Newbie First Trip to Negril In May - Where to Stay?

[dash]

Mike, NovaScotia is almost an island. Not hard to get fresh fish and seafood. Bay of Fundy shellfish is shipped round the world and sought after, for a reason. Nothing like a Digby scallop. Just as we Canadians have fished out the Grand Banks Jamaica fishing is not at it's healthiest right now. Agree with you on the spices. They know how to prepare them!

[SriJah]

While the seafood in Nova Scotia can be good, you can get bored of the usual. I love variety and the fresh fish from the Caribbean is awesome! I love to eat all kinds of different foods. I used to be a vegetarian, so I'm keen on trying some ital foods. I've attempted Jerk Chicken at home, but I'm sure the real thing will blow my mind.

Looks likely that I'll be staying at Country Country for 4 nights and Catcha Falling Star for 3 nights. Can't wait!! Peace, Love, and Music!

[Lady Jane]

These are interesting comments. I've never heard anybody say they were disappointed in the seafood in Jamaica. Of course, there is always the debate between spiney lobster (the kind found in Jamiacan waters) and the American lobster (found off the shores of Nova Scotia and Maine, etc.), and the consensus will usually agree that the North American variety is tastier. However, the lobster prepared in Jamaica is still very good and there are few things I enjoy more than a grilled lobster on the beach, with a cold Red Stripe. Also, many other Jamaican seafood dishes are worth trying, only because it's hard to find that kind of preparation anywhere else; such as pepper shrimp, pan fried snapper or escovitch fish.

I have no doubt that the seafood in Nova Scotia is excellent, but it's hard to beat the freshness of a seafood dinner that was just caught that morning.

Mike, I was referring to lobster only, not seafood. I agree I love fresh snapper etc in Negril that's been caught that day. And I love
the lobster here at home that I get directly off the lobster men at the wharf a mile from my cottage.

[sabu]

We're beachers and generally stay at Charela, although we have also stayed at Country Country. Both are great but after 30 years at Charela, it feels like home. Can't wait to get back in the winter. Highly recommended -- and the restaurant is also very good.

[kibby]

Stayed at Charela and loved it. Great beach I personally thought restaurant was overpriced and so-so, but I don't eat big meals, so coco bread in the morning and a patty for lunch does me fine. I'm staying at Cocolapalm this next trip using the groupon. But can't really go wrong at Charela.

[Miss Honey]

Hello All !!! I haven't been on here for a while but I read post daily. When we planned our trip to Negril I wanted cliffs , hubs wanted the beach, so we did a split . He was sure he would be bored, We walked through the gates of CFS and he was hooked. I really feel any room here would be fine, whatever fits your budget. There is plenty of quiet places to sit all around the grounds. The staff is top notch . Plenty of restaurants to walk to. This year we are trying a cliff / cliff split.

[SriJah]

Thanks for all the input. I'm definitely sold on Catcha Falling Star. Now, I just wish I was going sooner ...
How is the noise at night at Country Country vs. Charela or Treehouse?
I heard Margaritaville can be a bit loud (Maybe not so much in May?).
I love music ... but I don't want to hear dance-hall blasting at 2 am if I'm trying to catch some zees (zeds, eh?) ...

[Melody]

I've stayed in two of the beachfront cottages at Country Country. Margaritaville has a party Friday nights until 2 a.m. I could feel vibration from the music but had no problems falling asleep. The other nights were very quiet with only the sound of tree frogs and sea waves lulling me to sleep. Treehouse is right beside CC so rooms on that side, beachfront would get similar noise/vibration. Charela isn't close to party venues so should be quiet. Charelas restaurant is more formal than CC, no beachwear. A lot of Charelas guests are in the 50-60 age range. CC's guests tend to be a more varied age group. CC and Charela have the best hotel restaurants on the beach IMO. CC not as expensive as Charela, and breakfast is included.

[nutz4travel]

How is the noise at night at Country Country vs. Charela or Treehouse?
I heard Margaritaville can be a bit loud (Maybe not so much in May?).
I love music ... but I don't want to here dance-hall blasting at 2 am if I'm trying to catch some zees (zeds, eh?) ...

We could hear it when we stayed at CC, but only on Friday night when M'Ville has their beach party. You could hear it, but it was only the one night, so it really wasn't that bad. The rain on the tin roof was actually louder one night That was in December, May may be quieter??

[SriJah]

Thanks for the replies. I plan to stay at CC for the first part of the week and move to Catcha Falling Star for the weekend ... so I'll miss the party at Margarita-ville.

... only the sound of tree frogs and sea waves lulling me to sleep.

This sounds lovely!

The rain on the tin roof was actually louder one night

Yeah, I bet! ... that can be pretty loud. I've been woken up at home a few times during tropical storm torrential downpours on my asphalt roof.