Fellow Traveler Issues (UGH!)- Will anyone else be in Negril in August?

[JnJLuv2Travel]

Hi negrilaholic Well as of right now we are planned to leave Negril on the 10th. Tonight they both have pretty much backed out so now we are left trying to decide do we keep our villas and pay more than we planned, switch places (if even possible) or change the dates and find somewhere available. If we change the dates that means I will most likely not be there on my actual bday which was the point of this trip. Our other option of course it to keep it just me and Hubs. Right now it is just a lot for me to try and process.

I would love to meet up if our dates work out in that favor! Where will you be staying?

[negrilaholic]

Well, the first eight nights, will be staying with an old friend from way back jr high and a Negril virgin, at Grand Pineapple, and haven't really decided yet where I will be the next eight nights after that yet..might go to Summerset Village again, and considering Hidden Paradise, and also checking out Sun Bungalo, among others..nothing set in stone yet..also heard from a friend that Tigress II might be worth checking out as well...

it's a bummer you'll be leaving the day I get there..the only thing set in stone besides the first eight nights since my friend Lori already paid for an oceanfront room at GP, is the ticket to get there.

[JnJLuv2Travel]

I was just looking at GP! Our friends both mentioned maybe if we did an AI they could go. I checked out Hidden Paradise earlier today thanks to a fellow boardie. If we decide to change our dates we will most likely go the 11-17 so there might be a chance!

I really wish I was more spontaneous with planning our trips. I am a freak about planning. Once I get there I am completely free, spontaneous and happy. I am much more fun than this Pity Party Post makes me seem I swear! I am just feeling completely overwhelmed. BUT my big plans for tomorrow are to sit on the back porch with some Red Stripes and let the stress fade away. I know no matter what it will be a great trip and we will be back in our favorite place in the entire world TOGETHER Hubs and I. Plus hopefully some new friends!

[SweetSue]

Well, the first eight nights, will be staying with an old friend from way back jr high and a Negril virgin, at Grand Pineapple, and haven't really decided yet where I will be the next eight nights after that yet..might go to Summerset Village again, and considering Hidden Paradise, and also checking out Sun Bungalo, among others..nothing set in stone yet..also heard from a friend that Tigress II might be worth checking out as well...

it's a bummer you'll be leaving the day I get there..the only thing set in stone besides the first eight nights since my friend Lori already paid for an oceanfront room at GP, is the ticket to get there.

A word of caution: Several years ago (August 2007) - a friend booked me a room at Tigress II as I had told them I was looking for cheap lodgings to allow me to stay longer & more often. Despite the beautiful pictures on the website, that was not what I found when I got there. The roof on the restaurant was partially caved in, there was rubble (courtesy of Ivan) and the pool was filled with green algae. It had not been used in years. The grounds were once lovely and there was some signs of an attempt to bring it back BUT ... The first room I was shown looked ok but within minutes I noted there was fleas or something literally jumping out of the carpet. Of course, I was immediately up front to request a different room. Room number 2 looked clean but it turned out to have an ant problem beyond anything I have EVER seen in my life. I woke up the next morning to a bed FULL of little biting ants. They sprayed but there was no improvement. When I went to the owner to get a refund because I was leaving, he accused me of spraying something sweet that attracted the ants. The spray he saw me with was OFF! He lived in a house up front with his mother. She thought I wouldn't understand her patois but when she said I was a liar and had probably brought the bugs in with me, I had no problem responding to her. I like the area but I will not consider staying at Tigress II again. I had recently looked at their website because the name had come up a few days ago. They have lovely pictures, just as before, and site was dated 2009. Based on my prior experience, I don't believe it is a truthful representation of the property.

The only people I saw staying there were locals - a family with about 8 pickney, a few young ladies who worked at one of the resorts and some laborers.

I would be very happy to hear that the place was fixed up. Once upon a time it was a lovely property and it was a shame to see the condition it had deteriorated to. So many hardworking folks lost a lot to Ivan. While walking along West End Road, I had met a woman who used to have a beautiful hotel on the cliffs with her husband. She did not know that he had cancelled their storm insurance because it was expensive. He thought they would be ok as the area had not experienced the kind of hurricane damage that is usually seen on the South coast or in Kingston. Then along came Ivan...

If you have a RELIABLE contact in Negril, I would ask them to visit the property and take some pictures before I would consider staying there.


Peace.

[Guirigay]

Well I just got news I wasn't wanting to hear.

The one person who has complained just responded with I don't think this trip is going to work out for me. I don't think I can afford it...

Uggghhhhhhhh.

That's actually good news JnJ, clear the decks, work out whats best for you and Hubs. I have planned big trips for large parties and I will tell you, there is something in general human nature that prevents most people from appreciating the effort involved in making it all come together for a large group. Don't even get me started on the IMPOSSIBILITY of making everyone happy. You offered the opportunity, it was passed on, don't sweat it, go have fun. Better yet, go have fun in a couple of weeks with people you know share your vibe!

[negrilbay]

SweetSue, I agree with everything you said about Tigress II, I stayed there last Dec

[upsetter]

I was planning on staying at Sunset at the Palms in August. But am now reconsidering based on a substantial increase in price over the past week or so. The price increased by about $200/person. I am looking at an Aug. 21 arrival. What could the reason for the increase be? It is after ATI and low-season. I suppose it could be speculation on summer gas prices...?

[BCBud]

Upsetter - are you looking at their website for your prices. If so, check out www.negrilonestop.com - they have some special rates for your time period which appear significantly less than the SATP website.

[negrilaholic]

I just want to say thanks for the feedback on Tigress II, so have crossed that one off my list, right now for the next 14 nights, after the first 8 nights at GP, making my stay a total of 22 nights, will be at either Hidden Paradise, Travellers, or Shields.