Point Village Trip Report

[Jamaica Joleen]

This was our 8th reach to the island. We spent the last 2 years in Ocho Rios as Couples Sans Souci. The first year at CSS was pretty magical but the 2nd year, we found ourselves yearning for Negril.
We brought 4 newbies with us this trip.
We purchased Club Mobay passes and in the past we felt it an absolute must, however, this time, we arrived and departed on Sunday and it seemed as though the Club Mobay lines were longer than the non-Club Mobay lines. It appears the secret is out......
We again used Rocky's for our transfers and our excursion. Thanks so much to Rocky, Clinton and Santina!!
Clinton and Santina met us at the airport and from there we went to MegaMart to get groceries, beer and liquor. This store was very similar to a Sam's Club or a Costco found in the USA. I was extremely overwhelmed by the choices, the size, the JA prices. Next time, I will get my beer, wine, liquor here and will use a smaller grocery store for my groceries. I also note that we were in a hurry to get to the beach to see sunrise, so it made the trip in and out of Megamart a bit of a blurr.
We rented Unit 185 in Point Village. Ralph and Andrea May are the managers. This unit is 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom townhouse right on the main beach. It was FANTASTIC. The kitchen is well equipped with stove, toaster oven, microwave, coffee maker, blender, plates, glasses, silverware...etc. There is a washing machine and dryer that we used pretty much every day. One of the bathrooms is on the main level and is just a toilet and sink. The 3 bedrooms are upstairs. The master has an attached shower, toilet, vanity and then the other 2 bedrooms share a full bathroom. Each bedroom had its own AC unit that worked really well. The living area and dining area are also very nice and there is a large flat screen tv with cable or satellite tv. We didn't watch too much tv, but when we did, we found we had plenty of options. My favorite part of this unit is the screened in patio which is right outside of the beach. We sat here many nights playing cards, music, games and just laughing.
The beach at Point Village is fantastic. I snorkeled every single day right off the beach and saw many different fish. I even saw a lobster one day!! There is ample chairs. We never had any trouble with enough chairs. The sand is a little bit softer than the sand at long bay but is still wonderful. There is an all natural beach, but we didn't spend any time there, except that one day we somehow managed to walk thru Hedo (YIKES!) and needed to walk thru our own all natural beach to get home.
There is always a cab or two at the gate willing to take you anywhere. Negotiate the price first before getting in... . We did a lot of walking. If you leave Point Village and go to your left on Norman Manley Blvd, just a short walk will bring you to a craft market. This was a much better craft market than the one we found in Montego Bay or even the one at the other end of the Long Bay beach (IMHO). The vendors were not aggressive and were extremely friendly. We enjoyed ourselves walking through.
Just a little ways past the market is a gas station. They sell beer, ice, water, toilet paper, soup, etc.....and PATTIES. The Patties were delicious!! And in that same neighborhood is an ATM where you can get Jamaican Dollars. We didn't use it but one of the newbies did.
If you leave Point Village and go to your right and walk 1 mile, you will come across "Boardwalk". We entered the beach here a few days. They have some very nice shops, and a great bar and restaurant. Prices are little steep but service was good, the food was great and the Stripes were cold.
We hit the usual tourist spots- Margaritaville and Rick's....and honestly, I enjoyed myself at both places. The Jerk Tacos at Margaritaville are AWESOME!! Again pricey, but good service and cold drinks.
We had Rocky take us to YS Falls, Black River and Pelican Bar one day. The ride is just as awful as I remember it.....lol. Black River was pretty neat. The flood at Pelican Bar was fantastic. YS Falls was really nice....however, I like Mayfield Falls better.
We separated from the guys one day. They went golfing and we went up to The Spa Retreat for massages and pedicures. The Spa service was expensive....$170 US dollars for a 90 minute deep tissue massage. It was good, but I don't know that it was $170 good. We had lunch that day at Blue Mahoe (the restaurant and bar at The SPA. I had the Jerk Fish Taco......probably my most favorite meal of the trip.
We also ate at Cosmos (still the best Dirty Banana), Canoe Bar (service was disappointing, but the food was good...so I am told. My meal came after everyone at the table was done eating and I was too mad to eat), German Bar (best pizza EVER), Best in the West (Best Jerk Pork I had on this trip), Jah Bee's (Best Pina Colada EVER).
Overall, this was another fantastic trip and Negril continues to be a place that touches my heart EVERY single time I go there.
What's up for us next??? Well, I am trying to talk the hubby into a December Trip. Reggae Marathon anyone??? I told Rob he should start a Boardie's group. Wouldn't it be fun to wear matching tank tops that say something catchy?
Next reach, I think I like the idea of staying at the cliffs. Xtabi, Citronella and Tensing Pen intrigue me. Will have to wait until see what the money manager says, until then; Negril, I love you. I miss you already and I hope to see you in my dreams.....

[Irieonline]

How much does it cost to rent a unit like that if you don't mind me asking? Next year we are looking at staying up to 3 months but if my wife's sisters enjoy Negril when they join us there next month we may look into something like you just described that can comfortably hold 6 ppl because hopefully next year they come for a few weeks with their husbands

[Markospoon]

Sounds like you had a cool trip.
(except for the late to arrive food at Canoe)

Thanks for the report!

Maybe, if you order something that takes a longer time,
ask the waitress to start your food first, so everyone can eat together.

I would have hated that too.

[Jamaica Joleen]

The 6 of us were very comfortable in this unit. I think total cost was $2100 for the week plus the damage deposit of $300 (US Dollars). The damage deposit gets returned to you assuming there is no damage.

[Jamaica Joleen]

So, here is the thing with Canoe. It was election day. The waitress told us they only had 1 cook and service would be slow. We didn't mind slow service. The drinks were good and cold and the waitress did a good job take care of us. There was a steel drum band. We danced. We had a good time. What got me was this. 1st of all, Hubby and I arrived ahead of the other 4. We told the waitress we had 4 more people coming to meet us at our favorite place. We ordered Snapper Skewers as an appetizer. About 20 minutes later, the other 4 arrived. They ordered drinks and a basket of French fries as an appetizer. Hubby and I told them service would be slow because they only had 1 cook. A little while later, the French fries arrive, but I still didn't have my snapper. So, I told the waitress. She proceeded to ask the people at my table, in front of me, if they got my snapper. I swear to HEAVEN, we didn't get the snapper. I told her no big deal..... Then, she came out and told one of the guys that they were out of what he ordered. I get it. Canoe bar makes their food fresh (which is why it is so good)...so he ordered something else. Roughly 1.5 hours after we 1st arrived, food started rolling out to everyone at the table except for me and the guy who had to order something else. I can't remember what he had ordered, but I ordered Lionfish and chips (I wanted so badly to try it on this reach!!). I told everyone at the table to go ahead and eat, my food would be out shortly. But then everyone ate all of their food and our food was still not out. And then the waitress started to clear the table. So, I told her to cancel my food and bring the bill. Hubby and I went out to the bar to pay the bill. I am still calm at this point... calm but hungry....and maybe a little bit drunk because I have had like 4 beers on an empty stomach. As we are paying the bill, the waitress comes out and says "your food is ready". I told her I didn't want it and I wasn't paying for it. She offered to wrap it up. I told her again that I didn't want it. Then, the bartender says to me "Well, that is what you get when you bring in a big group". My head almost exploded!! There was 6 of us. Is that a big group? How about-just a simple "We are sorry". Instead,they turned it around to being my fault. I didn't want a discount or anything for free. I just wanted to pay my bill and move on. So, there you have it. The food was great. The waitress was awesome. However, they were clearly not staffed appropriately and it made me sad that I bragged them up and told my friends I couldn't wait to take them to Canoe Bar. Will I return? I don't know. It left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Irieonline]

Ty for the info Joleen

[sher]

Nice report! Do you have any pictures from PV? I've never been up that direction. We always stay at Coco when we are on the beach.

[yetta]

I feel your pain! I really like Canoe but we have had similar problems. The food and atmosphere is really awesome but the service can be variable. I have no problem at all waiting for freshly prepared food...but what you described is beyond words. I really hope they get it all together. If one frequents Negril or Jamaica...they know that waiting for great, fresh food is a given....but there is a point where it can become unacceptable. I hope they can get it all worked out. Canoe is really quite a nice establishment!

[signmon45]

Thanks for the TR, very detailed. But I can't help to interject about Canoe, because I thought it was just me. About 2 years ago, on a Steel Band nite, we arrived just before the band started, order our drinks and ordered 2 Lionfish & chips. Received our drinks and 2 1/2 hours later we get our food. I've been going to JA since '82, before there was fast food so I'm used to waiting when I order. But this one was the longest I've waited for any food since I've been down here. And no apology for the food. I tend to think the owners rest on their laurels from the word of mouth about how great their food is, especially when folks read the Forum and think its good to go.

[Jenn]

Our first trip to Negril was to PV. Many great memories there! I'm not certain I would go now, as it's a little far from the action for us. But for a first trip to Jamaica - it was perfect. Caught us hook, line, and sinker....