Negril Beach Club Condo - Be aware !!

[TizzyATX]

that's kind of a blanket statement, and not necessarily true in all cases ... of course if one doesn't KNOW someone, or has 'just met' them, i would agree. But if someone is in an established relationship, and plans their trip to include their significant other who is local, then of COURSE that person would be in the room with the traveler.

Thanks Miss Blue....you're right that did come out very much as a blanket statment and that's not fair. I was referring to the type of situation that's been discussed in this thread....A jamaican boyfriend/ BF for the stay....I honestly dont think it would be wise to let them come into your room. To many risks. Especially if you just met him and want to go somewhere to....ya know. That's a very vulnerable position to place yourself in when travelling solo.

I agree with what you said. I met a lovely couple who had an ongoing relationship that stemmed from her prior trip to JA. He was from Kingston and She was from the states. They stayed together in a room while they vacationed in Negril. It was clear that they had grown very close and knew eachother well enough to have that kind of trust.

[Blandy1]

Our group (3) of us stayed in 2 ground floor rooms on the property during the same time that Christine was there & we were aware that the patio door in our room had a broken lock, as it did in Dec. last year when we stayed there. Knowing that, we still did not feel unsafe at the property. It had a wooden stick & a chain lock on it. I do feel that the locks are in need of repair, but I was aware of that when we booked our rooms there. We saw Christine & her friend several times during our stay & they pretty much kept to themselves. I am sorry that this happened to her, but not telling all the facts of the situation does present a problem in hurting the reputation of the property. When you pay such a low price for a room, you have to know that you get what you pay for. The rooms do need some repairs, but then again, if you have stayed there before, you should be aware of that & take the necessary precautions. We have stayed there 3 different times & will do so again. I am sorry Christine that you were a victim & hope you will return to Negril in the future. Maybe next time try a different property, but be more aware of your surroundings. I do believe this is the reason why so many properties in Negril will not let you have overnight guests in your room. Just my 2 cents worth.

[gerryg123]

i would Bernie Madoff is VERY stupid -- he could have been a millionaire but instead stole billions and now he is in prison for Life .... what part of that is smart? lol

[luvjabd]

i would Bernie Madoff is VERY stupid -- he could have been a millionaire but instead stole billions and now he is in prison for Life .... what part of that is smart? lol

His downfall was greed, not stupidity. Again, I do not condone Im just sayin.

[Craig123]

Just a pont of clairification on this topic. When I see a claim of robbery, it gets my attention big time!!! A robbery by definition, involves violence or threat thereof. Burglaries, on the other hand, involve breaking and entering a building to commit a crime such as theft.

Burgalries are certainly a serious offence, especially the home invasion type when occupied. In no way am I saying this alleged incident was trivial. However a robbery, by it's very nature is much more serious.

[Yvonne]

Good point Blandy1 about properties not allowing Jamaicans. I - based on years of travel to Negril - often thought this & have also been told this is exactly why. It opens the owners up to too many potential problems. Along the same lines, I've had Jamaican male friends tell me that properties don't like to do this because, if the relationship goes bad, they don't want the person on the grounds after the fact. This is why they don't allow them in the first place.

Also... NBCC is one of numerous entities that call the Beach Club property home. There are privately owned condos rented out by another party, privately owned condos lived in &/or rented out by their owners, hotel rooms, etc. The management of the property, not Mrs. Gaynair, is responsible for security. She can ask for more security guards but, since the current manager chose to cut back from the higher level of staffing in the past, asking isn't likely to make it happen.

Also for the person who chose to take a stab at me regarding not renting 1st floor rooms to single women. Common sense should help one figure out that there will be times this won't happen... no other rooms of the type wanted are available for the dates requested, the person wants to be closer to the beach & that's all that's available, etc. I have other female friends who choose to stay on the ground floor, period. They like being in the mix of things. I also know people who forgot to lock their door after coming in a bit wasted & lost cash & expensive jewelry. Quote from the husband, "That's what I get for being stupid." (I'm not implying you were Christine so please don't go there.)

Yes, it sounds like locks need to be replaced. I hope this will help get it done. Often though, unless the manager is told something is broken, they don't know to fix it. Yes, housekeeping should alert the management but I'm guessing they're more focused on their job. It would be good to add this to a "to do" list after a guest leaves/before one arrives. I know when I arrive for my long summer stay in my TS room I always have a list of things that need to be fixed/replaced. The previous tenants never mentioned anything so they didn't know.

My TS rooms do not have the wooden stick that the NBCC rooms have yet I feel secure, just use my window lock as an extra precaution since I know thefts can happen. When there was more security, they still happened.

Sometimes, after cleaning patios/balconies, housekeeping may not remember to lock the sliding glass door. As the person staying in the room, it is MY responsibility to make sure it is secured, just as it is at home. I have 4 sets of sliding glass doors at home w/out the wooden sticks & have never had a break in.

Leaving out facts invites questioning of credibility as do several other comments made. People talk, e-mail, share information so posting selective information is bound to come back & bite the poster. Honesty - which means all the facts, not just the ones that make the best story - is always the best policy. My mom taught me that as a child. Not telling everything is not being honest. If something bad happens, just tell the honest truth.

Thank you, Rob, for your insightful & accurate responses.

[Blandy1]

Yvonne, I was not saying just Jamaicans as overnight guest, I am saying most properties do not allow any (regardless of what nationally they are) overnight guest if they are not registered there. It is just too much of a liabillity for the properties.

I did send Jean a message after we got home about some things in our rooms, that I thought she might not be aware of. These things were not a big issue for us but might me for the next person & felt she should know, so they could be addressed. I enjoy our stays there & things can not be addressed if she is not aware of them. We would not hesitate to stay there again even if they are not fixed, as it is a wonderful property that we enjoy. Common sense plays a big part in our life's at home & should also when you are on vacation.

Christine, again I am sorry this happened to you, as you seemed to be a very nice lady. We just have to keep our witts about us at all times, as you never know when & what can happen.

[Yvonne]

The rest of the story & the after-story from Mrs. Gaynair who asked me to post this for her...

I have been taking care of visitors to Negril for over 30 yrs. It's important to me to maintain their safety. I always try to brief visitors about their responsibility as well. Initially I had no doubt about the entry to Christine’s room but, after her boyfriend’s death threat and demand for cash from the security manager, it left everyone concerned in doubt now. She checked in with her Jamaican boyfriend in late October & spent 8 nights in that room before the incident took place. Her front door has a working dead bolt lock and a chain. The patio door has a chain and a lock plus the stick which everyone is advised to use as an extra security measure (posted on the door... a reminder to use all locks & observe security measures). This was her first time staying at the Beach Club.

According to security, her Jamaican boyfriend has stayed and visited guests on the property on a few occasions in the past. Security observed that Christine‘s friend had a lot of local visitors coming to their apartment, staying late and cooking, some were not allowed in. The night in question they had a dinner party and were up late, they did not lock their patio door, they admitted that to me and other guests that they never used the chain or the stick. After they made the report of their loss to the police ($100us and $25ca, 2 cell phones, etc.) I told her and her friend that they have to take some of the blame as they left the door open/did not lock it. I gave her the $100us cash. Her camera and 2 cell phones will be covered by NBCC insurance which was reported. She also had travel insurance for which she got the report from the police to make the claim.

However, early next morning her friend went to the security manager, demanded money, threatened his life, and said he'd stab him with scissors and "blood him up" if he did not pay him $400 us for his phone, $600 us for camera and $400 us for Christine's cell phone. He has also threatened other workers.

The security manager had to call in the police and file a report of the death threat by her boyfriend. The boyfriend returned to the hotel again after they'd checked out and continued to demand money. The police had to be called in and they removed him and asked him not to return to the property. Since that time, the police concluded he is of questionable character, unemployed, and possibly robbed himself. He told me & the security chief that if they did not give him the money he demanded, Christine was going on the internet to spread his story.

I will also post this as a new thread so others do not miss it.

[booger]

So from what I have learned from this post is this......

Big Bamboo has hidden cost.....