Club Ambiance, Runaway Bay

We are headed to Jamaica August 3 through the 25th 2012 and wondered if anyone out there will be going anytime during that time. We've heard that Club Ambiance is a great place and can't wait to get there. It's an all-inclusive resort that is an adult only adventure! Hope to meet some neat people there. Let us know if you're going during that time.

I liked the staff, very friendly and accomodating. Everything else is horrible. The place is DINGY. When you pull up in the diveway, you would like to remain in the van and go to a real hotel. Everything is old. My towels were taken from the room, washed and returned. they looked like the rags I use to clean my furniture. The shower curtain fell off and banged my husband in his head. We had to take a shower without a curtain, which really did not matter as the water would seep through the curtains anyway. The hot tub worked, but 2/3 of hte tiles were missing so your butt rubbed against rough concret. The food was very basic and few choices. The desert pastries were toug and awful. Best food was caribbean night. Due to very very low occupancy, the activity and participation, very low and boring!! BEWARE: Motel would not refund extra night booking although nearly all rooms were empty and refund did not impact its occupancy level. Real hotels do not hold on to US$150

Resort - The resort itself was visibly pretty. From reading prior reviews, I was not expecting anything extraordinary. There are small well maintained beaches. However, my friend decided to take a dip in one of the beaches and stepped on squishy seaweed. After a day, we asked the staff raking the sand if he could check out the beach and he said no unless it looked unclean. Food - The first day we were told that snacks are provided for the club goers from 11-12:30am. However, each nite at by 11:15, the food was gone. We went to the manager who told us that "it ran out" and that resort was crowded and "people are packing the food up and taking it to their rooms." After extending dialogue, the chef brought out some sandwiches, but they refused to bring out food for additional people that were hungry. Be aware - if you are hungry at 11pm, it is best to get your food then. There are rationing out the food. The next day, we even noticed that the staff was taking the food. I've been to Jamaica 3 times and this was by far the worst food I've had. I ended eating dry salad and fruit for 4 days. There was some type of asian chicken dish that was decent, but I like fish and it was dry and tasted old. Breakfast was just bad. Oh, the hamburgers on the grill were good. Club - None of the events they publicized took place. No Toga party, Pyama party, Cabaret Show or Sexy Lingerie contest. There was a band every nite and a lounge singer (Michelle Black). They were good, but zero club atmosphere. Club only had 2-4 people every nite. It's definitely a place to relax and lounge because there's no entertainment for the guests. Staff- You may read in another review that once they get your money they won't pay you any attention. That is unless they want to sleep with you. The staff no nothing of customer service and were bordering on just being plain rude. I do want to give a shout out to the outdoor bartenders in the day. Karisha was awesome and made sure we had great service and drinks. The customer service would be significant in me not returning. Rooms - The rooms were cute, clean and perfect for a few days. The decor was somewhat outdated, but that was not a concern. In another review, someone stated that there were bugs in the room. We did experience that on the first day. It turns out that the pretty flowers that they place decoratively on the beds have many small bugs in them. We refused to let the housekeeper come in for the remainder of the stay. That was extreme, but we didn't have a bug problem after we disposed of the comforters. That was minor compared to the dampness. Every freaking day, the room felt wet even with air conditioning. It was not that humid outside but our room stay feeling wet. The bed, rug, and our clothes. I had to iron my wraps dry every day. My clothes didn't start drying til I got to Miami. When we left the room, it smelled like mildew and so did my clothes by the time I got home. I think I covered everything. Bottomline, this was a inexpensive resort, however with planning I believe we can do better for the price we paid at Club Ambiance. In event I cannot, I will pay a couple hundred more to stay at a better resort.

My husband and I spent 8 days at Club Ambiance in June 2008 and can't wait to go back. The staff were friendly and gracious and we had a great time. Other than a half day shopping in Ocho Rios (which we were disappointed in) we never left the resort. No need to-everything you need is right there. The bars open early and close late, there is always Reggae music playing but not so loudly that it is a disturbance and the beaches were uncrowded. We mostly frequented the clothing optional beach which gave you some privacy without making you feel like you were excluded from anything. There were always activities going on but we were never pressured to join in if we didn't want. The snorkeling was wonderful but just laying on the beach was the best part.

My sister and I traveled to Jamaica for her birthday in July 2007. We were pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of all the beautiful people we met. Our second visit to Club Ambiance May 2008 for 2 1/2 weeks. We really did not want leave. We enjoyed ourselves and had as much fun that was possible and not get arrested. This is our home-away-from-home. You couldn't ask for more cooperative weather, the food was excellent, the entertainment was fabulous and what we experienced most was the courtesy shown to us by our friends, the employees of Club Ambiance. We were treated like Queens. Thank you to the 4 Real band, staff and management for making our trips more and more memorable. We plan a special 2008-2009 New Year's return. Leslie & Leconia

Service was outstanding- people so friendly. Low key days spent lounging in the sun and playing games. Entertainment every night. Beautiful views from the room- private, uncrowded beaches. Appeals to all ages of couples- we can't wait to go back! Loved not having a bunch of kids running around. Great food in a relaxed atmosphere. This place delivers everything it promises.

Went for the first time with a freind.Now I'm going back and taking my husband,and my long time girlfriend is meeting us down there. The place is great and the staff is awesome.They just want you to have a great time and relax.Really looking forward to sharing this with my husband its a early 25 year present to each other.

we arrived in 2004, having received the holiday as a xmas present from my wife. we renewed our wedding vows while we were there, and it was all arranged by the friendly, willing and eager to please staff. the resident band were the tops, and Dave the singer had the best voice going. big up to oneal for making everybody at ease, and it felt like we were part of one big happy family. we were well looked after by all of the staff, they all work hard at maintaining a family atmosphere. have recommended CA to every body that i have spoken to.

Areas of improvement: Pulling up to the resort will have you worried.(Not a very appealing entrance), shower's water pressure, no top shelf drinks, room's air conditioner was not ice cold, but adequate, man-made beach. Resort's best features: Friendly staff, great food, clean bathrooms throughout, room attendant staff excellent, beautiful scenery, great nightlife, Big ups to entertainment staffer, Maria, bartender, Kenroy, and food service staffers Tenja and Martino. You helped make our Jamaican experience exceptional.

My wife and I have been to Club Ambience twice now in the past year. Both times when the bus pulled up, most of the other riders kind of "gasped" at the place, and several commented on the "look". The front area on the outside appears "ghettoish", but such is not the case on the inside. The hotel is an older place, but all-in-all it is very clean. The staff members are all very helpful and nice people. Having stopped in some of the other resorts along the way and seeing the dress and decor of the staff and hotels, we found Club Ambience to have been more "down-to-earth", and not too dressy, or "proper". I was looking for downtime, not formal dinners as you might find on a cruise. I would highly recommend Club Ambience as a quiet getaway for a couple who are looking to REST and mostly be left alone. Don't get me wrong, the staff will pull you into beach games and other activities but they will not pester you or make a fool of you. We had a lot of fun and are strongly considering this as a once-per-year getaway.