Hotels and resorts come in all shapes and sizes in Jamaica

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Jamaica is known for its great variety of accommodation options, so whether you're looking for tony, upscale digs or a cozy bungalow nestled away from the bustle of popular tourist sites, you can find it in a hotel or resort on Jamaica.

Hotels and resorts offer visitors an alternative to all-inclusives, with plenty of luxuries on site without the meal plans. Guesthouses and inns lie at the other extreme, giving visitors a chance to explore authentic culture on Jamaica.

Resorts

Resorts of all kinds are most often found on or near beaches, and in the popular city of Montego Bay beach-front resorts are the specialty. In an upscale hotel or resort you'll generally find plenty of features and security, but you may also have to pay for many items. Meals are available usually at on-site restaurants, but concierge services can often direct you to local favorites as well.

These resorts are very similar to Jamaica's ever-popular all-inclusives because they often have everything travelers could want (and more) on site. However, these resorts generally do not entice the same rowdy, younger crowd the all-inclusives draw in. Resorts, of course, have their own style as much as any other hotel in Jamaica.

Small Hotels

The next step away from the high-priced and amenity-packed resorts are smaller hotels. These can provide an affordable option for budget-conscious travelers. Most hotels will include hot water and a bar or nearby restaurant, and a majority will certainly include a pool, restaurant on-site and air conditioning, but you may look for accommodations that are as stripped down as you can handle. A rule of thumb when it comes to hotels is that the more money you're willing to spend, the more amenities you'll have.

Guesthouses

To truly experience local culture while in Jamaica, you can choose to stay where Jamaicans themselves stay when they're traveling. Guesthouses throughout Jamaica, like those across the Caribbean, differ tremendously from one another. These are generally the cheapest places for travelers to stay, and may have little in the way of furniture. This is truly an explorer's accommodation, though some measure of security is still provided.

Here you will most often find shared bathrooms and fans instead of air conditioning. These accommodations are truly unique: Some resemble motels while other are more like small cottages. The variety means that you may find accommodations to be much nicer than they might seem upon reading a guide. There are plenty of guesthouses throughout Jamaica that are safe even for families and single women.

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