My wife and our friends are are wanting AI, so I got out voted. :( I like the local owned hotels,IMO
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My wife and our friends are are wanting AI, so I got out voted. :( I like the local owned hotels,IMO
Me?? I would consider new friends and a divorce! (just kidding)Quote:
Originally Posted by Vince
Sorry. Can't help. Never went A.I. before. Good luck and I hope you get something you like.
:congratulatory: I agree, I'm more of the local vibe person. I don't want to be in the "trapped walls"!! IMOQuote:
Originally Posted by Accompong
Vince, can you please provide some insight as to why they are focused on an AI?
Back in the early 90's, my ex and I preferred the AI's because they included scuba diving and unlimited beverages.
After my divorce, I preferred the non-AI's to get closer to Jamaica.
When my GF and her kids wanted to try Jamaica, we choose Coco La Palm. They didn't want to go to a large resort, but also wanted some creature comforts and to be on the beach.
If there concern is safety, I felt most safe at either Sea Star Inn or Coco La Palm.
As much as I liked the Sandals and Couples resorts for all the amenities they offered, Security wasn't one of their better services. It may seem like safety in numbers, but in actuality, that was not the case.
Enjoy,
VVHT
Oh we have been several times before to Jamaica. I prefer drinking beer & eating with local's. Safety not a concern. I know what to look for and not go where i do or do not belong. IMO. I just got out voted, by our guest. But i'll drag them out to see the beauty of Jamaica has to offer.
I dont know when you are going but the Riu Palace has rooms for 150 which is a great deal. Its a very nice property with great service
CSA has everything included, everything, Booze excellent food sunset catamaran cruise diving they even set up a full bar in your room but your never more than a few steps from an open bar .
Used to go AI but not for 20 years now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Taz
Wait, they set up a bar in your room? Hmm. What is CSA?
Vince - let them do AI and you do local :congratulatory: Seriously, I have never done AI and I go alone all the time. I love my local hotel and staff and wandering for food. There are so many great places to see and eat.
Oh, no matter which you choose, PLEASE post photos. I prefer them to long, drawn out written reports.
Couples Swept Away , and I do mean everything is included
We usually stay at Rhodes, but it's went down hill. We stayed at Seashore Bay the last week they was in operation. That place was cool. I don't need the AI treatment. I just want t o go with the flow type person. But again, Vote was 3 to 1. So I raised my other arm, they said that did'nt count. Damn! lol
Vince my suggestion would be don’t go to CSA because your wife would never agree to stay anywhere else ever again . Do a Rio or a mega mart AI , maybe try grand pineapple. CSA is owned by a Jamaican family and they live in Negril .
It always makes me laugh when someone asks for recommendations for an AI and a bunch of people give their opinion that admit they have never been to an AI before. These answers don't help the original poster.
"Set up a full bar" in the CSA context means that each room includes bottles of liquor and a fridge with water, beer and mixers. It's been a while, but I think it was rum, gin, vodka and whiskey. There might have been house wine too. You fill out a request list to stock or replenish what you want. None of it is top shelf. For that, you'll need to visit one of the bars.
Well I've stayed at the Rui and Grand Pineapple in the past. You've made no mention of budget. If the sky's the limit, then a Sandals or Couples swept away are probably your best bet (Couples is at least closer to venues like the Yard Beach house and Tree House). If there are budget concerns then the Rui tropical (don't do the Rui club cause it's beach isn't that good with a muddy feel to it and there aren't any 'adult only' zones) is your best bang for your buck (it has the multiple restaurants, bars and pools) if you don't mind having to take a cab to show Jamaica off to your friends. The Grand Pineapple is right next door to Alfreds (and close to other venues like Roots) but only has one bar and one restaurant (but you get more of the boutique hotel vibe there).
Sunset at the Palms, Outstanding Property and very chill
IMO, I'd lean towards Grand Pineapple. Cause i can venture off wile they stay in the walls. lol
When I was single I stayed at Grand Pineapple with my two sons. It was perfect for us! My wife and I have been looking at CSA. It looks like a very nice AI that we hope to try soon.
We like Grand Pineapple because the cottages are really cute with a nice patio or balcony space. The buffet gets tiresome but then the price is right enough that you can go eat other places if you want without breaking the bank. Plus it's a really nice piece of beach.
When we first started coming to Negril we did the non al then we had friends wanted to go to the al swept away nice but not what I wanted so last trip in feb, I talk the group into coco and they love it, long story short not gong back to the al!!
At CSA I snorkel every day , sometimes I’ll go in the afternoon too, Sea Grapes for the best open grill on the beach snapper tacos for lunch, sail All afternoon and wake up call is a nice Jamaican knocking at my door at my preferred time with a pot of coffee and some pastry, then we go to breakfast.
We've tried AI and NI, but it surely depends upon how much you want to spend. When going to non-inclusive hotels, we tend to spend quite a bit of money. We don't just stay at our hotel, we travel around and enjoy. I think we spend quite a bit more than we would like to. The AI for us in Negril can be a little pricey, so we haven't been able to check them all out. What we do enjoy about AI is the fact that you will have many food options, and if you don't like what you put on your plate, there is more to choose from. You really shouldn't be disappointed with choosing AI or NI. Even when we do the AI, we still go out and enjoy and eat and drink elsewhere. Read reviews and look at the photos and see what might appeal to you.
We've been to the Grand Pineapple the last 3 years in a row, this years trip was unfortunately canceled for June. BUT, we love it there, we can sit back and get our drinks filled and leave the resort for a few hours and then come back for some food or eat while we're out. Whatever we want. It's nice for us to know that when we are at the hotel we don't have to think about spending money except for tipping. Helps us budget a little . But we spend a lot of time (and money haha) off the property walking the beach eating and drinking. Mostly drinking.... I think it's a great location for everything.
:eagerness:
Sophie2012 that is exactly why we like it there too. Always been treated nice & it doesn't break the bank. And Courtney the carver is great to talk to & has made us some pretty nice things over the years. Love the Pineapple. Also, Opal next door gives great massages! :)
Haha, just do Coco La Palm! Charge everything to the room and it will feel all inclusive. Still will be a lot more reasonable than the high end AI resorts and you will get the best of both worlds without being locked down in one place! Another resort offering AI plans is Charela Inn, lovely place too!
I get a good laugh , lol , when people say that they would be locked down on a resort. Yes people that’s why we go to CSA every year , not for the value but for the lock down . Over the years we have never missed a trip with lambert on the one love, we have Negril friends that take us to many dinner spots and on many excursions around the island . How many of you know dedicated farmers in orange hill ? Locked down my donkeys butt . LOL
when we do stay at CSA we will split the trip. first day or two we wear it out (flaming Bob Marleys) both with drink and food. by the 3rd day its what am i going to drink today, i think I've had snuff. my opinion 4 or 5 days in an all inclusive is plenty. now the grand pineapple is a different story. its inexpensive to the point if you have breakfast and lunch but go elsewhere for evenings you dont feel you are wasting money. of course the Grand Pineapple is not the quality of CSA but a great value
His name is LenbertQuote:
Originally Posted by Taz
Thank you , my mistake, my wife already corrected me also , Lenbert
Actually, if you stay at the Grand Pineapple for a week in Jan, it'll cost you $2200 to stay in their beach side cottage with all the food and drink you want for 2 adults. Coco will charge you $1700 for just their deluxe room (equivalent in amenities to the GP cottage) and Charella will charge you $1800 for just their deluxe room. So GP seems to be the better deal when you consider that 2 adults will easily spend $1000-$1500 in food and drink for a week (depending on their preferred dining experiences and 'party level'). Only if the people staying at GP are big wanderers, day and night for food and drink, would GP be a bad deal (which doesn't seem the case with the group that Vince is describing).Quote:
Originally Posted by Reggae_Girl98
I'm a diver and me and my wife use the water sports daily so Couples Swept Away. Otherwise it's Coco.