Staying at Roots Bamboo - Tips/Advice

[narjee]

I've been lurking this board for the last month ever since I decided to take my first trip to Negril. I'd like to say, what a wonderful forum, great information, posts, pictures and just some outstanding contribution from so many folks.

We are a couple in our late 20's making the trip in the last week of Feb. I was born in the Caribbean, so the language/culture/way of life is nothing new to me, and I've grown up around an abundance of Jamaicans and Ja-fakings my whole life.

She is a sexy whitey from the boons and was absolutely against going to Jamaica. It took a lot of convincing on my part. She went to Ocho Rios with her sister, and didn't feel safe, the guys harassed them everywhere they went, followed them, stalked their hotel room and basically felt she was on the verge of being raped. I am a little concerned here, because the last thing I want to spend my vacation doing is playing Protector Pete.

We settled for Roots Bamboo given our budget, options available, and the fact that a lot of the places suggested here were not available for when we were able to take the trip. I settled for Roots Bamboo mostly on a whim from the reviews on TripAdvisor, video's and pics. Our vacations usually revolve around eating, hanging on the beach, day trips, partying and hitting up the clubs and doing it all over again the next day.

I haven't seen much info here about Roots Bamboo, just that it's loud on Wednesday nights a good party etc.

Any suggestions/tips/advice/pointers for a couple staying at Roots Bamboo would be greatly appreciated. Are the accommodations clean? safe? Is it a hassle getting a beach chair? Is there anything specific we need to pack? How about walking around at night? Is this a sub friendly place? Please enlighten me my fellow boardies.

[Seveen]

i'd try Firefly, Pure Gardens, Catcha Gardens (on the cliffs), Gardenia, Rayon . . . I don't think your girl would like Roots Bamboo

[Slightly Stoopid]

Mom's Place ... Root's might be a little " sketchy " for her ..
abit more laid back .. but that might not be such a bad thing ...
If Mom's doesn't have rooms ...
Barry's is my next choice

[TizzyATX]

My advice....Don't.

Go there for some live music, but based on what you've shared, and my last impression, it's not the place for y'all. I'm a white girl from the stix myself and I wouldn't stay there. Just my $.02

[Seveen]

maybe Yellowbird, Ansell's, Green Leaf Cottages . . .

[gerryg123]

Roots is kind of roughing it with small wood cabins, and not sure if every cabin has its own bathroom. But one thing I have noticed in general in Negril is the locals are respectful of "couples" and usually don't bother ladies if their significant other is within 18 inches.

[narjee]

Thanks everyone for all the help so far. Seems as if I need to cancel this booking and get myself into a more cozy place.

I will lose $80 on the first night of the booking, but I did talk to the lady at Roots who was really helpful. Said to come eat and drink if I decide to cancel.

I told her straight up some of the concerns based on what I read, and she obviously tried to convince me it's all good and that our rooms are the more renovated ones, bigger, closer to beach with bathrooms, not those shared shacks.

@Slighty Stoopid, checked out Mom's Place, definitely looks cool. I sent an email asking about vacancies for our trip.

Yellowbird, Palms, Rayon, Firefly, Fun Holiday and Tamboo all have vacancies.

[jojo p]

If you c an get into moms place, you will love it. Perfect for a couple. Nice bar and restaurant and really nice people.
Good security, and short walking distance to a lot of music and things on the beach.

[Seveen]

I like Mom's but probably wouldn't choose it for a first visit . . .

[narjee]

I am really liking the pictures I see of Firefly. Seems absolutely serene, I suppose that's Negril for ya.

My only concern is they don't seem to have any pics of the bathrooms in the room. I assume they can't look worse the bathrooms in the Roots cabins.