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Hotel guide · Adults-only all-inclusive · Oyster Bay peninsula, Coopers Pen, near Falmouth, Trelawny

Excellence Oyster Bay: what to know before you book

Researched by Michael RainfordFacts checked Sources
On this page
  1. My local take
  2. At a glance
  3. Pros and cons
  4. Rooms
  5. Food & drink
  6. Pool & beach
  7. Location
  8. FAQ
  9. Sources

My local take

Excellence Oyster Bay sits on its own peninsula in Trelawny, just east of Falmouth, with the sea on one side and the Glistening Waters lagoon on the other. It’s adults only, every room is a suite with a jacuzzi, and the dining is mostly à la carte: nine restaurants, a buffet and a jerk hut. My take: it suits couples who want a quiet, upscale all-inclusive and are happy to stay put. If you want to be in the middle of Montego Bay, or you have anyone under 18 with you, look elsewhere.

The resort took real damage in Hurricane Melissa and reopened within about six weeks, according to the Excellence Group. It is open now, and the company has announced plans to add 50 more rooms in new villas by the end of the year, so ask whether any building work is near your suite.

If it’s not quite right, look at Sandals Royal Plantation, a small adults-only resort in Ocho Rios, or Ocean Eden Bay, an adults-only resort at Coral Spring on the same coast, with more restaurants and nightlife. More options: the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica.

At a glance

Status
Open, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board
After Hurricane Melissa
Reopened about six weeks after the October 2025 storm, according to the Excellence Group's CEO
Area
Private peninsula at Coopers Pen, Trelawny, between the Caribbean Sea and the Glistening Waters lagoon
Resort type
All-inclusive, adults only (18 and over), all suites
Size
320 suites and villas across the categories listed on the resort's fact sheet, including 142 Excellence Club suites and 5 Beach Villas with private pool
In every suite
King bed (two doubles in a few), jacuzzi for two, balcony or terrace, espresso machine, stocked minibar, in-suite liquor, free Wi-Fi, free calls to the US and Canada
Restaurants and bars
9 à la carte restaurants (including 2 for Excellence Club guests), a buffet, a jerk hut and 11 bars
Pools
A beachfront pool, a rooftop pool at the sky bar and two Excellence Club pools, plus 4 outdoor jacuzzis; ground-floor suites have a private pool
Spa
Miilé Spa with a hydrotherapy circuit, 7 indoor treatment rooms and an oceanfront cabana; not part of the all-inclusive plan
Included
All meals, premium drinks, 24-hour room service, non-motorized water sports, daily activities, nightly shows, taxes and gratuities
Wi-Fi
Free throughout the resort
Accessibility
2 ADA suites
Airport
About 30 to 35 minutes from Sangster International (MBJ); free round-trip transfers on direct suite-only bookings of 3 nights or more
Phone
US +1 (866) 211-6223

Checked October 2026 against the sources below. See sources. Something changed? Tell me.

What stands out

  • Adults only (18 and over), with every room a suite and a jacuzzi for two in each one.
  • Nine à la carte restaurants plus a buffet and a jerk hut, and dinner reservations aren't required except for teppanyaki.
  • Premium drinks, 24-hour room service, taxes and gratuities are all included.
  • Ground-floor suites come with a private pool, and Beach House and Rooftop Terrace suites add a plunge pool.
  • Free round-trip airport transfers when you book a suite of 3 nights or more directly with the resort.
  • A short drive from the Glistening Waters lagoon and Martha Brae rafting.

What to know before booking

  • No one under 18, so it's not an option for families.
  • The spa is not part of the all-inclusive plan.
  • A private beach area, two club restaurants and the club pools are for Excellence Club suites only.
  • About 30 to 35 minutes from the airport and further from Montego Bay's restaurants and nightlife than the Rose Hall resorts.
  • The Lobster House doesn't serve lobster from April 1 to June 30, Jamaica's closed season.

Rooms

Every room is a suite, with a king bed (two doubles in a few), an L-shaped sofa, a jacuzzi for two, a rain shower and a balcony or terrace. Each has an espresso machine, a stocked minibar, an in-suite liquor selection, free Wi-Fi and free calls to the US and Canada. Suites on the ground floor have a private pool. Rooftop Terrace and Beach House suites add an outdoor plunge pool. The Excellence Club suites come with a private beach area, club restaurants and pools, a lounge, upgraded minibar and room-service menus and one hydrotherapy session per person per stay. At the top are five Beach Villas with a private pool and butler service. There are two ADA suites.

Food & drink

Excellence lists nine à la carte restaurants, a buffet and a jerk hut, plus 11 bars. They include Spice (Asian, with teppanyaki that needs a reservation), Chez Isabelle (French), Caribbean Grove (Jamaican and Caribbean), The Grill (steakhouse), Oregano (Italian) and The Lobster House. Magna and Zenith are for Excellence Club guests. Other dinners don’t need a reservation, and dress codes apply at some à la carte restaurants. The Lobster House follows Jamaica’s lobster closed season, April 1 to June 30, so expect other seafood then. My take: eat at the Jerk Hut at least once at lunch. It’s the closest thing to roadside jerk on the property.

Pool & beach

There’s a beachfront pool, a rooftop pool at the sky bar and two Excellence Club pools, heated in winter, plus four outdoor jacuzzis. The resort is on the beach, with snorkeling gear, kayaking, sailing and paddleboarding included. Scuba diving and deep-sea fishing cost extra. The Miilé Spa has a hydrotherapy circuit with saunas, a steam bath and a cold-plunge pool, at extra cost.

Location

The resort is on the Oyster Bay peninsula at Coopers Pen, just east of Falmouth in Trelawny. Excellence puts the drive from Sangster International Airport at 30 to 35 minutes. Falmouth is close for the Glistening Waters luminous lagoon and Martha Brae river rafting. Locals will tell you the lagoon glows best on a dark night, so check the moon before you book a boat. Montego Bay’s restaurants and the Rose Hall resorts are a drive west. See where to stay in Montego Bay for the wider area.

Questions people ask

Is Excellence Oyster Bay adults only?

Yes. Only guests 18 and over can stay or visit, according to Excellence Resorts.

Is Excellence Oyster Bay open after Hurricane Melissa?

Yes. The resort reopened within about six weeks of the October 2025 storm, according to the Excellence Group, and the Jamaica Tourist Board lists it as open as of October 2026.

How far is Excellence Oyster Bay from Montego Bay airport?

About 30 to 35 minutes by road from Sangster International (MBJ), according to the resort. Direct suite-only bookings of 3 nights or more include free round-trip transfers.

Is Excellence Oyster Bay in Montego Bay or Falmouth?

It’s in Trelawny, on a peninsula just east of Falmouth, though the resort markets itself as Montego Bay. Montego Bay’s airport is about half an hour west.

Is the Excellence Club worth it?

It depends on how much you value space and quiet. Club suites get a private beach area, two club restaurants, club pools, a lounge and upgraded drinks, My take: it is worth it if you want a quieter beach and pool at busy times of year.

Sources & updates

Update log

  • — New researched guide; facts checked against the resort's official site and fact sheet.
  • — Link refresh: Swapped one alternative (Couples Sans Souci, Ocho Rios) for Ocean Eden Bay on the same coast.
  • — Moved source citations out of the text

Spotted something out of date? Tell me and I’ll check it.

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