Dining at Kingston's Newest Hotspot, The Rok Hotel Kingston
Dining at Kingston's Newest Hotspot, The Rok Hotel Kingston
The ROK Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica is one of the newest hotels to hit the tourism industry this year. Being a tourist hub and favoured destination for vacationers, Jamaica is no newbie to the hotel development industry. However, what seems to be different about the erection of the new ROK hotel is its location. Most new hotels tend to be focused on major tourist areas like Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril, and even if a hotel does make its way to Kingston, it tends to be in the business district of New Kingston and its environs; so it was a pleasant surprise to me when I saw there was a new hotel placed in the heart of Downtown Kingston.
The ROK Hotel Kingston is a four star hotel that is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton. Located in the downtown art district, the ROK hotel overlooks the Kingston Waterfront and Harbour. The National Gallery of Jamaica is across the street, and the Jamaica Conference Center is two blocks over.
The term ‘ROK’ is an acronym for the Revival/Rebirth/ Renaissance of Downtown Kingston, which seems to be the guiding principles of the proprietors of the hotel. In recent years, there has been a massive shift and focus in the revitalization and development of Kingston’s major industrial area of Downtown, Kingston. Previously a forgotten hub of culture, lifestyle, art & music that has taken the backseat to the more tourist-centric areas in Jamaica.
On property there are currently 2 restaurants; The Rokstone, which is a bar and grill located on the outside terrace overlooking the city of Kingston; and Palate, the fine dining cuisine located inside the hotel. Both are located on the first floor which can be accessed by both stairs and elevator. There is also a cafe that is currently being developed on the ground floor of the hotel.
Since the hotel was relatively empty, I used the opportunity to take a quick tour of the first floor before heading to the restaurant. On the first floor, the hotel hosts mini conference rooms with Wi-Fi access for small meetings and gatherings to be held. There are also individual work rooms/work stations for the location independent persons looking for a quiet place to get some work done. As well as, a fully equipped gym. The conference rooms and gym are on the opposite end of the first floor from the restaurants, while the work rooms are passed as you make your way to the restaurants.
The Experience
There has been much buzz about this new hotspot online so I knew I had to check it out!!! The Kingston restaurant scene tends to really come alive on the weekends so I knew I preferred to go earlier in the week so I could get a better view of the place when it’s less packed and take some photos without feeling like I’m affecting another customer's dining experience.
I went with my friend Vanessa and we took the relative emptiness as an opportunity to observe the vibe, space and menu of both restaurants before we chose one. As mentioned before, The Palate is fine dining and is located inside the hotel. It is the restaurant you see on your right just before you exit onto the terrace. The décor is minimalistic, upscale and contemporary. The lighting is a little dimmed and the décor in shades and hues of blue complemented by vibrant art pieces add to the overall intimate ambiance of the restaurant. The menu is features items which showcase a Jamaican twist or flavour added to dishes. Menu items like Jerk Lamb Lollipops and Passion Coconut Seafood Crudo really piqued my interest.
But alas we were lured in by stunning views and the relaxed atmosphere offered by the Rokstone Bar & Grill. Perched just beyond the double glass doors leading from the Palate is the Rokstone restaurant. Blessing guests with beautiful views of stunning sunsets to end the day and scenic views of the Kingston waterfront, the Rokstone is designed in a more earthy and relaxed vibe. Shades of reds and ocean blue/green cushions lie patiently in seats that resemble those you’d find on the outside patio. Just a little beyond the restaurant seating is the pool for those staying at the hotel who want a cooling dip. And encircling the hotel’s pool are beach cabanas and lounge chairs for guests to enjoy a relaxing day poolside.
The Food
Now that I’ve set the scene, let’s get to the most important thing….. The Food. We don’t just want a pretty face and no substance, we want value for our money. Since it’s a bar and grill, the menu is pretty simple and relaxed, focusing on mainly finger type foods or easy to grab bites like burgers, pizzas, ribs, jerk pork and mac and cheese. After perusing the menu, I chose the restaurant’s signature burger, ROK Burger which is a beef burger topped with cheddar, onion rings, guava-rum bbq,jerked blue cheese aioli, bacon and duxelies. I asked for the burger to be well done and well done it truly was. I’m not going to lie, it was pretty tasty. Was it the best I’ve ever had?.. Nah but it was still a good burger and the fries were delectable. Yummy :D
For drinks, I asked the server to tell the bartender to make me something pretty and tasty and they didn’t disappoint. It was strong though. I had to ask if a room comes with the drinks because if they came this strong I may need to spend the night. Lol :D It was a good meal.
For me there was only one drawback and that was…. parking. Now when I went to the ROK, I saw a sign that directed visitors and guests to the hotel parking area, only to find out it is a paid parking structure that only takes cash. Wah wah waaaaaaaaaah!!! I think the thing that threw me off most, is not that it’s paid parking but it is per hour paid parking which for me tainted the experience a bit because 1. I mainly use my card, I mean age of technology and all, and 2. It is PER HOUR. I would’ve preferred if it was a solid flat fee. I mean who wants to be worrying about the parking meter running while having a dining experience? It kind of puts a cloud over the experience. Listen in these times, it’s these little things that can deter people, especially when there are other spaces offereing similar experiences without the added expense. The only alternative for parking is to park along the roadside, although admittedly there are outlined parking spots there. But still, the hotel parking lot should be free or at least a flat fee in my opinion. Other than that, I think everything was good.
Overall Rating
I think overall the meal was good and the ambiance was superb. Not to mention, the staff was A1, top notch. I would say it was a solid 6.5/7 out of 10 experience on the delectable-experience scale. And I would probably go back and try the Palate restaurant next time.
