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Montego Bay, Jamaica

Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach

Our July 2026 Stay — Family, Jamaica & Making Memories

More family. More memories. More Jamaica. 🇯🇲

Why This Trip Matters:

This trip was about so much more than a resort.

It was our first vacation bringing a big part of our extended family together, and that made it incredibly special.

We brought my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, my niece and her husband and their baby, my niece’s husband’s mom, along with our son’s girlfriend and our daughter’s boyfriend.

Getting everyone together—from the newest little family member to the kids who are growing up and bringing their significant others along—made this trip feel like a new chapter for our family.

And honestly, that’s what I’ll remember most.

Yes, we were in beautiful Jamaica. Yes, we had a great resort. But having all of these people we love together, laughing, relaxing, eating, swimming and making memories was what made this vacation so meaningful.

One important note: When we visited in July 2026, Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach was still welcoming families. The resort is transitioning to an adults-only experience beginning in November 2026, so my experience reflects the resort during its family-friendly phase.

What Made It Special:

  • Perfect opportunity to experience Jamaica with a large extended family
  • A property that accommodated our group well
  • Plenty of restaurants and dining options
  • A large resort with lots of space and activities
  • Great entertainment staff
  • Plenty of variety throughout the property
  • The chance to make memories together as our family continues to grow

My Experience:

We had a really wonderful time at Iberostar Waves Rose Hall Beach.

One of the things that stood out to me most was how well the resort worked for our larger group. Traveling with this many people can be challenging, especially when you have different ages, interests and schedules.

The size of the property actually worked in our favor. There were plenty of restaurants, bars, pools, activities and spaces to explore, so we never felt like we were stuck doing the same thing every day.

The entertainment staff was one of my favorite parts. They were energetic, friendly and did a great job getting guests involved.

The one area I would like to see improved is the nightly entertainment organization. The entertainment itself was good, but I think the evening programming could have been better organized and communicated.

I also found the swim-up bar service to be lacking, particularly the bartending. It’s something I noticed because I spend a lot of time experiencing these details so I can give my clients an honest perspective.

And that’s important to me.

I don’t believe in pretending every resort is perfect. I want my clients to know the good, the great and the things that may matter to them before they book.

Why It Matters for My Clients:

The upcoming adults-only transition makes this resort an especially interesting option to watch.

While my July stay was a family vacation, the resort’s size, dining options, entertainment and overall atmosphere could make it appealing to couples and adults looking for a vacation with plenty of variety.

For clients considering this property after the transition, I’ll be watching how the adults-only experience evolves and how the resort adapts its entertainment, dining and overall atmosphere.

This is exactly why I love personally traveling to the resorts I sell.

I don’t just want to know what the brochure says. I want to know what it’s actually like.

How does it work for a large family?

Are there enough dining options?

Is there enough to keep everyone entertained?

What did I love?

What could be better?

And when a resort changes its concept, my firsthand experience gives me a starting point for helping clients understand what they can expect.

Bridget’s Tips 🌴

  • Remember the adults-only transition. My July 2026 experience was during the family-friendly period; the resort is transitioning to adults-only in November 2026.
  • Great resort for variety. The large property means plenty of dining, drinks, activities and places to explore.
  • Take advantage of the dining options. Especially important when traveling with a larger group.
  • Don’t feel like everyone has to do everything together. The size of the resort makes it easy for everyone to have their own vacation experience.
  • The entertainment team is a highlight. I loved their energy, although I would have liked the nightly entertainment to be more organized.
  • Manage expectations at the swim-up bar. This wasn’t a standout area for me, particularly the bartending service.
  • If you’re considering it after the adults-only transition, ask me. I’ll be following the changes so I can help determine whether the new experience is the right fit for you.

My Biggest Takeaway:

The best vacations aren’t always about the perfect resort. They’re about the people sitting beside you. ❤️

Our family is changing and growing. Our kids are bringing people they love into the family, there’s a new baby to spoil, and we’re creating memories in a completely different stage of life.

That’s what made this Jamaica trip so special.

We didn’t just take a family vacation. We created a memory we’ll all share for years to come. 🇯🇲❤️💛💚

And for me, that’s what travel is really about.

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