Something Included...

Hi everyone...It's freezing here & I am planning our next trip to Negril. Last July we stayed at Catcha & it was beautiful and we met some very special people. This next trip though we want to be "more in the mix" and not have to take a taxi every where. So I need your help :) I would like to stay on 7mile but hubby likes to retire where it CAN be quiet so maybe bloody bay? I would like to pay as you go but we like to EAT & DRINK (emphasis on the drink ;) ) so hubby wants AI. Is there somewhere in between? Maybe on the beach & dinner/drinks are included? We have done the Sandals route & as many people have posted - it is not real. Catcha was great b/c we could just charge everything to the room & didn't feel like we had to always have cash. We also made the mistake of not converting our cash to Jamaican $, big mistake but we live and learn. Thank you so much for all of your helpful suggestions! Happy Holidays!

Legends has an AI option, although myself and others have found it to be less than "great" as far as the food/drinks that are included.

I haven't been to Seastar yet, but it has a free shuttle to the beach and they also have AI as an option. The food gets rave reviews.

There are several other hotels along the beach that are Jamaican-owned, or at least "real" as you say (not cookie cutter).

I LOVE Mariners, aka Negril Beach Club. Every room has a fridge. Nice beach bar with a couple other inexpensive beach bars right near it to walk to. You can run to Hi-Lo once and get cases of Stripes for like + or - $30 I think (warm beers cost less BTW, and you have fridge...). It's within walking distance to the roundabout. The Patti vendors start out there, so lunch is like $1.50 LOL

There are ways around AI without breaking the bank...you will get lots of responses here.

Consider Point Village .. private kitchenette condos ..in a beautiful setting ..although still a cab ride to the beach .. can prepare/cook breakfast/lunch ..stock the fridge with cocktails ..then head down the beach ..and leave .. when the mood strikes ..PM me for more details ..rooms very reasonable and secure ..good hunting..still only 400 JA return with red plate taxis ..sweet deal ..

Coco LaPalm or Bar B Barn are good choices on the beach......
a lot of places include breakfast which I know Catcha doesn't any more.....so that will save you some dollars......
if you could spring for Crystal Waters that would really be the ticket........

Bloody Bay is just too far from anything.........plus it's not part of or connected to the main beach

Cool Runnings, Marko

Marko ..no diss respect ..all things are connected ..it's just the view that is different .. I agree AI is the scourge of Negril ..however they introduced many peoples to the joy of Negrils laizzez fare ... to each its own ..and no other holiday place on earth says that better than NEGRIL ...ahhh the joy of it all ...

Quote:

---

we like to EAT & DRINK (emphasis on the drink ) so hubby wants AI. Is there somewhere in between? Maybe on the beach & dinner/drinks are included?

---

yes! check out Grand Pineapple; it's on the Long Bay side and is also A/I -- but in a much more lowkey way than the 'big' A/I resorts at the Bloody Bay end of the beach. beautiful beach location also - busy but not constantly overrun. try doing a search here on the forum, i'm sure i remember some trip reports and comments about it.

imho Legends is not very nice; its smack in the middle of the busiest most crowded part of the beach, their beach area is small and always crowded, restaurant and rooms are ok, but nothing very special, and food is not good.

Thank you all so much for your replies...I just called negril one stop & they also said Charela Inn was very nice. Any thoughts?

Love Charela Inn. We will be there for a wedding in 2 weeks. We have stayed there numerous times and it is my favorite place on the beach. Negril Treehouse is also nice and comes with a free breakfast buffet but it's not as quiet as Charela and Charela has more and better beach front.

if you're into bang for your buck, RIU on Bloody Bay might not be out of the questions -- it's the same 100j cab fare to the main strip no matter how far down the beach road, and you have the combo of faux 5-star luxury with unlimited drinks plus a nice room.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gerryg123

if you're into bang for your buck, RIU on Bloody Bay might not be out of the questions -- it's the same 100j cab fare to the main strip no matter how far down the beach road, and you have the combo of faux 5-star luxury with unlimited drinks plus a nice room.

---

Emphasis on faux!

i go by the apple ratings, lol ....

I think you would like Grand Pineapple, great food & drinks, nice large beach. And if you want it where you can get a good nights sleep, you can stay at their rooms across the road from the beach where it's very peaceful. It's A/I & the food & drinks are all good. Check it out, I think it will be just what you are looking for. And the security & crossing guards are the best.

Can't beat the 'Pineapple!!

I agree with Grand Pineapple it is a nice small AI ,when its on speacial its a gret deal.

http://hidden-paradise.com/

All-Inclusive *
$105 $185 $260 $335 $95 $155 $215 $275
* Includes Full Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (shellfish/lobster not included) and
all local drinks at Pool and Beach bar from 10am - 10pm daily

All-Inclusive cannot be combined with winter or summer special offer.
Children 4- 11 years old sharing room with parents $25 per night extra.
Meals are served from the menu.

I love this board, everyone has wonderful ideas. We are going for the Grand Pineapple but I have a few more questions...do they have refrigerators inthe room? Can we get room service (if the previous night goes right, lol!) if we aren't feeling up to getting out of our room in the morning? And just generally, what else do you guys think I should know. I was reading Clarity & Hubby-Man's post & saw the pics from Catcha, boy did they bring back such great memories. I love that place & boy did they fix a mean rum punch, i was feeling good from the monent we got there to the moment we left. Gotta go say hi when we visit this time.

We are also staying at the Grand Pineapple...my husband really prefers the AI option! He doesn't like to worry about that kind of stuff on vacation.

The Grand Pineapple does not have refrigerators or room service.

I think Grand Pineapple is all buffet meals so doubt they have room service.... think I read you can rent a fridge for a reasonable fee.

No room service. No a la carte dining. No fridge in room. No food outside of set buffet times. A good choice though, when the price is right. Its not a real AI, its more like a beach hotel with buffets and booze included. Very low key, laid back and chill.

Okay, so maybe GP is not what we're booking, lol! I kinda want those things...fridge, room service (if hungova!) and maybe one place to eat, other than buffet, for an AI. Is there some b/w GP & a couples or Riu?

I think the least expensive AI with ala carte dining is RIU ClubHotel. That is on Bloody Bay, not 7 Mile Beach though...

Couples is WAAAAAY above RIU in quality and price!

And, I don't think there is an AI between GP and RIU...YMMV

As far as room service: 9/10 places you can ask your security guard, room cleaner, any hotel staff to get you some food from the on-site kitchen, or, even go grab some jerk from a roadside barrelmon. haha

I'd worry more about your desire for a fridge, being near the beach, and the 'atmosphere.' Also sounds like you guys might be happy to have a private veranda...good spot for nursing the hangovers.

Just my two cents.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RockRobster

And, I don't think there is an AI between GP and RIU...YMMV

---

SeaWinds offers AI and so does Fun Holiday........
I like the Fun Holiday location the best..... it's across from the Jungle.......lol

Cool Runnings, Marko

We spent some time at Seawind when last in Negril and they had good food and nice staff. Rayon also offers AI now, if you don't mind being across the street.

I love SeaWind resort on 7 mile beach. You have option for AI with variety food and drink. I love their food so much. Real jamaican food and some pasta and sandwitch and seafood and everything. Price is not too bad neither. One thing is that you cannot book over internet. You need to call or stop by and check this place:)

Ohhh I want to stay there for my vacation:o