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Secrets St. James Montego Bay

Montego Bay, Jamaica
4.3(3,239 reviews)
Adults Only

Reopening Date & Status

Secrets St. James Montego Bay is temporarily closed — reopening Q1 2027 (Hurricane Melissa).

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Secrets St. James Montego Bay is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica with 350 rooms. Amenities include Beach, Buffet Dining, Casino, Diving and Free Wi-Fi. Travelers rate it 4.3/5 across 3,239 Google reviews.

Price Range
$$$
Rooms
350
Brand
Hyatt

Things to Know

Temporarily Closed - Reopening Q1 2027 (Hurricane Melissa)

Atmosphere

BusinessModern

Room Upgrades

Swim-Up RoomsBeachfront RoomsPreferred Club

Amenities

Beach
Buffet Dining
Casino
Diving
Free Wi-Fi
Gym
Heated Swimming Pool
Nightclub
Nightly Entertainment
Restaurants Don't Require Reservations
Spa
Swim-Up Bar
Tennis
Honeymoon
Anniversary
Bachelorette Party
Girls Trip
Solo Travel
Babymoon

Quick answers

Is Secrets St. James Montego Bay adults only?
Yes — Secrets St. James Montego Bay is an adults-only resort, so children are not accommodated.
Where is Secrets St. James Montego Bay?
Secrets St. James Montego Bay is in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Its address is Lot 59A, Freeport, Freeport, Montego Bay, Jamaica.
How many rooms does Secrets St. James Montego Bay have?
Secrets St. James Montego Bay has 350 rooms.
Is Secrets St. James Montego Bay all-inclusive?
Yes — Secrets St. James Montego Bay is an all-inclusive resort, so meals, drinks and most on-site activities are covered by the rate.

Traveler Insights(207 discussions)

Secrets St. James is Jamaica's answer to 'I want adults-only all-inclusive luxury without paying Sandals prices,' and it largely delivers on that promise - with the meaningful caveat that the beach is not its strong suit. travelers has 48 posts and 159 comments about this property, and the consistent thread through the positive reviews is that the resort itself - the food, the service, the romantic atmosphere, the complex access - is excellent. The thread through the negative reviews is that the beach is too small, and the Preferred Club system creates an uncomfortable two-tier experience for guests who didn't book the upgrade.

The Hyatt connection is a genuine selling point that sets it apart from the Sandals universe. World of Hyatt members can book this with points or earn points toward elite status, making stays here substantially more valuable for Hyatt loyalists than the rate card suggests. The three-resort complex structure (St. James, Wild Orchid, Breathless) gives guests enormous variety - multiple pools, restaurants, and beach areas all accessible under one wristband. That variety compensates for any one section being underwhelming.


For comparison shopping: Travelers consistently say Excellence Oyster Bay beats Secrets St. James on beach quality, while Sandals Negril beats it on the overall beach experience. What Secrets St. James wins is the urban accessibility angle - Margaritaville and Pier One are genuinely close, the Montego Bay airport is nearby, and the resort price is often more accessible than Sandals. For couples on a honeymoon or anniversary who want a polished, relaxed adults-only experience and don't need a stunning beach, this is a very solid choice. For beach maximalists, go to Negril.

Pros

  • +Adults-only Secrets experience in Jamaica at pricing that's often significantly lower than comparable Sandals properties
  • +Hyatt World of Hyatt points redemption and earning makes it exceptionally valuable for loyalty program members
  • +Part of a three-resort complex with Secrets Wild Orchid and Breathless Montego Bay - huge variety of pools and restaurants on your wristband
  • +Proximity to Margaritaville, Pier One, and Montego Bay nightclubs for guests who want to supplement resort evenings
  • +Consistently praised honeymoon and anniversary destination - the romantic vibe is genuine and well-executed
  • +Modern business-class finish in rooms that feels sophisticated rather than tropical kitsch
  • +Great food across multiple specialty restaurants - a genuine Secrets brand strength that this property delivers on
  • +Easier and often cheaper to book than comparable Sandals properties for adults-only Jamaica seekers

Cons

  • Beach is genuinely small and disappointing - the Preferred Club section gets a better beach area, leaving non-PC guests feeling shortchanged
  • Non-Preferred Club experience is significantly worse - the amenity gap creates a two-tier atmosphere on property
  • Preferred Club required for the best experience adds substantial cost over the base rate
  • Not a big beach destination - Negril is the right call if soft sand and long beach walks define your ideal vacation
  • Montego Bay travel advisories (Jamaica State Department warnings) create anxiety for some guests throughout their stay
  • Smaller pool count compared to Sandals Montego Bay or Sandals Royal Caribbean
  • Not far from the airport but airport noise (shared with Riu Montego Bay) can intrude
  • Excellence Oyster Bay in Ocho Rios beats it on beach quality and resort polish for similar pricing

Common Questions

Is the Preferred Club upgrade worth it at Secrets St. James?
travelers strongly suggests yes - and the most damning indictment of not upgrading comes from guests who visited without it and found the beach and best amenities were blocked off for Preferred Club members. The non-PC experience is described as noticeably worse. If you're going to spend money on Secrets St. James, budget for the Preferred Club or seriously consider whether a different resort gives you what you want without the tiered system.
How does Secrets St. James compare to Excellence Oyster Bay?
Excellence Oyster Bay is generally considered the better resort in travelers discussions - better beach, slightly higher overall polish, and a consistently excellent reputation. Travelers who've been to both note the beach difference as the most significant factor. The trade-off is that Excellence Oyster Bay is in Ocho Rios (eastern Jamaica), requiring a longer transfer, while Secrets St. James is in Montego Bay.
Can Hyatt points be used at Secrets St. James?
Yes, and this is one of the most discussed selling points in Traveler discussions about this property. Secrets properties are part of the World of Hyatt portfolio, so points earning and redemption both apply. For Hyatt Globalist members, the category redemption can represent significant value versus paying cash. This makes it particularly appealing for frequent business travelers looking to turn work travel into a luxury vacation.
What's the beach actually like at Secrets St. James?
Small, and that's being diplomatic. Multiple travelers posts specifically flag the beach size as a disappointment, and the best beach access goes to Preferred Club guests. The resort is not on a Negril-style long white sand beach - it's on Montego Bay's coastline which is more developed and less pristine. If lying on a gorgeous beach for hours is central to your vacation vision, look at Sandals Negril or Couples Negril instead.
Is Secrets St. James a good honeymoon resort?
Yes, with high frequency in travelers honeymoon threads. The modern, romantic aesthetic, adults-only atmosphere, solid food, and complex access to Wild Orchid make it feel celebratory and intimate. Multiple Travelers specifically recommend it for honeymoons as a Sandals alternative at somewhat lower prices. Just book the Preferred Club and set beach expectations appropriately.

Google Rating

4.3(3,239 Google reviews)

Google Reviews

Deandra S.
3 months ago

Visited on a Day Pass. It was a delight we went on a Saturday and the pool vibe was great. The entertainment team was a bit boring but the DJ was great! As far as the customer service I rate the workers at the Oceana a 3/5 not every helpful nor infor...

Dr. T.
3 months ago

Nice hotel, staff was amazing, food was good. The spa was my favorite experience at this property. I didn't like that they tried to sell us wine on multiple occasions -at an all inclusive. You cant make a hibachi reservation in advance but when you g...

Michael V.
3 months ago

All around great resort. Plenty of beach and pools for everyone to enjoy. Being a preferred member and having access to Breathless Altitude Rooftop restaurant had amazing food and a view. The Piano Bar was my favorite spot for drinks and a show. Beau...