541Lion -

That's so funny that you mention the travel mix up from the airport to the hotel, because last year my wife and I had a VERY similar experience with Kingsley tours when we booked private transfer to and from the airport to our guesthouse in Negril.

In February 2014 we went back to Negril, and decided on a private transfer. We'd been a couple times before, once with one of those free shuttles, which was totally fine (they stopped by a little rum bar on the way to the hotel, but obviously take longer to get to your hotel because of all the other drop offs), and once with another couple where we rented a car, which was cool too, but for the same price you can get private transport and just relax.

So anyway, we booked the private transportation with Kingsley, and the plan was to stop at Bigga's in Green Island on the way for some jerk pork. We get through immigration and out to where all the taxis and everything are. We see Kingsley's sign, only it wasn't Kingsley but another driver, and there was another couple there (which I need to add looked a bit annoyed, but i'll get to that in a second). Apparently they mixed up our reservation and had us booked on a transportation with the other random couple. To make things more frustrating/awkward, the driver told the other couple that our flight was an hour late -- meaning these two people had to wait an extra hour, and were incorrectly blaming us (once they mentioned it, we set everything straight).

Anyway, the driver talked with Kingsley on the phone, then asked what we wanted to do, to which I responded that if we can't have a private transport then this will do, but we weren't gonna pay for a private tour, so we ended up just getting a discount, which was fine. The only other problem was, the other couple was so impatient at this point that they definitely didn't want to stop at Bigga's, and just wanted to get to their hotel.

So that was the to Negril -- on the way back was another story. Now, I had confirmed a couple times by email that we wanted a return trip to the airport as well, and what time we needed to be there. The morning we were supposed to return to the airport, our ride was nowhere to be found. I thought it just may be an island time thing, but after like 20 minutes I got a bit concerned and had someone at Alfred's (where we were staying) give Kingsley a call. I got on the phone with him and was told that I never confirmed we wanted a trip back (which again, I definitely did). Anyway, he ended up coming and picking us up, and everything worked out.

Now, Kingsley has a LOT of fans, and I'm not one to give bad reviews on Trip Advisor or anything unless I have a horrible experience, so I just chalked it up to a couple misunderstandings, so I just let it slide (although my wife and I can't help but think that the mix up with the airport to Negril transport was less of an accident).

On the other hand, that same trip we ended up booking Joe Cool Taxi & Tours for a trip to Black River, Pelican Bar and the Pete Tosh mausoleum on the way back, and I can't say enough good things about Joe. He was so great that this past February, when we went back to Negril with another couple, we booked Joe Cool for to and from the airport, as well as an excursion to YS Falls, Appleton, and a rum bar on the way back in Sav La Mar, and although it was his employees who drove us instead of Joe himself, they were just as top notch. Plus, when they dropped us off at Alfred's from the airport, they went over the other trips we'd planned, and when they'd be picking us up. Considering the experience I'd had with the airport transfers the trip before, I thought this was a really nice touch to confirm that everyone was on the same page.

Anyway, sorry for the long post!