first timer needs advice

I've decided to go to Negril in January/February and I could really do with some tips as to what hotels I should look into. I'm a single girl in my early 30's, and want to live near the beach and hopefully within walking distance of some good restaurants and bars. Renting a motorbike or car is out of the question since I can't operate anything remotely motorised. I'm hoping for a vacation with balance between relaxing and funfilled. Hopefully I will get to know some people while I'm there as I would go mental if not. So not only do I need advice on where to stay, but also where to hang out. I do enjoy dancing, especially to rocksteady, ska and reggae (that's mostly why I chose Jamaica), but I'm not the one for trhee storey discos. I'm guessing there will be a couple of spots for me to check out?
In advance, thank you :)

I always go solo to Firefly. It's on the beach walking distance to all the beach night spots.Great food and best drink prices.Great restaurants and bars nearby including Sunbeach,Best in the west,Alfreds,Coolspot,Charela,Coco la Palm.Great location in the middle of the seven mile beach.They serve great pancakes there too.They also are one of the only clothing optional places left on the beach if you desire to go natural.You can only be natural on the beach though.You must have bathing suit on,once you step to the bar and in the rooms area.Secrets cabins are really priced around 40 to 50 a nite.Very nice but bathrooms are a few steps outside.Prices go up from there and they are offering a great deal right now for 60 a nite for the other rooms which have bathrooms and some with kitchens and all the way to the penthouse.

utenlov - Welcome to the board. You will definitely get better advice if you give us an idea of your budget. There are tons of good, clean, safe hotels from about $50 all the way up to several $100's/night - and any would meet the requirement of on the beach walking distance to good restaurants, bars, and nightlife. The same with food - do you tend toward local food where the locals, and us budget tourists, eat - or do you like high-end dining? You can eat well at places where $30 is enough for all 3 meals, all the way up to places where that will barely even cover just dinner.

Don't worry about getting around - there are route taxis all over during the day and early evening, and regular taxis at closing times.
To acquaint yourself with the area, and see where hotels/bars/restaurants are that get recommended, this map is one many of us use: http://www.maherconsulting.com/negri...p2011final.pdf

For nightlife, there are way more than a couple of spots. There are live and DJ beach parties every night of the week, usually a couple parties each night - most regularly scheduled depending on the night. Here is a good listing of that to print out and take with you - http://www.negrilonestop.com/negril_nightlife.shtml
A couple parties that are not mentioned there, but many locals attend:
Sunday night beach party at the park near the craft market - dancehall
Rocky Wednesday Party at On the Rocks on the cliffs - DJ
But there are also random parties and sometimes big acts that come thru - notices for thost get posted on billboards at the round-a-bout.

A good way to meet fellow Negrilaholics, who can give you advice and fill you in on the latest goings on, is to attend Rob's live webcasts.
Here is website with his schedule - http://realnegril.com/

Enjoy your trip to Negril!

Thank you both! Off course I should mention my budget, I guess i was to caught up in the thrill of the decision of going that I completely forgot. I'm hoping $100-150 a night, but can go up to $200. As for dining I might do the fine dining thing once or twice, so local it is!
I've read several places that as for spendingmoney one should go with $100 a day, is this still the going advice?
This is my first time ever travelling alone, I've spent the odd day alone on other vacations but nothing like this. As I tend to get a little nervous in forehand I much appreciate all the advice I can get!

In that hotel price range, you'll have a wide choice of beach-side hotels.
And the $100/day will easily cover you for the type of eating you describe and your drinks (unless you're a really big drinker).

Your budget is higher than places I have stayed and can recommend from experience - like Legends, Negril Beach Club Condos, and Tree House - which are all close to the nightlife action. But then again, prices I am used to were during low season and discounted from their regular rates by using the various travel web sites - you will be in Negril during high season.

If I had your budget, I know Coco La Palm always gets good reviews and recommendations, and is centrally located on the beach. I see they even have an Early Bird Special going right now for the time you will be there:
http://www.negrilonestop.com/cocolapalm_rates.shtml
It would me my first choice, given you seem like AI is not what you are looking for - you mentioned you hope to walk to many nearby bars/restaurants.

Re traveling solo - this thread was from a traveler who worried she would end up solo for a few days.
Had lots of good advice and reassurance.
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ng-is-a-mess-(

I love the junior suites at CocoLaPalm. If you book through a travel agent, breakfast is usually included, and the breakfasts there are really good. Also located within walking distance to lots of good restraurants, bars, etc. Check out negrilonestop.com.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ohio_Buckeye_1

Re traveling solo - this thread was from a traveler who worried she would end up solo for a few days.
Had lots of good advice and reassurance.
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...ng-is-a-mess-(

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this thread that Ohio Buckeye mentions basically covers a lot of your questions..........
it's actually a common question here on the board.....

your budget is higher than most that I have seen on here..........
so you can basically choose any place on the beach which is pretty awesome.......
though I would concur that Coco LaPalm probably would be your ticket.........even though it's under your budget
Beachcomber Club is another option but more money than Coco LaPalm.......nice place too
on a return visit you'd probably be ready for a place like Bar B Barn.........sumthin more Jamaican

Cool Runnings, Marko

I would also agre you cant go wrong with Cocolapalm, Grand Pinneapple is also a good choice on the all inclusive side its usually reasonable enought that you can venture off for dinner and entertainment at night and ease your way into Negril.

I also recommend coco la palm!

If you were to decide to go A/I I would recommend Hedonism II, where you would be sure to have lots of company and non stop partying (or not) if that's what you would like, and a single share room is there is well within your budget too!

lol that's my old thread.. feels like a long time ago that I was panicing like that lol Utenlov one thing I can say (being I'm going on my first trip to Jamaica in 25 days!!) the people of this board will make you feel as if you never had anything to worry about and the information and resources they can provide are more than you can imagine. Have a great adventure as I tend to. :)

It seems so long ago since I posted my first similar thread. I'm not going to make any suggestions but I will say you came to the right place for advice!

I agree with Manda81 & kevin, my first trip to Negril was 5 months ago and everyone on this board helped me SO much in planning my trip! I received so much great information and advice that I felt like I knew Negril before I even stepped foot on the sand! I was completely comfortable. Jamaica was everything I dreamed it would be and more! I can't wait to go back! You're going to love Negril :)

As far as accomodations go, I only have experiences in two hotels (Grand Pineapple and Coco La Palm) They were both wonderful places to stay.

I would recommend both of them to a first timer. You could always split your stay between the two, like I did. Starting at GP and eventually moving over to CCLP once you have a feel for Negril and want to venture out for food and drinks.

If you want to stay in one place. I'm leaning towards Grand Pineapple because you're going solo and your budget allows it. It's all inclusive so the food and drinks are included. It's centrally located, so you can walk anywhere you want. Most importantly though is that the staff will make you feel at home right away. Within 5 minutes of being there, I was friends with the security guard and bartender. They gave a lot of great advice and watched over us the whole time.

You'll receive a lot more great suggestions and regardless of what hotel you end up choosing in the end... you're going to have a great time!

All the best,
Daisy!

I can't even begin to thank you all for your warmth, welcoming and advice! It is much appreciated. I've more or less decided on cclp. I might do a split and stay a couple of nights in blue cave castle before hitting the beach simply because it looks amazing. It's my first time travelling alone except for spending the last three days of a trip to Thailand alone. (I ended up in a reggae bar)
It's been a lifelong dream to travel alone to a carribean island, but I've always chickened out. I'm a social person, but I'm not the one to strike up a conversation with everyone that comes my way. You could say I'm challenging myself with this trip. And now that I've found this board and you guys I feel less nervous and I'm confident that I'm going this time. Can't wait to get my countdown going! Again, thank you all for the help and support!

I booked CCLP before I actually registered for this board and was just sort of creeping around reading reports. I think it's a good decision everyone has told me I made a good choice so I think you'll be happy with what you have decided :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by utenlov

It's been a lifelong dream to travel alone to a carribean island, but I've always chickened out.

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I didn't chicken out this time! Flights are booked, I'll be there in just 5 months! Can't wait:D

All good advice....keep reading here daily...also, log in on the webcasts...and chat and watch with everyone before you go....realnegril.com