I've been to Negril 5 times, all on the beach. Thinking about split stay or cliffs stay...
I just booked my flight for MY second solo Negril trip (January), but not my hotel yet.
I know the "general" thought on beach vs. cliff stays....but what will I miss from the beach?
What will I like better?
Did anyone NOT like the cliffs after staying on the beach?
Split stays?
Do I NEED to try the cliffs now, after 5 beach trips?
Also: how does January stack up, in general?
Thanks all!
I've done both and prefer the beach. I stayed on the cliffs shortly after my divorce, and surely if I had a "significant other" at the time, it would have been a much more enjoyable stay, but something about the waves crashing against the cliffs gave me kind of a "lonely" feeling. Can't quite describe it, and it was probably due to the hard time I was going through, but I had to finish up my stay on the beach. I love having my feet in the sand, long morning walks on the beach, and the sound of the tree frogs at night. I do love spending time on the west end, but I'm a beach girl.
I did my first cliff stay two years ago after spending many years as just a beach person. I did enjoy being able to explore a new area, but as a solo traveller, I did not find the cliffs to be for me. As with Maryann, if I were traveling with a sig other, I imagine my opinion would be different. The cliffs were beautiful and peaceful, but I found it harder to meet people and also harder to wander around.
I am not giving up on the cliffs, I plan to try again next year. But I know why I prefer the beach.
long time beach traveller, did the cliffs one time. lonely. even with a significant other, it's like being at an all inclusive except a lot smaller property.
lovely catch a property, once you leave the gates, it's a different feel. not for me. nowhere to walk, dangerous road, no sidewalk.
if you want romance, and bunker in with the significant other, great, otherwise beach all the way.
After four beach stays, we decided to split last January. I really liked the cliffs, but would not stay there the entire time. When we go again this January, we will split again. I now like going to the cliffs first, relax and tan. Then off to the beach we go. I love to walk, and the cliff area is not the best for that. I can't imagine Negril without my morning walks down the beach, and hitting places to eat and driink. Just my two cents.
Stayed on the cliffs my last two visits. Before that I stayed at the beach for the last twenty five years.
On the cliffs it is nice to be right on the sea, hear the waves. On the beach you hear the crickets, also a great sound. Seems like less mosquitos on the cliffs.
I rent a scooter when I am in Negril so it makes it very easy to be on the beach when you want the beach, and up in West End when you want the cliffs. Lots of great restaurants in west end too.
One drawback of the west end is that I would have to say the road is dangerous for pedestrians. Too many fast cars, seems the police can't control it all the time. Many spots with walls right beside road, and no where to go if a car comes flying at you.
Where will I stay next reach? Don't know, like the beach and the cliffs.
Brasi,
I have decided my next stay will be at Sea Star. Many people to occupy any loneliness and a free shuttle to the beach anytime. Rates are great , better rest. and bar than we had your last trip. I plan to eat and hit the beach at Cosmo's, Margaritaville, Canoe, Aqua. Definetely less hustlers and vendors. Road not really a concern because of the shuttle, plenty of west end businesses to hang at or shuttle down to main beach. Henry is a great replacement for your wing man at Mariners. Not sure you can lay back in your beach chair watching the Canadian girls but easy access to the beach and places to sand surf/ people watch.
mi did the beach thingy for seven years before I took the plunge by accident........
mi was going thru a divorce and hadn't made reservations before mi arrived in Negril in November 1991.......
met this guy that was on mi plane on the way down and wanted to know if I needed a ride out to Negril........
mi said sure why not and wi headed out to Negril....he said he was staying at LTU on the Cliffs in da car....it was a Lata.....lol
mi said how much are da rooms der? him said around $50 a night.........mi said that sounded pretty good to mi.......
wi got dropped off at LTU and mi took the unit right in the front on the second floor........what a room and view.......
well mi stayed der for mi entire reach and forgot all about da divorce and had a splendid time.......
mi spent time snorkeling there in the Cove everyday and hanging out with people at the LTU pub was awesome........
went down to da beach at night and hit the usual spots and partied like it was 1999.........lol
saw the guy a few times and him was riding around on his moped having a grand time too..........
mi hooked up with him again for the ride back to MoBay airport.......
and made record time as the young driver drove like a bat out of hell.......lol
memorable trip and sumthin mi needed at that time in mi life.........couldn't ask for more
probably the sand and all the vendors and higglers...........and people watching.......Quote:
Originally Posted by brasi
dunno..........but I luv snorkeling and having no higglers bothering mi.........Quote:
Originally Posted by brasi
so if you into swimming, snorkeling, diving, etc and the cooler wata......
and no higglers........and nice friendly people.....and cheaper restuarants and bars........
and you enjoy quietness and peacefulness........you might like the Cliffs more........
you can always head to the beach for the action and head back to the Cliffs to relax and chill mon......
mi loved the Cliffs the first time as it was a whole different world........Quote:
Originally Posted by brasi
on da Cliffs compared to the beach you feel like a local......and not a tourist
if you not into wata stuff and have to have nonstop action all da time........you might not like the Cliffs
had booked Coral Seas Beach and Coral Seas Cliffs to split up the reach........Quote:
Originally Posted by brasi
but ended up with the Penthouse at Coral Seas Beach and they said I could stay der for mi entire reach.....
basically cause mi was so lazy and the sand gravity was so bad that mi didn't want to pack up and move.......
so I only ended up making up to the Coral Seas Cliff on their shuttle which was best of both worlds.........
yah mon...........you ready to make the move up.......you a verified Negril Addict.........lolQuote:
Originally Posted by brasi
January is awesome..........Quote:
Originally Posted by brasi
the first two weeks are a likkle bit of a lull before it gets real busy in Negril.......
the weather is pretty dry and the nights are a lot cooler........
staying on the Cliffs you probably won't hardly need A/C
you'll always need A/C if you are staying on da beach.....trust mi........lol
Cool Runnings, Marko
After many, many stays on the beach, I made the switch to the Cliffs this past reach (actually, a split but a total of 11 nights at Sea Star Inn). And if you're wondering if it was worth it, you can read all the gory details:
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ng-a-GOOD-time!
After years of staying at different places, some years the cliffs and sometimes the beach, I enjoy being on the beach better closer to everything, just seems like when I stay up on the cliffs, doing the day I come down to the beach , and then have to travel back up to the cliffs to get ready for the night time and travel back down to go alfreds, jungle, unless you have a bike or something for getting around back and fore it can get expensive for taxi. And going solo, Seastar would be the only place on the cliff, otherwise it would be to lonely.
i'm an on the beach girl and i even want beachside only now
what would i miss if i stayed on the cliffs:
the vendors - yes sometimes that's the good the bad and the ugly - but most of the time it's good beach viewing
walking - to almost anyplace to eat or drink - 7-miles of food and drink - without a car in sight - hey you can even stumble down the beach (don't ask)
wata - nothing like waking up and seeing that water and walk right in - without thinking you're gonna dash into the rocks - lol
food - everywhere
drinks - everywhere
entertainment - walk to it
now i do like the vibe on the cliff and usually go for dinner several nights - but i have a beach taxi take me up there - and come back and get me - 'cause it gets dark and quiet up there after awhile - IMHO - lol
and i think if i had a significant other - i'd probably go to Treasure Beach or Port Antonio - even more romantic than the cliffs - to me
Trust this my friends: anywhere is fine. I think I gots2a try the cliffs. Marko: never met ya but I know you got the info.
ShellyK: same deal.
I am thinking starting out of cliffs; weekdays wed-thur-fri, then beach. Thanks for your input.
Out of many: one people.
Out of beach/cliffs: one crazy ass time.
Seveen: we are on the same wavelength. 3 am? ha. Walk down the beach. It's 5 o'clock all night. (:
Jan 4-15. Woot.
Enjoy your trip! I am a cliff lover, but I still love the beach. Don't think you will regret splitting your trip. There is just a different vibe pon da cliffs. Some like it, some, not as much...but, it is much more kicked back. Once you start staying on the cliffs, you are like family. Folks do take care of you and tend to watch out for you. Personally, I love it! Having my snorkel equipment is a real plus. Snorkeling the cliffs is off the hook! I still love to venture out with Vincent, but hanging out in the water is an awesome day to me.
Will be there from Dec 14th through the 6th of Jan...Hopefully, may see you on the cliffs or the beach. It is all good indeed!
I have found I prefer the cliffs myself, espeacially when travelling solo, but I walk all day when I travel solo usually start in the morning walk down mid beach or farther, then start heading back making a lot of beer breaks all the way back. I have even gone as far as walking to Hedonism and back from Negril Escape now that was a full day!
Yeah, and alot of beer stops I'm sure!!!! LOL.........What were you doing by yourself at Hedo,does the wife know? ....LOL!
I've done Ricks to Point Village and I think Escape is even farther up then that. Yikes. I am cabbin those kind of runs this next trip.
The first time we tried the cliffs we weren't sure if we would like it, so we booked a 3-night cliffs stay in the middle of our trip, so we could have beach at the beginning and the end. So you might consider doing that.
Also, our beach hotel was not full at the time, so we offered a token amount to keep our stuff in our room while we were on the cliffs, and they accepted. And we only packed a small bag for our cliffs stay.
The wife and I always do a week on each and it works out great.They both have there + and -
Love the cliffs myself. Sitting around all day on a beach doesn't really excite me. And I live in Florida so I have ready access to beautiful beaches. Although everything in Negril is oriented around tourism, I think the cliffs feel less touristy and there is more interesting regular life going on. Yes, the road is a bit dangerous to walk, but it's a much more interesting place to walk than the beach for me.
Spent 14 years on the Beach, got divorced and thought I would try the Cliffs is 2006. I'm not going back to the beach. The vibe on the West End suits me quite well. Seastar Inn is an enchanting place, not on the water, but for me that is what I need. Peace and quiet, and if I want something louder, it is only a route taxi away....
IMHO, better food and atmosphere on the Cliffs, fewer higglers and much more laid back vacation for me...
Enjoy,
VVHT
Y'all nailed it if you want peace & privacy = Cliffs (can't say quiet cuz some of the places on cliff road can be noisy at Night).
I stayed at Banana Shout in 2008 and had the Red Rooster room at it was too close to the road, could hear cars and dogs barking all night!
I prefer the beach because I like to be able to get up from my lounger and walk a few miles (safely) and I like the action of the beach too.
I loved my stay at SeaStar but wound up going to the beach everyday anyway. Cliffs are great if you want to stay put and chill otherwise you have to take a taxi everywhere. That being said I would stay on the cliffs again but I'd prefer being right on the sea (nothing against SeaStar).
It really depends on what u want out of your vacation, IMHO.
I love the cliffs; however, you are away from everything. And, where it is nice if you just need tranquility, I say stay on the cliffs. If you want lots of interaction, the beach is definitely the place to stay. After a few years of staying on the cliffs, I'm going back to the beach!
Thanks all...I have pretty much decided on doing a split stay. Jan 4-11...
I believe arrival---->5 nights @ SeaStar, then the last 6 nites at a beach spot (probably Mariners/NBCC).
I may just leave the last six nites---->departure open, and and do the "land and look"...I'd have five days to find my next "spot..." to stay, kinda cool.
Anyone have any ideas? Is this advisable?
I vote for NBCC, like the kichen and great location, and beach.
Brasi - Those are great questions and I've really enjoyed reading all the responses!
I'm going to be staying on the cliffs for the first time in November (Also a split stay like you - i.e. half beach /half Cliff) and I was wondering the same thing! After reading everyone's thoughts on the cliffs vs the beach it gives me a better idea of what I should expect.
I'm really a beach person, but I'm intrigued by the cliffs as well. It's something I want to experience. I wonder which I'll prefer in the end...
I think it would be fun to do the "land and look" approach to the last part of your trip. You'll have plenty of time to scope out the area. I wonder if you'd get better rates as a drop in.... :)
Started off 7 years ago doing a split - beach and then Seastar - the last couple of years we have migrated to Seastar for entire stays. It's now my home away from home and there is always somewhere to go when the feeling takes you. Lots of web casts - shuttle to beach every day and no hassles. No finer food with a great selection and a staff that always has a smile and a hug when needed. That's what my vacation is all about.
It's not a bad idea...if you want to explore a few places in person before you choose your next hotel. But do note...more than likely you will not find any great deals at that time & availability might be some what limited.Quote:
Originally Posted by brasi
Personally, I would rather have my room booked in advance....so I didn't have to waste my time looking around...but that's me!
Have FUN!!!
Bnewb, gotta agree with you! That time of year, it may be tough to get exactly what you want. We booked 9 months in advance...on the cliffs...and still had to break up our trip. No rooms for the entire time...so have to move mid trip. Still it will be awesome..without a doubt~~!!
Enjoy Brasi! Can't wait to hear all about it. Will be there mid December through Jan 6th...so maybe will see you there.:)
I love the beach, and I love the cliffs BUT....as a solo traveller, the beach wins out. Its just easier to get out and mingle if you feel like it. I also prefer walking the beach to the side of the cliff road (done that and didnt like it one bit). Early morning walk is essential in JA to counteract all the good food going down!
If you want complete privacy, peace and quiet, then the cliffs fit the bill.
Perfect trip: at least 2 weeks, with a few days on the cliffs to start (unwind, relax, nap, eat) then hit the beach for the rest.
PS...I agree with Maryanne...waves crashing on the cliffs when you are solo can get you thinking....sigh...alone again....sigh....lolol
OK all...great advice! I am booked Jan 4-9 at Seastar and can't wait to experience that place. By all accounts it's awesome...the weekend days in that span coincide with the NFL Wildcard weekend...Brasi...Negril...football...swim-up bar...great food...Jamaican girls...UH OH! (: Chris has already let me know they have a great football atmosphere. I can only HOPE my team, The Redskins, makes the playoffs this year...(long shot)...but imagine THAT. wow.
As far as the second half of my stay...I have hedged my bets (and heeded bnewb's advice) as well by calling Mariners and reserving my last 6 nights (Jan 9-15) there. I like it there because I can still walk to town, hang at the beach, AND hit the West End...and I'm familiar with the property and staff...because I have stayed there before...my wingman The Judge is already in place. haha.
Of course---Mariner's is not even sure what their winter rate is yet...I'm waiting for a call back...and from experience the place is not as responsive as others...but I'll keep looking around for a cool beach spot in case it's redonk...or in case they never call back. haha. Thoughts?
Has anyone else realized how FUN this part of a reach is? Talking about it? Booking it? Planning stuff?
I don't leave for four months....but I am already hypnotized by Negril. (: Even though I am not altogether new to the West End...I'm happy because I am going to "be in the know" re: staying The Cliff side after this trip...yay!
My only regret is I could have booked for a longer stay...(11 nights good, but more nights always BETTER haha) but...since I didn't...I am hoping to do a quick stay at the end of April for the bash... rock on with your bad selves!
What?!?!?! A fellow Redskins fan? Alright! Me too!
And yes, long shot.....but I have that same dream, hope, wish, desire at the beginning of every season
LOL!
Go Skins!
P.S. So happy for you and your upcoming trip, can't wait to hear all about it :)
Red Skins HA! lol j/k
As soon as I booked my ticket which was hmmm over 30 days ago it was a whirlwind because i hadn't booked anything else!! The information overload had begun and I love research!! so it was a lot of fun for me... even now that I've got everything in place i'm still researching! I know that because I have an "itenerary" that it might not happen and I wont be disappointed I'm mainly doing it because I HAVE to do something for the next 25 days that involves my trip lol The next few weeks will surely fly by and next thing you know I'll be on a plane alone on my way to JA for the first time. Hopefully not stuck in the middle seat on the plane between 2 obnoxious people or screaming babies lol
Hey Manda: SHUT IT. You must be a BILLS fan, Toronto-girl. (:
And I think you need to clean out your inbox, you friendly canadiaiaian. Just a guess. haha
Marley: Hightower looks like a BEAST. My hopes are we squeak into the playoffs so I can sit at Seastar and enjoy the game...that would be phenomenal.
Actually I am not a Bills Fan :P lol
Thanks for the Tip Brasi, what a considerate Americaaianian you are lol
You're right Brasi.....and I sure hope YOUR hopes come true.....I couldn't imagine anything better than your scenario....that would be so cool.
I would be happy with playoffs too or anything really....but the big payoff would be so great....I can still (barely) remember how excited I was last time....what was that 1988, 89? lol
Marley: I think it was 1992. LOL We beat the Bills, badly. Oddly enough I remember that Superbowl because the game was boring and I had some really bad chicken wings. heheh
If the 'Skins are in the playoffs and I am in Jamaica...trust me...it's going to be extra-special...but as you know...as long as DALLAS isn;t...I'm good! (:
Hail to the 'Skins!
Hahaha, yeah thats the one I was remembering! I remember it too (well maybe not the year) but I remember the partying!
Yep, I am with you on the "as long as its not those cowgirls" LOL
But I think us loyal skins fans deserve a big year now...we have definitely put in the time! Ha
I like the beach during the day more than the cliffs. I'm not into snorkling and love being able to take a quick dip in the ocean or relax on a raft. I also miss my long beach walks when I stay on the cliffs. I do like the food options on the West End better, most beach restaurants tend to be overpriced and not so good. I can see those that find the beach vendors to be a hassle may prefer staying on the cliffs, they don't bother me.
Brasi,
Just had a giggle at my desk on your typo "sharte".
In our house we use this term when we...uh oh...I better not say...
:D
haha Kim. I don't give a "sharte" what you think is funny! JK JK
What an unfortunate typo! Leave it to me... (: