Montego Bay All Inclusive Hyatt Ziva

Finding a tropical destination that is kid friendly yet not super duper kid themed can be a tricky task. Welcoming to families but not in juvenile cartoon-y way, the Hyatt Ziva is a Montego Bay all inclusive that  is the perfect destination for either a weekend or a longer trip with kids of all ages. Read on for our Hyatt Ziva Jamaica review.

Hyatt Ziva Jamaica Review

For about half of the United States, Jamaica is actually a very reasonable and short flight. I’ve traveled to Jamaica twice now.

The first time I stayed at a resort in the center of the island’s coastline. On my first trip, I arrived at the airport in Montego Bay, waited for a shuttle that only ran at certain times and was subjected to a long drive to the actual resort. Excursions were, for the most part, another long ride away from the hotel, and of course, you then have the long ride back to the airport.

By the end of the trip, I was exhausted and also relieved that I was traveling solo. I couldn’t imagine getting into the airport with kids and not “being there yet.” Was it gorgeous? Yes. But would it have been just as pretty and relaxing at a resort closer to the airport? As it turns out yes, yes and YES! Now I know to pick a Montego Bay all-inclusive right near all the action.

Read more: Is an All-Inclusive Worth It?

Start Your Jamaican Montego Bay All-Inclusive Vacation Minutes from the Airport

One of the most exciting things about Hyatt Ziva for me was the location. It was far enough out of Montego Bay’s center to be tranquil but close enough so that when you arrived at the airport you were a short shuttle ride away and those shuttles (more than one) ran frequently. Even if you had to wait for a few minutes for a shuttle the resort has its own area in the airport and will serve you drinks while you wait. Yes, folks, you can land in Jamaica and have a beverage in hand while you await your hotel shuttle.

The resort itself is gorgeous with a laundry list of amenities including two outdoor pools and whirlpools, a private beach with butler service, Zen Spa & Salon, daily activities, a 24-hour fitness center and a kids club.

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But as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so here are a few thousand for you to ogle.

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall: What Works for Families

The Hyatt Ziva property is adjacent to the Hyatt Zilara. The Hyatt Zilara is an adults-only resort. And trust me they are serious about that designation.

With my newborn on my chest, I joined a group heading over to the Zilara side to for dinner one evening. The “bouncer” spotted me at the border between the two resorts, and let me know I couldn’t be on that side with the baby. I was impressed that they made me as a “baby smuggler.”

You may be asking “Why is this good for families?” Well, the folks on the Ziva side are expecting there to be kids around. If they really didn’t want to see kids, they would have stayed on the Zilara side and avoided them.

The staff was exceptionally friendly and LOVED babies. I think I met everyone working over the course of my stay, and everyone fawned over little Everett. He was greeted with more enthusiastically than anywhere else I’ve stayed with kids.

Say it with me: ALL INCLUSIVE! Dining is included. No bill at the end of the meal. With kids, this is amazing. If a meltdown starts, just skedaddle on out of there without chasing down a waiter.

And if you don’t want to head out with the kids to eat there is 24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE. Revelation- pancakes taste 1000% better when eaten on the balcony overlooking the ocean while the baby is still sleeping.

The rooms are spacious. I could fit the stroller in the bathroom so that the baby napped while I took a bath. Heavenly.

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall: What Doesn’t Work for Families

The resort has a family-friendly setup. If you are looking for an all-inclusive near Montego Bay this is it. A few tiny notes to be aware of if you’re traveling with kids would be:

• The bathroom counters are high- yes this is nitpicking here. Kids under 5 will have trouble washing their hands without assistance. If your kids are steady climbers, move the bathroom bench near the sinks.
• The resort is a decent size, enough room to wander but small enough that it isn’t a hike to the lobby. However, if you have a stroller (or a wheelchair) you have to enter the main building from a distant end and take an elevator when you are walking from other buildings. I navigated fairly easily. Yet few situations I found myself in spots I couldn’t easily get out of without backtracking a bit.
• There is a KidZ Club and it is adorable. Be aware though that, while traveling in a slower season may be a benefit to adults price wise, your kids may be the only ones in the kids club. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it would depend on how social your kids are.

Hyatt Ziva Jamaica Review: Rose Hall Rooms

There are multiple room types at this Montego Bay all inclusive to accommodate many different family sizes and budgets. No matter what you pick the size will impress.

As someone who has stayed in hundreds (maybe even thousands) of hotel rooms on business trips, rooms usually tip the square footage scale at a little over 300 square feet. The smallest rooms at Hyatt Ziva are a whopping 493 square feet! Many city dwellers know that this is the size of a generous studio apartment. Views and club level upgrades will cost you a little extra per night.

Junior suites start at 656 square feet. I was in an Ocean Front Junior Suite, and my balcony view took my breath away. Should you decide to you have a little extra cash (about $50 a night), opt for a Butler Suite, larger than most of my college year apartments at 1,030 square feet.

And of course the important details- THE BED. It was heavenly. The sheets were silky and I slept amazingly well. If I slept comfortably with a newborn in the room imagine how you could sleep without a baby waking you up!

And if I didn’t sleep? I sunk into the gigantic bathtub or took a midnight shower with the amazing shower head. This was a new mothers’ dream.

• Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall Room Cost- Prices at this Montego Bay all inclusive vary by month. As with many Caribbean destinations, summer months ring in a bit cheaper. Rooms tend to start close to $600/night for 2 adults and 1 child with rates dipping down to the mid-$400’s in the summer. The rate includes food

SheBuysTravel TIP: Have an AAA membership? Be sure to check the AAA price. On many nights, it can save up to $50!

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Check out our Hyatt Ziva Jamaica review. This video walks you through a room. 

Hyatt Ziva Jamaica Review All-Inclusive Dining Options

As you would expect with a Montego Bay all inclusive the food is of course included. What I didn’t expect were so many options. Even though my visit took place during a slower season there were still abundant dining options.

Restaurants ran the gamut from quick service to nice sit-downs. Food choices ranged from Jamaican jerk (near the pool- definitely head there for lunch!) to Italian.

Hungry at random times? Two on-property coffee shops offered snacks at off times.

To be fairm the food was a little bit of a blur to me. With a new bab, everything tasted amazing. I was also just thrilled not to have to cook.

My favorite this visit was the BraZil Steakhouse. Tableside service of a variety of meats and great sides made it a winner.

I also may have stopped in the coffee shop daily for a cupcake. No judgment.

All-Inclusives: A New Parents Dream

Seriously y’all if you’ve never thought about going away with a little baby before start thinking. Book an all inclusive and go get pampered. Let someone feed you. Let them ogle your adorable spawn. Have a few random adult beverages and sit in the pool cuddling baby. Take them for their first dip in the ocean.

If you’re overwhelmed? Order 24-hour room service and hide in bed with the sound of waves crashing. You’ll thank me later I promise.