Walking from the Negril Aerodome to Couples Negril

This will be our first time to Couples! :D

We are Sandals rejects.. :p 8 times to Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios, and once to Sandals Montego Bay. With all of the service changes Sandals has made at our favorite resort (SGR), making all of the Manor side villas butler service we were completely turned off from returning. I'm sorry but with that many butler guests and now special butler restaurants (one of them being in the prime scenic spot of the resort out on the pier!!!) we really felt like it would take away from our enjoyment if we had to fight to get into restaurants and get chairs at the pool/beach, be second class guests, etc... No thanks! Plus, the price just keeps going up up up, and "regular" guests are not getting anything more then we ever did. I'm sure we'll return to SGR someday, we do love it there, but we are ready for a change!

I've wanted to go to Negril for years and this was a perfect opportunity to make the leap! I know the resort is not as blingy or fancy as Sandals, but we don't care about that stuff! Just point me in the direction of the pool bar and the beach and we are all good!

Jamerican1, looks like you already have the scoop on the Sandals v Couples scene. We used to do Sandals too, before we discovered Couples. We feel that with the inclusions at Couples, you get more bang for your buck. We weren't really impressed with the swimup pool bar at CSA, but we rarely, if ever get into a pool while in Jamaica. (Ok, my wife will use the lap pool, but we've covered that before...lol). They do have two beach bars along with flag service on the beach. If sand gravity is too great, just put your flag in the sand and a bartender will come to you. You guys are gonna have a blast!

Loving the drink/flag service on the beach! My husband has said with that service it's putting him out of a job, LOL! I also love that they have floaties that you can take into the ocean! I am a happy girl floating away with a cold red stripe in my hand!

We are really excited!!!

No need to bash Butch Stewart, but the John Issa got the ball rolling with the All Inclusive vacations in Jamaica starting in Negril in 1976 with what is now Hedonism II. I believe his father had one of the first resorts in Jamaica in Ocho Rios, which is now called Couples Ocho Rios. Originally it was called Tower Isle.

Butch has done a great job with the Sandals/ Beaches resorts. Actually had dinner with him once back in the 1990's (me, my ex and 100 other returning guests)!! LOL

Haven't been to either a Couples or Sandles since the early 2000's, but enjoyed both. My absolute favorite was Couples Swept Away before they super sized it...

You will have a wonderful time at Couples.

Remember to get off campus and go to a couple of Webcasts. I highly recommend the Canoe Bar on Thursday and Seastar on Saturday night.

Enjoy,

VVHT

Jamerican....I recognize you from the Couples message board....If you feel adventurous....it MAY be a 2 minute walk...basically across the street....might take as long to grab a cab than to walk it, and you can bet that Herbert will probably meet you for the bags before you are 1/2 way up the drive!

My favorite part of Couples, is the breakfast in bed service. Instead of a "do not disturb" sign on your door, you get a breakfast menu. Before bed, you fill out what you want, and what time you want it. Put it on your door before bed (whatever time that is), and it arrives in the morning. So if you just want to laze around and drink coffee and such, its perfect. Another great part is that Couples has chocolate. I find that there is very little chocolate in Negril. But Couples has chocolate desserts at most meals. Heaven.

Oh, Jody, you just brought back memories of the WARM banana bread at Couples Negril....YUMMMM! Wish I had some right now.

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Originally Posted by lisapat

Jamerican....I recognize you from the Couples message board....If you feel adventurous....it MAY be a 2 minute walk...basically across the street....might take as long to grab a cab than to walk it, and you can bet that Herbert will probably meet you for the bags before you are 1/2 way up the drive!

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Awesome! Thanks! :D

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Originally Posted by Johio

just put your flag in the sand and a bartender will come to you.

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I like this idea... I think I'm gonna get a flag for my living room and try this at home... :)

lol, Kathy. My wife and I tried it...didn't work. Maybe it's the language barrier. No one at home speaks Patois.