Planning a family vacation can be a challenge, especially when you have four kids with varying interests and needs. Our recent stay at the Moon Palace in Ocho Rios, Jamaica over the Christmas break proved to be an excellent choice for our family of six.
The Moon Palace is located 1.5 to 2 hours from the airport, so be prepared for the drive. We opted for a private bus, which I highly recommend for comfort and convenience. Additionally, we used Club Mobay to expedite our passage through Jamaican customs and enjoyed snacks and drinks while waiting for our bus, a service well worth the price.
Here’s a detailed account of our experience, from accommodation to dining, activities, and overall impressions.
Accommodation: Spacious and Comfortable
While planning travel, we learned very quickly that travel for 6 is not easy! There’s no question that we need 2 rooms to be able to accommodate a teenager and 3 pre-teens, but many all-inclusive’s will not guarantee connecting rooms. While in a few years the kids may be comfortable with that, right now, we need rooms that are at the very least, beside each other. At the Moon Palace, we stayed in connecting rooms, which provided ample space and comfort for our family. Room 1 had a king bed, while room 2 had two doubles, and we were able to add a rollaway bed to accommodate everyone comfortably.
The rooms themselves were a bit dated and needed some updates, especially the bathroom. In our room, the “toilet room” was quite tight making it almost impossible to close the door while inside, however our kids room didn’t have the same configuration and their’s was quite comfortable. Due to the size of our family, we made a note to ask for extra towels daily otherwise some of us would have to go without! At past resorts we have visited, we have found the rooms to feel damp or uncomfortable, but we did not experience that at this resort.
Dining Experience: Diverse and Delicious
Dining at Moon Palace was a highlight of our trip. Truth be told, you never know what you are going to get food-wise when you go to an all inclusive but the food at the Moon Palace was great. Despite my usual reservations about buffet-style dining, Buccaneers Reef exceeded expectations for breakfast, offering a wide variety of delicious options. We looked forward to our morning coffee looking out at the ocean laking about the different cruise ships that were parked nearby for day visits!
For dinner, our favorite restaurant was MOMO, the Asian fusion restaurant. We enjoyed the teppanyaki experience, which was a hit with the kids and provided a fun, interactive dining experience. You can book your reservation for MOMO on the hotel app for the next day or walk in same day. We went to MOMO 3 times over the course of our week long stay.
Gondola, the fine dining restaurant, was another standout, although it’s important to note the dress code here—no running shoes or overly casual attire allowed. The food here was delicious as well and we went here on more than one occasion! Pier 8, with its beachside location, offered a delightful selection of steak and seafood with a Jamaican twist, available from morning to night.
During the day, we found plenty of great spots to grab a bite. The pizza bar by the pool was a favorite, especially since they accommodated my middle daughter’s celiac disease by preparing gluten-free pizzas. We showed up daily just before opening to request a gluten free pizza and she would take care of us! This was much appreciated! For lunch, our oldest went to the Jerk hut often to get a taste of some Jamaican meat! Additional poolside dining options included fried chicken, wings, hot dogs, hamburgers, and more, allowing us to enjoy the sun and fun without interruption. In the lobby, there are many grab and go food locations like a pizza place, sushi restaurant, sandwiches and more. I wish we took advantage of this little food court area more, but we were out by the pool for the majority of the days.
But the eating doesn’t end there! The churro cart by the pool was another treat, and they even made gluten-free churros upon request. After dinner, we all would visit the coffee shop in the lobby for crepes, ice cream and coffee that we took with us to enjoy while watching the evening entertainment!
Games to Bring on Your Adventure
Before we left, we decided that we would pack a few activities for the pool and beach. We jumped online and placed an order to make sure we were all set! From floaties to games, we were covered! We got the kids donut floaties to lounge around the pool in which were a big hit. I would definitely recommend labelling your pool floaties as they have a way of disappearing and ending up with other guests! Next year, we may have to get these Gummy Bear floats because they are too cute!! If your kids like to play card as much as mine do, waterproof cards are an absolute must! Save yourself the disappointment of wet, ripped cards! Lastly, we brought a water racquet game that was easy to pack and fun to have for us and the kids in the pool and on the beach!
Activities and Entertainment: Fun for All Ages
Moon Palace offers an impressive array of activities and entertainment, ensuring there’s never a dull moment. Our boys spent most of their time playing volleyball on the beach, while our girls loved the pool’s water slide. The activity staff were energetic and engaging, organizing games and events throughout the day, including dance-offs, hula hoop contests, bingo, and more. I may have even joined a drinking game or two!
The waterfront activities were another highlight. We enjoyed paddle boarding, kayaking, and water biking, all available for guest use. Snorkelling and boat rides on the sailboat were fantastic, and the paid excursions, such as swimming with dolphins at Dolphins Cove, added an extra layer of adventure. The nighttime entertainment was equally impressive, with shows featuring a Michael Jackson impersonator, magic acts, fire shows and more, keeping the whole family entertained.
The wave runner is a great attraction for the kids. Kids and adults can surf on the artificial waves created by the wave runner. This attraction is open to all guests and can be used time and time again.
All of our kids particularly enjoyed the teens lounge at night, which included an arcade, pool table, and video games. They spent every evening there, allowing us parents to relax and enjoy the nightly shows just outside the lounge!
Delightful Staff
The staff were always extremely friendly and helpful. Whatever we needed was taken care of. They were very helpful when it came to dietary restrictions and took my daughter’s celiac very seriously ensuring that all cooking surfaces were clean and that food was made in a timely manner. We have been to other all-inclusive’s where we didn’t feel as comfortable. This was a very big deal for us on this vacation. The entertainment staff were also a blast! They kept the fun going all day long! Even the lifeguards would keep the kids entertained by playing ball with the kids!
Overall Impression: A Fantastic Family Destination
Our stay at Moon Palace in Ocho Rios was a memorable and enjoyable experience for the entire family. The resort’s combination of spacious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a wide range of activities and entertainment made it an ideal choice for our family vacation. It was truly one of the best family travel locations for us! The staff were friendly and accommodating, particularly in addressing our dietary needs, and the overall value for money was excellent. We highly recommend Moon Palace to other families looking for a fun, relaxing, and engaging holiday destination.
