TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

This place is so awesome, and top knotch service. We booked our trip for the spring, and we're having our 25th anniversary vow renewal. I love the old Hollywood feel, and the food, entertainment, and staff are out of this world!! A big shout out to Kirk, he's one of the best that works at the resort. The staff are wonderful and makes us feel so welcome. We made friends our first trip at Couples Tower Isle, and now we consider them our close family. Visit Couples Tower Isle and you won't regret it!!

Couples Resorts Tower Isle is a great all-inclusive resort hotel located about 90 mins from Jamaica's Montego Bay airport. The hotel has its own small lounge at the airport (on the left once you have collected your bags and passed through the Immigration and Customs area) with toilets plus beer and other drinks on tap. Help yourself whilst they arrange your free transfer! It was a long transfer (on a cramped minibus) but on arrival at the hotel we were greeted with a rum punch and a porter who swiftly took our bags up to our room. Remember they have a (welcome) no tipping rule in the hotel so no need to worry about what to tip and scrambling around for the right change. There are lots of staff working here so you never want for anything. Most are very friendly and go out of their way to speak to you. The room (we were in 4301 – block 4, 3rd floor) was excellent – modern, large with a small balcony and sea view over one of the two pools. Lots of hot water and excellent water pressure in the shower. Efficient, albeit slightly noisy, air-conditioning and fridge. There was also a ceiling fan which was very good. There’s unlimited complimentary drinks and mixers available which you can order on an app (actually a website) they give you a link to. They put the drinks in your fridge for you - we ordered a rum and a gin expecting to get single shots and received two full bottles! The Patio restaurant is the main (largely self-service) restaurant on site. At breakfast you can get an array of fresh fruits, freshly cooked meats and pastries plus made to serve omelettes/eggs and smoothies. For lunch and dinner they had an even greater selection of options to choose from, which did differ daily. Yes, sometimes things were a bit lukewarm and repetitive but from experience that’s what you get from the main restaurants all all-inclusive hotels given the amount of food and numbers of people they are catering for. Dinner in there was generally disappointing but the hotel also has 2 excellent speciality restaurants serving a la carte food. You must reserve in advance, but this was easy to do and when we were there in November we had no problem booking them multiple times. The best of these was the 8 Rivers (fine dining so dress up accordingly!) closely followed by the Bayside (serving Asian cuisine). We also thought the food in the Verandah restaurant was excellent and couldn’t understand why this was not a reservable restaurant as it was so good! Also, a shout out to the Java Café which served fresh coffee and cakes/pastries most of the day and night. Not all the restaurants are open every night, or as per what’s advertised on the website/new arrivals sheet, so double check timings when you arrive. The beach was in a small cove, nice and sandy and (like the pools) there was no need to get up early to bag a sun bed. We never had a problem with this the whole time we were there and in fact you had plenty choice of places to sit. Fantastic! No umbrellas but plenty of shade from the palm trees. There’s also lots of different free water sports available for you to try. The water bikes were great fun. The seawater was lovely and warm – the pool was colder. We didn’t use the naturist island but went over for a look before it opened! It seemed to be well used. Rather disappointingly the hotel now only offers two free trips - a catamaran and a shopping trip. We did the catamaran trip which was very good as it’s only a short drive away. It takes about 3 hrs in total, and you just sit back, see some scenery, drink the free rum punches and do some swimming - great combination. We also used the rep in the hotel to book the Dunn River falls to do the famous waterfall walk. This was another great half day trip (you do need beach shoes) but we would have liked more time there as there was a beautiful beach we never got to use. On reflection it was quite a pricey trip ($80 each) - you could book this cheaper from other suppliers or do it yourself on bus or taxi, as it’s only $25 admission! Ask to make sure you avoid a day when the cruise ships are in port as we heard it does get very busy. Regarding money take US dollars as that’s really all we ever saw things priced in. Reception can also change notes which was useful. The other trip we did was a ‘Kingston highlights’. An enjoyable day out but again it was expensive as entry to attractions was not included. However, it was reduced in price as there was another couple on the tour with us. We went for a drive around Kingston’s ‘downtown’ area (rough neighbourhood so we didn’t get out and the driver didn’t stop!), then a short walk around Emancipation Park in the heart of New Kingston. Then it’s the Bob Marley Museum (very interesting even if you’re not a fan) and Devon house (lovely stately home of Jamaica’s first black millionaire). There’s also some nice shops in the Devon house complex including the famous ice cream parlour (massive ice creams at half the price back home). All in all a lovely hotel and welcome break from the November weather back in England.

My wife and I spent ten days at the resort. In some ways expectations were met, others not. I’ll take the experience in order. After a twelve hour flight, despite a private transfer, we found the two hour plus drive too long, our choice our bad. The reception we received when we got there was pleasant with an offer of a drink and the cases taken to the room. Not a great impression going to the 3rd block on the top floor, The lift was grubby and smelled musty. The reason was a severe leak through the roof and lots of repair work going on in the corridor. The room itself, as stated by many, dated, but clean, spacious and a great view. The room: 7/10. The bed, very comfy, lots of pillows. Blankets not duvet, noisy air conditioning , but powerful with fan alternative. Plenty of storage, hangers etc, with iron and ironing board, plus safe. Bathroom, again dated, no air conditioning without door being left open. Toiletries, disappointing for five star, shower intermittent, twice stopping altogether. Coffee machine, but had to ask for kettle and no milk without asking at restaurant. The balcony was spacious with table three chairs and a swing chair. Tip: keep chairs away from edge as will get wet with rain and nothing dries well here with the humidity. Breakfast: 6/10 As a veggie, very little mains choice. If you’re up early, breakfast is plentiful and varied, if not it deteriorates in warmth and becomes sparse. One area for omelettes and eggs etc, can be a wait. Served coffee and other drinks at table. Beach: 6/10 if you’re looking for long walks on the beach you’re in the wrong place, it’s quite small for the resort. Cleaned daily but far from immaculate. The sun beds are dated, for us not that comfortable. No umbrellas, so only shade are the palm trees. The staff on the beach were top notch, always smiling and engaging. Shout out to Cyril, simply the best I’ve come across. The water sports, guys, Colin etc, brilliant. Lots to do, Scuba, snorkelling, glass bottom tours, multiple daily. Try the water bikes and Hobies. Drinks served by planting flags, again staff great, particularly Anita. Pools: very very cold, but well served by staff. One quiet, one very noisy, as you’d guess where the pool bar is. Lunch: 6/10 same issues as breakfast in main buffet. Veggie bar: 5/10 some great experiences, some really bad depending on whose staffing. Grill: 4/ 10 one bad experience with food, both ill, so tried only once Coffee shop, 10/10, great staff, great choice, very varied. Resort app: 6/10 not the easiest to use, but it worked, though room service sent wring food, maybe an isolated case. Fairly easy to book restaurants. Restaurants: Eight rivers: 8/10 Good quality food, excellent service, lovely setting, can get noisy with entertainment on next door. Shout out to Germaine. Bayside: Asian, 7/10 good quality, good service. Verandah: 9/10 again good quality and service. Entertainment: brief, but enjoyed, particularly the steel band. Housekeeping: Top notch, helpful and consistent. Tipping, not required, but we did discreetly and appreciated. Look it’s not five star, it’s a good three star, it needs polishing in many areas and communication is poor. The best quality is its staff, generally fantastic, with one or two rude individuals. Tempted to name names, but not my style. The demographic was good, with the usual individuals, who want to be heard above everyone else, leave it to you to guess the nationality. Didn’t use the naturist island, but constant drop offs and well used. Would we go back, no!, but plenty do. Too long a transfer and not the value of a five star, needs heavy investment. It’s a shame because the majority of the staff are so friendly and engaging, they deserve better. Thank you for the holiday though.

Im writing this review hoping it will give an honest opinion for fellow travellers to help decide if its for you or not! Ive been here before many years ago, 29years! and must say its hard to work out if there has been much maintenance over this time? On arrival the amazing fountain that used to greet you at the top of the driveway is not in use and it seems it is in a state of disarray, why im not sure but does not help to give the wow factor it used to. Check in was easy but many things already sorted before the off as in mini bar requirements were not was carried out, also on leaving found that reception had not booked our return visit to the airport lounge which caused a bit of pain but did get sorted ( regarding the lounge this is one of the best we have used and puts the UK to shame ), once in the room which is nicely laid out we found the patio door handle was falling of, this did come away completely during our stay due to the doors being so stiff to pull open, the kettle and mini bar cupboard was so warped it would not open fully which we got round by putting the kettle else where, the bed for us was amazing and the bathroom ticked the box but still in need of a little TLC. Scuba which is the main reason we chose here, 99 % of the staff were amazing but there was the odd one that tried bossing divers around on and off the boat, they will know who they are so will not name them but really need to get over themselves!! If you have your own kit they will do their best to accomodate you and go the extra mile to make sure your kit is secure and safe when not in use, the only downside is the area for washing your kit is not acceptable, they have water tanks but for what ever reason do not fill them so the kit is covered in sand next time you go to use it as the only other cleaning method is a hose pipe for may 8 to 10 divers, you have to wade into the sea also to get the kit to the boat which is fine if your 5ft 10 not if your 5ft! At the centre Zuse is a great guy, polite, funny and does all he can to help, there are others but forgot their names, oops! Water sports, I would rather say nothing which says it all, kits in a bad condition and has more reasons why you cannot use it than I could even think up even waters to dirty!!! The Spa, Had a full body massage, it was ok but way over priced, had much better for 70 dollars less else where, the communal pool looks dirty and uninviting so overall would not go again to the spa. The good points, Foods amazing in all restaurants and not one moment of any tummy issues, great job guys! The main buffet, the veranda and the Asian restaurant are just amazing and can enter without putting on trousers and shoes! coffee shop not somewhere I usually visit but did many times if not just for the air-con, actualy the coffee and selected cakes of the day were fabulous. The main bar was where most hung out and had a few great staff, Deon, Anita, Santana all made our stay fun and chilled and had a big smile on every day despite them constantly getting attacked by all the wasps that hang out there, one thing about this area that can let it down is the dirty smell that appears every now and again from the sink area. The Beach, The watersports guys do work hard here keeping the beach clean so hats of to them & having had a few bad storms they did have their work cut out, the beach bar staff are also great at keeping the drinks flowing when they see your allocated red flag raised, theres plenty of sun beds even though a few still seem to place towels on beds while I was still sleeping! This place is still a lovely vacation but you do have to look past the negatives above, it is not 5 star so if you go with this in your mind you won't be disappointed, I would honestly say its probably a 4 star and only gets this due to the staff and the food not the condition of the building or the watersports equipment! (scuba equipment if needed is good).

We arrived and were immediately taken aback by the state of affairs. Caution tape strung to not use stairs, main lobby fountain not working, old tired lobby with a plethora of defeated looking staff:( Our room was so beyond dated and worn out, hoar on the floor and in shower. Our 15th anniversary trip beginning was so distressing I called Air Canada Vacations to get us out of there. Not much they could do other than offer another locale at another $5k.We were sold this was a 5 star resort. We have traveled the world and stayed in remote places in Africa that was in better shape. We were thankfully given a call y a lovely manager who got a call from local AC rep and were told we would be moved in the morning to its sister resort San Souci. Stayed the night: mattress was okay and dinner was so so. All around, photoshop was clearly used. Cat duky in the hallway, am elevator so filthy and in disrepair, we were up early and on the transfer bus at 8am. Manager admitted to us Tower Isle management team are aware of complaints and problems with the state of this place. Shame on Air Canada Vacations for even having this place on their repertoire of recommended resorts. Sam Souci, lovely, happy staff, great room, fun fun and clean!!!