"Ocho Rios: putting the industry into tourism" Ocho Rios by MikeBird

I stayed in the huge hotel on the beachfront - not my sort of place at all and to be honest I really wouldn't rush back. I was there for a conference and didn't pay for myself.
Early each morning, before the conference started, I went for a stroll along the beach and around the gardens with my binoculars to look for birds. I was pleased to find many new and colourful species with exotic names like Bananaquit, Saffron Finch and Zenaida Dove. I also went snorkelling and saw a wide variety of marine creatures within only a few metres from the beach - a multicoloured, spotted eel, a spiny lobster and a circular ray the size of my hand. These for me were the highlights of Ocho Rios.

I thought the massive hotel had no character, clean but ordinary rooms, uninspiring ( though quite tasty) food and the pool area, with its organised fun, was too much like a holiday camp. Still I wasn't there on holiday and I'm fortunate to have had the chance to see a little of Jamaica.

Each morning there would be a different cruise liner in the harbour. I guess the holidaymakers were taken to the Dunns River Falls - which were very nice but somewhat spoiled I thought by the ruthless way every little aspect was charged for. There is also Dolphin Cove where you can encounter the Dolphins and sharks firsthand and closeup. These experiences are costly and for many very enjoyable. I was told the Dolphins don't mind doing their tricks for the visitors.

There is also the shopping mall where you can buy Jamaican souvenirs.

All in all the place is wholly geared to the tourist trade and consequently I didn't ever feel I got to the see the real side of life in Jamaica. There again if you want a relaxing time, sipping drinks by the side of a pool in the sunshine then that could well be the place for you. It's just not my idea of how I would want to spend a holiday. The conference was good though!

• Pros:Sunny and warm
• Cons:Crowded with tourists
• In a nutshell:Not for me but many would love this place