Where to stay?

[Mrs Wilson]

We're spoiled having spent about 15 trips at Seasplash, with huge space and small price. Since we spent more on F&B than our hotel room, they were always kind with the room price. But now no one knows us there, and price is more than we want to pay.

Where can we go with pretty gardens and island vibe, decent amenities, kitchen space (that is hard I know) and on beach from mid-section on up? If I thought I could find a good deal at Swept Away I would almost spend more and know everything was included. Not out style normally, but it is very nice, and maybe that's needed this year.

Decisions, decisions. Potential trip would be very late March into April for 10-14 days. Thoughts?

[hey_mon]

If you want beautiful gardens and grounds and a boutique feel at an all inclusive I would recommend the Grand Pineapple. You can get a lot of bang for your buck there, and we have stayed beach side and garden side and loved the view from our second floor garden side room! Buffet style, food is very good, and still priced that you would go out for a few meals if you wanted! Crystal Waters is up around that way, or Tree House May have rooms with kitchenettes? Hope this helps a little...

[Tenn DD]

If you want beautiful gardens and grounds and a boutique feel at an all inclusive I would recommend the Grand Pineapple. You can get a lot of bang for your buck there, and we have stayed beach side and garden side and loved the view from our second floor garden side room! Buffet style, food is very good, and still priced that you would go out for a few meals if you wanted! Crystal Waters is up around that way, or Tree House May have rooms with kitchenettes? Hope this helps a little...

Agree with the Crystal Waters suggestion. Family owned for decades by a GREAT hotel operator, 10 villas on the beach, extremely clean and safe, a housekeeper in each unit making made from scratch meals for breakfast and dinner, like staying in a Jamaican home. Maybe it's a little pricey, but the food cost is much cheaper than eating out, makes the total value excellent. A perfect location, a very deep beach, no restaurant or bar, but Tree House is two doors up the beach if you need a place to have a nightcap. The problem will be, can you get in, always full during peak seasons, but it would be worth a try to contact them. You wont be disappointed.

[Mrs Wilson]

I wrote and asked for availability of a 1 BR deluxe or superior room. On their website, the photos for either are identical, so I'm not sure the difference. But I loved loved the look of it. I'm a sucker for dark wood and pretty fabrics. And the patio areas seem large and comfortable. No we'll see if they have space.

Still thinking about Skylark too. I believe I wrote them earlier today.

Question - what can I expect to pay for food/day or /week? We like good food and heavy on the meat. So we would want oxtails, and fish, and goat, bacon or sausage with breakfast, etc. And do we have to do the shopping (you see a theme, I don't leave the beach. ever. pretty much ever except for a dinner or two on cliffs etc.)

Agree with the Crystal Waters suggestion. Family owned for decades by a GREAT hotel operator, 10 villas on the beach, extremely clean and safe, a housekeeper in each unit making made from scratch meals for breakfast and dinner, like staying in a Jamaican home. Maybe it's a little pricey, but the food cost is much cheaper than eating out, makes the total value excellent. A perfect location, a very deep beach, no restaurant or bar, but Tree House is two doors up the beach if you need a place to have a nightcap. The problem will be, can you get in, always full during peak seasons, but it would be worth a try to contact them. You wont be disappointed.

[Tenn DD]

I wrote and asked for availability of a 1 BR deluxe or superior room. On their website, the photos for either are identical, so I'm not sure the difference. But I loved loved the look of it. I'm a sucker for dark wood and pretty fabrics. And the patio areas seem large and comfortable. No we'll see if they have space.

Still thinking about Skylark too. I believe I wrote them earlier today.

Question - what can I expect to pay for food/day or /week? We like good food and heavy on the meat. So we would want oxtails, and fish, and goat, bacon or sausage with breakfast, etc. And do we have to do the shopping (you see a theme, I don't leave the beach. ever. pretty much ever except for a dinner or two on cliffs etc.)

Diff between deluxe and Superior villas, one is just a little roomier, I think the bedroom has a king and a twin bed. Standard meals are---breakfast, eggs, bacon, fruit and French toast, maybe pancakes.

The first day you arrive "Welcome Chicken" will be ready for your first evening meal. After that, you can pick your meals, with snapper, shrimp, lobster, and chicken as standard. Jerk chicken can be grilled by the guard if requested. Standard foods are deliverd from the farmer that brings vegies and standard foods. Oxtails, etc. can be arranged if the housekeeper has a good recipe, the housekeepers are all great made from scratch cooks, and can help you find items from the store, either you can go, or they may offer to go.

We stop and get beer, etc. and snacks at Mega Mart, but all main meals are taken care of for you.

I think we (two people) spent on average $40-45 total per day for the 14 days we were there for breakfast and dinner. Much cheaper than eating out, and the meals are awesome, like being in a Jamaican home.

[Mrs Wilson]

This part (food) I love Sounds like good savings for sure. Of course, I have to figure in liquor, but again, cheaper by far than drinking at bar. Thank you! We are emailing now, maybe it will work out. I will update )

Diff between deluxe and Superior villas, one is just a little roomier, I think the bedroom has a king and a twin bed. Standard meals are---breakfast, eggs, bacon, fruit and French toast, maybe pancakes.

The first day you arrive "Welcome Chicken" will be ready for your first evening meal. After that, you can pick your meals, with snapper, shrimp, lobster, and chicken as standard. Jerk chicken can be grilled by the guard if requested. Standard foods are deliverd from the farmer that brings vegies and standard foods. Oxtails, etc. can be arranged if the housekeeper has a good recipe, the housekeepers are all great made from scratch cooks, and can help you find items from the store, either you can go, or they may offer to go.

We stop and get beer, etc. and snacks at Mega Mart, but all main meals are taken care of for you.

I think we (two people) spent on average $40-45 total per day for the 14 days we were there for breakfast and dinner. Much cheaper than eating out, and the meals are awesome, like being in a Jamaican home.

[Mrs Wilson]

Was Grand Pineapple Poinsianna (something like that) back in 1996? We got married that year and a few friends stayed there. I think it must have been the same, because there isn't another last property if I'm correct, in that area.

If you want beautiful gardens and grounds and a boutique feel at an all inclusive I would recommend the Grand Pineapple. You can get a lot of bang for your buck there, and we have stayed beach side and garden side and loved the view from our second floor garden side room! Buffet style, food is very good, and still priced that you would go out for a few meals if you wanted! Crystal Waters is up around that way, or Tree House May have rooms with kitchenettes? Hope this helps a little...

[Todd]

White Sands has nice grounds/pool and kitchenettes on the garden side.

[agregory]

Look at Beach House Condos. My husband and I stayed in a studio there last year and it was perfect! They also have larger condos too. I booked through Airbnb. Treehouse is another option and Firefly.

[Mrs Wilson]

Thank you. I looked last night at Beach House Condos, and though it looks perfect for us, it is too far south on the beach. White Sands is out because I don't want to cross the street (there are several properties that have the feel we like but are across the road. I don't even like going to to the roadside, much less crossing it. It's amazing how spoiled I've gotten, am a little embarrassed, but with the price of a nice long vacation, I guess being picky is ok.

Look at Beach House Condos. My husband and I stayed in a studio there last year and it was perfect! They also have larger condos too. I booked through Airbnb. Treehouse is another option and Firefly.