Need some reassurance, PLEASE!

I am traveling to Negril for the first time this coming weekend and am staying at the Negril Beach Club Resort (NOT the Condos!) and have been reading many negative posts about break-ins and bad rooms with faulty locks. I am bringing my 10 year old daughter. It will be just us. I am beyond freaking out and ready to cancel my reservation. Can someone please let me know we will be safe?!?! What should I know ahead of time to prepare to stay at this resort? Can I even trust the staff?? I am not planning on bringing anything of value besides my camera and phone, but the thought of waking up to an intruder inside my room is really scary. Any advice, reassurance, past pleasant stories will be greatly appreciated!

You will be safe, but as in any new place for you...familiarize yourself with your surroundings...where there are tourists...there are opportunists...use precaution. Lock your doors, check that your safe is locked, etc.

One of the guys that is associated with the hotel is Judge. He's a friend of mine. He knows me by Alex, we hang out when I am in town...we last saw each other in January. He is in the security/cab crew. Say hello to him and introduce him to your daughter...do the same with the security guy on the beach. That way, they will look out for her.

Let the beach guy know you don't want any vendors near your daughter. They mean no harm but this will let you relax!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are going to have a great time. Don't worry too much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great location and beach! Great staff! PEFRECT food at Linga's, the on-site restaurant. Have a blast!


PS: A MUST: call and confirm your reservation...twice...always a good idea.

I have been personal friends with the management of the property for many, many years. This is a very safe place to stay for nearly everyone who goes there. You might notice that a few of the people with the problems were over-trusting tourists who brought locals and the local's friends into their room to cook and party. This, in my opinion, is a big no-no and you get reap what you sow when you are acting irresponsibly.

It is always a good idea to check out all the windows and doors wherever you stay including the vaunted AIs and go to Jean if you have any concerns. A few minutes surveying and evaluating your surroundings WHEREEVER you travel are a few minutes well spent (again, in my opinion).

Relax and have a great trip just like 99.9% of those who go to Jamaica do. Don't let fear keep you from enjoying yourself.

Peace and Guidance

you should be safe no need to worry,jus like home you have to take the same precautions ..its negril..its jamaica----NO PROBLEM ..SMILES

Thanks for the tips brasi. I will make sure and familiarize myself with the staff. I will also make sure and double confirm my booking as I have heard from several people the hotel is almost always overbooked. My only hope is that because I have an early flight I will arrive in time to get my room before they are all scooped up!

Also: when you call to confirm...TWICE...LOL...let 'em know you're on it...you can ask for Trudy. I am pretty sure she still works there. Awesome lady. A boardie here told me about her...she truly does a great job...really nice and I like her a lot.

Accompong is right...Jamaica is no more dangerous than anywhere....I hope I didn't imply that at all.

Last tips:

When asked where are you staying?
Up the road, on the cliffs, at my friends...anywhere but where you are ACTUALLY staying.

First time here?
No, I am here a lot. I have been here for two weeks. Etc. Not "i just got here."

When do you leave?
I am leaving in a few weeks, ten years, etc anytime but when you are ACTUALLY are leaving, and the further out the better.

Do you want a toy/ticket/ride/towel/etc?
No thanks. Not 'later' or 'maybe.' Unless you want the item. You can always go back and say you want it.

Have a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are virtually neighbors. You flying out of Albany?

You will be safe. Brasi gave you great advice just follow his tips and you will be fine. Have a great trip

I'm sure you will be totally fine and have a fantastic vacation. However, I know how once you get something in your mind, it's hard to let go. If you don't think you'll be able to sleep at night thinking someone is going to come in, here is a simple thing you can do. Bring a small set of windchimes (I'm talking those small cheap ones you can get at the drug store) and hang them on the doorknob. If the door moves, you'll wake up to the windchimes. If there is a sliding glass door you're worried about, bring a suction cup and hang some windchimes on the slider with the suction cup. If the door slides open, you'll hear the chimes. I doubt you'll need it but if it will make you sleep better at night, what do you have to lose right.

Honeywell makes a set of audible alarms that work well for about $10.00 for a box of 4. (You will just have to remember to turn them off before the staff cmes in to clean.) Not sure if you have a store called Big Lots, of possibly a Walgreens. They work very well, and will give you added comfort during your stay. I use them every year, but don't really need them. OCD...They are easy to put up, and take down.

Jean is not affiliated with Negril Beach Club RESORT.Just remember to put the wood in the sliding glass door when you are not in the room.I always take a rubber door stop and put in the entry door at night.You will be fine enjoy.You should worry about overbooking more than security until you are in your room.

Thank you all SO much for the tips! So many great ideas! Already feeling more at ease. I am a traveler, and have been to many places alone, but when it comes to my childs safety, I take no chances.
I will look for the Honeywell alarms at both Big Lots and Walgreens (we have both here! yay!) And if they are unavailable, will definitely bring some wind chimes!
And brasi, I live 3 hours from Albany, so I am leaving from Burlington, VT. But yes, we are in close proximity to each other!
Thank you all! I am starting to get excited to go again!

I stayed there a little over a year ago and was fine. When you call to confirm, see if they can put you in an upstairs room, I feel safer upstairs as it is harder to get to the sliding door. Ask security to show you how you can use a stick to jam the sliding glass door to your place and make sure the front door lock works well--test both doors before you agree on the room. I have stayed there 5 times, once on Mariners side and 4 times on Jeans--no safety issues--you will be fine.

Cwop,

There has been a few people bumped from the NBCR (Negril Beach Club Resort) to their sister property, the Caribbean Sunset. This is an inferior hotel in many ways, not as nice and not on the beach. Jean runs the NBCC (Negril Beach Club Condos) at the same location, and she has been helping people who have been overbooked at the NBCR by letting them call the booking service they used (Expedia for example) to remedy the situation. The Condos office is located at the far northern end of the building (to the far right as you walk in the entrance). She would be able to assist if the NBCR does not seem to be willing.

Also, just for a bit of additional peace of mind, you can always call us at 423-5479 in Negril and we will help you in anyway we can.

Have a great trip!!!

Everything be ok!

Wow some of these posts make it sound scary. I have stayed there 7 times in 4 years and never had a slight issue, more than that as i have previously stated I had stupidity issues of my own that had I been in other places could have worked out very badly. If anything my only concern was tourist girls with 6-8 visitor men onsite off beach each at night one trip. Thats it.All of my patios in all the rooms and condos have had the wood plank to block opening and multiple locks on doors, in both Condos side and resort side. I have several pictures of that property in my albums here. IMO best beach in town. They have a swim teacher that gives lessons in the pool to lots of little kids when I have been there as the massage table is also on the pool deck I know this well. I have never seen the pool dirty at all.
Parental advice:Keep your daughter out of the hot tub, lots of things happen in there at night that make it only appealing right after cleaning and refill before an over nite happens LOL.

Any other problems just say something to any member of staff you see, which will be many and they will immediately tend to it. Except the internet because that is always broken but Beach House Villas next door gets it free at bar and Easy Rock Internet Cafe is really cheap. My stuff is usually laying around in room atleast some of it and they clean around it, no staff threats for me for sure( the bellboy they call Rasta thinks he's Deuce Biggolo male Giggolo but is no harm, makes for a good laugh to watch him try).
Have Fun!

If it helps....I will be on property as of tomorrow (Sat) for 2 weeks and I have stayed at this property (admittedly in the Condos) but still on property since 1983.......(over 50 times)..if you see me on the beach say hi....and I will watch out for someone with a daughter's age on the beach. No worries. Robin

Sorry I meant with a little girl your daughter's age.

Next month will be my 3rd stay (condo thru Jean) on this property in a years time. As others have said, I have never felt threatened or unsafe in this area. Counting down the days til my return!

I just returned from 2 weeks at NBCC, Jean Gaynair's part of the property. I've stayed at this property - basically 3 entities in one - for 26 years, well over 40 trips, most of the summer for many, many years. I've seen a LOT, mainly due to my long stays. In the summer I use my timeshare unit; any other time, I stay w/ Jean in the Condos.

MANY people booked w/ the hotel side (Negril Beach Resort/Mariner's) were bumped to Caribbean Sunset Resort during my stay. This included timeshare (TS) owners who had not yet paid their annual fees or confirmed that they would be using their time. Although the TS side is separate, it has fallen more & more under the resort side since the new owner came in a few years back. I was able to direct one young woman in particular to NBCC when she had been bumped to Caribbean Sunset & they were able to help her. It's already been suggested that you see Jean if you encounter problems. I second that. She & I had a lengthy conversation about the Resort overbooking & how much of a headache it is for all. She does & will step in to help anyone in a bumped situation. You need to just let her know. If she can help, she will.

That said, there was one "break in" during my stay, my first night. I was already awake when I heard screaming at 4:45 a.m. The young women - across & down from me - claimed their room had been broken into. This was a Resort room. I looked at their door... no way someone could have jimmied the lock since a wood board made it impossible to access. They insisted they closed the door (note: closed, not locked). Bottom line... they had been robbed but it was by 2 young men they met while out partying & who they brought back w/ them. They fell asleep, passed out, whatever... woke up & the guys & $$$ were gone. That's probably - based on my time there - 90% of the break ins.

I brought the door stop but the door fit was so tight I couldn't use it. Used the deadbolt & chain & felt very safe. Patio door/slider... 3 working locks plus the wooden bar. I still use my extra lock, more out of habit... no problems. If you use good sense, & it sounds like you have plenty, you will do fine. I bought TS units at this property because it is a great location, wonderful beach (shade & sun), numerous amenities. I stay there because I feel comfortable there. Get to know people who work there... security, Jean & her staff, etc. They will look out for you.

The pool was always clean. It's a favorite place for children to hang out. The hot tub was drained, cleaned & refilled while I was there. Vendors have never been a problem for me, even when it's very slow. I've never feel pressure or threatened. The vendors who pass are friendly, not aggressive. Feel free to e-mail me if you have further questions, ykreedfla@aol.com. There was an issue at the pool a couple of days, seemed to be & hopefully is resolved now. Off the board I'd like to alert you to this so you can be prepared, should it be necessary. It has to do w/ inappropriate guest behavior in public that even adults found offensive. Person spoken to but still around. I don't want to go into details here but will be glad to address off the board. Yes, the curious may also contact me :-)

Bottom line, this is a great property & you WILL have a safe, fun trip.

"Also, just for a bit of additional peace of mind, you can always call us"

What a nice thing to do Rob. Very classy.

Very nice of others to offer assistance as well.

I had originally attempted to book a condo with Jean Gaynair, and after filling out all the neccessary forms on the website, and communicating through email with her so I could book, I was ready to give her my deposit then she emailed me back 4 days later and said "Sorry, I am all booked". So I wasn't too happy with that. This was in January. I was originally told she had availability, emailed her back within minutes to say I'll take it, then didn't hear from her again for 4 days. Not someone I would probably go to to help me out in a tough situation. I had to end up booking through expedia to get a room at NBCR because I really liked the beach this property offered. I am sure she is wonderful to her longtime guests, but I didn't have a good experience.

ROBIN, thank you! I will definitely be on the lookout for you! (this is granted I actually get the room I paid for..)

And thank you everyone for the wonderful tips and tricks. I have written them all down and will take every one of them with me. We are very excited to go. One more day!

Rob, I am not sure who you are or who you work for (I have only been creeping on this board for about a week) but I jotted down your number for sure! My name is Courtenay so I hope I don't need to call you but just in case!

cwop, Rob owns this board Negril.com and also does the RealNegril webcast. He and his wife are great people and work very hard to help people get to know Negril and all the wonderful things and people there.

Courtenay... Sorry you feel you were not treated well by NBCC. I don't know if you've been to Negril or Jamaica but you need to realize there is usually one person, maybe two, working at a time. The office staff is answering the phone & e-mails, trying to schedule rooms, registering guests & showing them to their rooms, dealing w/ repair & maintenance issues, helping people bumped by NBCR, talking w/ guests, distributing beach towels, & a myriad of other tasks. Jean also does not handle all the bookings herself. I know she had company part of January & was then taking care of her young grandson who learned to walk while staying w/ her, thus was into everything. Many days, she was not on the property as she was w/ her grandson. After 26 years of visiting Negril, I know better than to expect an immediate reply to anything, even from people I've known for years. I can wait up to 2 weeks for a reply if I'm changing my TS usage. Does that mean the staff is not helpful? No, just not as tech oriented as we are not to mention being extemely busy w/ the here & now goings on. You will be doing yourself a disservice if you do not get to know Jean Gaynair or ask her for assistance if you need it. Just my opinion.

Wow... Yvonne, yes indeed I have been to Jamaica. Stayed in Ocho Rios for 4 days back in 2007. Why does that matter? I never said I wasn't treated well by NBCC. Please re-read my post. Don't go there. I understand people are busy. Sure. BUT if you run a hospitality business, your business is customer service. If your business is run, basically, on emails only, you need to respond to customer emails promptly. That is good business. Simple. Easy. I am sure you are just sticking up for your favorite resort. I have read your other posts on NBCC. You are loyal. Good for you. But don't come at me high and mighty because I don't feel the same. Like I said, NBCC was my first choice. Sorry it didn't work out. That is all. Moving on.

Thank you Prism for clearing that up! Hopefully during my stay I will get to meet him! I love meeting new people! And I will definitely check out one of the webcasts! :)

@cwop123....on this board you cant say anything even remotely negative against "friends of the board".....politricks.

......and 4 days IS too long, even for Jamaica.

My apologies Courtenay. I took your statements of "she emailed me back 4 days later and said "Sorry, I am all booked". So I wasn't too happy with that... I was originally told she had availability, emailed her back within minutes to say I'll take it, then didn't hear from her again for 4 days. Not someone I would probably go to to help me out in a tough situation." as meaning you were not treated well &, as you stated, "not someone I would probably go to to help me out". Maybe you meant it differently. Not high & mighty, just facts. Sorry you interpreted it differently. Have a great trip. I hope all goes smoothly for you.

Let me clarify as not to make any more arguments out of this. I had been emailing back and forth with Jean for 3 days. Chatting with her, deciding what room to pick, whether or not the hotel was family friendly, etc. She answered all of my emails promptly and stated she had the room I wanted available for when I wanted and all she would need was a deposit. I emailed her back saying absolutely I will take it, here is my money for deposit. I did not hear from her for 4 days when she finally, after 4 days of radio silence, emailed me saying that she was all booked for the week I wanted, sorry. THAT is not good customer service IMO. So I went elsewhere. Sorry if she had her grandson in town (like that should matter) or was mingling with guests. When you only have one specific week to take your daughter on a vacation, you don't have time to wait around for someone. I needed to book before everything was sold out. THAT was my experience with NBCC.

I do however, look forward to my trip. Thank you!

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Originally Posted by Yvonne

Courtenay... Sorry you feel you were not treated well by NBCC. I don't know if you've been to Negril or Jamaica but you need to realize there is usually one person, maybe two, working at a time. The office staff is answering the phone & e-mails, trying to schedule rooms, registering guests & showing them to their rooms, dealing w/ repair & maintenance issues, helping people bumped by NBCR, talking w/ guests, distributing beach towels, & a myriad of other tasks. Jean also does not handle all the bookings herself. I know she had company part of January & was then taking care of her young grandson who learned to walk while staying w/ her, thus was into everything. Many days, she was not on the property as she was w/ her grandson. After 26 years of visiting Negril, I know better than to expect an immediate reply to anything, even from people I've known for years. I can wait up to 2 weeks for a reply if I'm changing my TS usage. Does that mean the staff is not helpful? No, just not as tech oriented as we are not to mention being extemely busy w/ the here & now goings on. You will be doing yourself a disservice if you do not get to know Jean Gaynair or ask her for assistance if you need it. Just my opinion.

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Not trying to pile on, but when I was booking my upcoming trip I emailed multiple property's and always heard back within the day if not hours. 4 days is excessive and I agree it shows a serious lack of customer service. It's not my experience that it takes days to have emails returned.
Courtney, hope you have a wonderful trip. Negril is such a great place, enjoy!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jbizek

4 days is excessive and I agree it shows a serious lack of customer service. It's not my experience that it takes days to have emails returned.

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I guess I'm used to it. Since I don't usually stay elsewhere I haven't had experience w/ faster service. If I get a response from the TS folks in under I week, I think I'm doing great. Sometimes it's faster but that's rare.

Courtenay... Thanks for further details. I can see why you were not happy w/ your attempted booking experience. Had I been in your shoes, I'd feel the same. You were almost to home plate & then the game was suddenly over. There is no excuse for that. That certainly is not good customer service. I hope you have a problem free stay & enjoy the property. Please contact me re: the inappropriate pool behavior by the guest w/ ties to NBCR (long termer at Caribbean Sunset?). Since you'll be there w/ your young daughter, this individual is someone you need to be aware of. I see him in the summer so it's not like he was there briefly on vacation. Believe me, this is not something you want her exposed to anywhere.

Thanks again, everyone, for all of your advice. We leave tomorrow and I can honestly say, a lot of my fears have been alleviated. Now I just hope to have a hotel room when I arrive!! Fingers crossed!