The worst part of traveling is always the airport. Always. They suck the joy out of travel. Getting there is one thing – you are amphed up, excited, you have time off of work, escaping “real life” and about to enjoy the vacation you have been obsessing about, so the annoyances of the airport can be thought a little less painful and a little more of a “necessary evil”.
Going home, however, is a different story. You don’t want to leave, you don’t want to return to your job, your week of unread mail, your inbox, your annoying next door neighbor – whatever. Maybe the weather is cold and dreary back where you are headed, and you dread leaving the sunshine – and the last thing you want to deal with is 2 hour check-ins as the agents chat about boyfriends and weekend plans instead of scanning your dang passport, long lines, dealing with uber-“pleasant” staff along the way (do they only hire people who lack the ability to smile?), another line at security, the oh-so-gentle-tossing of your bag because you forgot you had a tube of mascara in it and it set off the detector, repacking, getting onto anther line, finding your boarding cubicle, then sitting on evil plastic chairs (IF you can find one) with everyone else in your flight, packed in like sardines while you check emails on your phone until your battery inevitably dies because there are only 4 outlets for the entire 350 people in your area to use while you wait to be called by your zone (it’s the last one, it’s always the last one) to board your plane. Fun times! Airlines sure know how to make travel enjoyable.
Want to avoid that? Really – you can. In Jamaica you can! I’m not kidding. Club Mobay, offered at Jamaican airports, will save you time and sanity. The lines at the airport in Jamaica move slow, at best. You get there with plenty of time to spare, but then wonder if you are going to make your flight. Then people show up when their plane is boarding, so they go straight to the front of the lines, and you get to wait some more – and they are certainly moving on “Caribbean time”, which is charming when you are on vacation, but makes you want to pull your hair out when you are standing in lines that won’t end, just to wait on several more lines.
For prices starting at $15, you can skip these lines (you jump right to the front) and then head into the most relaxing lounge I have ever experienced. While there, you are treated to included WiFi, drinks (both alcoholic and non), and quite a wide array of food options.
There are awesome Jamaican treats like beef patties, and then really non-Jamaican foods with an island twist – like jerk chicken. Really. Yes, I tried them, and yes, it was good.
Not only is there much to eat and drink, but there are bathrooms just for the lounge guests, chairs and couches that are actually comfortable, and a children’s play area. There are even showers should you feel like taking one – and we all know sometimes, you really want a shower when you are traveling long distances. Or maybe the kids did something awful and you could use it – it’s nice to have the option, for sure.
Montego Bay Airport:
Adult Arrivals Only : $50per Person
Adult departures Only: $30. NB: departures only for adults is $35 when purchased at the airport.
Adults Bundled: $80
Children Arrivals only: $25
Children Departures only: $15
Children Bundle : $40
Kingston Airport:
Adults Arrivals Only: $25
Adults Departures Only: $ 25 NB: departures only for adults is $30 when purchased at the airport.
Adult Bundle: $50
Children Arrivals only: $15
Children Departures only: $15 NB: departures only for Children is $20 when purchased at the airport.
Children Bundle : $30
The money you spend is easily made back on sanity alone, but when you think about the cost of airport food and drinks, and throw in the wifi? You’ve made an excellent choice. Kids under 2 are free, as well, which is great. To book, head to http://www.vipattractions.com/club-mobay.php
Disclosure- I received press passes to this location in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest.