All-inclusive luxury with a Jamaican twist – Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Rose Hall

The inaugural opening of Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Rose Hall Jamaica brings a new standard of all-inclusive luxury for the West Indies island country of Jamaica. (Hyatt Ziva is for families while Hyatt Zilara is for adults only).

Only 15 minutes from the International airport, the resort emerges from a multi-million dollar renovation to showcase a level of Jamaican lavishness designed to set new criterion for resort guests. Pristine white sand beaches beckon bathers and honeymooners, while weddings are easily made in heaven – or should I say – paradise. With 14 pools including 9 swim-up pools and 5 whirlpools, there are plenty of places to claims as your own personal paradise.

I spent four sumptuous days at Hyatt Zilara as an invited guest, with little on my agenda except to relax, sunbathe, dine, and to subject myself to soothing spa treatments. While I expected unlimited drinks and dining in an all-inclusive, unexpected services included free Wi-Fi internet access, 24-hour in-suite dining, and butler service (though I never figured out why I might need a butler).

My favorites soon emerged with the following representing some of the best at the resort:

Best breakfast: Conveniently located in the Zilara Lobby, Flavorz is the place to go for breakfast. Choose between a continental buffet or order from the menu. My soft poached eggs were expertly cooked with no residual vinegar flavor, a mark of a kitchen that knows what they are doing. I’m not a fan of buffets, so Flavorz was the right choice for me.

Best jerk chicken:  You can have the best jerk chicken right on Hyatt beach at Barefoot Jerkz. Serves local specialties and casual fare for lunch and afternoon snacks. It’s important you try the jerk sauce as each place has its own signature in terms of heat and flavors. Wish they had bottles that you could buy and take home because it’s that good!

Best dining: Petit Pariz is the upscale restaurant that is exclusive to Zilara Rose Hall guests (adults only). Open for dinner only, it brings a touch of Paris to featured dishes. The appetizer of scallops was perfectly cooked, each bite succulent and thoroughly washed as there was no hint of sand. The lobster entree was nicely plated but unfortunately was cooked a tad too much. A drizzle of butter would have been nice. Tip: Save room for dessert if you can as choices included coconut creme brulee, chocolate mousse, and an apple tart.

Best Jamaican drink: Try the Frozen Bob Marley at Vistaz – an open-air bar just outside centrally located Calypzo. Here they serve a variety of cocktails and beverages, but the Bob Marley is a signature drink worth trying. It features a layering of strawberry and mango daiquiri, mango & blue curacoa and white rum.

Best place for a sunset drink: Fez is a rooftop Moroccan-themed outdoor bar with elevated views, and is the best place on the Hyatt property for a sunset drink. I toasted several evening sunsets with a glass of sparkly while relaxing on cushy furniture.

Best spa treatment: I splurged on a deep-tissue massage on the beach, in a privacy cabana. My masseuse Lonia, expertly worked out my shoulder kinks and lower back aches, gently massaging my arms, hands, and feet as well. But it’s not just for singles as couples massages on the Caribbean are very popular as well.

Best amenities: I’m a big fan of KenetMD dermatologist approved skincare products as they are free of parabens, phthalates and harsh ingredients. And I love the fact that over 90,000 Hyatt hotel rooms around the world stock the body and hair products. The amenities are ample at 60 ml – which translates to a bit over 2 ounces of product. My room was stocked with color-coded tubes of Soothing Body Lotion, Cleansing Body Wash, Invigorating Shampoo and Nourishing Conditioner.

Best perk: Golfers will love the fact that they can tee off for free in 2015. Each guest may choose  a free round of golf at either of two world-class courses: White Witch or Cinnamon Hill.  Sculpted from the rolling hills, White Witch Golf Course will intoxicate you with its panoramic vistas of the ocean and its 6,800 yard, par 71. (Be sure to ask about the sugar estate’s former mistress, Annie Palmer, whose ghost allegedly still haunts the grounds). The 18-hole Cinnamon Hill Golf Course combines the best of both links and inland golf, with the first nine sporting oceanfront views while the back nine are challenged by verdant mountain slopes. Only catch is that you need to reserve Tee Time upon your arrival at the resort and it is only valid for stays involving three or more consecutive nights.

Note: If you happen to steer toward a “vegetarian-inclined diet” as about 10% of the U.S. population does, your best choice may be Fuzion which features Asian-style cuisine. It’s located on the Hyatt Ziva side of the resort.

All photos by Karin Leperi.