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Starfish Resort - Trelawny, Jamaica

Reasons to Visit:

Starfish Resort : overview•  landlubber fun: minigolf, trapeze, rock-climbing 
•  novelty pool fun, waterslides
•  lovely beachfront spot
•  full range of watersports 
•  value pricing 

Starfish Resort, Jamaica

Bottom Line:   Starfish Resort= star value: lots of fun on land and sea, at an excellent price at this SuperClubs resort. Note that the best-priced packages aren't entirely all-inclusive; if you want it all, go Platinum for a few extra bucks.

 Starfish Resort: background

Starfish is a three-star brand of SuperClubs (which also owns Breezes resorts.) Location is on the north coast of Jamaica, 23 miles from Montego Bay. Guests stay in 350 rooms in 7-story wings, or in 40 cottages; some 70% are families. 

Starfish has two levels of "all-included" pricing. A basic level  includes drinks, meals, and most activities, but you'll pay a modest charge for kids programs and certain activities. Or take the Platinum plan -- still reasonably priced-- and get the whole deal.

Be sure to check promotions at Starfish Resort.

 

Starfish Resort: guide review

Family Circus
Starfish Resort is a $6 million transformation of the former Trelawny Beach and Fun Resort into a place packed with activities-- even circus trapeze. It's a big, busy kind of place.

Land Ho
My boys (12 and 9) loved the land activities (minigolf, trapeze, rock-climbing, "ice"-skating) and the pool fun: waterslide, pool tables in the pool, "power paddlers" (see pix.)

We especially liked all this non-ocean fun because during our trip in April the sea was choppy for a few days, meaning that watersports (snorkeling trips, glass-bottom boats, scuba) weren't always do-able. At Starfish, there was lots else to do. 

Wee kids will enjoy a seaside playground with swings, and the gentle, sandy beach. 

Starfish Resort ( Star Fish):  trapezeThey Float Through The Air...
Like a flag that says "Fun Here", Starfish's trapeze floats above the property. Those who try get lots of help-- see pix.

The rock-climbing wall is another novelty; reaching the top was a challenge for my athletic 12-year-old. (Younger climbers take an easier route.) Rock-climbing costs $3, as does trapeze with instruction ( 10-15 minute session). 

More Activities
Each day, scheduled activities can range from toga theme dinners, to shopping at a nearby craft market, kick boxing workout, circus workshop, trivia contests, lots more. Evenings, a live band plays most nights near the Buffet until 10 p.m.; night-owls can disco or head to a piano bar. Babysitters available.

Windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, are free, but a motored watersport means money; a boat trip to snorkel at the coral reef costs $15/adult, $10/child. Platinum pricing includes it all.

Most activities/features are pictured in the photo tour. See also the Starfish Resorts site. 

Kids' Club
The kids' club near the beach costs only $5/day, for two age groups: 6 months to 3 years, and 4 to 12.  Activities run from treasure hunts to sand castles, crafts, trapeze, circus show.  Video games are far from the kids' center (good!) and kids pay to play.

Starfish Resort: sunsetIsland of Calm
Starfish has a lovely small man-made island, John's Caye, just a few paces off-shore: wade over early in the day and grab a lounge chair under a palapa. This spot is especially nice at sunset.

The beach at Starfish is the fine, pale sand typical of Jamaica's north coast: great for sand-castles.

Out and About
Guests can conveniently take a number of tours: for ex., $35 to climb up Dunn's River Waterfall; $30 for Luminous Lagoon (a magical night boat ride -- and optional swim-- in a sea that sparkles with phosphorescent organisms);  plantation adventure, horseback riding, lots more.

Starfish Resort: Meals
We arrived at Starfish starving after a long drive from Negril: nothing that feeds kids faster than a buffet. Though there was no special kids' area --unless you count the dessert bar-- even my finicky vegetarian found plenty to eat. Self-serve ice-cream and pop went down well, too.

Starfish Resort Trelawny:  buffetBig buffets are served at breakfast lunch, and dinner. Other dinner choices are: Guiseppe Restaurant ($6/person); Munahana, for Japanese dishes ($15/person); and the adults-only Casablanca, with surcharges on some items. The poolside Seashell Grill serves jerk pork/chicken, hamburgers, etc. 

Gotta say, though, that pina-colada on tap is a concept that takes convenience (vs. quality) a bit too far.

Starfish Resort: Rooms
Rooms are designed for three people, but  a crib or bunk bed can be added for families with small kids. (Ask about this when making a reservation, as online pricing may not show this option.)  A maximum of four people can stay in a room; larger families would either add an adjoining room, or move to a cottage which sleeps up to five.

Like many rooms, ours overlooked the entertainment stage near the star-jacuzzi pool, where live music was played at night. I couldn't shut out the noise of the band; if you're traveling with baby, request a quiet spot. 

Swing low, sweet pricing
Starfish's not-quite-everything-included price keeps rates affordable: after all, not everyone wants to do rock-climbing. It makes sense to charge less per guest, and let gung-ho types either pay-as-they-go for extras or choose the Platinum Plan which is modest anyway.

In the words of one manager: Starfish wants to "assist the client in every way possible in saving money."  Check rates and specials, or call 1-800-659-5436.

Finally: like many all-inclusives, Starfish has a no-tipping policy. 

Continue to Starfish Resort photos and tips: grounds, room, meals, beach, pools, activities.

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photos (c) Teresa Plowright.
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