Need advice quick - Freaking out over recent Negril Escape review on T.A.

We are booked into Back to Africa at Negril Escape. We stayed at Treehouse & Catcha last year. Wife loved Catcha and the quite of the cliffs but the Gemini we wanted was booked and at the time did not want to pony up the extra for one of the new suites.
I just read a new review on T.A. that scared the bejezuz out of me regarding N.E. and am considering a different hotel. I see the Westender which Sweetness loved so much has Oceanside deluxe #7 available during our time frame and also the Dolphin Suite. #7 is more my price range but would consider Dolphin if it is worth it. Westender is a little further away from things than I like but it is right up the wifes alley.
Any input on these two rooms ? Looking for an ocean view with A.C. and T.V.
Any hotel other suggestions? We would be lucky to find one that meets the criteria at this late date.

Part 2 - Should I be this freaked out about the review? The conditions this reviewer described and the photos have me worried.

Steve

I've never stayed there but a friend did a few years back. It definitely isn't in the same class with Treehouse & Catcha from what I understand. Most of the complaints, like no coffee maker, no luggage rack etc. show that this traveller is used to staying somewhere much more posh, I laughed at alot of them ;) The only concerns I would have are leaking roofs & lack of hot water...that would suck. Soooo, the comfort level is under what you're used to, I'd check out some other properties!

Westender is lovely but it is OUT THERE. Not just a "little further" out of town - a lot further. Now, they do have vans that shuttle their guests into town and the beach I believe. If you want isolation and quiet you might consider that.

There are so many cliff properties. As stated, for what you are used to and like you might want to look at Rockhouse, Tensing Pen even Xtabi's Sea Front cabins.

Negril Escape is a nice property in a great location but is definitely nothing fancy.

I don't know about Negril Escape, BUT you can not go wrong staying at the Westender. Class operation all the way! It's further out, but I think that is part of the charm. Everything is only a cab ride away.

Morning - just saw your post. Loved the Westender and although far west, Jermaine is available to carry you anywhere you want to go at any time night or day for a very reasonable rate. SO I popped into webcasts and hung out at the beach, etc. when I wanted to. Dolphin is beautiful but no balcony in that suite so that is a deal breaker for me. Not sure which #7 is but if its facing the sea with a balcony those rooms have amazing views. Standard nice accomodations in those rooms. The Cactus and Almond and Penthouse gardenside (my room) are comparable to Catcha. I would also recommend Tensing Pen (breakfast included) for an upscale resort on West end. I have always wanted to try Banana Shout but not sure if they have AC (this time of year though you shouldn't need it on the cliffs). If you can afford Catcha it is in my opinion the best place to stay on the cliffs (Rockhouse, Caves and Villa Sur Mer out of my range lol).

I always take reviews with a grain of salt. I prefer to get a boardie's recommendation. I did not enjoy staying at Negril Escape but I can't really explain why so I am not much help there. Keep asking questions, then look for deals and always call personally and negotiate a good rate is my advice. Good luck - enjoy your reach.

Call Catcha and see if they can work out something for you - there is not a bad room on the property.

Thanks to all for the opinions. I'm sure my wife would love the Westender. I like to walk around and check places out. I prefered the beach and she prefered the Cliffs. I picked N.E. because it was close enough to walk to many of the places I wanted to check out like DaBar and others. It had a fridge I could stock with drinks, left overs, etc... and the view looked great. I do not need fancy but leaky roof, hot water, and the bugs are a no go. I want this to be a great experience for both of us but her in particular. She just got word she is loosing her job after 35 years there. She is getting some sort of severance. We don't know the details yet but it is not looking like anything great and they have no pension.
This may be our last trip. I hope not:( Her must haves are A.C, at the top of the list. (She is still battling those hot flashes). T.V., room for her make up stuff, balcony prefferably ocean / sunset view. On site restaurant would be preferable. Don't plan to eat every meal there but it would be nice if available.
Nice to have fridge, microwave, coffee maker. I am sure at this late date I'll be lucky to find what I want.
Well anyway I've been web surfing and will be looking into some of the place you mentioned. Xtabi, Rockhouse, Sunset on the cliffs, Westender ( Too far out for me).
I think Brasi of Gerry G stayed at Sunset on the Cliffs but said they would not be returning but did not say why. Right now Sunset looks good and is close to other places. Any input would be appreciated. I plan to swicth A.S.A.P.
Thank You
Steve

Xtabi I'm not sure if it has AC, but i will vouch for Westender Inn -- that place is amazing .... Sunset on the Cliffs is nice but a bit rustic plus major security issues. Sometimes, there is no security at all out front at night .... Also, there was an issue of theft from one of the rooms ....

Thanks gerryg - sunset is out. Betty is on her laptop right now watching videos from Westender, I keep hearing her say this looks nice, what a pretty view, etc... LOL I think the search might be over .
Also found Home Sweet Home. Any quick feed back?

Steve

O.K. I knew it was over when I heard her remarks while watching some videos of the Westender. We have booked an oceanfront deluxe for 9 nites.
Thanks all for listening and advising
Steve

Great choice. Bon fires at night, music, and tranquility.

The last few years we stayed at the Westender for at least a week each time and stayed in the Second floor corner room with a balcony in the new building - can't remember if its called the Almond Suite...It is fantastic...no better views in my opinion! It is sooo private but open and nice furniture (read actually comfortable) Big couch and a chair or two in the room and a kitchenette...we asked for a hot plate last time. I loved staying out there but I understand the dilemma of not walking to see other action. But it is so easy to be dropped off anywhere you want and walk all day if you want. You might not feel you are part of the "action" out at the Westender but it has a sweet vibe and you don't feel like you are in the middle of the tourism machine. The other aspect is meals. Part of the fun is checking out a variety of places. We used to go in town every day usually and check out lunch places and then head home bringing some snacks or planning on eating at the Westender. It's a great place, at least it was for us.

Stayed in back 2 Africa last November, I enjoyed it very much.. It had hot water, but it is the last buildingin line so it took like 5 min to start running hot.. I just started the water a while before I got in.. Problem solved.. I liked the house keepers and even face book friended one.. Now I haven't read that review, but I have stayed there 2 times in the last 2 years. It isn't the ritz, but I love it there

I for one think you made a mistake, you can't beat te location, or balocony views of the escape..walk out of te gate and your where u wanna be.. Good luck though

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Originally Posted by jasperpso

I for one think you made a mistake, you can't beat te location, or balocony views of the escape..walk out of te gate and your where u wanna be.. Good luck though

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Jason I know when I was asking about N.E back in the spring you gave it a thumbs up. I expect you are still right. After discussing it with Bet and going over reviews and recommendations for both she thought she would be happier at Westender. Her ideal vacation is relaxing on the deck or under an umbrella reading a book in beautifull surroundings. I am more active and like to explore. I'll either have a lot further to walk to explore or will have to take a shuttle. Maybe I should take a page out of gerryg's play book and get a scooter :eek: I hope to get a chance to check out N.E. myself on one of my walk abouts.

I have learned through experience not to take all reviews to heart. We all have different measures.

Take all reviews with a grain of sand and a shot of rum! That TA review was from nitpicker who wasn't going to enjoy and chill no matter what. It didnt have a coffeemaker.....waaaaahhhh. And the only pick he posted were clearly sand flea bites! LMAO!

I understand your SO's desire to be on the cliffs and just chill, and since it may be her/your last JA reach for a while, you should "go for it". Westender is a very good choice for what your wife wants. I expect it was significantly more$$$$ than NE, though....anyway, you will have fun, just get your cliff swerve on and you;ll be fine.....

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Originally Posted by RockRobster

Take all reviews with a grain of sand and a shot of rum! That TA review was from nitpicker who wasn't going to enjoy and chill no matter what. It didnt have a coffeemaker.....waaaaahhhh. And the only pick he posted were clearly sand flea bites! LMAO!

I understand your SO's desire to be on the cliffs and just chill, and since it may be her/your last JA reach for a while, you should "go for it". Westender is a very good choice for what your wife wants. I expect it was significantly more$$$$ than NE, though....anyway, you will have fun, just get your cliff swerve on and you;ll be fine.....

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This trip more than the others will be for her relaxation. She is a bit stressed out with the job situation. I'm not going to go into all the details but her boss(s) are not handling it properly.
Actually the cost per night is a bit less. The wonderfull person I talked to at Westender offered us a bit of a discount. I do expect the trip in general to cost a bit more as breakfast is not included and extra cab fare or scooter rental.

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Originally Posted by gerryg123

Xtabi I'm not sure if it has AC, but i will vouch for Westender Inn -- that place is amazing .... Sunset on the Cliffs is nice but a bit rustic plus major security issues. Sometimes, there is no security at all out front at night .... Also, there was an issue of theft from one of the rooms ....

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No security out front all night? FFS. Never staying there.

Xtabi cliff huts do not have a/c nor tv nor telephone.

"Xtabi cliff huts do not have a/c nor tv nor telephone. "
Sounds so ideal for me at least!

Has anyone stayed at Mom's place,by the bar-b-bar?We have it booked for couple days in feb.Looks rustic which is fine.Just looking for second opinions. Thanks everybody. Soon come:cool::cool:

Westender is a great property. Their Jamaica shaped pool is quite unique. I met the owner, Dan, years ago... a great guy. His manager runs a great operation. I viewed the new rooms when they were being built. The older rooms are also peaceful & private. This is a great choice if you are looking for an intimate, quiet vacation. If I were doing a West End trip w/ someone special, this would be one of my top picks.

RockRobster said it best, Take all reviews with a grain of sand and a shot of rum! I stayed at Negril Escape a few years back. I will also be staying there next month. I love the place! I also looked at the Trip Advisor review. My feeling is that these were a bunch of spoiled kids (yes kids. Look at their pics) who would have been better off staying at an AI. Their comments showed they were not very seasoned travelers. Enjoy your stay where ever you stay. Life is short and there's no guarantee you will ever be back again.:)

I too read the Negril Escape review and wouldn't put too much stock in it. OTOH, if you're expecting anything near American hotel amenities, you'd be really disappointed. Water pressure was almost non-existent when we were there, but they quickly managed to get it up to enough of a stream that you could comfortably wash. That was good for us, but for someone who wouldn't be happy without an actual spray, it would have been woefully deficient. That's sort of the difference in a nutshell. NE is pretty rough around the edges, but it's a beautiful setting, the people are friendly and it's a close walk to a lot of west end favorites.

I gather the OP has already decided on Westender, which is a place I'd like to try myself. But I wanted to add a few reassuring words about Negril Escape as we did really enjoy our stay there.

Some people just like to travel to exotic places, meet exotic people and then complain about them. I especially like when they then go on to complain about things that are truely even beyond 1st world problems. The line I like best on TA is when they say "it looks nothing like the pictures"...REALLY! Heck I learned not believe everything I see in advertising when I realized action figures didn't really move on their own like they did in the commercials.

If you enjoy walking around, Westender is actually a better choice in many ways. There is far, far less traffic out there, so walking along the road is a lot nicer than it is from NE or anywhere on the cliffs east of Rick's.

You can walk to Jackie's on the reef, and if you like a bit of exercise, Out of Town Pastry is just about 3k away. There's been some development in that area, Moondance, Hide Awhile, Tingalaya's there...I think walking in that area is quite nice. If you must explore far, rent a scooter. It's a scooter friendly area out there.

I appreciate all the feed back . This is the best place for honest opinions and advice. I am sure I would have been happy at N.E. My wife requirements are a bit more than mine. They may have been sufficient and maybe not. Right or wrong I made the decision to change. I know from what I have read here and other places Betty will be happier at Westender.
Liz I have been thinking about renting a scooter or bicycle and have been doing a bit of research about scooters, bikes, and route taxis out that way, and preparing to ask some questions. I see someone earlier had asked about bicycle rentals so I'll see what responses come from that and go from there.
Her plans are to kick back, relax, and do some reading. My plans are see where her plans lead us, do some exploring, and play golf. I have a feeling we will get out a couple times together to some places local like Canoe, DeBar, Xtabi, LTU, etc. and at least one day trip to something like Black River, YS, Pelican.
Thanks for all the help
Steve

A bicycle would be great too, it's pretty flat around there. I am SURE you won't be the first Westender guest to want a vehicle of some kind, I'd ask them what other guests do. I'd guess Tyke's is the closest place to get a a scooter. (I've only ever been to the WE on a scooter, I stop in there every time I rent one. I love riding in that area)

If you haven't seen this map, it will show you some of the stuff in the Westender area:

http://www.travelsinjamaica.com/p/ne...verything.html

Hey LLAP,
You bringing your own clubs? Also have read that you also want to bring your own balls as they are quite pricey at the course....

booger, I always bring my own clubs. I roll up my clothes and stuf them around my clubs in my carrier and use that and a carry on as my suitcase. I also bring a dozen balls. What I don't lose I leave with the caddies.

Thanks Liz, I have seen the map. I have been reading about places others have visited and have been marking the location of the ones I would like to visit on the map.
I has been a great tool. Many thanks to you and the other members of the team that put it together.

LLAP, I hope you stop by Negril Escape and give it a once over while you're on the cliffs. Maybe your next reach you will want to give it a try. Enjoy!

A shout out to LLAP and Betty.....So happy to hear you are traveling back to Negril. I'm sure you will be happy no matter where you are. Sounds like this will be the perfect place for Betty. You are a real sweetheart to your wife. Sorry to hear about the job....but when one door closes, another one opens....have a rum punch for me and Jerry.....maybe one of these days we'll run into you again....please make sure you do a trip report.....All the best....from your TreeHouse neighbors

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Originally Posted by Ann Theresa

A shout out to LLAP and Betty.....So happy to hear you are traveling back to Negril. I'm sure you will be happy no matter where you are. Sounds like this will be the perfect place for Betty. You are a real sweetheart to your wife. Sorry to hear about the job....but when one door closes, another one opens....have a rum punch for me and Jerry.....maybe one of these days we'll run into you again....please make sure you do a trip report.....All the best....from your TreeHouse neighbors

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Hello Ann Theresa
Good to hear from you. I will most definitly have one for you & one for Jerry. Are you planning another trip?
Bet was planning on retiring from this job but not now and not under these conditions. However the way things have been turning she is ready to go. She has been doing every thing for them for years and there has been basically no turn over of her job. She has left instruction with all at the house to absolutely NOT pick up the phone if her office calls.
She says she is going to collect unemployment for a couple months then see what is available.