Catcha or Villas Sur Mer?

Hello all,

What an absolutely fabulous website! I'm so happy to be here to ask questions for my first trip ever to Jamaica. I have been dissuaded for years given the news of increased violence on the island, but figured I would rather not believe all that I hear and see for myself what Jamaica has to offer. :D

I am planning to visit during the off-peak season - July 2013. Is this a good time to visit?

I will be traveling with someone and have narrowed it down to Villas and Catcha. I hear Catcha is wonderful, especially their Libra and Sagittarius rooms. I've also heard great reviews of Villas Sur Mer and fell in love with some of their rooms, specifically the Honeymoon Suite.

Where would you recommend we stay as first-time visitors ? We will be spending 10 days, 9 nights in Jamaica and hope to get a good mix of sun, fun and culture. We also want to spend time in Montego Bay (for the parties and at least for some Scotchies jerk - not sure if Ocho los Rios is better :o) and Kingston.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!

Good on you!! You will not regret it....

As far as your choices for accomodations in Negril, I really dont think you can go wrong. I havne't stayed at Villa Sur Mer but I can say first hand that Catcha is really special. Everything I know about Villa Sur Mer is the same. Clarity has stayed at both, maybe she will come along and give you her opinions.

I dont know much about other parts of the island, haven't got that far yet lol, but if you are looking for a party you can surely find it in Negril. However July is a somewhat "sleepy" time of year.

Do think about booking something with AC...I'm very accustomed to heat and humidity but I was glad to have AC when I was there in July. Gonna be HOT HOT HOT

Have fun, hope you get all the answers your looking for and welcome to the board :)

Catcha is right on the Sea. Has a cool swimming cove and moderately high cliffs for jumping if you like. You can enter the water without jumping if you wish. Catcha also Has a wonderful Bar that is open to "Friends" in the evening, You might just find ANYONE there on a Sat nite, and food there is divine. You might never want to leave.
Villas Sur Mer is absolutely beautiful with a pool and rooms on both sides of the road. There is a cave that connects "across the road" to the sea. No Restaurant or bar that I am aware of. Food was ordered from LYU across the street when I was there.

Both places are first rate as cliff resorts. If You are there for the room, Villa Sur Mer has the nicer rooms. If you are there for an over all experience, Catcha is the one.

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

Good on you!! You will not regret it....

As far as your choices for accomodations in Negril, I really dont think you can go wrong. I havne't stayed at Villa Sur Mer but I can say first hand that Catcha is really special. Everything I know about Villa Sur Mer is the same. Clarity has stayed at both, maybe she will come along and give you her opinions.

I dont know much about other parts of the island, haven't got that far yet lol, but if you are looking for a party you can surely find it in Negril. However July is a somewhat "sleepy" time of year.

Do think about booking something with AC...I'm very accustomed to heat and humidity but I was glad to have AC when I was there in July. Gonna be HOT HOT HOT

Have fun, hope you get all the answers your looking for and welcome to the board :)

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Thanks Tizzy!

I was hoping July won't be too "sleepy" a time due to the Reggae Sumfest next year. ;)

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Originally Posted by Nick

Catcha is right on the Sea. Has a cool swimming cove and moderately high cliffs for jumping if you like. You can enter the water without jumping if you wish. Catcha also Has a wonderful Bar that is open to "Friends" in the evening, You might just find ANYONE there on a Sat nite, and food there is divine. You might never want to leave.
Villas Sur Mer is absolutely beautiful with a pool and rooms on both sides of the road. There is a cave that connects "across the road" to the sea. No Restaurant or bar that I am aware of. Food was ordered from LYU across the street when I was there.

Both places are first rate as cliff resorts. If You are there for the room, Villa Sur Mer has the nicer rooms. If you are there for an over all experience, Catcha is the one.

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Thanks, Nick! In that case, I will have to go with Catcha and save Villa for another time. I just checked availability for both of the popular rooms at Catcha and it is booked for the days I was looking at. Folks really do plan WAY in advance, huh?! Will have to push my vacay back by a week...

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Where would you recommend we stay as first-time visitors ? We will be spending 10 days, 9 nights in Jamaica and hope to get a good mix of sun, fun and culture. We also want to spend time in Montego Bay (for the parties and at least for some Scotchies jerk - not sure if Ocho los Rios is better ) and Kingston.

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That's a lot of traveling for 10 days! Please return with pictures.

Welcome Callaloo------ FIRST TRIP to JAMAICA! How cool is that. Love your profile name - can't get enuff callaloo when I am there.
There is a great link on this Board main page with general information for new visitors.
Both properties are excellent choices and high end accomodations. Villa Sur Mer seems more of a romantic spot but I would love to stay there. I have stayed at Catcha and it is by far my favorite place to stay but also at the top of my budget so can't stay there every time. The food is also the best I have had too. With the pool and sea side hot tub and snorkel options - it is perfect. VERY secure and private with unique furnishings. Good choice. Easy taxi ride to the beach and town and a store right across the road. Plus walking distance to Sea Star Sat night show & buffet which is a must do!

We are here to help so ask away. Enjoy your trip and as mentioned it will be HOT in July so prepare please report back and share your experiences with us. Blessup

Advice - make sure you include your co-traveler of what you learn in advance of your visit so you BOTH are prepared and can settle in quick to have a good time.

Catcha is a slam dunk.....plus you get Ivans.....

Cool Runnings, Marko

PS - as the other poster mentioned it would be a lot to try to see so many places in one visit. I recommend a day or two in Montego Bay and the rest of your time in Negril. But it is possible and if you are a go getter and don't mind just getting a bit at each place then GO FOR IT!!! Couple days each place and rest travel time by bus (cheaper) or car/van charter (more expensive). More advice - please make sure you use a recommended tour guide that knows the island and will get you safely to your next stop.

Just to clear up something a poster mentioned upthread - VSM does have an onsite bar (and yes, you can get food delivered across the street from LTU). We will be there in 9 days for our honeymoon!! :)

Callaloo I'm with everyone else, Catcha is spectacular. We stayed in Sagi in October and had a blast, no really, way to much fun!.We also stayed at the beach in an AI that we loved as well. If you can get Sagi take it and RUN! Tizzy, Marko & Sweetness have more experience and can give you better pointers, but make sure Tizzy tells you about the time warp issue that occurs at the outdoor showers. :cool:

Have you checked out the new villas at Catcha? They look fantabalous!!!!

Also, this board got me thru my first trip back in July! I couldn't have done non-AI it w/o these wonderful people! Listen to them, they will bless you with wonderful knowledge of a very special place. I booked my next trip within a week of coming home :)

My only advice to you would be to pack 1/2 of what you think you'll need and take only Red Plate taxis! :) Enjoy ...

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Originally Posted by garysteph1018

Have you checked out the new villas at Catcha? They look fantabalous!!!!

Also, this board got me thru my first trip back in July! I couldn't have done non-AI it w/o these wonderful people! Listen to them, they will bless you with wonderful knowledge of a very special place. I booked my next trip within a week of coming home :)

My only advice to you would be to pack 1/2 of what you think you'll need and take only Red Plate taxis! :) Enjoy ...

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Yes, I think her name is Susan, from negrilonestop directed me to Sky Cottage but we decided to stick with either Sag or Libra because of preference for some seclusion. I believe the new accommodations is split level (?), so I expect having to share the space with another couple or family. Not quite what we wanted.

And out of curiosity, what does AI mean? I'm hoping to be more familiar with phrases and acronyms by the time July comes around! :o

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Originally Posted by Tanfastic

Callaloo I'm with everyone else, Catcha is spectacular. We stayed in Sagi in October and had a blast, no really, way to much fun!.We also stayed at the beach in an AI that we loved as well. If you can get Sagi take it and RUN! Tizzy, Marko & Sweetness have more experience and can give you better pointers, but make sure Tizzy tells you about the time warp issue that occurs at the outdoor showers. :cool:

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Hhahaha, I'm glad to hear you had a blast! Sag looks amazinggggg but its so hard to book. I will try and book it next time, or better yet, upon my check out from Catcha.

Thanks again everyone. I think this settles it. Catcha it is. Now off to finding out about excursions, massages and the like.

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Originally Posted by Callaloo

And out of curiosity, what does AI mean? I'm hoping to be more familiar with phrases and acronyms by the time July comes around! :o

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All Inclusive.....

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Originally Posted by T&A

All Inclusive.....

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Thanks!