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Wondering best place to wait on arrival. Two couples arriving Jan 2017 on a Friday. One arriving at 1230 and one at 130. I'm thinking that the 1230 couple (us) will have a quicker time getting through customs and the 130 might be a little slower. Just wondering where we can wait for the other couple. We will be sharing a private transfer.
You can easily wait at the Groovy Grouper just outside the arrivals area...or...if you want to sit in air conditioning and don't have a ton of luggage to lug you can head over to Island Grill in the departure area - it's a bit cheaper to eat and drink at IG...or...you could book Club Mobay.
Hang out by the buses with a cold one, enjoy the sunshine, the other "new" arrivals, listen to the sounds, enjoy the conversation of new Jamaican friend, even if its just likkle bit. and smile mon' "You're in Jamaica!!
Club Mobay would be a good spot to chill with cold beverages and some snacks while you wait for your fiends.
We are staying at the Grand Pineapple (owned by Sandals) I sent an email to see if we can wait in the Sandals lounge or if we can only do that if we pay for transportation thru them.
Do you have a driver lined up ? Have him take the first couple to MargaritaVille right on the ocean in MoBay or the bar on stilts up on the Queens Highway (Hi-Lites Sky Bar) which overlooks the City, or Richmond Hill for a "travel back in time " experience and even grader view of MoBay ............then have the driver go back to the airport and pick up the second couple. You will have a head start on the trip but that is your reward for arriving early.
Or just sit at the bar outside the doors when you leave with your luggage .............. the comings and goings are sooooooo interesting.
I would follow Captain Oil's advice and sit at the bar outside of the arrival doors.
Have a brew and chill.
People watching at it's finest.
But, CaptOil, that place "Richmond Hill" sounds intriguing, never heard about it.
Groovy Grouper!!! It's my favorite place to wait for family/friends to arrive. It's an outdoor covered bar right as you exit the airport. There's so much people watching to do and perfect to chill and sip on a cold one.
The little bar outside is cool, we love to grab a nice cold red stripe, but wow.. the prices are not cheap at all! There was always a girl selling cold beer out of a Barrell type cooler, it was much cheaper then.. I think the Red Stripes at the bar was at least $6.00 US each, and than the conversion..we walked away with $2.00 usd
Markospoon ................ it was the original Jamaican estate of the Dewars Whiskey family in the 1700's ................... the FINEST views in all of MoBay ........ one can spend hours walking around looking at the history, pictures, furniture, architecture, etc....... lots of artifacts from the 1800's ..........and the unbelievable views of the Mobay and the peninsulas on the road to Negril ......... even the views over the walls of the parking lots are super ............. the bar used to have the best Rum Punch in MoBay but we have not been there for a few years so can not vouch for them today.
A little tricky to get to but an knowledgeable driver should be able to find his way ........... At the fountain in the center of the City (Sam Sharpe Square) go to Church Street to Dome Street to Union Street and up a steep winding road. It is one of those places where pictures do not do it justice.
It is on our "to do" list this spring as we have a few "newbies" in the group and we need to break them in with a BANG ! !
http://www.richmondhillinnja.com/
I believe you should do like some others said.
Go outside! Have a drink at Groovy Grouper. Watch the people, have fun. Don´t hide yourself at Club MoBay or the Sandals lounge.
You are in Jamaica, enjoy it!
That is why i suggested Club Mobay,i know we spent a small fortune drinking beers at the Groovy Grouper one year waiting on friends for 2 or 3 hours,plus we people watch our whole vacation so a little quiet time before our party starts is nice!!Quote:
Originally Posted by jomack
I hoping that we only have to wait for an hour or so. If either of us are delayed then we will just take our own transportation.Quote:
Originally Posted by billndonna
Just as others have said I always enjoy drinking cold red stripes just as you exit the airport. As soon as i get off that plane i am in jamaica and never in a hurry to go anywhere except getting out of the airport lol. I can spend the day there people watching, enjoying the sunshine and cold red stripes. I am glad i read this thread cause next trip we are definately going to check out that richmond hill place.
So I'm still on the fence about this. We leave early (545am) in the morning and arrive at MBJ at 1230 and will have probably eaten very little during this time. If we book club Mobay we will have food and drink available but if we wait at one of the bars can you order food?
Mjc...at the airport you can get Tastee (I think it's the Tastee company) patties and other food options right next door to the Groovy Grouper. Or, if you're not ready to acclimate to the heat yet...you can visit Island Grill which is located in the departure area and offers AC, many decent food options & more affordable beer. :D
IF you arrive during ''lunch time'' for airport employees,
you can find/get good GOOOOOD food and non-alcoholic drinks
at the parking lot
across the road
from the arrival and departure entrances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rORhqR4TLQ
/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H48DMtqJ88o
.
.
and you can chill and wait
at the ''spot''
in the video below
.
.
Here's where the taxi drivers and airport workers eat. Fish, chicken, veg, cold drinks, every somthing. The brown table in the foreground of the first picture is a domino table and you don't dare put food or ANY drinks 'pon he
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Great recommendations. One fact based caution. Met a couple on the cliffs last year who were long time visitors, they too were arriving early and waiting for friends on a flight landing after theirs. They met their driver, loaded the van, then went back into the airport to meet their friends. While they along with their driver were chatting it up inside the van in broad daylight was riffled of not only all their luggage and carry ons, but also of their drivers personal belongings. I heard this story before I met them and brought them some goodies to ease their transition as they were still trying to arrange a trip to Sav to shop for replacement luggage and clothes. The police did come and did review video, but nothing I am not aware of anything being recovered. Very unfortunate and I would never of thought the small parking lot adjacent the circle at the airport would be a problem, but common sense says don't leave your stuff.
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamuis
.
ummmmmmmmm
now THAT's **interesting**
....they were allowed to go BACK INTO the airport THRU the ''Arrival''' door...???..
''things'' must have changed, 'cause when i tried doing THAT, i wasn't allowed to re-enter that door [after exiting].... '''security protocol'' was the reason given
This is one of the reasons the airport parking lot should be used. Although not free, there is some security.
I am also concerned that a driver would leave a loaded vehicle there. It is a good walk back to the airport, and no way to keep an eye on the van. Something doesn't make sense here.
Reminded me of song lyrics..."Heard it from a friend who, heard it from a friend who, heard it from another you been messing around."Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamuis
Rob, it was the paid airport lot just across from the arrivals entrance. I was surprised by this and doubt I would leave our gear unattended like that, but now I am sure I will not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
Love thatQuote:
Originally Posted by smith744
Seamuis,
I hope the driver's insurance would have kicked in to help replace the stolen items. That is one of the reasons JUTA, JCal, Maxi, etc have extra coverage above and beyond those limits required by route taxis and even private drivers. The transportation driver's insurance should have made the people you met "whole" again.
And that would explain the video you mentioned. The lot has video surveillance. And it would also explain the big signs in that parking lot, "We are not responsible for items left in vehicles..."
I thought you were talking about the taxi parking adjacent the roundabout circle as you enter the airport. Many drivers park there to avoid using the pay parking lot.
I am also surprised that a airport transfer driver would leave a full vehicle exposed like that. We go to the airport very infrequently but park where we can usually see the car by the arrival entrance. It also makes the walk to the car quicker for everyone lugging luggage. And makes for a quicker exit from the parking lot.
For an experienced transportation driver to have this happen to them still doesnt make sense to me. And why was there no mention of insurance?
Sethin' nuh smell right!
Cap
Rob, While not my driver I am familiar with the driver involved. Short of giving them something to get them by I did not get involved in the business end of their ordeal, I tried to simply remain supportive. I have used several drivers who will park in that paid lot. They will pull out to the curb when I am ready, but I also have no problem walking out there. Is there a permit to pull in the circle? Regardless, just good to be aware this has happened.
deanna, great video.. if I ever get stuck there I will keep it in mind for bones.
-Seamuis
That is one strange story...and I agree with Capt..."Sethin' nuh smell right!"
Seamuis...if the drivers are waiting for quite awhile they'll generally park across the road from the airport (don't want those parking costs to add up)...closer to the actual arrival time of their customer they'll park in the paid parking area directly across from the airport building as it's more convenient for everyone.
It's always good to be reminded to be aware of any potentially criminal situation....also great to be reminded to use a professional Juta, Jcal or Maxi driver as we've now learned we're provided with extra insurance as a passenger through these organizations if something does happen.
Hearsay stories are hard to read about. We don't have all the details and there are a lot more questions than answers.
Counterproductive, in my opinion.
As far as Club mobay, for just an hour, I'd wait because I like the arrivals services. If you aren't a person who likes the other benefits of CMB arrivals, then just wait outside. For $100, you can buy a lot at the restaurant! More than an hour, I'd forego the whole thing and hit the road!
[QUOTE=captaind;182178]Here's where the taxi drivers and airport workers eat. Fish, chicken, veg, cold drinks, every somthing. The brown table in the foreground of the first picture is a domino table and you don't dare put food or ANY drinks 'pon he
Where is this exactly?
LivinInThe603- If the other couple doesn't do CMB we might just do that as at 130 on a Saturday will be way busier then 1230 and it might take them over an hour to get out which means we could be waiting closer to 2 hours if we decide on CMB. I do enjoy there services :).
Problem is these are first time Jamaica travelers and husbands best friends and he wants to wait. For an extra hour it is not worth arguing with the hubby.
[QUOTE=Jamerican71;182250]Doesn't make any difference. Unless you're a red plate or airport employee it's off limitsQuote:
Originally Posted by captaind
Cap
All Pinapple guests can use Sandals lounge - staff there will help you without question. We have stayed at Pinapple several times and use the Sandals lounge. Great place to wait for friends. No problem mon 🇯🇲Quote:
Originally Posted by mjc12771
Did you use private transfer or Sandal transportationQuote:
Originally Posted by EdmontonGuy
My two stays at Grand Pineapple I used the sandals lounge. I assumed it was allowed because I booked sandals transfers. Grand Pineapple guests pay for transfers, as opposed to the free ride sandals and beaches guests are provided with in their all inclusive vacation. In 2014 and 2015 it was $35 pp round trip. I rode with other guests of the sandals and beaches resorts both times.Quote:
Originally Posted by mjc12771
Interestingly enough, my recent stay in June I booked transfer through JUTA, which is appearently in some way associated with Sandals based on my understanding of the conversation I listened to while my CMB rep organize my arrangements for me. That transfer, I also shared a ride with beaches and sandals guests.
In my three trips to Negril, there have never been more than 6 people that I've ridden with. The departure vans have been much fuller and we have always stopped at beaches to fill the bus.
I have had very pleasant experiences using both JUTA and the sandals transfers, as well as CMB lounge and sandals lounge.