As a resort town famous for its many attractions, hot spot and hotels, Montego Bay is one of the best places to vacation, party or just unwind. One place that brings the best of the city is Sea Garden Beach Resort where you can get lost in luxury.
Located along Kent Avenue, you are first enthralled by the breathtaking view of the sea visible from the front of the resort, which is simply spectacular in its architectural design. Definitely not your cookie cutter hotel construction, it boasts exquisite Victorian influences and accents including several arches and columns that lends it that classic ambience that guests find exquisite.
Established eighty years ago when it was first called ’The Chatan Hotel’, Sea Gardens sits on five acres of prime land and boasts some one hundred and forty rooms in different categories to suit varying budget and preference.
The lobby area is expansive and is divided in two areas, featuring a plush lounge where guests can relax while their reservations and needs are being taken care of. Wood is the natural touch found in the finishes, columns, chairs and base board and the front entrance has a gorgeous wooden staircase trimmed with red carpet that is just divine. Antique styled lanterns and lighting, stained glass inserts and mosaic tiles used to make murals instead of a traditional wall to wall painting complete the rest of the décor.
Buzzz Magazine spoke with Sea Garden’s Marketing and Sales Representative Cleve McKenzie, who interestingly shared that one section of the property has The Annex, consisting twenty rooms interconnected with independent bathrooms that is ideal for large groups, schools,
missionaries, convention members etc. They also have standard rooms, garden deluxe suites and penthouse suites. “Our family rooms can be
customised with either one or two beds and some come with kitchenettes for guests who have babies and need to sterilise bottles etc. These rooms afford families some privacy and come with adjoining balconies. We are aware of the needs of a family and try to be very family friendly.”
The hotel was recently renovated and reopened in December 2013 to rave reviews. Guests are often awestruck by the overall charm and elegance of the property, especially the bamboo archway which leads to the private beach. A smaller recreation of the famous Holland Bamboo stretch in St. Elizabeth, the archway is not only beautiful to look at, but is home to many humming birds. On your way to the dining room you will see Percy the Parrot, a favourite among guests. He is over thirty years old and never fails to say ‘hi’ to passersby. Throughout the resort’s décor the pineapple is used as a signature from vases to lamps symbolizing the exoticness of Jamaica.
The private beach facility resembles a breathtaking image on a postcard, so much so that photographers always capture images of the gorgeous sunset. Complete with its own bar, jerk pit, two-story wooden lounge. There is even a stage for outside entertainment. The beach leads guests to a private cove, that will be the haven of romance where couples truly enjoy the privacy as well as its tranquility.
According to McKenzie, 80% of all furniture used at the Sea Garden, was built on property with wood cut from trees on the property so they are not only boosting the local economy and hiring local craftsmen but the quality of the furniture is guaranteed. “It allows us to continue the same look and feel throughout all the rooms. We are very proud of our historic yet contemporary ambience as we feel that while you don’t live in the past, you should respect where you are coming from.”
With Sea Gardens being an all-inclusive resort the rooms are fully equipped with amenities such as a mini fridge, safe, plasma TV and complimentary personal care items. And when it comes to food, the food and beverage staff definitely knows their stuff! Just take it from the guests who are seen helping themselves to seconds. Some may opt for something extra, so they also offer an à la carte fine dining restaurant a luxurious escape from the main Jasmine dining room.
Sea Gardens plays hosts to quite a few local events, parties, corporate staff events and mingles and of course weddings in their spacious meeting/conference room, the largest of which can seat 300 comfortably. Recently they hosted the Governor General at the Youth Ambassadors Meeting. A marketing pull for many is the loyalty programme for the repeat guests offered by the hotel. Guests can access special rates and earn points for every stay and even upgrade their rooms.
What makes the Sea Garden Beach Resort different from all the other hotels in Montego Bay? McKenzie says their reputation of consistently high quality service keeps people coming back. “We pride ourselves on our customer service. Guests are greeted by a smile and you are not first given a form to fill out, but instead we engage you and make you feel welcomed. We focus on this as word of mouth is the best and fastest promotion. On Mondays we have our managers’ cocktail parties where all the mangers come out to meet and greet guests and just make them feel at home. We also know if you don’t treat your staff right, then they can’t in turn treat our guests right and they, the staff, is the face of the hotel.”