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Montego Bay Hotels European Plan
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Introduction to Montego Bay
This is the most cosmopolitan of Jamaican
resorts, not as hedonistic as Negril but also not as crowded as Ocho
Rios. As such, Montego remains the grande dame of island resorts.
The draw of Mo Bay is its deluxe hotels, such as the Ritz-Carlton,
Half Moon, Round Hill, and Tryall.
As in much of Jamaica, your choice of resort here
often matters more than your choice of area. If you're determined to honeymoon
with your sweetie, go for one of the Sandals properties; if you want to hang
with the jet-set, take a villa at Round Hill.
If you're seeking authentic or traditional Jamaica,
however, this area is probably not for you.
Walking Tours
If you don't mind fending off hustlers, you can
stroll through the center of Montego Bay. Allow about 1 1/2 hours to see the
major landmarks.
We like to begin our walk north of Walter Fletcher
Beach at:
1. Fort Montego
Above Gloucester Avenue and up Miranda Hill on Queen's Drive, the fort is long
gone. Originally it had 17 cannons, of which only a trio remain. The fort never
saw much action, and what it did see was of the comic variety-a Jamaican
slapstick film.
Immediately south of the fort and reached by going
southeast along Gloucester Avenue is a roundabout at the beginning of Howard
Cooke Drive. This is the site of the:
2. Old Fort Craft Park
You'll be awash in T-shirts, woodcarvings, shell jewelry, baskets to fit cobras
of any size, and vendors peddling fruits and vegetables.
Afterward, you can walk 1 block to the east along
Union Street until you reach the landmark:
3. Georgian House
This 18th-century residence-really two buildings-was built by a rich tradesman
who wanted one house for his wife and the other for his mistress.
Return to Fort Street, going only 1 block to the
south to reach:
4. Sam Sharpe Square
Sam Sharpe was the local hero who spearheaded the Christmas Rebellion of 1831
that eventually led to the freeing of Jamaica's slaves. The cobblestone square
bearing his name is still a rallying point for protests and political speeches.
At the northwest corner of the square is a bronze
statue commemorating Sharpe, who was hanged in this very square.
In the northwest corner you can also see another grim
monument called:
5. "The Cage"
This foreboding brick structure dates from 1806. Its name is apt: It was used as
a lockup for both escaped slaves and drunks arrested on the street, most often
British sailors on shore leave.
Leaving Sam Sharpe Square, head east along Market
Street for 2 blocks until you come to:
6. Burcell Memorial Baptist Church
Dating from 1824, this church is named for its founder, the preacher Thomas
Burcell; Sam Sharpe himself once served as a deacon here. The present church is
a reconstruction, as slave owners burned the original church to protest
Burcell's support of the emancipation movement. Sharpe's remains lie in the
church's vault.
Continue to walk east along Market Street for another
block until you approach the intersection with East Street. Take East Street
south to Church Street. Once here, head west again in the direction of Sam
Sharpe Square. On your left you'll come to:
7. St. James Parish Church
Shaped like a Greek cross, this is one of the best examples of mid-18th-century
architecture on the island. The present church is a reconstruction; the original
church was destroyed in the devastating earthquake that rocked Mo Bay in 1957.
Facing the church is the:
8. Town House Restaurant
If you're here at lunchtime, this is the best dining choice in the center of
town. A wealthy merchant constructed this home of red brick in 1765. A bullet
hole in the mahogany staircase can still be seen.
Additional Information about travel to Montego Bay
