Grand Pineapple veterans, please help!

[negrilaholic]

If you have been to Grand Pineapple before, I need your feedback on it please. I am going to be staying there this August with my friend Lori, and we had kicked around quite a few places before settling on GP. She had mentioned other AI's like Breezes and Sandals, but the monstrously big AI's where people leave towels on loungers to hold them is really not my style at all. Plus, don't those places fire people if they take tips? I could never support a place like that..I'm just hoping that GP isn't like that, if so, I'm screwed, because then I will have to find another place and it took a lot to get us to settle on that..so please tell me that slipping a few bucks now and then if I feel like it won't get anyone working there in trouble..not tipping is a sure fire way for me to NOT enjoy my vacation..I hate being told wtf to do with MY money!

Anyway, I have heard a lot of good things about Grand Pineapple, and really like the fact that it is centrally located and not stuck up by itself somewhere. Lori had mentioned something about their pool under construction though, has anyone heard anything about that? If it is, I am sure it will be done by August, regardless, and I need that pool for my night swimming! Also, don't they sometimes close it down during "low" season and send people to Beaches??? Is there any way to make sure that doesn't happen or to find out how likely it is to happen??

Lori is pretty set on All Inclusive, and I am set on Negril, so if there is a chance of Grand Pineapple being closed, I need to know, and hopefully I can steer her to an EP instead? I cannot think of that many All Inclusives I would really like to stay at..they are not my scene, but I might end up making it a two week trip and staying one week at an AI, then the second week back to Summerset again.

I really want to make it a longer trip than just a week, but if it is just a week I can handle that, because come 2013, I plan on staying for three months as soon as I can do it, maybe by my bday in Feb next year, and if I can handle the three months, will just see if I can make it a permanent one.

[lisapat]

Now you have ME scared....I've read about the occasional overbookings, which bump folks for an occasional night or two to the Elmo/Big Bird resort....but, pool out of commission, or closed for the season...that's creepy....we go to the Grand Pineapple in 18 days!!!

[negrilaholic]

oh no problem, you are going during peak season, so they will be up and going..I haven't seen anything about the pool anywhere else, but in emails, my friend Lori said something about it being under construction, but I have no idea where she got that from..I asked her about it, but never got an answer.

I have heard of them closing during off season even when people had reservations though, just not sure if that would be Sep/Oct or if it would include August too or not.

[lisapat]

I DID read on tripadvisor a review recently that said the pool, hot tub, and tennis court was under a "renovation"...although I've never seen another review mentioning that a tennis court existed

[gerryg123]

Negriloholic, the Grand Pineapple is a non-smoking hotel .... lol just kiddin' ....

[Jamaica Joleen]

We have been to The Grand Pineapple twice and LOVE it there.
1. Tipping is allowed but not expected....which always makes me even happier to tip.
2. We have never been bumped, nor have I ever heard of guests being bumped while there. Both stays were in February (high season)
3. People will save chairs at GP, but it has NEVER EVER been an issue.
4. They are in the most awesome location of the beach...smack dab in the middle.
5. We have tried botth AI and Non AI and we really like going AI (just our preference). The nice thing about the GP is it is affordable enough that you don't feel guilty leaving the resort and trying other places out for food/drink.
6. As to the pool, I am unsure about the renovation. I can tell you that in our 2 visits there, we never used the pool even once. The pool is on the other side of the road and there really isn't much going on over there. The beach is where all the fun and action is.
7. Don't even think twice, book the GP. You will love it there.
8. Oh- the food and drink is awesome. Only one restaurant with a buffet but they have different themes every night for the buffet and we never got bored or tired of the food.

[negrilaholic]

Negriloholic, the Grand Pineapple is a non-smoking hotel .... lol just kiddin' ....

OMG Gerry you nearly had me canceling, lololol!

[negrilaholic]

Well this will be my friend Lori's first trip to Jamaica and my sixth, I love going EP but for her, she wants the AI experience and I like GP because it's right in the middle of stuff. I did look over the pics on trip advisor and saw it walking by so I am pretty sure I will have a good time..as long as I don't spend too much time in the room..yellow walls..blech, lol...but I really don't see myself in the room that much.

[7milelover]

DO NOT spend another moment worrying about GP. I just returned from my second trip there on Feb 19, and spent 15 wonderful nights at Negril's best kept secret. There are more than enough chair/loungers there, but the spots under the trees, go first. If you avoid staying at GP because of this, it would be so silly. The staff is very friendly and they want to please you. The grounds are very pretty, and the rooms are colorful Jamaican cottages and are kept clean. When we were gathered around the bar at night , dancing to the music, I thought how much fun this place must look to someone walking down the beach.[ If I wasn't already staying there, I would wish I was.] There are enough other guests to make it fun, but you never feel crowded. I would advise you NOT to cancel GP. Another perk, is you can hear the music from Alfred's sitting on the comfort of the GP beach at night , w/o paying or being in a crowd. I was in the pool, which was not under construction. The pool is very nice, located on the garden side, and rarely used so you would have no problem doing laps. The hot tub is located near the beach and was closed for maintenance for a few days, while I was there, then was up and running. You will find a way to arrange your beach lounges, and you will be glad you didn't pay more for another AI. The food is buffet and I never went hungry. The GP location is the heart of the 7 mile beach. This hotel is totally laid back and welcoming to it's guests, w/o hassling them about** 'anything'.**despite what you might have heard. Go for it!

[Yardie]

They have not closed during the off-season for the past 2 or 3 years