Advice on hotel for March 13-19?

Well it looks like I have some airfare booked for march 13, leaving march 19. Next up is finding a room. I think I prefer the west end cliffs... but I have stayed on the beach before, so that might not be a deal breaker. Traveling with a buddy of mine who has also been to Negril before.

SeaStar looks to be booked on that week... currently waiting to hear back from Catch-a-gardens. Contemplating Xtabi, wondering about how laid back they are about smoking and drinking on the property, we don't want to offend anyone.

Any suggestions/advice would be much appreciated.

Required:
2 beds... or ability to bring in a single bed
Laid back (i.e. smoker friendly)
not a couples only resort.

Preferred: (no particular order)
Pool
Bar
WiFi
Around $100 per night

No luck at Catch-a-gardens... looks like it might be a beach week after all!

Check out Hidden Paradise!!!!! I will be staying there for the first time in April and I have heard nothing but good things about the place ...They have a pool and Wifi :) Soon Come 48 days ..... Have a good holiday

That budget gives you a decent amount of choices.

Xtabi is laid back...no worries...also try The Oasis, I have heard good things...Seastar staff send people there when they are full...'nuff said in my book...Sunset on the Beach...Coral Seas Garden...

White Sands is a great value on the 7 mile...I am sure you'll get more/better advice from more-experienced boardies...but keep in mind the Spring Break college crowd will be on the beach section during that time...may not be so ""laid back" in terms of later at nite etc...

Have a great trip!

The Rayon and for that fee breakfast is included for the two nice size rooms plenty of space smoke friendly nice huge balconies!!

If you can't get Seastar; stay in the neighborhood.
Negril Escape is cool.
White Sands on the beach is also a good value and excellent drinks and good food

first choice of course is SeaStar......but that isn't an option.......

Oasis would be one of mi first choices.....laid back kind of private place and guest friendly......
great pool, bar and wifi plus tennis courts.........rooms newly remodeled.......
drink and smoke as much as you want is no problem......nice A/C
Xtabi would be mi second choice cause of da pool etc.......more people around though
for on the beach road......check out Coral Seas Gardens.......
laid back and guest friendly
great pool, wifi, A/C and bar etc etc.......

you biggest obstacle is usually da pool thingy.......
back in the 80's wi didn't even really have pools.........
on da Cliffs the ocean is usually our pool if the resort doesn't have one........
most places have some kind of bar setup........and most places have wifi now......or close by

you guys are goin to have a blast!

Cool Runnings, Marko

Phatskipper- trying to find a place the same days on the beach...everything decent seems to be booked. Let me know if you find a place. Anyone have any more suggestions?

Thank you all for the great suggestions. I haven't nailed anything down just yet. I think I am going to do some phone work tomorrow to see what I can shake loose! I really appreciate that you guys/ladies took the time to comment. Thank you.

At this point if you find a room! You should probably bookit quick!

First, thank you to all who replied with advice. I just hung up the phone with a couple of places. It looks like the first 3 nights will be at Rayon. The last 3 nights will be at Xtabi. It was a close call between the Oasis and Xtabi... but ultimately chose Xtabi this time, they had a two bedroom suite for $135 per night.

One thing that I found out was that the online availability feature on some of the hotel websites is "hit-or-miss" at best.

It is going to be a great week, hope to see some of you down there!

JEKC315 ............ we just had to cancel one of three rooms on the beach .......... I just sent a PM to you with details ........... email me if you want more info