A trip to Jamaica is likely to be jam-packed with non-stop fun and frolic, and it all begins the moment you get off the plane and set foot on Jamaican soil.
No matter which end of the island you’re entering or exiting from, you can kick-start and end your blissful, fun in the sun experience inside an exclusive lounge built right into each of Jamaica’s international airports.
That’s right; the trademark Jamaican hospitality, charm and unique culture are all yours from the beginning to the very end of your trip.
Sounds exciting, right? I’m pretty sure you want to hear more, so read on as I go over what you can expect at the Club Mobay Departure Lounge and how you can experience it on your next trip to the island. I’ll talk about the Club Kingston experience another time, although this review can be used as a reference to what goes on there as well.
What is Club Mobay?
As you’ve probably guessed, Mobay is short for Montego Bay, which means this lounge is available at the Sangster International Airport. It is often referred to as a departure lounge because it is located in the Departure Terminal at the airport (Gate 9 to be exact), but it also doubles as a great ‘rest stop’ and then some for people who are arriving.
In fact, it’s an all-round state-of-the-art VIP lounge covering 14,000 square feet and offering travelers a smooth transition between getting on or off a plane and entering or exiting the airport.
Its main benefit is helping travelers get through airport immigration and security in a jiffy, but then it also offers comfortable sitting and waiting areas, free Wi-Fi, access to computers and printing, as well as a soundproof Kiddies corner for the little ones where they can play games and have fun. I don’t know about you but traveling with kids can be more than a handful; having somewhere to get them off your hands, even, for a short while, is a mini-vacation within itself.
At Club Mobay, there are also three premium bars serving up a variety of local drinks and mixes just in case you get thirsty, as well as snack counters in the event that you need to grab a quick bite, such as a Jamaican patty, sandwich, or soup.
There are also showers within the lounge, where you can freshen up, whether before boarding your flight or while waiting to be transported to your hotel. All this is complementary once you pay to book the lounge beforehand.
Why Use Club Mobay
There are a number of reasons why you might want to book Club Mobay, whether for arrival, departure, or both. For arriving, it is particularly helpful to beat the long lines that often form when going through customs, security and immigration.
Instead of counting sheep while waiting to reach the front of the line, you will be greeted by a Club Mobay representative the moment you get off your plane. He or she will promptly whisk you off to get the necessary checks done in an expedited manner.
After that, you will be taken to the lounge where you can enjoy a number of amenities while waiting for ground transport to arrive. In addition to all the goodies mentioned before, you can also help yourself to a wide selection of newspapers and magazines, as well as watch TV, or even start learning about Jamaican culture via the cultural themes present in the different booths.
For departure services, the lounge is just as useful for eliminating the waiting process when checking in your bags and waiting to get on board your flight. If you’ve traveled before, you probably know how disconcerting it can be sometimes waiting for your flight to arrive, much less to start boarding. It’s even worse if your flight has been delayed; an extra hour or more waiting in an airport is simply no fun. Well, unless you’re waiting in the Club Mobay VIP Lounge where you can just relax until everything is set.
Moreover, the private restrooms and showers come in handy in the event that you had to come to the airport straight from the beach with salty water on your skin, or just didn’t get to freshen up before heading to the airport.
Club Mobay is also convenient for people who are visiting the island on business and want to stay connected as there is an option to make free international calls to the U.S, U.K. and Canada, and the ability to use the Digicel Business Centre. Plus, it gives you access to a number of services, such as foreign currency exchange and the ability to shop for souvenirs and other items as you wait.
Who Should use Club Mobay
It’s really for everyone. However, it is especially recommended for strapped-for-time business travelers, senior citizens (especially those with special needs), unaccompanied minors, families that consist of several young children who might need an outlet to occupy their time, couples arriving for destination weddings or honeymoons, or if you are just someone looking for a hassle-free airport experience.
How Much Does it Cost?
Getting unlimited access to all that Club Mobay offers comes at different costs depending on whether you’re coming or going. Currently, the booking prices displayed on Club Mobay’s website are as follows:
- US$50 for arrival for adults.
- US$25 for arrival for children
- US$30 for departure for adults
- US$15 for departure for children
Note that a child is considered as anyone between the ages of 2 – 12 years of age, so younger children are free. Also, you can book both ways as a bundle (just combine the prices for both arrival and departure, set it, and forget it).
Now, the million dollar question that some travelers might ask is whether it is worth using Club Mobay. For a number of reasons, the answer is yes. Even without the problem of waiting, you can easily recoup your money and then some from all the complimentary services that are covered within the fee to book the lounge.
For a number of reasons, the answer is yes and no. Even without the problem of waiting, you can easily recoup your money and then some from all the complimentary services that are covered within the fee to book the lounge.
Food and drink prices, for example, can be quite exorbitant at the airport. Depending on how long you end up waiting, you could easily spend more on eating and drinking at the food court or at Margaritaville than you would on booking the lounge. In addition, if you are ahead of your departure schedule and have some free time on your hands, you can check your carry-on bags securely at the lounge desk and be able to do some shopping.
On the other hand, I have seen a few people complain about the food and drinks being “sub-par.” In some cases, tour buses are already waiting outside for you when you arrive. In these cases, you don’t get the opportunity to fully enjoy what Club Mobay has to offer. The same applies if you’re renting a car or expecting someone to pick you up. In rare instances, some people have also complained about encountering long lines even when they took the “Club Mobay” route.
All in all though, Club Mobay is a good place to not just pass the time but a great way to begin or end a Jamaican vacation. You can check out all that is on offer by visiting the VIP Attractions website at vipattractions.com.
Enjoy.
[kkstarratings]
