2 room cottages or suites on the beach?

[Kritter]

If you are on a strict budget, and you can handle spartan conditions, consider staying at Ansell's Thatchwalk Cottages (is right next to Shields - Ansell and Shields have a cooperative relationship so that their guests can use each others' property). Most cottages have a small kitchenette, and are adjoined by another suite that could be rented as a second bedroom. I've stayed there a couple times .... once when I brought my 3 daughters down, and I was flipping the tab ..... between using FF miles and, low fare lodging, and cooking (or reheating) many meals at 'home', we had a very memorable and affordable beachfront vacation. Some of the staff live on the premises, and depending on when you go, you will have built in playmates as there is a 4-yr old that resides there and his 14-yr old cousin is often on the premises as well (both boys).

[Yvonne]

Negril Beach Club Condos. NOT Negril Beach Club Resort, Negril Beach Resort or whatever the hotel section is called. Jean Gaynair has nice 1 & 2 bedroom units & the property is very kid & family friendly. Close to town, pool, great beach. Beach bar, restaurant (great food) Lingah by the Sea, convenience store on site, plus much more. I was there last in early February. It's worth checking out, for sure.

[BionicMango]

Thank you

[thepegboy]

A second shout for Ansell's Thatchwalk....spartan, but a great piece of the beach!

[bchfun]

How about Crystal Waters? It is next to where we stay, and there are always families there and everyone looks VERY happy and content! The property looks to be well cared for.

[Blueswoman]

Nirvana is a good choice too, especially for the 3 year old as it is enclosed and they can run around like wild ones. The older would also love the place. Has kitchen, comes with a cook for one meal a day, and when you pay, all tips are included in the price. Of course, I can't help but drop a little more to any of the staff who have gone above and beyond.

[BionicMango]

How's the security at Ansell's?Do they have safes in the rooms?The funny thing is, I'm not at all worried about, but my Jamaican wife is.

[Kritter]

No safes in the room BioMan .... I get around that by not bringing or leaving anything valuable in the room. They have a security guard - not sure if he works during the day ... but he is on guard all night. When I was there a month ago, there were 2 guards employed ... one was more attentive than the other. And they were stealth .... you didn't see them around, but the minute a stranger would approach my porch (which, I had made a couple acquaintances on the island), the guard showed up right away, like he had just been hiding around the corner. Probably more effective than the security, is the dogs. There's a couple dogs on the grounds .... and the minute they sense, hear or see someone they don't recognize either on Ansell's property or at the property line .... they bark like crazy.
During the day, there's so much activity with the guests and staff .... it would be really difficult for someone to break into your room without being noticed. One of the things that I really like about staying at Ansell's is that it has a sort of "camp" feel...... like you've just been sent to camp for adults You get to know your suitemates, and the other guests ... there seems to be a comraderie, and it's not unusual for you all to be hanging together during the day or night - on each other's porches, playing cards together, taking dinner together, taking excursions. I got to know PegBoy this past reach ..... we ended up going to the Blue Hole together, and touring around Little Bay. Also got to know another guest a couple years ago .... and he was there again this year, so it was like a reunion. The other guests and the staff have always watched out for me while I'm there.

[BionicMango]

Thanks Kritter, Sounds awesome.

[BionicMango]

Looks like either Shields or Ansells, April 7th through 14th.