last night they surprised me with birthday balloons and a bottle of champagne. So nice!
We booked a standard suite and were super surprised and excited when we arrived to our room to find we actually received an ocean view suite!
And every evening we enjoyed the most unreal sunsets from the swing on our balcony.
There were so many places to lounge throughout the resort and we never had to get up early to snag prime space which I appreciated.
Matt and I read several books (reviews here) and each day he competed in a volleyball tournament while I took a fun aqua gym class. The resort had really great entertainment too. Each afternoon we’d hang out at the edge of the infinity pool and watch whatever game or activity the entertainment team was putting on that day. The late night entertainment was also really fun.
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The food was excellent. We were never disappointed! One of my favorite meals each day was our morning breakfast delivery.
Every morning we shuffled out to our balcony in pajamas to enjoy the view with a
cup of coffee, a packet of Drip Drop and a massive breakfast spread.
We ate most of our lunches at the beach buffet. One day they hosted a big lunch party on the beach and served a special Jamaican jerk chicken.
They also cut open fresh coconuts right on the beach – served with a splash of rum of course!
For dinner we dined at the surf and turf restaurant (twice!!!), the hibachi restaurant and the French restaurant (both of our favorite)!
We left Jamaica happy, relaxed, connected, 5 lbs heavier, 4 shades darker and Zika-free!
Previous adult beach vacations
2011 Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
2013 Riviera Maya, Mexico
SWOON! Oh my gosh, that sounds so dreamy!!!!! Maybe when our littlest is one we can finally get back to the Caribbean — that place sounds incredible!
PS You look PHENOM! Cannot believe you've birthed two children back to back!
Ha! This just MADE. MY. DAY! THANK YOU!!!!
This looks absolutely amazing! The resort sounds awesome!! I might need to look into booking a trip there ourselves! So funny to see your other recaps, because our two vacations have been to the same places!! Great minds think alike!
Seriously, this sounds amazing! And you look gorgeous in all these photos! Vacation looks good on you!
Looks amazing! I couldn't get some of your bathing suit links to work though 🙁
fixed!!!! 🙂
It does seem like you guys had the place to yourselves!! Love that you took so much time together!
Oh what a beautiful getaway. I feel relaxed just watching these pics.
What a fun trip! Your vacation recaps are my favorite, your photos and descriptions make me want to hop on a plane immediately!
Looks like ya'll had SO much fun. We have been talking about going to Jamaica and this just makes me want to book it right now ha. Glad it was relaxing! xox
Looks like it was the perfect vacation! So glad yall got that time together to rest, chill and hang!
Wow this resort looks amazing! Looks like you two had the best time!
I'm dying of jealousy over here. This looks fabulous, you guys look gorgeous and glamorous, and I'm so happy you got in this awesome trip to enjoy some time together after your roller coaster year!
Oh my word… my husband and I went to the exact same resort this past October. THE BEST. Do I spy a Jamaican Smile cocktail in one of your pics?! :-)The French restaurant was also our absolute favorite and the lobster thermidor was to die for… YUM. Such a lovely place-we'd love to go back! SO SO glad you two got to relax–you definitely deserved the break!!
pretty sure i want to travel with you mama!!!! so glad you guys had a fabulous time and you looked AMAZING as always OXOX
What a fun trip!! So glad y'all were able to get away for a fantastic vacation especially after the year y'all have had. I'm interested to see how y'all liked that compared to where y'all went for your honeymoon!
That looks like an AMAZING trip. Our 6th anniversary is coming up and we have nothing planned and I'm having serious vacation envy!
What an amazing trip!!! We have a couple of the same suits, I love them so!
So fun, and totally deserved! My husband has been in law school, while working pretty much our entire marriage now, and while we've taken some fun trips, usually we go with friends, because he has to cram all his fun in when he can. I want to plan just an "us" trip once he takes the bar exam, and I think something like this would be so perfect, and a great way for us to reconnect. Glad you shared such a detailed review!
Never really had a desire to go to Jamaica, but I think you just changed my mind! What a fabulous trip!
Wowwww!!! You're making me want to hop a plane for Jamaica right now!!!
I need a beach vacation stat! It looks like you guys had the best time!
Oh my gosh I didn't know I needed a vacation until I read this! This is so gorgeous and as jealous as I am, I'm so happy that y'all got to go, you deserve it! You look amazing and everything about the resort looks perfect… we went to an all-inclusive in Jamaica for our honeymoon and this makes me want to go back!
What an amazing trip – you look so relaxed and refreshed and loving all your bikinis. Always so important to take these trips together for some quality couple time x
Great sunsets ?