My parents want to go to Negril – Need advice on where to stay.

I just returned from a last minute 5 day trip to New York to be with my family. (My father was rushed to the emergency room because He injured himself at work. It affected his sciatic nerve and he will have to be in bed for a while. The doctors said it’s “Sciatica” but with physical therapy he should fully recover after a few months)

During my time at home, I spent a lot of time with my father. I showed him the pictures from our travels to Negril and read him our (still-not-finished) Trip report. My Father shared his stories from his time in Kingston + Negril during his childhood with me and talked about my parents first honeymoon in Ocho Rios.

All this Jamaica-talk got them thinking.
Now My parents want to go to Negril for their 37th wedding anniversary in August! Hopefully my father will be back on his feet, if not they will schedule it for 2012. Their last visit to Jamaica was 37 years ago so they asked me to give them some suggestions on where to stay and what to do. I told them I would do some research..

Do you have any recommendations on a hotel(s) they should stay at? It will be a seven night trip. Have you traveled with your parents to Negril? If so, where did you stay? How did they enjoy it?

Here is some background
1. My father just turned 60, my mother is in her late fifities.
2. Due to my father’s recent injury, He will need a really comfortable bed.
3. A hotel without too many hustlers or aggressive vendors would be best for them. I enjoyed the colorful crowd on the beach but it might be upsetting for my parents.
4. They don’t really drink much. My mother loves to dance though and my father enjoys live music. They both love good food.
5. A pool and a view would make it perfect for them.

I was looking at Couples-Swept Away, Riu Tropical Bay and Catcha Falling Star. Also Idle A-while looks really beautiful. I just don’t have any experiences with any of these places. I want this anniversary to be very special for them. They haven’t been on a vacation in a while…They deserve this more than anything. I think it will be a healing experience for them. Both physically and emotionally. I want my parents to experience just floating in crystal clear warm water like this…

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/...achnegril2.jpg

Any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated. :o


Thanks!
Daisy

My recommendation would be the Charela Inn. Nice smaller property. Excellent staff and service. Very nice restaurant. Clean, wide section of beach and security will keep the roaming higglers away. Also a wonderful masseuse on the property. Right next door to Idle Awhile. Check out their website.

Bless...
Ed

Catcha - Hands down!

So exciting for your folks, and I hope your Father gets better soon enough to go this year!

Idle Awhile is a very special place and they have access to the Sports Complex at Couples Swept Away.

http://www.idleawhile.com/

Think it depends if they wanna do beach or cliffs... IF I ever get my hubby to go, Catcha and CSA were my top continders. That's a tough one!

Idle Awhile is such a great place. The rooms are so inviting and big, and you can't beat the hammock on the huge patio/balcony. I wouldn't even call it a patio or a balcony...more like an extension of the living room. The 1 bedroom rooms are fabulous...just to die for.

I stayed at Couples Swept Away once just to pamper myself and I have to say I did not enjoy myself. Nothing wrong with the hotel, I just felt like it wasn't me...too uppidy? So depending on what your parents like, it might work for them. They did have really good food.

RIU is ok, kind of in the middle class range of all inclusives I would say. It is more fun there, the entertainment is always entertaining...lol. I haven't been there in many years but it seemed to have more of a party crowd...bartenders are fun, lots of music..you get the idea.

So I guess it all depends on what your parents are in to. :confused:

I agree with all the above choices....LOL!

Considering you father's injury, I would think a beach property would be best. I love the cliffs, but getting in and out of the ocean can be difficult, . On the beach you can wade right in.
This is the reason that if we ever can return to Negril, we will split between a few days on the beach, and a few on the cliffs.

Respect,
Andy & Pam

Have you thought about Coco La Palm? Several years ago my 80+ year young father, who walks with 2 fore arm crutches, spent 2 weeks there with the entire family. It was easy access for him to walk into the sea and there are 2 pools there if the sea is rough. The staff there is lovely and security keeps all higglers away from their guests.

Coco is right next door to Idle Awhile and Charlea Inn for nice dinning and both have live music different evenings of the week. I think Idle Awhile has music on Friday and Charlea has it on Tuesday and Thursday or perhaps it is Wednesday and Thursdays. Either way you would be close to 2 very nice properties to eat at.

You can go to coco's website and they have different views of the rooms and even 3 different web cams for your parents to look at.

I hope your father recovers quickly and is able to celebrate his anniversary in August in Negril.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

My recommendation would be the Charela Inn. Nice smaller property. Excellent staff and service. Very nice restaurant. Clean, wide section of beach and security will keep the roaming higglers away. Also a wonderful masseuse on the property. Right next door to Idle Awhile. Check out their website.

Ed

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Ras - I looked at Charela Inn and it looks beautiful! I like the fact that there is a pool on the property and the rooms look incredibly comfortable! Right now it's been moved up to top choice. Thanks for the tip! How did you like the beds there?

Marley - Catcha looks amazing, Especially after reading two recent trip reports about it! That's second place choice. It sounds like it would be very peaceful too and I imagine there aren't many pushy vendors trying to sell anything on the edge of a cliff.

and the view...

My first thought was that it would be great for them to split their vacation up between cliffs and Beach. My parents aren't too enthusiastic about that idea and I realize with my father's health problems right now it would be difficult for them. Also like Col. Andy mentioned... it would be hard for him to get in and out of the ocean with the ladder if he stayed on the cliffs. I hadn't thought of that until this was brought up..

Yardie and Rastagirl - Idle Awhile looks like a tropical paradise, but I just learned that it doesn't have a pool. It would be a nice option for my parents to have a pool to lounge at when they don't want to deal with the salt water and sand.... but they would love the hammocks and garden..

Couples Swept away seems like a great place for my parents to be pampered. They have never experienced an "all-inclusive" hotel before. On the flipside, they rarely drink. So the unlimited drinks wont really be a selling point.

Riu doesn't sound like their cup of tea after reading about it being for a "party crowd" - They're not really the "spring break-type". While my mother would be amused...My father would frown at the sight of a drunk girl laying on the bar while a bunch of guys take a shot out of her bellybutton or anything like that. I went to a Riu hotel in Mexico for three days. The drinks were great... but in retrospect,the beds were very hard and uncomfortable. Also it was two double beds pushed together with vinyl cover sheets... :(

Likkle Red - I stayed at the Coco La Palm on our last vacation. It was so wonderful. I agree that the location is great. Most beautiful stretch of beach... My hubby and I will definitely be going back. It's such a chill place...I'm just not sure if it's the right fit for my parents for their 37th year anniversary. Maybe it IS though...

ACK! It's so HARD to decide!!
I guess I'll just put the best choices on the table and see what my parents choose. Am I leaving out any potentially great hotels that SHOULD be in the line up?

Thank you so much everyone for your helpful suggestions and thoughts on places to stay! I truly appreciate it! :)

Clarity-

Catcha IMO is the most romantic place I have ever been or seen. I think it would be everything your parents would need, but you are right, the only real down side I would see would be for your father getting in/out of the water.
Plus there are no vendors at all while on the cliff properties, so that is not even a concern.
But if they do happen to pick a beach location I would recommend that they have their anniversary dinner at Ivans (Catcha), call ahead and speak to Andrea or Mauvette and I bet they would do something really nice for them, be sure they go for the sunset too!
Either way, I just know they will have a wonderful trip!

Yeah it's a tough life having SO MANY great choices and options, right?

Hedo .... good for the back.

In reading your original post, I was thinking Couples Negril. Same great food and service quality as Swept Away. It's smaller than Swept Away if your father's injury gives him issues with walking. CN is on Bloody Bay so there are less vendors. CN has a great pool and Bloddy Bay is a terrific beach.

Perhaps Rhodes Hall Resort would be a good fit for your parents. It is not right in negril(about a 10 min taxi ride) but the property is amazing, the rooms are gorgeous and have full kitchens in them. The pool is half salt water and half fresh water with an amazing view over looking the ocean. The food is delicious(the resturant is a bit of a hike but depending on how your dad is feeling i am almost positive you can have it brought to you room) There is absolute privacy there and romantic does not even begin to describe it. Then during the days they want the hustle and bustle of the beach or the nights they want to catch the live shows and do some dancing they can take either the hotel shuttle or the hotel will arrange for a driver.

I am sure it will remind you dad more of the jamacia he remembers than perhaps just what the seven mile beach has to offer.

We stayed there for 4 days in Feb and it was such an amazing experience that matt and i have said we will make it a point to spend a few days there any time we make it back.

It is so wonderful that you parents are going to head back, and all it took was for you to have an amazing experience and share it with them!! Mind you, you did say you read your dad your trip report and i must say, you should submit it to the jamacian tourism board, after reading it anyone in their right mind wants to hop on the next flight out!!!!!

We just got back from staying at CCLP. I love the resort, but the beds were killer this time. The mattress in the room my husband and I stayed in was so worn I thought I was going to fall off laying anywhere but the center. My mother-in-law could hardly walk after two nights of sleeping on their mattress. I advise your father bringing those icy/hot patches just in case.

I'm in your parents age range and I like all of the above. I stay at the Treehouse most of the time but I also like Catcha Falling Star( I would think for a return trip one should be on the beach at least a couple of days). Rhodes Hall is another good choice but it is very quiet no dancing for mom.

Clarity, it's been a couple years since we stayed there but I remember the beds being very comfortable, but then mattress preferences are a very personal thing. We will be staying there again in December for a friends wedding and I can't wait.

Can't wait to eat at Le Vendome!

Couples was great, but if they don't drink.....AI might not be a good value.

Also, your Dad might frown on the nude beach/bar/jacuzzi! LOL!

I don't know what type of bed is best for sciatica, soft or firm....might be a good idea to find out. Some hotels have VERY firm beds.

i second the Rhodes Hall idea - it is real old-JA-style mellow vibes there......

and just a word about Coco -- lovely as it is, don't forget the construction will be going on RIGHT next door at For Real all this summer.... might be kinda noisy around there during that time

[QUOTE=marley9808;3434]Clarity-
Catcha IMO is the most romantic place I have ever been or seen. I think it would be everything your parents would need, but you are right, the only real down side I would see would be for your father getting in/out of the water.


FYI - Catcha does have a pool, as does Catcha Gardens.

I'll give Catcha a shout out as well. I saw a few seniors who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the place. I have a bad back as well and slept really well in the bed. If they want to relax and have a lot of great peaceful alone time I would have them stay here. Get them in Sagi or Libra. Cool little cottages with some character.
Attachment 1635

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0...D720/ry%3D480/Take a moment to look at "The Palms" website. Its a great spot, the pool area is great for lounging, big comfy couches. Restaurant on site, beach bar, beds are super comfortable, at least mine was. They had live music, once a week I think.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0...D720/ry%3D480/

This is a great room, the upper one!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a0...D720/ry%3D480/

Clarity,
I'm with Marley - Catcha! January was my first trip that I stayed on the cliffs,all previous trips were on the beach, and Catcha is awesome. The pool is great, so your dad would have no problem with that. Getting into the sea would be hard. My parents would not deal with the vendors very well, so the cliffs would be great for them for that reason. No harassment at all. Catcha is just an awesome resort!

Hope your dad makes a quick recovery, Clarity. It's so great that your parents want to go back to Jamaica for their anniversary. I haven't had time to read all the responses, but my recommendations would be CocoLaPalm or Charela Inn. Charela has an AI option. Seawind Resort has an AI option and is on a really quiet stretch of beach but no pool. Crystal Waters Villas might be another one to check out. Couples Swept Away (AI) also gets a lot of positive feedback.

I'm a beach girl, but I know a lot (most) of the people on this board prefer the cliffs, so no doubt you will get lots of great suggestions.

For about the same money as Idle Awhile, you may want to consider the owner's villa at Nirvana. We've stayed there our last two trips (I'm 50). No pool, but the villa is right on the beach and the water is so calm, I never feel like I'm missing a pool. Comes with a full kitchen, cook service for one meal a day. There's a great covered patio that has an unobstructed view of the ocean. The pics on their website are very accurate. Other than Moondance, which is too expensive unless sharing one of the large units, it's our favorite place on the beach.

how do you do this time keeper thingy?

i would let them look at the various websites and see what appeals to them. I agree Charlea Inn is a wonderful place and they would be treated like royalty.

Good luck in finding the right place.

i would think Catcha might not work without AC ....

how about grand pineapple? you know the security there keeps an eye out

now i am the age of your parents and i "shake a leg" a bit when i'm in negril

charela inn is very nice too - old jamaica feel - some rooms have jacuzzis

Hey Gerry,
A lot of units have AC at Catcha.

Yes I beleive that only the Moon and the Star cottages dont have a/c at Catcha, all the other rooms have a/c

Even without a pool I'd vote Idle Awhile. It's in the middle of a lot of great places but the property itself is somehow very secluded. The staff is amazing and will treat them very well.

If they'd prefer the quiet of the cliffs Idle Awhile has a sister property called Hide Awhile that has a pool and the rooms are AMAZING.

Thank you so much everyone for your great suggestions and pictures. I just added the new names to the list and provided links to the hotel websites for my parents to look through. I really appreciate all of your help in narrowing it down to the best options for them!
there are so many great choices. I'm really curious to see what they choose!

I'm just praying that my father's health improves so they can travel to Negril this August. we're taking it day by day...Having a trip to look forward to is definitely lifting his spirits.

thank you!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by marley9808

Yes I beleive that only the Moon and the Star cottages dont have a/c at Catcha, all the other rooms have a/c

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Marley,
I was thinking the same thing, but I wasn't a hundred percent sure, so I didn't mention that. It's a shame, because they both look like great units to share with another couple. No worries, I took Libra and my buddy took Sagi. Good times soon come.

Hi Clarity,

my absolute favorite place is Charela Inn. We stayed there last year and had a sea side room with a kingsize bed. It was very comfortable and in the morning I had a view to the wonderful ocean from my bed. It was a dream. We only had breakfast and it was fine. Idle awhile (next door) is a lovely spot to relax and have lunch but the beach area is IMO to small. The beach area from Charela is really the nicest part from the beach and nearly hassle free. Every guest will have his own palm to lay and dream. We will return for sure. Love Charela

Yes booger, Moon and Star are awesome rooms, if you go in the winter months they are just fine without a/c, all you really need is the fans and you are fine. They are definitely great rooms, but then again everything at Catcha is great.....Just 4 months and I will be in Sagi

charela inn has a sister property on the cliffs - Mirage

i'm wish they could facilitate moving without too much "drama" if your folks want to do a split trip

Definitley Idle Awhile. That place is frankly just beyond amazing.