First Trip to Negril - need advice on non ai hotels

Hey all,

my guy and I are taking our first trip to Jamaica and planning to stay in Negril. We have no interest in doing AI. When we travel like to drink and eat at different places, sunbathe, party/dance and really to get out, spread our wings and see/learn the culture, terrain, make new friends and see new things. We like a reasonable place to stay but do not wish to have luxurious 4 and 5 star accommodations because we would prefer to spend our money elsewhere. A great pool, bar, and beach front hotel that is clean and friendly is what we're looking for.

So far I've looked at CoCoLaPalm, Travelers Resort and Legends. Anyone stayed at these and if so, what do you think? Any other suggestions along the same line?

We're heading there end of Feb/beginning of March from the cold winter of MN and i'm soooooo excited! Thanks in advance!

Legends is really low end. CoCo is very nice. Also Check out Negril Treehouse and Charela Inn. Both are tops on my list for beach properties. We are also Minnesotans. Our next trip is the end of April.

"ROOMS" usually is a good deal. Can't go wrong with Treehouse , and Coco. All on a good section of the beach.

I know you mentioned beach front... But let me throw out there that the blue cave castle would be a perfect spot for you guys! It's where we stayed our first four times to the island... Perfect place to 'get your feet wet'

Better yet... You seem pretty adventurous... Maybe a few days at coco then a few at the castle....

Have fun

Rooms for sure, descent pool. great beach, great location, nice little bar next door..Sunnyside, walking distance to many other bars as well, soon come

I would say Coco and Charela, if you can live without a pool then Nirvana as well.

I agree with heater, those 3 properties have the best beach right now IMO. You really don't need a pool in Negril, the ocean is so shallow and calm.
Our favorite is Nirvana, there are several options that are directly beachfront, meaning a direct view of the ocean with no man made obstructions at all. The staff there is great, we've been there 4 times. Clean, rustic, not fancy.

third trip to coco, its irie

Full Breakfast is Included @ Treehouse
Email me for a SUPER Deal
Negriltreehouse@gmail.com
Gail Jackson

We have stayed at Travelers back in 2012 and it was great. Rooms need a bit of tlc, but from what I have read and heard is that they have refurbished. The staff are great and the food was also good. You are at the very end of the beach next to a public beach that has music on Sundays. Also being at the end of the beach, you get a lot less hagglers trying to sell stuff to ya. They have a nice pool and their location makes for a short walk to the rounabout, bank etc. I would recommend them easily. soon come.

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Originally Posted by BC BUDDA

We have stayed at Travelers back in 2012 and it was great. Rooms need a bit of tlc, but from what I have read and heard is that they have refurbished. The staff are great and the food was also good. You are at the very end of the beach next to a public beach that has music on Sundays. Also being at the end of the beach, you get a lot less hagglers trying to sell stuff to ya. They have a nice pool and their location makes for a short walk to the rounabout, bank etc. I would recommend them easily. soon come.

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How was the stretch of beach on Travelers property? As nice as COCO do you know?

Was just in Negril last week and walked the beach many times. IMO, once you get South of Nirvana, the beach isn't quite as nice. Much narrower, fewer trees. The water can also get a little funky at times as you get closer to the river.
Coco is one of best, huge beach with lots of natural shade. Also has a little bar/jerk shack right there. I haven't seen the rooms there. They have some beachfront rooms that look nice from the outside.

The beach is not as wide, but it definetly works. You still have an area to lay out on the loungers. As we walked down the beach everyday, it was sure nice to have less higglers trying to sell you everything under the sun, up at Travelers compared to farther down the beach. It just gets old real fast.

While I love the staff and the beach at Coco, I'm not sure I'd ever stay there again in high season. They want too much for the rooms at that time of year for what they are.

I love The Blue Cave Castle. I agree with Murph. . . I have brought many first timers to The Castle. It's simultaneously quiet and peaceful, yet in the middle of everything. If you must be beach bound, I loved Kuyaba and some dear friends swear by Nirvana, but after reading this thread it is all great advice.

Rooms fit your description althogh I love CocoLapalm they can be a little pricey but IMO worth it.

Last year we stayed at White Sands, we stayed across the road from the beach. We loved it, the walk over to the beach was not bad at all. The beach was really nice and the staff was awesome. They also have good food there. The rooms were really reasonable too. No TV but when your on vacation who needs that. Nice balcony to sit on. Wish we were going back this year, but are planning on taking our honeymoon there next year.

You do sound like people who would like the west end/cliffs area. If you can, split your trip spending a few nights on the beach and then moving to the cliffs.

Co Co is like spaghetti.....it's always good.

This March will be our 12th time at Tree House. It's ok I guess ; )

okay so another question we have is about tanning in the nude. Are any of these clothing optional? We don't walk the beach nude but do prefer to lay and swim this way.

Stay at Firefly for clothing optional

Firefly is about your only option on the beach unless you go to Hedo. It's a small and very unique resort with only a few people fully nude at any given time. The ones "hanging free" seemed comfortable to me. We weren't participating "not that there is anything wrong with that". lol. Beach and bar were great and we do want to go back. We stayed in the ocean front penthouse.

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Look closely.

Sunbeach is right next door and they carried lunch over to us everyday and set it down on the little table between us. Breakfast was always right there at Firefly. Who can resist going back for that?

Hidden Paradise is across the road, located between Merrils 3 & Legends. Rooms come with safe, ac, cable tv, ac & fan, wifi. Has beach access thru Momma Flo's beach bar & restaurant. Hotel guests are provided lounge chairs. Rates are winter $76, summer $60.

sigmon45, I 2nd that, Hidden Paradise is a Great place to stay ! Enrick and his staff are the best!

Bless.

semi(and crew):):)

check out the rooms across from the beach at Rondel Village called gardenside. These are only about 2 years old and rates are $120 a night plus taxes. 2 double beds or a king in each room. check out this website http://www.negrilonestop.com/rondelv...menities.shtml

Thanks everyone. We decided on an ocean view at Rooms for our first 3 nights and the penthouse suite at Firefly for 4 nights. FIrefly definitely sounds more up our alley and now i'm sort of wishing we would have booked the whole week there but what is done is done now. We depart the 28th f Feb from Minneapolis, my guy's birthday - can't wait!

Can someone tell me the most affordable way to get from the airport to Negril?

White Sands is a nice place for first time visitors.

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Originally Posted by hygieia

Thanks everyone. We decided on an ocean view at Rooms for our first 3 nights and the penthouse suite at Firefly for 4 nights. FIrefly definitely sounds more up our alley and now i'm sort of wishing we would have booked the whole week there but what is done is done now. We depart the 28th f Feb from Minneapolis, my guy's birthday - can't wait!

Can someone tell me the most affordable way to get from the airport to Negril?

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You could email private drivers on this site for a quote. I've used Kingsley James who is good and reasonable at $60 each way for 2. Juta Negril is a tourist bus, but may cost close to the same for two with longer waits. You could search current rates online. Heard some good and some not so good about Viator.

Have a great trip!

Micheals on time taxi is 120 round trip and he provides a phone to use until you depart

have stayed at coco la palm myself and really enjoyed, seems like most people there consider it the most well maintained property on the beach. i personally haven't toured every property in negril but i'd pretty much have to concur, it's not perfect, none are, but it's pretty deluxe

For two peeps private ride, Kingsley and Clives are the most affordable. If you dont mind being on a bus and being delayed a bit, juta bus is less.

Blue Cave Castle

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/105/30...fcefc5bb_o.jpg

Rondel Village is a super place to stay with varying price/accomodations. If you haven't already you may want to check out www.negrilonestop.com ( forgive me if this is old news to you)... Great site. With descriptive pics, rate quotes and wonderful service.
Cant say anyone here has rendered bad advice so weigh all your needs, book and enjoy!
Careful, Negril is known to be habit forming :-)

Rainbow Arch is very affordable as well.