I've enjoyed reading all your trip reports and posts and although this report is from our visit to one of those "all inclusives" that many of you detest I figured I'd post it anyway....(because I can?)
Also thanks for the Birthday wishes from Negril.com that I received today.
CSA - July 3rd to July 9th “Exceeded our Expectations"
We had previously stayed at CTI in Ocho Rios back in 1984 when it was Couples Ocho Rios and then in 2009 for our 25th anniversary. While we loved CTI, my expectations for CSA were quite high-after reading everything and anything on their message board, TA and also since it is the most expensive of their resorts.
Last year we had stayed at the RIU Palace with our son so we fell in love with Negril and the beaches-the RIU not so much-it was OK. Everyone at the RIU goes about their business, the staff were not overly friendly, and guests overall kept to themselves.
This trip we were celebrating my 50th birthday and cousin’s wife’s 50th.
Departed on July 3rd from Newark, NJ was a nightmare-seems like Continental is still experiencing problems with their United merger to the detriment of its customers.
Arrival on a Sunday at noon in MBJ was a piece of cake (go figure) zipped right through, waited about 20 minutes for shuttle to resort and were checked in by 2:30. As expected cold towels and champagne were handed out to all of us arriving. I had requested a third floor corner room but we were put in a room right next to our relatives (newbies) on the second floor corner.
Tried doing orientation on our first day but due to rainy weather it was cancelled. We ended up exploring on our own and loved the whole tropical, jungle feel to this resort. Even as our week was ending we kept finding new paths and things that we hadn’t seen previously.
The room was just fine-exactly as shown on their website, etc. Location was great-view slightly obstructed by the palm trees but that’s what I wanted to see-that gorgeous ocean view from our verandah with a palm tree framing it! I loved leaving the doors to the verandah open at night to sleep to the sounds of the ocean.
We ate at every restaurant and loved all the food-since my family aren’t big seafood eaters and I love it, I ate seafood at every meal I could and it was all so good!
Our days began with a pre-breakfast as in the continental breakfast delivered to your room. We’d then go on to our real breakfast either in the Palms or Patois. From the made to order omelettes, to the breakfast pizza to the banana stuffed french toast it was all delicious.
Lunches were normally at Sea Grapes with many different interesting choices that changed during the week we were there. The snapper sandwich, sweet potato chips with humus and kebabs were as good as others have previously written.
Dinners were an event unto themselves. My husband who is normally a very picky eater tried and ate everything offered! The only food item I wasn’t especially fond of was a jerk burger at the Cabana grill. Feathers was fine dining at its best and eating with chopsticks at Lemon Grass was quite comical. Definitely gained some weight but it was all so worth it. Now that we’re home I’d love for someone to pull out my chair and put a napkin down on my lap! Guess that’s not going to happen in my reality.
What is amazing is the level to which their staff treat the guests. They remember you, what you drink and as they may rotate from restaurant to restaurant they can recall what night you were where and what drink you were having. We had an ongoing joke about the never ending wine glass. Our cousin who drank wine at dinner every night would have his glass refilled before it ever got down half way. Service was impeccable.
As we had previously stayed at CTI we were invited to the Repeaters Dinner. The GM was very courteous and genuinely seemed to enjoy hearing our praises and any concerns we may have had. We met many nice couples at this dinner that we continued to run into during the week we were there.
Entertainment
On the night of the steel drummers we had already eaten at Lemon Grass and were going to The Palms to see the show. The host at the restaurant removed the table setting from a table right up front for us and that’s where we sat to watch the show. Very talented musicians and probably our favorite entertainment offered at The Palms. Beach party on Friday had to be moved indoors; that show would have been so much better outside but it was still very good. The Martini Bar was quite good and Chocolate Martinis are decadent!
Enjoyed Ultimate Chocolate at the Aura Lounge on a few evenings. He is a very talented gentleman that captivates his audience with his personality. Lost my voice (don’t think my husband minded that) participating in the various sing alongs. The only negative issue I mentioned at departure was the smell at the Aura Lounge. It must have something to do with the air conditioning being so cranked up (it’s the coldest room in the entire resort) and the humidity factored in together with the carpeted floor. On our last night there we couldn’t stay for very long as the odor was truly horrendous. Perhaps had we imbibed more we wouldn’t have noticed it!
Participated in a ping pong tournament at the sports complex and that’s where we had the pleasure of meeting Akeem. I think he drew the short straw on being nominated scorekeeper but we found him to be one of the kindest and entertaining of the entertainment crew.
Did a yoga class on the beach, went on a Hobie (had a hard time getting back to shore but eventually did -I think we had the water sports gentleman in stitches), had a blast on the Catamaran Cruise, got to see dolphins and swam through the caves. We also had an informative glass bottom boat ride and our cousin did some water skiing.
Stayed at their beach bonfire for a short time-in walking the path back to our room with one of the staff chatting, we realized we had walked right past our room and ended up at Patois. The young man felt terrible but we didn’t-he was very interesting and a delight to chat with.
Beach
The Negril beach is the most glorious beach ever and for the most part that’s what keeps us coming back. The floaties in the water, green flag service and cool towels are delightful. The local musicians we heard were quite entertaining. Our normal spot in the shade was right next to the beach wedding site so we got to watch numerous weddings. Yes the palapas are hoarded, many the night before. We did score one once but preferred the shadiness of the trees instead.
We left the resort to walk to the right past Beaches and to the left to check out Cocoa La Palm and Idle Awhile while souvenir shopping. On our walk past Beaches the water level has risen so there’s a small stretch with no beach. You just walk along a path - that’s where we had the pleasure of meeting Shane, 12 years old in the eighth grade. He was a friendly, energetic young man selling his wares who proceeded to hold my hand to guide me back onto the beach (we did give him a few bucks for his company). He asked when you return to Negril bring me some clothes, shoes and games!
The other couples you meet, whether on the bus going to the resort or at any of the bars, restaurants, or excursions seem to have a camaraderie that is how Couples entices us to return-we all became known by the state in which we live if names escaped you!
We went off the resort on a private tour with Kingsley Take Care Tours. Kingsley was already booked but had his son Damian as our guide. Kingsley met us at the resort with his son and stayed in phone contact with Damian throughout the day (typical parent). Damian was a very personable young man and drove very carefully. Last year we visited the Blue Hole in Brighton so this time around wanted to visit Floyd's Pelican Bar, Black River and YS Falls. What made this tour more interesting was that Damian had never done these tours himself. Kingsley had arranged for us to go out to the Pelican Bar and Black River with a local fisherman (Pervis a/k/a Pete). Pete made this trip very authentic and was quite a character. He drove us right up to Pelican Bar and informed us about the sea urchins out there; (Sandals had a large boat that dropped off a whole group while we were there and told them to walk the distance barefoot-I think Pete was going to offer to urinate on any of those requiring same!). Floyd's was definitely an experience-when we arrived he was out catching fish for incoming customers. We did have the pleasure of meeting Floyd; he was very gracious and we were able to carve our names out there! Had lobster and conch for lunch at a local restaurant on the river (Cloggy’s) that was quite good. Never did make it to YS Falls that day-just ran out of time since Pete had given us a most thorough tour of the Black River!
One departure day (7/9) we arrived at MBJ by 11:30 a.m. to mass confusion. Probably took a little over an hour or so to get through it all. Still had plenty of time to shop and eat before boarding our flight. Club Mobay lounge would be a good option for those running late as you’re whisked through all lines and perhaps if you’re very early as it would be a more comfortable area to squander your time.
Well that about covers everything-I wanted to give my impression to all who have written prior to our visit with their impressions and opinions.
Enjoyed how spread out the resort was with that whole jungle thing going on with the restaurants and entertainment anchored at either side. We all need to walk a little to work off all those meals you’ve eaten and drinks you’ve had.
So now which one to return to. As much as I loved CTI with it south beach art deco motif and of course their outstanding staff I would have to say that CSA is where we’ll return. (As long as price increases are not too exorbitant!)
Lori & Ron
