In Negril

I agree with the boardies who are in Negril. It is so lovely here. This is trip #58 for me and I still am not tired of Jamaica. THe GIrlfriend Tour was a great success. We had a lovely couple with us this year who chose to spend their honeymoon on the tour. It was so nice to see them kiss all over Negril. First time to Jamaica and they will be back, they are hopelessly hooked. We had a returnee and her newbie friend, and Newbie is hooked. Another two ladies, a returnee and a lady new to the tour. Same thing, HOOKED.

I got to cross the Appleton RUm factory tour off my personal bucket list this time, and today we are headed to a lovely local river, not one of the tourist rivers, and real local one.

This morning and met Lovin Negril from the board complete with her newbies. Miss CInni and her hubby and friends are also here , and I heard another boardie arrives today. Miss Lisa Mack comes today as well, so there will be a bunch of us here representing.

I've stayed at Sea Grapes this trip, then at Idle a WHile and I can't say enough good things about those properties. This trip has been nothing short of magical.

Reading a blog written by one of the ladies who I think helped start the Girlfriend Tours is the reason I went to Negril by myself for my first trip!

If you are speaking of the Follow me to the River blog, that lady was one of our first guests. She has an adverturous spirit and I am glad that her writing gave you the courage to step out there. Many of the ladies who have gone on the Girlfriend Tour have loved Jamaica and continued to enjoy her on their own. Interesting too that many of these ladies started tour groups of their own subsequently.

Delta....the two owners of Girlfriend Tours, Angie and Marilyn are still together doing what we do so well. We are in Negril for our second week, the one in which we rest after a tour. Continue to enjoy Jamaica on your terms. You have found the greatest place on earth.

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Curious - what is a "Girlfriend Tour"? Is it like say Tauk, where you are met at the airport, carried around the island seeing sights with a group of women, staying in the same hotel etc.? What types of activities/sights/meals are included? I'm honestly curious, couldn't find anything on the internet...

Actually it was more of an article then a blog. I remember it saying "just because you're single and your friends can't go, doesn't mean you shouldn't pack your bags."

I think I sent them (both of the ladies) tons of emails asking tons of questions! I packed my bags, told the friends good bye and away I went. November will be my 4th trip. I do want to try to make one of the GF Tours one day.

Hey Ms M glad to see you I've missed you :) !!

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Originally Posted by rastagirl777

Curious - what is a "Girlfriend Tour"? Is it like say Tauk, where you are met at the airport, carried around the island seeing sights with a group of women, staying in the same hotel etc.? What types of activities/sights/meals are included? I'm honestly curious, couldn't find anything on the internet...

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Many people hear the horror stories about Jamaica and they are afraid to go, some just don't have personal friends who will go, or have the finances together and they get stuck at home. For the people who do not feel comfortable going alone, or just don't want to be alone, GIrlfriend Tours fills that niche. We plan air, hotel, transfers to and from Sangster, and offer excursions which they can take or leave. We hit the night parties and eat at various JAMAICAN OWNED and operated eateries so they are not stuck up in all inclusives sending the profit back to Spain or somewhere. So to answer your question, that is what we do.

Oh, so this is your business Misti. Interesting concept, sounds good and definitely fills a need for single women wanting to explore the world in the company of other women! Which Jamaican owned restaurants do you take your groups too? Which hotels do you tend to book at? What types of excursions do you arrange? Sorry for all the questions, I didn't see a website when I searched so if you have one and want to link instead of answering all my annoying questions - I'd love to check it out.

I'm confused about the honeymooning couple that was on the trip - ?!?!

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Originally Posted by rastagirl777

Oh, so this is your business Misti. Interesting concept, sounds good and definitely fills a need for single women wanting to explore the world in the company of other women! Which Jamaican owned restaurants do you take your groups too? Which hotels do you tend to book at? What types of excursions do you arrange? Sorry for all the questions, I didn't see a website when I searched so if you have one and want to link instead of answering all my annoying questions - I'd love to check it out.

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Our traditional home is usually FOR REAL because it WAS owned by a Jamaican family from Lucea. But for whatever their reasons are they have leased it to someone else and it is currently locked down and under construction to open again as a place called Sandy Haven. So we moved it to Idle A WHile which is owned by the family who owns all the SUper Clubs. It is very gorgeous and small so we felt somewhat at home. We tend to hit the spots you would imagine. Catch a Falling Star, Rockhouse, Sips and Bites, Cool spot, Push Cart. Best of the West, Angela's Italian restaurant, Sweet Spot, 3 Dives, Bentley's Crab House. We try to stay Jamaican, and eat Jamaican when here, and shop with certain vendors we know. OUr watersports business always goes to Quality. Simple, visit Jamaica, support Jamaica. The last part of our trip we had to move to a more budget property as Idle is expensive, but still I got to stay there the first half and it was marvelous. Oh we also stayed at Sea Grapes a couple of days. We do have a website, but it in on Shutterfly.

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Originally Posted by Lola

I'm confused about the honeymooning couple that was on the trip - ?!?!

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A very close friend knew they would be well taken care of with us and recommended they come with GFT. We have had couples many times before and we do an excellent job of giving them their space, yet including them on things they would like to do with the group. We always get them a room away from everyone else and give them times that they go off alone just the two of them. If you spoke to our couple they would tell you they had a wonderlful time.

They look happy to me. How about you???

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Checking in to CCLP tomorrow afternoon..Can't wait!

e sure and make me meet you Miquel

Sounds wonderful Misti. Good for you for trying to support Jamaican businesses. Idle Awhile is beautiful indeed. And your restaurant choices are a nice mix of good local fare and more upscale "fusion" American/European food - of course you know that Catcha and Rockhouse/Pushcart are not Jamaican owned but great restaurants none the less. Good luck to you in your venture, it sounds quite nice.

Ok, so I'm thinking of trying out two hotels on my next visit. Treehouse is a definite! Any others that are Negril owned? My first visit I did stay at For Real based on GFT's recommendation! I think I did a few things based on your recommendations and ya haven't steered me wrong yet!

I believe Negril Escape fits in the Negril owned category.

Yes! Negril Escape...Jamaican owned and family run! Great place, wonderful staff, gorgeous view!

A few other Negril family owned and operated resorts with great facilities and amenities on the beach include: Charela Inn, Crystal Waters Villas, and White Sands; or for the more budget minded Donaldson's Inn; Golden Sunset, Hidden Paradise, Caribbean Delight. On the cliffs - Negril Escape or Mirage (NE has beach privileges with Mariners Inn on the beach, and Mirage has beach privedges with Charela Inn). List is not complete, but all of those listed are great places.

Delta you will love Negril Treehouse, I guarantee you won't want to stay anywhere else after!

Michele I am soooooooo looking forward to my Treehouse stay. Hopefully I get to meet Miss Gail while I am there. Aqua is the other hotel that is on my bucket list but I may save that one for something big (like my 40th birthday).

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, Negril Escape I will look into. It has to be family friendly though as my little man is going to be with me. Gotta make sure he is comfy!

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Originally Posted by Delta

Ok, so I'm thinking of trying out two hotels on my next visit. Treehouse is a definite! Any others that are Negril owned? My first visit I did stay at For Real based on GFT's recommendation! I think I did a few things based on your recommendations and ya haven't steered me wrong yet!

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I know nothing about Treehouse except that another tour operator I know seems to swear by them. Honetly we are in a state of flux in Negril and searching for a new home. When our old one opens it is going to be very expensive, so doubt we can go back there. However, it was hard to find what they offered on the first place, rooms with beach front views and beach access that were not 100 years old, and very spacious at that. I'm sorry, but as we continue to do research, maybe we can come up with some solid recommendations for you. I am actually going to stay at the New place in December just to see if it is going to live up to the hype so I will let you know. In the end once can always say that what is OUTSIDE of your room in Negril is what is important, so does it really really matter that much in the end??? Of course we nuh wanna end up in the roach motel, but we can work with most places and their likkle flaws, nah tru???

Coming back from breakfast at Country Country and all of a sudden Margaritaville is FULL of people. I asked Robin where all these folks came from and it seems the AI's send them over for a "Day In Negril" (I wouldn't go back to wherever). But at any rate, it was quite the scene, THe tourist verses the elements. Cause I swear there was a line up of about 50 beach vendors standing facing them ,and there they were on their lounge chairs trying to maybe get a peek at the sea. It was my first time seeing the hard press in full effect to this extent, and all I can say is if I were them I probably would never come back.

That would truly disgust me if that was my only experience in Negril outside of the AI.

I know folks have to make a living, but you know what ,I should have taken pictures so you could see it. IF it happens tomorrow I will.

Attachment 2720Was great seeing you again M! sorry for the blur...camera acting up

heard about this Girlfriend Tour thingy a couple times in Negril........pretty cool
mi know Bentley and the other Jamaican Businesses you frequent really appreciate the business.......
the Treehouse is where a lot of expats hangout as it was one of the first places on the beach........
and Gail Jackson does an outstanding job of running the Treehouse.....which the Jackson family owns

personally mi have been involved in helping with the "Boy Tours" for guys in Negril.......
guess you would have to say our new headquarters is the SeaStar Inn though the guys have stayed at places like Bar B Barn, Negril Beach Condos, Caribbean Sunset etc......

Cool Runnings, Marko

Ok why is it that when I went to pay my final bill did I start crying and why did I cry all morning, and at customs and immigration. I thought i had grown past this.

Misti1, I still do that too.....every time!

I have done it for 60 trips-- maybe I won't cry in October!!

I only cry every other trip go figure

I had stopped it, and have been a big girl for several trips now, I even had gotten better at adjusting back to the "real world" quicker when I got home. But this time, when I paid the hotel bill and finalized my business with Jamaica,it just came out of no where and lasted all the morning. I was truly pitiful.