Hotel Review: A Solo Retreat At Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay, Jamaica

In 2022, and my travel writing career finally started to gain some traction after three years of ups, downs, and complete standstills. I started writing for The Points Guy, TheTravel, and my blog’s traffic increased by over 600% (thank YOU for being a part of that!). An exciting part of being a travel writer is getting invited on press trips. Press trips is, in short, a comped trip in exchange for a writer, blogger, or content creator to write a story (or in some instances, some social media work) about the destination, hotel, or airline.

A PR rep from Bahia Principe Resort in Jamaica had reached out to me, and this might surprise you, but it took very little twisting of my arm to convince me to come to Jamaica to review a hotel. Before I knew it, I was booked for a flight to Montego Bay for October 2022.

Getting There

I left from Newark International Airport on Friday, October 28th, 2022 and flew into Montego Bay via United Airlines. I had a mimosa at approximately 8am while waiting to board because life is short and it was my first press trip. I slept on the plane and before I knew it, we were landing in Jamaica!

Luckily, the lovely PR rep organized a car to pick me up from the airport and bring me directly to the hotel. My driver was super friendly and reminded me how chill island life is. New Yorkers like myself could certainly take a hint.

If you need to get to the hotel from Montego Bay Airport, this is a great roundtrip option for transportation.

Day One: Arriving To The Resort

After over an hour in the car, we arrived to the resort. Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts in Runaway Bay, Jamaica has two sides: the Grand side and the Luxury side. I highly assumed I’d be on the cheaper side which is the Grand side. I was extremely surprised to check my email to see I was indeed booked on the Luxury side. I felt humbled beyond belief.

My driver pulled up to the main lobby, and I was greeted with open-air white marble architecture with bronze statues. I walked in and got in line to check in, which was a few people deep much thanks to a “15-year reunion” event (not quite sure what it was for), but luckily to pass the time, there was a woman walking around handing out fresh rum punches. Don’t mind if I do, ma’am.

I finally checked in and was told I’d have a butler. Huh? I almost felt guilty (keyword: almost). I could not believe that I was sent here to write. It had been a long time dream of mine to become a writer, a paid writer, and now, here I was in a fancy hotel in Jamaica for free while being paid. I was, and still am, honored that this is my life.

My butler brought me up to my room, and I continued to be stunned by my royal treatment. I had a literal penthouse with a huge balcony overlooking the landscape of the property and out into the Caribbean Sea. As I write this, my biggest regret was not taking a bath in the marble tub in my room.

I knew I wanted to dip in the pool before it closed at 6PM. I quickly changed into my yellow swimsuit, threw on my rainbow Hornitos hat (a subtle nod to Jamaica’s awful anti-LGBTQIA+ agenda), and ran down to the pool. First, of course, I took a few photos on my tripod. I dipped in the pool, grabbed a cocktail, and decided to head straight to the beach instead. I got a beach chair and just chilled as I stared out into the horizon.

That night, i got dinner at the Japanese restaurant on site, Mikado, which, to be totally honest, was subpar. The hospitality was above and beyond, however, and made up for the meh food. I was really craving dessert but didn’t care too much for any of the options. I left the Japanese restaurant and sat down on a bench, a little buzzed from some wine and those pool cocktails, and a woman working for the resort asked me if she could get me anything.

“I’m craving something chocolate!” I told her.

She told me to hold that thought, and five minutes later, she came back with a plate holding two chocolate desserts. I almost started crying; it was so thoughtful after a long, exhilarating day.

To top the night off, I got one more glass of red wine, but only took a few sips before calling it and going to bed.

Day Two: All Work And… Some Play

On my first official morning after a good night’s rest, it was time to get to work. I had a meeting with the wedding coordinator, Natalya. I felt nervous; this was my first international paid work/travel trip. I needed to impress. Whenever I go on any type of writing assignment, I always use pen and paper. Physically handwriting information is better for retention, and call me old-school, but I prefer it that way. I wore my hot pink summer dress and off I went to meet Natalya in the designated wedding room.

I arrived just on time. Natalya came out and gave me a proper tour of the property. Let me tell you, Bahia Principe is HUGE. I saw both the Luxury and the Grand side, as well as all three gazebos where newlyweds can seal the deal. She informed me that gay couples are not welcome to get married in Jamaica due to the strict laws. It’s not the hotel’s choice; it’s the government’s.

Natalya told me she is a YouTuber, and when I saw her Instagram, she had quite the following. We talked about content creation, society’s expectations of us as women, and working in hospitality. Safe to say, Natalya and I seriously hit it off. One of my favorite moments with her was when I told her I’m in law school but I hate it, and she nearly interrupted me to say, “Then, why are you doing it?” She said this to me as we walked along the pristine Jamaican beaches, and I looked up and realized my life can be anything I want it to be, and I don’t need to settle for what’s expected of me.

After a little over an hour, Natalya and I finally finished up our meeting, gave each other a hug, and went on our merry way. I felt even more nervous, because now all that was left was an email I would receive from Natalya confirming all of the information she had just told me. Then, I would have to actually write the damn article. I felt an obscene amount of pressure: I did not want to let the PR rep or Natalya down. I felt like I was somehow going to mess it all up, but I breathed easy and told myself to just enjoy the rest of my time in Jamaica. I’d write the article as soon as I got back home.

I went back to my room, changed out of my pink dress and into my orange swimsuit, and off to the pool I went. I met three other women: one who was traveling alone, and two who were traveling together. The three of us hung out by the pool bar, making waves, and like Natalya, bonding over the very things that made us uniquely women in this patriarchal world. I eventually headed back to my room to rest before getting dinner at the Rodizio grill.

That night, I met back up with one of the women from the pool for a beach “all-white” party. I didn’t have anything white, so I rebelliously wore my hot pink summer dress again. It started downpouring, so we all ran inside, straight to the bar. I’m a bit of a grandma, and despite it being only a little after 10PM, I ordered an espresso martini in an attempt to stay awake.

As folks gathered in the lobby, socializing, I saw a piano, and the tunnel-vision emerged. I love a good hotel piano. I sat and played the same few chords, somewhat silently to myself. After two espresso martinis and plenty of piano-playing, my bed was calling me, so I went to sleep.

Day 3: Wrapping It Up

On my final day at Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay, I wanted to do one thing and one thing only: take it easy. Between working and the somewhat excessive amount of alcohol that comes with staying at an all-inclusive (it’s a slippery slope), I wanted to chill and enjoy my surroundings. I took a dip in the pool at some point. However, my main goal of day 3 was to enjoy the room. I was given this luxuriously beautiful penthouse, and I wanted to spend time in it. I went out on the balcony and took in the views. I ordered room service. I laid in bed and watched Jamaica TV. It was day 3 that I realize press trips are a bit of a double-edged sword.

“It’s hard to turn hobbies into work and still enjoy them,” my mom once said to me.

While I sat in this fancy hotel room in Jamaica staring out at the pool, I felt guilty that I wasn’t “working harder.” This was my good, ol’ pal anxiety sneaking her way in with her best buddy imposter syndrome. Did I really pull off being given this free hotel to write about weddings, or was I going to let everyone down? I knew sitting in the room, embracing it, reminding myself I was meant to be there, was chosen to be there, was good enough to be there, would help calm my brain. Positive affirmations, baby.

I looked in the mirror and repeated the words, “You are a badass,” until I believed them.

It’s an important lesson to be had. Many people could look from the surface and see a solo gal getting a press trip and thinking I’m super lucky. Don’t get me wrong, I’m lucky AF, but I still struggle with mental health and can’t always shake it. As my therapist said, “Millionaires still kill themselves.”

I shook it off in the best way I knew how: I went out on the balcony and had a photoshoot. The day prior, my GoPro memory card had accidentally gotten completely wiped, which, thankfully, I had JUST backed all of my important photos up, so though it was a big hit, it could’ve been much worst. Time to add some new photos to the memory card. I setup my tripod and began shooting.

I went back in, ordered nachos, caesar salad, and a chicken sandwich with cheese for room service. Hey, it was all-inclusive, go big or go home. It was my third and final night that I finally got a proper night’s rest.

Day 4: Goodbye Runaway Bay, Hello Kingston

I woke up early to grab one last Jamaican breakfast, which are incredible, by the way. I loaded up my plate with breadfruit, callaloo, oxtail stew, and ackee and saltfish. I sat by the water and took in the views, one last time. Before I knew it, it was time to check out, but I needed just one glass of Prosecco to celebrate myself.

I sipped my Prosecco, chatted with some other travelers, and before I knew it, my driver had arrived, and I was off to Kingston for a night before heading back to NYC.

Overall

My first press trip was a learning experience. I felt humbled, anxious, not good enough, too-good-to-be-true vibes, and overall, completely honored that years of hustling, writing, and hard-work paid off in the form of a luxury retreat in Jamaica. It was full-circle to travel solo to Jamaica a second time. My first time there, I was dealing with a serious mental crisis and went on a whim in early March 2020 when flight prices were dropping tenfold due to the influx of Covid-19. To come back in the way I did was validating, and it’s a memory I will carry with me for life.

You can book Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay here.

DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!

DISCLAIMER II: Bahia Principe Luxury Runaway Bay hosted me for two nights at the hotel.