Secrets newest all-inclusive resort in Jamaica

In spring 2010, Secrets made its first entry into Jamaica with a $180-million project - the adults-only Secrets Wild Orchard and Secrets St. James, adjacent all inclusives on a t-shaped peninsula in Montego Bay.
They are beauties, 351 suites each, on a stretch of white-sand beach. There are nine restaurants and nine bars, mostly in a shared promenade, which also boasts a recreation area and string of shops.A few kinks cropped up needing to be worked out - spotty Wifi in room ($15 a day charge) and sluggish room service - but this is overall an outstanding property with attentive staff and gorgeous accommodations.

ROOMS WITH GREAT VIEWS
I stayed on the Wild Orchid side of the Secrets twin resorts, and the suites are big, roomy, light splashing generously within, each with balcony with ocean and/or pool view. There are three categories of rooms: Junior suites, grand suites and presidential suites, all offering a king or two queen beds; flat-screen TV and CD/DVD player; mini-bar refreshed daily with soda, water and beer (Red Stripe, Jamaica's own); a private balcony; his-her armoire, nightstand and reading lamps; plush robes and slippers; baths with separate showers and water closets, double vanity and TV speaker with sound control, hair dryer and scale - which I advise not using once you sample the food here.

There is also 24-hour room service, which as of July 2010 was slow but with the promse they are working it out. There is also a box for private room-service delivery if you don't want to be disturbed, and a do-not-disturb light system to let them know.

DINING AND WINING
Dining and imbibing options abound at this resort, mostly in the promenade, a shared space with adjacent Secrets St. James; it is closest to Wild Orchid. oceana features Tex-Mex at lunch and is oceanside dining; Bordeaux, a French restaurant for dinner only; Blue Mountain, Jamaican-Caribbean food, dinnner only; El Patio, Mexican fare, dinner only; Himitsu, Pan-Asian fusion, dinner only and the only restaurant requiring reservations for its popular Teppanyaki tables; Portofino, Italian cuisine in the trattoria traditioin, dinner only; World Cafe,the resort's only buffet style eatery open for all means and offering a truly astounding choice of food, including Jamaican; Coco Cafe, small coffee area with pastries, opens early at 6 a.m.; and oceanfront dining at St. James at the Seaside Grill on the beach.

Bear in mind casual dress code is strictly enforced, meaning sleeved shirts and long pants for men, though most restaurants feature patio dining where you can get away with shorts.

For bars, the options are many, though some close surprisingly early. The Lounge at Wild Orchid, a piano bar, Cuban-themed lounge with live music, open to 12:30 a.m.;; Manatees swim-up bar; Marlin Bar, open air with sandwiches and salads, open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In the promenade area, Barracuda Beach Bar (at right) terrific swing seating along with bar stools and sofas, lunch service, open to 6 p.m.; Desires Music Lounge, sports bar, DJ, dancing, open until 1:30 a.m.; Rendezvous Lobby Bar, with piano, open to 1 a.m.; Sugar Reef swim-up bar, open to 6 p.m.; and Revive Juice Bar.

THE SPA'S THE THING
The spa at Secrets is terrific, with hydro treatments, spa facial rooms, dual massage rooms and cold-and-hot water pre-treatment areas. There is a wide assortment of a la carte treatments, and a peace garden with yoga facility, water circuit and zen fountains.

The fitness center is small but roomy and well equipped with treadmills, stationary bikes, step climber, universal machines and weights, aerobics room and yoga studio.

In the Promenade is an open-air game room with board games, pool and ping-pong tables and a theater with nighly movies and entertainment. Daytime activities include aerobics, basketball, bocce, catamarans, snorkeling, soccer, tennis on lighted courts, vollyeball, water aerobics, windsurfing, kayaking and yoga.


All-Inclusive Secrets Wild Orchid Information
Secrets Wild Orchid
Montego Bay
Jamaica
http://www.secretsresorts.com/wildorchid/index.asp
800-866-467-3273
Rates start at $315 a day