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About to book our 8th trip to Negril. We have always stayed on the beach but I've been wanting a new experience. I've looked at Samsara as the price is right (either oceanside cottage or pillar house) but concerned about safety having never stayed there. We are an older couple (65-70) so I am always concerned about being safe & have never felt unsafe beach side. I noticed Samsara didn't list in room safes which concerned me somewhat. Thanks!
SVW
well mi live real close to SamSara and you will enjoy your time there..Quote:
Originally Posted by SVW
be careful walking over to the Chinamon Store and Pablo's etc.....especially at night
plenty drivers across from SamSara to choose from if you don't want to use the route taxis....
bring your snorkel gear as the snorkeling doesn't get any better than right at SamSara....yah mon
make sure you walk over to PeWees to get your breakfast......tuff to beat..
Cool Runnings, Marko
Thanks Marko. Would you have any suggestions as to what side is nicer, garden or cliff side? I generally like watching the sea but the garden pictures look really beautiful & lush.
We stayed there last year and I didn't think I would enjoy being away from the beach but I really enjoyed it. A completely different vibe there. The pillar house rooms seemed to be small. We stayed in one of the rooms with an ocean view and it was perfect. They didn't have a room safe but one was available at the front desk. If you would like to go to the beach they have a free shuttle to their sister resort Legends. No worries about being safe.
As far as a safe goes these are handy.
https://www.amazon.com/Pacsafe-Trave...omesh+pac+safe
We enjoy the oceanview rooms at SamSara ~ you can rent a safe box for $3.00 per day, check at the front desk
West End is the Best End. Watch out for cars but otherwise safe. Been staying out in the West End for over 20 years. Good food, less crowded, Great Sunsets and good snorkeling. Look up my previous thread on stories from the West End and Negril.
I will be in Negril Saturday. I will be staying with a local on top of the one of the hills behind you. Less hussel, very laid back, locals live out there. Lots easier to meet them and talk. That's why I stay out there. My wife and I have been in every parish on the Island except one. We hope to go there this trip. East of Kingston, south of the Blue Mountains in St Thomas parish I believe. Want to go into the Blue Mountains again as well.
Jamaica is at her best in the country side and small villages in the interior. Negril is just part of one of the most beautiful countries I've ever traveled to. Want the trip of a lifetime, hire a driver for a week or more and travel around the entire country. We fell in love with the people and the country. It's funny, I went to Costa Rica last year to visit a friend and who did we hang out with the most. Jamaican's. We mostly ate at their restaurants too!
Really want to do this someday. Finances have been the only thing preventing me so far. Would especially love to see Portland Parish.
Thanks for all the answers so far. Keep them coming as I love to hear your experiences on the west end and/or Samsara.
The sunset view from SamSara is great. The only negative thing about the place is that it has many different levels. Not a lot of steps but one step up one step down, two steps up two steps down. Wouldn't be a problem for most people but I know my sister in law who has a bad knee would have trouble getting around . My wife really enjoyed the pool and it was one of the deepest I have been to in Jamaica. There always seems to be a nice breeze. Snorkeling looks to be great and one day I watched some dolphins swimming around. In the afternoon it's fun watching the party boats passing by heading to Ricks.
I've never stayed at Samsara, but have stayed nearby at Home Sweet Home. We exclusively stay on the cliffs and love it!. In terms of safety, walking on the road would be your biggest concern. Just be careful after dark and take a cab if you are going more than a few properties away from Samasara. As far as crime - the West End is no worse that beach road. Just use the same common sense.
There are several great places within easy walking distance. Pablo's, Pressa's, Pee Wee's and Ciao Jamaica are all places I would have no problem walking to after dark. There are also a couple convenience stores nearby (I believe there is a China Mon across the street and L&M Grocery is across from Pee Wee's).
we always do a beach/cliff stay. our favorite places to eat are on the cliffs. I don't think you could go wrong staying anywhere out there.
To directly answer your question, i would not do the garden side. Having been ti xtabi
To answer your question, i would prefer anything ocean side. Having stayed at xtabi 12 times since 1983, I can tell you that having to cross the street is a danger you should limit if you can. I am 67 now, going to samsara oct 13. No way do i want to expose myself to the traffic. Doing samsara this time only because they provide a shuttle to beach, best of both worlds without the cab fare. Security better because the topography doesnt allow problems which may present themselves at the beach. Cliffs awesomely beautiful, still perfect for older but mobile couples. Pack light, valuables to a minimum, you have got no one there to impress.
No worries crossing the street, Peter's there to assist ~
Home sweet home was a great little place the year that I stayed there.
You may wanna check out catch a falling star. Their feminine rooms are $140 in high season and 95 in the summer. Nice rooms. The Piceos is a nice room also $95. Excellent security.safes in all rooms. The cliffs are awesome. Can't imagine going to negril without staying there.