My wife is waiting to go back and try a AI. If that what it take to get back to Negril. I'm in!!
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My wife is waiting to go back and try a AI. If that what it take to get back to Negril. I'm in!!
Seashore Bay was awesome. We was there the last week they were Seashore Bay. It was priced very good, the STAFF ROCKED!!! I see some are there back working there again which is good. But there prices are not in our league.
Haven't stayed yet but maybe grand pineapple ?
We loved, loved, loved the Grand Pineapple.
None of the AI in Negril are really outstanding. Sunset at the Palms is somewhat special but I do not especially like the louvered windows with no glass.The rooms are air-conditioned. I would also be careful about booking there in the more humid months of late Summer and early Fall due to the adjacent wetlands and increased number of mosquitos. Couples and Sandals will satisfy most but are pricey for what you get.Grand Lido has some good points but is still living on the name. They do have the lamb chops that I will never forget and has the nude beach. Grand Lido's beach is nice-both nude and regular. Many people enjoy the Riu resorts. Of course, there is Hedo! Shop for good rates. I sometimes call the resort managers at the smaller resorts. If you are looking for a party atmosphere, Sunset at the Palms and Grand Lido may not be your best choice.
I just tried Grand Pineapple in January. I would stay again if the price was right, but my preference is non AI. The biggest plus is location. Easy walking distance to Shamrock, Time Square for ATM, Drifters Bar for their awesome jam sessions and Yellow Bird for their delicious and cheap drink specials. And everything else on Long Bay! I stayed in a beachside cottage which was a disappointment compared to non AI rooms I've stayed in, small with basically one window (mine viewed the manor building) and little natural light. Food was ok to good, although def missing out if you don't also go out and enjoy made to order meals or roadside jerk such as Best in the West. Cocktails were AI quality (no comparison to Yellow Bird or the rum punch at Drifters).
I REALLY dislike AI's, but if thats's what my wife wants, heck, im down with it. Just so I can get back down there. I'll do some research and crunch some numbers to make it right. I prefer non AI.
I have been happy with Grand Pineapple. Merrils properties are also AI and a little more budget priced. As well, Legends and Samsara have AI options.
We are not AI people either. We tried the Grand Pineapple this year as we were bringing people along who prefer AI. We were very pleased with it. The employees and facility was great. We would definitely stay there again if we wanted to go AI.
Thanks for the responses. As long as I get my body down in Ja. I really don't care where. But got to keep my wife happy. I prefer not to be around tourist. I just like hanging local style. IMO!
I too vote for the Grand Pineapple. The staff, the rooms, the grounds, the bar, are a great choice. You will need to book a long time ahead if you want to go during the high season but you can't beat the cost. We just can back from our 7th trip to the pineapple. I don't have my newest video done yet but here is a link to last years. Not all Pineapple but it gives you a look at the grounds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfSNLCZ52KY
Amen...brother!
Have always been happy with my stays at Legends & SamSara ~~ the A/I option won't break the bank & you can still go "out" and not feel guilty about doing so ~~
Depending on your budget...Charela offers full or partial AI plans. Quite a bit pricier than GP but your choice of rooms, several sea view, and really good food and drinks. Beautiful beach and good service. Negrilonestop has good AI packages for Charela beginning for May stays (at least they typically do).
Stayed at Grand Pineapple in December and am trying to book it again for next december.��
That depends on your definition of value. In my opinion, Couples offers the best value... accommodation, drinks, food, amenities, activities... and if you narrow that to SweptAway, you are closer in to Negril, on the main beach, etc.
HOWEVER... That value is coming in at ever rising price points. This trip, our second week of our Negril vacation is going to cost us north of $500 per night in an Atrium suite. That's enough to make me choke... this will probably be our last stay there.
I was just doing the math last night after reviewing my notes from last February's trip. We stay at Country Country which with all taxes and breakfast included runs right about $200/night in high season. We spent an additional $140/day for the 2 of us. That includes all other meals, beverages, taxis, tips plus some booze and jewelry purchased at Mobay on the return. Granted couples will also include watersports for those that use that but I'm sure if we wanted to do watersports on our own there is enough left over to still be under $500/day.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris B
You illustrate my point nicely. Couples notes that their "inclusives", like snorkeling, diving (if you're certified), glass bottom boat tours, cat cruise, etc., add up to some $1725 USD... ok, fair enuff... IF you use 'em all. And after many visits to SweptAway, I can say "Been there, Done that" for a lot of the extras. Don't get me wrong... I love the place to death, and the "no kids" bonus IS real, but if we keep going there, its gonna cut into our Negril time. And rolling your own "inclusive" package, as you note, begins to make more sense to me...Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebrewer
I confess I am a serial multiple repeat offender to Negril so as much as I like A place such as Swept Away..I put the same money spent toward a second and third trip a year in winter to get my fix ..break up the winter ..go multiple times..same outlay as one expensive AI trip
Believe me... I'm beginning to see the wisdom in that!Quote:
Originally Posted by fargoman
I can easily see why some people want to go the AI route but, in the final analysis, if you want to eat and recreate outside the compound, it is a pricey way to visit.
Sometimes it takes a few visits to find your comfort level when visiting Negril or anywhere in Jamaica. We all want to be safe and satisfied. I used to stay in a lot of wooden shack accommodations at various properties but over the years determined that although I was "price" satisfied, I wasn't "safety" satisfied.
Negril and Jamaica have a lot of moderate priced "safe" places to stay where you can just pay for a room and then adventure out to eat and recreate. In homebrewer's breakdown of $500 US per day cost (which I am sure he would agree) is rather expensive and you could have a "safe and satisfied" visit for much less.
Everyone's taste is (of course) different and will probably evolve over time. On my last stay of almost 4 months I didn't even see the ocean except on the first and last day!
The most important thing is that you are happy with your choice because you don't have to please anyone but yourself.
Peace and Guidance
Couples has just started it's promotion. We've booked 9 nights for April 2016 in an Atrium Suite for $432 a night and 9 nights in October 2016 for $366 a night, also Atrium Suite. These will be our 25th and 26th trips to Couples Swept Away since 1999.
Great Advice!
Gotta agree.. that's a good value... I might be in touch with you over the weekend if I can't find that one...Quote:
Originally Posted by fawnridge
My wife loves the AI experience and since we are divers and take advantage of the free add on Swept Away becomes more affordable from that perspective. Our first few trips to the Rock were at non AI and I have talked her into split stays at CSA and the cliffs the last couple of times to wean her away from the AI experience and back to the real Jamaica local experience. Too many AI visitors never got off the resort, and if they do it is well controlled to Rick's, Times Square etc. which is not what I consider the real Jamaica. We have used the same driver we meet on our first reach almost 20 years ago and he and his family are like our family now. When we go on day trips, which is every time, we take Patrick's entire family and that is often the highlight of our trip. So yes we do get off the resort, walk the beach and spend at the local places as well as at the resort and it does limit our trips. But we do love JA.
Well it was mentioned again... About going back home to a AI. Hell I don't know. I love to roam to much. Our group was sitting around drinking and most of the girls was kept saying. " I like cause you can walk up and gets drinks all the time. And food when you want." Me.... I don't like being around tourist. (like me). I LOVE and i'm always the local way. Budget.. Well you know how that goes. "Bang for the buck" saying comes in effect. The AI can be outside Negril. Just need a beach. I figured I keep them happy, I'll give mi fren Delroy a ring and go run up in da hills in the community. Bless!
Lutely, definitely agree about the scuba diving. Back in my younger days when the Ex and I were diving as often possible,the AI experience seemed very affordable. The years have gone by and my diving days are over and the Ex speaks for itself! Now I prefer the Non AI experience. However, doesn't SeaStar Inn have an AI Option?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lutely
Yes Seastar will offer an AI package.
So what did they settle on for ya?Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince
Still getting ideas and doing research. I prefer non AI.
This is funny....reading your posts I can tell you are a non AI guy all the way, I guess you are wise though in knowing ' happy wife, happy.....trip! I'm like you, no tourists,, I hang with the local...
and boardies, but then boardies are the same as locals...so there you go. Good Luck!!
IMO, just get me there. I got places to stay! lol- If mi hungry, i'll find sum ting to eat. You know i'll be close to the Red Stripe!!
Merrills II, Looks like the best value on da beach. Going to check out Negrilonestop.com out. What's your opinion?
Nothing at all wrong with Merrill's 2...We travel 4 times per year splitting our time between Coco and Merril's....Check out the reviews-We have always been very happy-cheap enough to still go off the property for some other meals if you want + not feel bad...Clean rooms-well manicured grounds-friendly staff-tight security-good location on the beach with shade-quiet- Definitely not a 5 star AI,but a very good value in our opinion...
My opinion couples swept away the best but the best value is grand pineapple