How safe is Negril to stay in a NON AI??

[irie luv]

I tried my hardest not to respond I really did!!! But for the newcomer on the board who had a very simple question,you will be fine. If you have travelled anywhere other than where you are from you have enough experience to travel safely in Jamaica. Respect, courtesey and appreciation for the natural beauty of island and the people on it will get you a loooooong way. It's really not that hard, but based on some of the responses I guess it depends where you are coming from. Being from San Francisco we getted hasseled damn near everyday from bums and whinos downtown , you just have to know how to deal with it. The good outweighs the bad on the Island 1000:1 if you ask me. Just go, be cautious, travel light and with an open heart. I am sure you will come back with a great trip report for us all to read!!! Enjoy your 1st trip to Jamaica. Like the saying goes "once you go ....you know" and thats a good thing.

[SimonB1964]

I tried my hardest not to respond I really did!!! But for the newcomer on the board who had a very simple question,you will be fine. If you have travelled anywhere other than where you are from you have enough experience to travel safely in Jamaica. Respect, courtesey and appreciation for the natural beauty of island and the people on it will get you a loooooong way. It's really not that hard, but based on some of the responses I guess it depends where you are coming from. Being from San Francisco we getted hasseled damn near everyday from bums and whinos downtown , you just have to know how to deal with it. The good outweighs the bad on the Island 1000:1 if you ask me. Just go, be cautious, travel light and with an open heart. I am sure you will come back with a great trip report for us all to read!!! Enjoy your 1st trip to Jamaica. Like the saying goes "once you go ....you know" and thats a good thing.

Thank you, that was a heartwarming reply, we are going for sure!!

[irieworld]

hey Simon-- as far as beach or cliffs, it really comes down to personal preference-- I have stayed a few times on the cliffs (west end) and many times on the beach. I am a beach bum at heart and love walking for miles in the sand. That said, I also love swimming and snorkeling and the cliffs are great for that--the water along the beach is pretty shallow until you get way out there. But that said, one does not exclude the other--some cliff places have a shuttle to the beach and taxis are easy to get and plentiful.

Out of your list I have stayed at White Sands and Seastar. White Sands was very basic--smallish room--no tv--small fridge. The location is great, rooms are clean and the place is safe. There are good happy hour specials at the bar but the food is only so-so. But food is never a problem in Negril, so many great places to go both beach and cliff side.

Seastar is an exceptionally well run hotel--great restaurant, great staff, great swim up bar. And Saturday night entertainment and buffet is not to be missed, whether you are staying or not. They have live reggae, a drumming and dance act, and sometimes big name artists play. The only drawback for me is that it is not right on the water.

I have walked through Rondel, nice property. I don't know much about rooms but from the beach it looks sort of generic.

Other great beach properties are Bar B Barn and Coco La Palm. I am not sure what your budget is but there are so many other great places as well. Planning a trip to Negril is great fun!

[negrilaholic]

I've stayed at Seastar and Oasis when it was Thrills and liked them both, but if I had to choose between the two, would prefer Seastar, simply because the owners, Chris and Francine, are the best and really make the place what it is.

[shellyk]

Sea Star is not prohibitive to beach time as there is a shuttle offered by Sea Star and most all of the beach locations will allow you to park for the day if you wish so long as you purchase some food or drinks throughout the day. Also the beach is a public beach so you can freely walk up and down it for miles, Sea star also has a very nice pool that you can swim in at all hours. The Saturday night entertainment is broadcast with an online webcast every Saturday night at Realnegril.com.

[x l ent]

Once you've been...you'll be back again!
Ooooh, and carry a small LED light when walking at night. it works for me. Relax and have fun!

[NikkiB]

I just cannot imagine staying at an AI. Too much great food to eat and too many wonderful people to meet. We too are in our 40's but like to go out at night and dance a liitle and hang out. Negril is the one place I can leave all the bs behind and relax!

[NikkiB]

Simon we stay at the Treehouse and the location is great. We stumbled upon it on line and its nice to see familiar faces
Each year (staff AND guests!). The breakfast is really good too.