Jamaica is rolling out the red carpet to welcome visitors for the 2010/2011 winter travel season, which officially kicks off December 15, 2010. Many of Jamaica’s hotels, resorts and attractions have created special packages for travelers who seek a warm weather escape from the plummeting temperatures up north.

From family fun and romantic retreats to winter bliss at the Ritz, here are a few choice deals:

 

Family Fun

Half Moon’s Family Escape package is valid from January 5 through April 15, 2011. The package includes daily nanny service for two children under four years old and complimentary breakfast. The property’s Very Important Little Persons Service (VILPS) will treat kids with a special gift upon arrival, access to Half Moon’s Anancy Children’s Village and Sleepy Treat. Rates begin at $690 for double occupancy for a Junior Suite. Booking deadline is April 11, 2011. www.halfmoon.com

 

Family Time abounds at the Two Seasons Guest House located on the island’s South Coast. Families who book three or more rooms for a minimum three-night stay will receive savings of 15 percent when they travel December 15, 2010 through January 15, 2011. www.2seasonsguesthouse.com

 

Guests who move quickly can take advantage of the January Sale offered by Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay. This program offers 60 percent off published rates for a minimum two-night stay. The reduced rates start as low as US$91 per person, per night, based on double or single occupancy, for visits between January 2 and February 28, 2011. Blackout dates apply: January 23 – 29 and February 7 – 13.  www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica

 

Romantic Retreat

Guests can enjoy romance, relaxation and fun with the His & Hers Golf and Spa Package at the new Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa. Couples can play a round together, or head off separately for a complimentary round of golf for him and spa treatment for her, and reunite for a private beach dinner by candlelight. The package must be booked by December 31, 2010 for travel before August 31, 2011, with the promo code LOVE11. The rates start at US$319 per night.  www.jeweldunnsriverresort.com

 

Winter Bliss

Visitors can reconnect with family and friends in Jamaica with the Resort Reconnect^® Package at The Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall, offered for travel now through December 23, 2010. Guests will enjoy dining, golf, the spa, and more with a daily US$50 resort credit. With luxury accommodations in a garden-view or ocean-view room or suite, and daily breakfast for two in select restaurants, this enticing package is priced from US$229 per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy, plus tax and service. www.ritzcarlton.com

 

The Winter Special is being offered at RIU’s four fabulous all-inclusive properties. Now through December 23, 2010, guests can enjoy added value with special rates beginning at US$92 at RIU Negril, US$93 at RIU Montego Bay, US$97 at RIU Ocho Rios, and US$126 at RIU Palace Tropical Bay. At the Ocho Rios and Montego Bay properties, kids stay for free now through December 23 when sharing a room with two full-paying adults. Rates are per person, per night, based on double occupancy, and include all meals, drinks, entertainment, tax and gratuities. www.riu.com

 

Rondel Village on Negril’s seven-mile beach presents the January 2011 Special. The package includes four-nights’ accommodations in spacious superior rooms at a rate of US$543, based on double occupancy, including tax and service. Book by December 16, 2010 for travel between January 9 and January 29, 2011. www.Rondelvillage.com

 

Tower Cloisters Resort Condos is offering a Winter Icebreaker that won’t break the bank. Guests can stay seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment for only US$350 per person, per night, for travel until December 15. The special includes daily breakfast. www.cloister-jamaica.com

 

Exciting Attractions

For great value travelers can try the Free Upgrade Program at Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios, a marine attraction with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, exotic birds, snakes, and iguanas and more. Features of the promotion include:

• Those who purchase admission to Dolphin Cove Ocho Rios (US$45) will be upgraded to the dolphin Touch program (a savings of US$22)
• Those who purchase the Touch program (US$67) will be upgraded to the Encounter Swim program (a savings of US$62)
• Those who purchase the Encounter Swim (US$129) will be upgraded to the Swim With program (a savings of US$66)

This promotion runs from December 15, 2010 through April 14, 2011. Visitors must book the program online at least five days ahead of their visit and use the promo code OIJ at www.dolphincovejamaica.com/reservations.htm.

 

Now through December 31, 2010, Chukka Caribbean Adventures is running a promotion where visitors Buy One Tour – Get One Half Off, enabling persons to pay only half price for their companion. Tour choices include kayaking, ziplining, horseback riding, dune buggy and more. www.chukkacaribbean.com

 

Travelers can enjoy weekend After Glow with Rainforest Adventures Mystic Mountain, an eco-adventure destination in Ocho Rios. This evening entertainment package illuminates the night on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visitors can soar through hills lit by torches along the popular Rainforest Bobsled, Zip Line, or Sky Explorer rides. The US$60 package includes a three-course meal with wine, plus live entertainment. On full-moon Saturday nights, a series of Mystic Moonlight stage shows feature reggae artists. www.rainforestadventure.com/jamaica.

 

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422).

 

Source: Jamaica Tourist Board