JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar - Adults Only - All Inclusive

Just came back from 1 week here with my wife. We're experienced travellers that go to Caribbean all-inclusive 2 to 3 times per year, but this was our first time here. Jamaica was hit by a terrible hurricane in October and almost all the hotels in the area are closed. This is only 1 of 2 which are open. The resort was in great shape. The only signs anything had happened were: roof shingles were being replaced, palm tree leaves were cut off and stubby, they were missing a lot of palapas on the beach, but they were installing new ones as we left. None of that was an issue at all. The resort seemed to be about 30% occupied on the weekend and even less mid-week. The pool and beach areas had plenty of chairs available even very late into the morning and the restaurants never had a lineup. Service overall was terrific and everyone was extremely friendly. A particular shout out to our housekeeper (Tache) who made it a point to ask us if everything was ok (which it was) and made nice towel decorations in the room. The only time we had a bit of issues with service was with the concierge giving us a bit of attitude when we refused to participate in the breakfast session where they try to sell you something about another resort. Nothing serious, but still anoying. The entire resort was very clean, as weird as it sounds the washroom by the pool (which is usually the one that gets nasty) was very well maintained. The person cleaning it was in there all the time. There was a time where an employee broke a glass on the walkway by the pool (going towards the grill),. They swept it up very quickly but didn't do a good job and there was still glass on the ground (my wife picked up 2 large shards of glass herself), we had to ask them to sweep it again so people wouldn't cut themselves. That took about 20 minutes by the time it was all done. Not cool for an area where folks walk barefoot. The restaurants were all good, service was excellent and portions were just right. They have 3 house wines (Cab Sauv, Chard, Sauv Blanc), which were all decent enough. The coffee throughout the resort was awesome. The beach was nice and wide with barely any waves to speak of and no seaweed at all. One annoyance is our hotel described having water equipment available for free, ex: Kayaks, paddle boards, ... but there's actually a $20 US "insurance" that you need to pay to use it. Its not expensive but feels like they're trying to nickel and dime you, not cool. Overall it was a terrific stay and we will be returning in the spring of this year.

All the staff were super helpful and friendly to us on our baby moon. Christopher and Donavan really stood out to us going above and beyond. We will definitely be coming back.

Lovely hotel! Special thanks to Karl the super amazing staff who assisted us with our bags during check in and check out . Truly professional , warm and kind .. always happy to assist .. Karl is truly an exemplary employee ... the hotel is lucky to have an employee like him . Thank you sincerely Karl for being the best go to person ever ! Karen our angel server at the surf and turf restaurant who had a smile as bright as the candles radiating such warmth .. She was the star of the restaurant .. although she had numerous tables that night , Karen went all out to ensure we were happy and enjoyed our dinner .. what a beautiful person she is .. serving so effortlessly filled love and warmth ..though extremely busy .. thank you Karen ! Odsne food truck( from the jerk hut at the selection resort .. ) he was awesome , such a kind and gentle person serving us the best jerk Chicken ever ! Maurice fr the selection coffee shop - thank you !

Sorry – a little late. Our previous visit was just before Hurricane Melissa (5***). We have just returned again after having stayed December 18 thru the 28th. We decided to keep this reservation only to support Jamaica and all those who work at JOIA. We have had the privilege of vacationing here for many years, a few times per year and come to know and recognize most of the staff here. While we were glued to news while Melissa was unleashing her anger, we were also so very worried for all Jamaicans (those we know and don’t) and their families. If you have been to Jamaica you know. The take away from this trip was very humbling. Upon speaking to many of the staff – some still without power or water, some without a home – Jamaicans have a strong and resilient culture. While we worry about many little things at home, the Jamaicans have a very different approach to disasters and hardships as we know them …. something we can all learn from. The Resort was as terrific as it has always been. The only noticeable effect from the Hurricane was the foliage (top of the palm trees) and the palapas that were swept away at the beach (although the resort has erected beach umbrellas for shade). All dining venues were open (rotating days so the app proved to be very helpful). Once again, the Christmas Gala dinner was superb – starting from the table settings (which were 7* in presentation) to, of course, the desserts. And, I cannot forget to mention how glamorous the staff looked on this evening. We didn’t even recognize Judy – dressed in a long red gown and looking fabulous – but just not her – everyone was dressed in red and very formal – a nice touch. All other amenities are as repeat guests expect. Room service very timely, room attendant (Tashanne??) amazing, room restocking spot on; bar service (including beach) was fantastic – thank you Mayogal; Deshaun Natasha; Vanessa; Andre; Gary; Kiwan; Davion; Cassandra; Dario; Kersea; Amanda; Shavaughn and honorable mention to Clive (via Video chat) – I guess this summarizes where we spend a lot time - haha. Other staff who made an impression on us were Nicholas (from the French Restaurant); Laticia (morning and lunch); all of the front desk staff who are so welcoming; Ernest from the beach – truly helpful to the guests; Carl (bellhop); and not to be forgotten the towel bar staff who greet everyone with a smile. While we have acknowledged most we cannot forget to mention Teresha Brooks at the front end who has always been so receptive to us. Thank you Teresha – truly a valuable asset to JOIA. Yes, we will be back – sooner rather than later.

This was our first time to this property although we have been traveling to Montego Bay for many years. It is currently the only major property open post hurricane. We have stayed at the Iberostar in Riviera Maya Mexico and it was excellent. As was the case in Mexico, you walk in to a beautiful lobby and check in was smooth and easy. Iberostar runs a great operation. The grounds are spotless and they have done a magnificent job with respect to repairs needed and planting new grass and shrubs throughout the grounds. You would never know they had been through a major hurricane with the exception of a few areas here and there still under going repairs. The pool area is beautiful with many options and the beach was spotless and excellent. The Joia rooms are large and spacious. Separate sitting area, a large bathroom with large shower, tub, and his and hers sinks. The rooms have the largest patio terrace I have seen complete with a couch and swinging basket chair for two. The house keeping staff does an excellent job with prompt attention to daily cleaning and turn down service in the evening with chocolates on your pillow. One of the things you notice immediately is the attitude of the staff. On the beach, the pool, the grounds, and the restaurants, everyone is friendly, helpful, and determined to make your stay the best it can be. While every meal we had in the various restaurants and buffet was excellent, here are our thoughts. Keep in mind the hotel was at maybe 50% capacity while we were there so things may be different if the hotel has more guests. There was only one restaurant, the Japanese, that took reservations. We prefer to be able to make reservations at every restaurant we are planning to eat at. For the other restaurants, we had a reasonable wait. They use Whats App to notify you when your table is ready. But we noticed consistently that the restaurants were never full when we were eating. Our continual thought was if there is wait when the hotel is not nearly full, what happens when it is at capacity. Food and service in the restaurants we ate in were excellent. At the buffet, the only recommendation we would make is that there should be prepared scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, and french toast available. Those items are currently all made to order. The wait was not long and the food was delicious. Again, the hotel was at reduced capacity. The beach lost an amount of palapas and are in the process of repairing and installing new ones so currently, shade on the beach is at a premium and there were limited umbrellas available. The umbrellas by the way are excellent and cast a lot of shade. There is a tremendous amount of seating and shade around the several pools. We had an excellent time and unfortunately our stay was cut short due to the snow storm hitting the mainland so we left early. We had a terrific time and will absolutely return. Lastly, the Joia is due to close from June - November for renovations. We are excited to see it when it has been completed.

Trip Report: JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar Montego Bay, Jamaica There’s something special about slowing down in Jamaican time, and our recent stay at JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar reminded us exactly why this destination remains a favorite among travelers who enjoy elevated experiences paired with warm, genuine hospitality. Ya Mon. Star Prestige Highlights & New Enhancements One of the biggest highlights of this trip was seeing the new Star Prestige upgrades come to life, as the rest of the resort awaits a major renovation from June 1 to November 30, when the resort will close. Brand-new beach beds were delivered and assembled during our stay, and they are a major improvement. These new cabanas featured thick, plush cushions, adjustable beds, and privacy curtains on both sides. They’re incredibly comfortable and add a true luxury cabana-style feel to the Star Prestige Beach area. They also installed oversized double loungers with thick, plush cushions and a shared center space for drinks and personal items. In addition to the beds and cabanas, new sofas and seating have been added, signaling exciting progress ahead as renovations continue to bring this property in line with other JOIA resorts. Jerk Chicken, Jamaican Rum & Culinary Experiences Lunch at Star Prestige turned into an unexpected culinary highlight when chef Odane personally demonstrated how to make authentic Jamaican jerk sauce and jerk chicken. The result was hands-down the best jerk chicken we’ve had — flavorful, spicy, tangy, and far more balanced than what’s served at the main pool jerk shack. Watching it prepared fresh while learning about the ingredients made it even more memorable. Food throughout the resort was consistently strong, with several standout meals: • The French restaurant impressed with beautifully prepared duck confit, lamb chops, and an unforgettable chocolate dessert. • The steakhouse (Gallion) delivered perfectly cooked tenderloin, excellent oxtail empanadas, and — finally — hot rolls, which longtime readers know is a personal victory. • The Italian restaurant was very good one night, and then just fair another. The inconsistency, in my opinion, was due to our waitress that night. • A beach barbecue featuring jerk chicken, pork, and steak was one of the best lunches we’ve had in Jamaica. • The Japanese hibachi dinner was lively, fun, and interactive, complete with great food, laughter, and perhaps a bit too much sake. Star Prestige also hosted a Jamaican rum tasting one afternoon, educating guests on distillation, aging, flavor profiles, and texture. It was both informative and fun, and a perfect example of the “soft benefits” that make The Club so valuable beyond just membership and discounts, probably because they treat you like family. Service That Makes the Difference What truly sets JOIA Rose Hall apart is the people. The Star Prestige Ambassadors, especially Valentine and Cedric, consistently went above and beyond. Every evening, we were personally escorted to dinner, with tables already set and wine waiting. Our room featured thoughtful towel art, and many of the staff recognized us instantly, even though we hadn't been there in over a year. The beach attendants, Donovan, Shellisa, Merrick, and bartender Melissa, made our time at the beach so relaxing, comfortable, and just perfect. They were constantly there to help make our vacation truly memorable. Our butlers, Omar and Orvan, were outstanding — always checking in, anticipating our needs, and genuinely asking how they could improve our stay. It’s these thoughtful touches that transform a great vacation into a memorable one. Beach, Pool & Daily Vibes The weather during our stay was nearly perfect — sunny skies, soft clouds, warm temperatures, and just enough breeze to make beach and pool days ideal. It did rain a few times, but only for 5 minutes. Whether relaxing in a cabana, enjoying the lively main pool, or soaking in the serenity of our balcony jacuzzi, every day felt effortless. Evening Entertainment leaned into that relaxed island feel, with steel drum performances by the quiet pool, evening aqua shows, and other shows inside the theater. During the day, there were always lively moments at the pool. Watching the ocean change shades of blue while music drifted through the resort perfectly captured the Jamaican vibe. Honest Feedback & Looking Ahead While the overall experience was excellent, a few service inconsistencies stood out — particularly at breakfast one morning, where delays and staffing issues fell short of five-star expectations. Additionally, the “blender drink” service at the Star Prestige Beach was slower than ideal due to limited facilities, a situation management has acknowledged and plans to address during upcoming renovations. The good news? Staff openly shared renovation plans, and the excitement around the resort’s future upgrades is clear. With improvements underway, JOIA Rose Hall is well-positioned to become an even stronger luxury offering within the Iberostar JOIA collection. Final Thoughts JOIA Rose Hall delivers what many travelers truly seek: beautiful surroundings, strong food and beverage offerings, personalized service, and a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. Star Prestige continues to shine thanks to exceptional ambassadors, thoughtful experiences, and meaningful attention to detail. This trip reminded us that while rooms, upgrades, food, and amenities matter, it’s the people who ultimately define a resort — and the team here does an outstanding job of making guests feel welcomed, appreciated, and cared for. If you’re considering Jamaica and want a resort where luxury meets genuine hospitality, JOIA Rose Hall by Iberostar is absolutely worth a closer look.

I’ve been coming to iberostar since 2016, this was my first time staying at the joia (previously called the brand). It was a great upgrade from the suites. They asked us if we wanted to upgraded when we arrived at the suites and the cost was $120 pp for the four nights. We loved David (entertainment manager)senior and David jr. Both were extremely engaging and nice to speak with. Travis and shavaughn at the pool bar were amazing as usual. As was Jamie at the pool area of the suites. Devon at the beach was super sweet and attentive. As was the lady who was making jerk chicken on the beach. It was nice to see them again. We miss the days when there was more of the old crew(string bean, Kevin hart and Suzy). While the entertainment was good there use to be a lot more action at the pool, the old crew danced the whole day and the music was for sure better. The music at the pool in Joia was pretty painful. There used to be beres Hammond and new reggae playing all day at the suites. We need more of that. Whoever was cleaning our room (5033) didn’t do the best job. typically the soap area would be refilled and the bar hand soap area would be cleaned that was not the case this time. And we had to ask for water each time. But I will say the bench had a big red stain on it when we arrived and when I brought it up the housekeeper offered to switch it out which I appreciated. The food needs help. One of the reasons I fell im love with this resort was because the food use to be so good you felt like you didn’t need to leave the resort. It use to be seasoned very very, well like home Caribbean cooking. The seasoning this time was not great. And where was the plantains?! Didn’t have a single one for the four days we were there.they use to be served regularly I’m the buffet. Whoever was in charge of the kitchen in 2016 please bring them back, that’s the best it ever was) I will say the addition of Mexican night and adding the enchiladas (tostadas) was a nice treat. It was done very well. I just wish the food hot it would have been even better. Food temperature was an issue for every meal. Also the serving spoons frequently were unkept. They should have someone do rounds to change out the spoons or add hand sanitizer to each station. There was food crusted on the sooons by mid meal time . The wait staff at the buffet were just not great. By the time they came with our drinks we were done with our meal. And they didn’t really come around to check if we needed anything until the end. It wasn’t like that before, the service was friendly and they were attentive. *the jerk sauce by the outside lunch bbq hut was the best one. The other jerk sauces were far too sweet. The white wine selection…TERRIBLE. Please stop serving that Chardonnay it was sincerely awful. It should be swapped out for a Pinot Grigio. The shavaughn black wasn’t great either but it was bearable with ice. I’m Glad the resort survived the hurricane one piece and I look forward to returning but I do hope some changes are made. 5 ⭐️’s for David and David jr! Thanks for the dances and all the laughs! Negatives Food temperature Food not seasoned enough Pizza-Terrible Nacho cheese need more flavor White wine options, Chardonnay terrible Not enough strawberries for breakfast Workers being scolded where the guests can hear Pool playlist terrible The Sunday Egg station female employee can have a better attitude, very unfriendly disposition. Room not properly cleaned $150 for 20 min of banana boating was insane pricing Positives Dj sat and Sunday riddim Bob Marley show~Amazing Enchiladas on Tuesday night at the buffet Churros (but needed chocolate for dipping and to be hot) Fire man performance on beach Jamaica tours transfer was great service S’mores on the beach nice addition but weird set up(couldn’t find the sticks. Lazy river at the suites Waffle lady at the breakfast buffet in joia. So sweet. She offered to bring the waffle to me. The chef at the eating area outside where they serve lunch. He offered to make a fresh pizza and brought u The complimentary slippers in the room

This was my 4th time staying at this resort, and i brought my mother for her first time. Ive always had a 5 star experience, though this visit wasn't exceptional we understand they went through a devastating hurricane in November. Lets start with the positives! Most of the staff were wonderful! Alrick from entertainment was great, very friendly and outgoing. He always got my mom and I involved in different activities, we loved trivia night! Omar who was a butler at the resort was lovely! Very helpful and went the extra mile to ensure our questions were answered so we could enjoy our trip to the fullest. Luticia (sorry if i missed spelt) our breakfast server was so sweet, she always chatted with us and really was a wonderful person! Cassandra who worked the pool bar was the first employee we chatted with at the resort. Very friendly and made incrediable cocktails! Annakaya the host at the Italian restaurant was awesome aswell, very engaging and would be a wonderful server! These 5 people really made our trip great!! The beach was wonderful, clean and there always were beach chairs available. We enjoyed all the restaurants and found the food delicious. Alittle disappointing the dinner buffet was never opened during our stay. The resort itself was great, was told they will be closing sometime this year to do some renovations. Now the slight negatives. Though most staff were great, we did in counter a few people who were quite rude. We found this mostly at the breakfast and lunch buffet. Again we kept in mind the hurricane was devastating to Jamaica and we did try and give everyone some grace! Though are room was great, high floor, beautiful view from our balcony and we were able to get twin beds, there was some issues. As ive been to this resort before, i could tell somethings were missing and each day we had to call front desk for items. No beach bag, no sandles, no hair dyer, we didnt even have water. Though these are small issues, still a tad frustrating we had to seek out these items. All and all we did have a wonderful time and we would definitly go back. Again thank you Alrick, Omar, Luticia, Cassandra and Annakaya for making our trip memoriable!

My husband and I stayed at this property for 10 days at the beginning of January. We normally go to the Joia Bavaro in the DR but decided to try the supposedly same property in Jamaica, which it was definitely not! There is absolutely no comparison !! The room we had requested was not available on our arrival but would be available the following day, which was a bit of an inconvenience. The next day after conflicting info from the butler and the front desk the room eventually became available ???? Most of the staff were good with a few exceptions here and there, certainly not the same hospitality as in the DR. Food was ALWAYS COLD and just edible. Everything was mislabeled, which could be a serious issue if there are food allergies, which I have. Only 1 type of beer served at the bars, some had a few others for purchase. Beach was certainly not what I was expecting, very unkept. This property falls short in all criteria that would deem it a 5 star, I would say 3 star at best. To be honest, it was a very disappointing experience

My husband and I stayed at the Joia Iberostar for a week from January 10 to January 17. We traveled with two other couples in our family, for a party of six. We had an absolutely wonderful stay. You would never know there had been a hurricane recently, other than by the reduced occupancy, which we found beneficial. We never had to wait at a restaurant, and the chaises by the pool were always available (and they had extremely comfortable cushions, which made all the difference.) The staff could not have been nicer or more helpful. Gregory greeted us when we arrived and got us all checked in and he was extremely accommodating and patient. Devon, the butler who oriented us to the resort when we arrived, was very pleasant and informative. Our day butler, Orain, was great, as was our evening butler, Rohan, who was extraordinary and couldn’t have been nicer, and they frequently offered their availability for anything we might need. The breakfast buffet was excellent, and Tarah, who made our daily fresh fruit smoothies, was as delightful as a person can possibly be. And she made us absolutely delicious, nutritious smoothies every morning. The cooks at the omelette stations were excellent as well, and the waiters, particularly Omar, who took care of us many days, were very nice and attentive. The lunch buffet was excellent as well, in a beautiful setting right by the water. They had different themes for most days, including Mexican, Indian, Jamaican, and Italian. Due to low occupancy, only three restaurants were open for dinner each evening. The Surf and Turf and Italian restaurants were very good. But the absolute highlight was the Japanese restaurant, which was the only one that required a reservation. Our chef at the hibachi grill, whose name I can’t completely remember, but it begin with a G and was something like Gervanni, was absolutely fantastic. He was funny and charming, and he sang many familiar songs while he cooked us a delectable meal of fried rice, vegetables, steak, chicken and shrimp. Everyone in our party absolutely loved it. Our last night there was the only day the evening buffet was open, and it was amazingly great. It was a “Gala”, and they had a red carpet and battery operated candles all over, and the presentation of the food and the variety and beauty of the desserts was absolutely wonderful. There was a talented piano player playing gentle music, which enhanced the overall atmosphere. We sat outside on a perfect evening and it was a delightful way to end our trip. Also on our last day, was the foam party in the pool with the swim up bar. It was a total blast! They played fun music and a staff member named “Bubbles” danced enthusiastically while a machine blasted foam bubbles all over the pool, and everyone bounced around in the foam and had so much fun. Bubbles was also dressed in a beautiful gown for the Gala buffet, and she was funny and charming and delightful. We also did water aerobics in the pool every day at 11:30, and that was great fun as well, and also a very good workout! Momo led us for two days, and Lala led us for the other two days, and they were both fantastic. The workout was a little different every day, which made it more fun. Lala used pool noodles one day, and foam barbells another day, and it was a blast! The four pools gave a wide variety of options and degrees of relaxation. The pool with the swim up bar, closest to the water, had loud music playing, and was much more active. There was another pool right next to that one, and then there was the activity pool, where they had scuba lessons and water aerobics, and lastly there was the quiet pool, closest to the hotel, which was very mellow and peaceful. The one disappointment was that there wasn’t a functioning jacuzzi. There was a small hot tub that looked like a jacuzzi, and had warm water, but no jets. It wasn’t as hot as a typical jacuzzi, but it was still enjoyable to go in there to warm up after being in one of the pools. There were also a variety of activities throughout the day, including learning about coconuts and drinking coconut milk directly from fresh coconuts they had just opened. Bubbles was involved in that activity as well. The evening entertainment was wonderful, too. They had a saxophonist one night and an amazing violinist one night and a piano player another night. They also had a Motown show in the theater one night, which was excellent, and a group of dancers outside by the pool who performed the history of Jamaican music through dance. It was amazing! The resort was meticulously maintained, and absolutely spotless, and our rooms were huge and beautiful. The bathroom was very large, with two separate sinks, and we had a very nice balcony overlooking the water. It was a spectacular vacation in every way, with no apparent deficiencies from the storm, and I highly and enthusiastically recommend the Joia Iberostar.