Samsara

Anyone stay there that can tell me about the property. Is is as beautiful as the pictures? How large are the pillar units?

I stayed there back in 2002, beautiful views, great location, and ok rooms. I'm sure there have been upgrades since then. It's also the sister hotel to Legends on the beach. If you stay there you will not be too far from where i'm staying which is close to Canoe.

Thanks butterfly. Did you stay in or see inside the pillar cottages? I was wondering how large they are.

I would stay away .... Mixed reviews.

I stayed in the standard room and like I stated before that was 10 years ago.

Okay, thanks butterfly.

gerryg, I REALLY appreciate your comment. It holds a lot of substance for me. You know the area well so I trust your input.

Stayed there a few years back in a standard room near the pool. Not a five star resort but it is clean and the staff was pretty cool. It is a sister property to Legends on the beach like Butterfly said, and they have free shuttles going back and forth between them. So you have free transportation if you want to hang out on the beach. It is in a nice location for nearby bars and restaraunts. I would go there again, the price is right.

Going in a week..have hung out there many times but never stayed. Seems like a nice plan....stayed in many,,,,.. some great, some ok.....I'm in Negril and just roll with it!Only staying for a week.....shortest reach in along time, maybe it'll actually feel like a vacation and not the extended stay! All is good...Respect

I stay there every year. PM me to here more

Totally depends on what your are expecting out of the place you stay.

The pillar cottages look kinda cool from the outside and they have amazing unobstructed views of the sea. I hear that your only option for a shower is the oudoor shower at the bottom. I reserved a King cottage when I booked. Called again right before my trip to verify that they had me in a king cottage. Fast Forward. I missed my connecting flight on the way to JA and got held over a day. Called Samsara to make sure my reservation would still be ok and to extend a day. They said that was fine. WHen I arrived at the office to check in, they looked at me and said "YOu were supposed to be here yesterday" LOL So apparently they hadn't made note of the conversation I had with them LOL When they took me to my room it was a Standard Oceanview. Basically ike a motel room, and my view of the ocean was actually a view of some big palm leaves. No biggie for me, but I went with hardly any expectations and I'm pretty go with the flow. The room was simply ok.

The rates are so low, if youre on a tight budget then it hits the mark as far adequately meeting your basic needs.

I stayed there on my first trip and had a good time (but i dont see how I could not have a good time in Negril). I also didn't spend much time on the property during my stay and choose to eat my meals elsewhere.

My second trip I stayed at Catcha Falling Star and had THE BEST time. The difference was 100% Vibe, Staff, food, and character.

Would I stay at Samsara again? Maybe. Only if it was all I could afford and even then I might look around for something else. I care about VIBE and to me Samsara lacks any kind of vibe at all. Its not bad, its not good, it just ISNT.

Anyways, I can't say anything bad about it....although I have seen some pretty startling negative reviews that seem consistent with eachother. I just can't speak on that.

Thank you everyone for your responses. Over time our favorite places may change. Some for the better, some of course for the worse which is why I'm on an overdue search for a new Negril "home away from home". Since this will be a short stay I decided to not only try a new property but maybe check out the Cliffside offering. I’m a beachgal, but this place always fascinated me.

Yes phineasfreakears, the price is right. Kimbobwee, have a wonder time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TizzyATX

I care about VIBE and to me Samsara lacks any kind of vibe at all. Its not bad, its not good, it just ISNT.

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Thanks for sharing so much Tizzy. Vibe is very important to me as well. If I don't feel like I'm welcomed or if the management could careless about the guests then that's not my type of place. I like socializing and look forward to that "irie" feel you get from the staff. It probably is a decent place but may not be ready for me :)

They get you with their low pricing but once you check in you are paying extra for everything.
You have to pay to use an office safe, to use the Wifi there, $20 to have guests, A/C is extra, etc.

I stayed with my adult sons for a week at Samsara this past January. We were on an AI package that was a super deal. We stayed in a cottage with ocean view. The cottage was rustic, had a huge newly tiled shower, but did not have air-conditioning. Even in January, there were times the AC would have been good to cool the place. Food was good, drinks were good, staff were nice, nothing fancy, but a great location on the west end. Generally, the price you pay is usually quite representative of the services and amenities you will receive in the hospitality industry. I would return to Samsara given the same price, but would upgrade to an AC room depending on the time of year.

mi call it Nickels and Dimes cause dem charge for everything.......and then some.....lol
a lot better places on the Cliffs to choose from too......
though if all you need is a bed it will certainly do.......but most need a likkle sumthin more.......

Cool Runnings, Marko

We skipped Negril one year and went to Key Largo and Singer Island in Florida. I travel for work, so we used my points and stayed at some of the ritziest resorts--rented a Mustang convertible and thought we'd be in Heaven. We came to realize that we would rather be in Negril, even if it was with hard mattresses and cold showers.

At any rate, I got the Samsara Groupon in an email last month, and couldn't say no. We booked a spur of the moment 5 night stay at Samsara for Thanksgiving...this will be our first AI stay, and I can't wait! To me, the vibe is a reflection of one's attitude. Negril brings out my attitude of gratitude, so I'm pretty sure we'll love Samsara just like we love Crunchy Crunchy, Blue Cave Castle and Nirvana....

The hotel has an awesome scuba dive operation. My personal favorite. The reef off the cliffs is very nice for snorkeling. I've stayed there before and would again but only if the price was cheap. Dont like the food there at all but I've heard the new restaurant there is very good.

For me, Negril is about the people, the ocean, and the amazing culture.... I love the rustic nature, the soon come/don't worry attitude, the fact that things take time and that they are actually worth waiting for. You may have to bring your own toiletries (you want a big bar of soap, bring a big bar of soap-- it's not rocket science). You want your linens and towels changed every day, you want AC, you want American Conveniences? Go to Florida....

You want a beautiful, relaxing, rejuvenating, reviving experience that wakes up your soul? Go to Negril!

Samsara was the FIRST place I ever stayed on my FIRST trip to Jamaica. It was affordable, clean and safe. I had an ocean view room that was only partially obstructed by a palm tree. :) I loved the view from the property and still have a great shot I took of someone mid dive. The location worked well for me also. As a single female traveler I appreciated that fact that while being unobtrusive, it seemed that the staff/security were very much aware of my comings & goings. I felt looked out for. I recently ran into one of the front desk gals who now works at another resort on the beach and she even remembered me from that time. I do understand what is meant by the "Vibe" - then again, I didn't spend that much time on the property so it was not an issue for me. My stay there was good and if I hadn't fallen in love with my little cabin @ Green Leaf, I probably would have stayed there again.

All the best - happy travels.

Missnegril, sunray, Marko, Ktans, Mr. Twister, Sweetsue…Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate each comment.

I don’t look to be catered to. I don’t “need” AC if the place has a good ceiling fan or I can be refreshed by a sweet cross breeze. I’m not really picky about amenities either as long as the place is clean & as Sweetsue stated, safe in regards to a solo traveler. But vibe…well that is a must. I’ve stayed at places where I didn’t feel welcomed at all. It wasn’t a personal thing; it was just the way the place operated and the staff being of the same business personality. When I smile and say good morning, I expect the same in return. I like it when I see folks stating that a certain place gives them that "feel at home" vibe.

Ktans, I’m sure you will have an enjoyable stay. :)

Just to clarify the "VIBE" thing - the gals at the front desk were always polite & greeted me with a smile. The security guards were friendly. My housekeeping ladies were sweethearts, one in particular was real chatty and made me laugh. I absolutely felt welcome.

As to the part about charging extra for overnight visitors...if you want someone to stay bad enough, then pay for it. ON the other hand, if you are planning to have a local stay with you, then you can register as a couple upon checking in without a nightly guest penalty. I was made to understand that part of it is to discourage some of the gigolo business and to reduce the number of strange men who have NO VESTED INTEREST coming and going on the property at night. They are just not interested in running that kind of place. The property is walled in and you cannot use a sea approach unless you come by boat and climb the cliff stairs. Once the curfew time reached, they want to know who is on the property and what their association is. As a woman who was traveling alone, I could appreciate that and did not have a problem with it.

BTW - there was only one night that there was a little commotion. Some prostitutes (alleged pros) were caught getting snuck over the wall by some young, teenaged male guests who wanted to party while their parents were asleep.... Security caught them right quick... needless to say the boys were embarrassed and not too pleased when one of the dad's had to come get them to escort them to their room. LOL...

Ahahahahahah Busted :rolleyes:

too funny

Thanks for the additional details and tips SweetSue. That incident reminded me of when I took my son when he was a teen. After we got back home, I vowed never to take teen boys again!!!