http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lates...reys-in-Negril
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I am sad to hear that
Very sad.
There will be no doubt a lot of talk about "devastating" and "ruining" Negril and the surrounding areas, but as anyone who has been paying attention to the development over the years, the "4 storey" line has been flirted with already in Negril. While I may not want to see properties that are 4 storeys, I am personally glad the new Development Order, which will now permit a maximum of four storeys for buildings, not exceeding a height of 50 metres has added an actual maximum height and maximum storeys so there is no question or room for "skirting" the previous rules.
This may also create a need for elevators, which will allow those with mobility issues to enjoy the beautiful views that the single extra storey will allow. We may even see some 4th floor rooftop restaurants which can be very romantic at night.
Negril was once a place you had to camp on the beach in a tent or find a family in Red Ground or the West End who would rent you a bed, there were no hotels. But the 1970's are long over and as with anything, change is inevitable. Change occurred when the first hotels were built to meet the needs of the traveler who didnt want to camp in a tent or stay in someone's home. I am sure that many of you welcome the fact there are a choice of hotels now.
Like the addition of sidewalks and traffic lights, Negril, by adding a single storey and setting a maximum height, is moving forward to supply the wants and needs of Negril future visitors.
I don't think we have to worry about it turning into a Cancun..at least there are specific rules now
The specific height rule is what is what will keep it from getting out of line and glad to see it implemented. Also great is the NON-Change of the high water setback provision, eliminating future encroachment. Negril will continue to evolve and it makes me happy to see it is being done in a responsible manner. Now, if the Breakwater project was being eliminated, I'd be ecstatic.
so sad... it will never be the same paradise we fell in love with....
Might one think this is pursuant to a request from developers of the Grand Lido site?
All things change.
I think we all can agree that the 7-mile beach and Negril are probably the most valued areas for tourism in all of Jamaica. Putting a strict limit on height and setback requirements do just as much good to keep big money foreigners out as it does to entice Jamaican property owners to develop their properties.
Everyone that is waxing nostalgic about the "Negril of yesterday" and the "Negril they fell in love with" just have to accept the inevitable development as a natural progression of Jamaica's march into the future. You are certainly not going to see more (as Rob wrote)But you may still see updated favorites like CCLP, Nirvana, Whistling Bird, etc. now having more rooms available and more with great views at the same time.Quote:
Negril was once a place you had to camp on the beach in a tent or find a family in Red Ground or the West End who would rent you a bed, there were no hotels.
Once the playing field is leveled a bit then (I would hope) Jamaican property owners will step up to the plate and develop alternative properties to RIU, Sandals, and the next Mega-Golopies.
Just my opinion.
Yes change is inevitable but I wish I knew of a place like Negril before mtv.
I have not been to Negril as long or as many times as some people..but I have been coming there for 25 years and over 30 times..and I think the quality and cleanliness of the beach is still remarkably good..the perfect weather has never changed..and the kindness of the Jamaican people is as good as ever...maybe I am clueless..but I love Negril as much as I did back then..no..even better..not sure where the negativity is coming from..but hey..I am coming back for more punishment..lol
Somebody tell me where the beach in a resort area is the same as it was 30 years ago?
All I know is now I have running water, electric, telephone and data out in the hills. That makes me proud of my adopted country.
Ya'll want to back to tents on the beach and Miss Mary in Red Ground?
Development should have stopped right after you got here..... right?
Be here now
Cap
Just saw this...
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lates...sgill-proposal
"The Negril Chamber of Commerce called for a moratorium to be placed immediately on all large-scale developments until the necessary infrastructure is put into place."
Cant agree enough! This is common sense reasoning. Even humans have to crawl before they can walk, and walk before they can run....
Rob, not being familiar with your government, what power does the Chamber of Commerce have? Can it overule the original ok? Is it just an advisory board?
The Negril Chamber of Commerce is the same as any Chamber any where, a group of independent businesses, that have meetings and let their feelings known to the press and government. As far as I know, there are no "chambers" any where that are part of any government. I think that might be a part of the definition of a Chamber of Commerce....
Thanks for the explanation, Rob.
Stay right here cause these are the good old days
If it makes y'all feel any better, the govt. at my "other" favorite beach, Grace Bay on Providenciales, has just increased the max from 7 stories to 12 stories. Used to be 3, then 5, then 7. So it could be worse!
love it! thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by original spanky
At least this thread is still open for discussion, any mention of this on TA has been shut down.
TripAdvisor sucks. I never go to that place anymore, it's just a big glorified ad really. No negative discussion allowed.
Keeping it real on Negril.com.... Yah mon!
Bet on it. Don't know if the rabble about a 10 story development was ever legit, due to the Aerodrome being directly across the road. Frankly, I'm surprised the new restrictions were allowed because of this.Quote:
Originally Posted by jon c.
Hey Chris, not to get off topic but if I"m not mistaken you were doing your first non a/i and swept away trip. As a fellow fan of CSA I was wondering what your thoughts were. And as far as the lifting of restrictions...time will tell if it was a huge mistake. I hope not.
Had a great time! While Swept Away was wonderful as always, we had our best meals "out there", most notably at Tree House. The vibe on the beach was probably more mellow, but the wandering musicians were more over on the AI's, knowing where the bigger tips were, no doubt.Quote:
Originally Posted by shell
As we assumed going in, it's not fair to compare a beach hotel to Swept Away, or vice versa. They're not comparable in mission, scale or price. We'll certainly go back to the beach hotels, and we'll still go back to Swept Away.
If you haven't experienced the non-AI concept, I'd recommend dipping in with a split stay of some kind on your next reach, going to a beach hotel first as we did. That way, if you're not satisfied with the experience, you'll at least have the AI to look forward to. For us, it was nice to look forward to getting together with some old friends at Swept Away for the second half of our vaca.
Glad you enjoyed both Chris. We always do a split between a/I and swept away. Usually cliffs but have stayed at a number of beach spots too. We're actually headed to Tensing Pen tomorrow for a few days then to CSA. I was curious to see if you ended up feeling like we do..which it sounds like you might.
We enjoy the first part of our trips, and would feel we missed out on a big part of our trip if we just stayed"on campus" but always happy to walk into the lobby at Swept Away! :)
This actually seems like a good compromise. It sets clearly defined laws that aren't debatable. It allows for some growth but should limit it enough to not entice mega-resorts to go on a buying spree. There's no going back to "the good old days". The cat is out of the bag. More and more visitors are likely to come just as we did. As in any free market, supply and demand dictate cost. As hotels start booking more guests and rooms become harder to get, the cost to get a room will increase (the higher the demand the higher the cost). If hotels are allowed to accommodate more guests this increases supply and helps keep room costs down.
i wonder who would like to stay in a four storey building in Negril? Would there be elevators in each building, and if so, wouldn't it get old very quickly to ride the elevator to hit the beach or buffet? (or alternately climb up and down three flights of stairs). Luxury and a four storey building just doesn't work for me for a Negril beach vacation. Maybe the four storey building concept is a potential white elephant in the making???
In my opinion, Negril's environment is fragile and cannot support any more large construction projects. Renovate and upgrade the existing stock of rooms. If Negril becomes little Miami, or little Cancun I must move on to less crowded, less commercial pastures.
I believe it was the Grand Lido that was first to push the boundaries of the 3 story high regulation and the water edge set back. They have plans to build 4 stories for their new hotel complex on Bloody Bay and also plan on building cottages on stilts about 20 meters off shore. I understand the hotel was to close at the end of April and all the existing buildings are all to be torn down. Can anybody confirm that the Grand Lido is now closed and destruction is taking place? We own a suite at The Point Village so we have a vested interest in this project. All of the suites on the north side of The Point Village that used to enjoy a fantastic view of Bloody Bay, will now have the back of a four story hotel to look at.
Yes, demo has started as reported by current guests on the Couples Negril Facebook page. Large pieces of equipment arrived today for demolition. It is expected to last until fall 2016.
Wouldn't you think the ballers with the dush would,clean up,finish, some of the projects already started? Negril doesn't need any more new hotels,invest in what's there. So many places need just a touch up. I'm just saying. I'm blessed to have family,who has a place for me Anytime.
One-lag,
The property in mention is not a new hotel, but an original high end property that is in need of a "touching up".
While many are not enthralled with the project in question, it's a bit of a reach to say that it will put additional stress on an already fragile system. Add to this the fact that it will be just as invisible to those who visit Long Bay and the Cliffs as that property has always been, shielded by Rutland Point. I'm not familiar with the evolving design, or how many rooms it will eventually consist of, but it certainly won't, and can't be a high rise like those found at Miami and Cancun due to the property's proximity to the Aerodrome.Quote:
Originally Posted by goldilocks
Those with property interests at Point Village have far more to be concerned about.
It's not a reach at all. The sewage treatment facilities in Negril are already overloaded as it is. Adding more gross (pun intended) tonnage only adds to the problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris B
This is not true. The Negril Water Treatment plant is not overloaded as of the article dated June 2014:Quote:
Originally Posted by TAH
"The NWC has recently completed comprehensive sewerage systems for Ocho Rios (St. Ann) and Negril (Westmoreland) to meet the increasing need for sewerage services in these areas. Similarly, the Montego Bay system in St. James has been upgraded and expanded to meet the long-term requirements for sewerage in the second city."
"Regarding media articles the NWC has been berated for “inadequate management of its sewerage portfolio” without acknowledging the positive performances of the Commission in locations where the evidence speaks for itself. We are sure that the citizens of Montego Bay, Negril , Ocho Rios and Greater Portmore in particular, are gratified at the contribution made by the Commission in the improvement of their community. It is most unfortunate that the said reports do not take note of the more than $3 billion recently spent on sewerage systems in these areas, representing the single largest sum of money ever spent at any one time on sewerage infrastructure in Jamaica’s history."
http://www.nwcjamaica.com/SEWRAGE_TREATMENTPLANT.asp
The last upgrade was completed in 2012. There is a new upgrade being done at present and Dr. Wykeham McNeil is concerned that it will not make the December 2015 deadline. The hotel construction being proposed will not be done until late 2016 if it meets its deadline.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/n...r-sewage-plant
Thank-you Rob for bringing the Facts to the table. Although it appears many prefer Negril not to change, that is not an option. The fact is I believe all of Jamaica will see an increase in visitors, especially from the Eastern US. I have been researching alternative options for a trip later this year and not having an overabundance of time to get away, Jamaica/Negril is clearly the best option. I would like to try Ambergris Cay in Belize, Roatan in Honduras or the San Blas Islands in Panama but based on flight options, they are not really an option for me, nor are the Out Islands of the Bahamas (as many places close for Aug/Sept) It's not the money, it's the flight times, transfers and layovers that limit me for a 6-7 night trip. On the other hand, flights to MBJ from Metro DC/Baltimore are readily available and cheap. I can leave BWI at 9am and be in Negril for Lunch and on the last day, have a leisurely breakfast, go to MBJ and be home for dinner . Most other locales are not that that accessible. So enjoy what you can, while you can or embrace the change. As someone wrote earlier "These are the Good Ole Days" See Ya soon
Bingo! This is a big factor in why we keep returning to Jamaica. Even from PHL, its hard to beat the relatively inexpensive cost and the fast, direct flights. The other factor, of course, is the culture and vibe that you can't find anywhere else.Quote:
Originally Posted by Packrat
BTW Packrat, we visited the Out Islands and you're not missing much. Spent a week in a cottage on Elbow Cay and found that place lacked any real culture as the locals were either expats or decedents of British loyalists that left the US after we won the Revolution. Hope Town is pretty unique but you can get bored pretty quickly if you don't own/rent a boat to travel to other islands. Also it's pretty expensive (airfare is ~$800).