Mr. X does Negril (2010) with No Reservations

[Mr. X]

Chapter 5 (cont) – Hotel

August 9th, 2010 (D-Day minus 26)
Papamark with his daily musings reporting directly from the Blue Cave Castle so I got a pretty good idea what is going on at BCC. Sounds like having my own snorkel gear, float and footies (so not cut my baby feet) will be perfect to just float and snorkel along cliffs.

Kind of excited thinking about staying at a place like Xtabi right on the water for $65 a night! Boss still wants reservations for the first night. I am going to wait as long as I can because nothing going on that week so most places are not going to be anywhere near full.

Wifey says Cocolapalm has $100 a night suite on their website.
She cannot take it anymore not having hotels all lined up with less the 4 weeks to go.
What is there to take?
The prices are getting better every day! Be calm!
Your ONE JOB is the Ritz on Friday night how’s that going?
HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING!
If you don’t find out soon we are going to stay in the Penthouse at Blue Cave Castle for 1 more night!! FINE! (Super cool! I say to myself)

August 11th, 2010 (D-Day minus 24)
Going through old trip reports for ideas. Somebody asked about Idle Awhile. Looks really cool. Love those covered patios. Got to check that place out when we are there. Looks a little out of my budget on this trip but you never know. $130 plus tax would be $156. I am sure it’s worth it just cannot afford it this trip. Also they are owned by Couples Swept Away so you get to use their sports Facilities. I don’t really care about that for me on vacation but if you have friends that are all into that it would be nice. My father would probably play tennis 3 or 4 times a week so looks like a good place.

I have been checking Catcha Falling Star website regularly. Given the choice I would love to stay there but cannot afford it. On website there are only 2 rooms available for the Saturday we arrive and both are 2 bedrooms suites at $175. Sunday they only have 2 rooms available but Monday (Labor Day in US) and Tuesday they are only half full at most so maybe …

Sale at Catcha hits Negril.com yes! Finally! 25% off rooms in September! Fine print for 2nd and 4th week not for the 1st week when we are there. OK no problem $70 for Gatehouse cottage and Capricorn 1. I could do the Gatehouse because it has a little private patio but the Capricorn 1 has no patio or view but you are on the property.

Wife’s friend stayed at the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall and thought it was sooo nice. Whatever! They probably never even left the property. Has not heard from friend with the hook up at the Ritz. Would not be punishment to stay at the Ritz, just would rather stay in Negril for 1 more day.

August 12, 2010 (D-Day minus 23)
What if we stayed in a different place every night? Well it would be a pain packing and unpacking. Unless you planned it like that. Mrs. Rockafeller doubt will go for it. Would be cool to check out lots of places. Another problem is you usually have to check out by 12pm and new check in is 3pm at most places could be a problem dealing with suitcases.

Banana Shout
Read the reviews would like to see the place meet the owner Milo. With only a few rooms on the property I know it would be worth it but still probably out of my budget this trip. At $100 a night looks pretty cool. I actually stayed on this property for 1 night 20 years ago. But that was before Ivan.

August 13th, 2010 (D-Day minus 22)
Only special I saw today was the Yellow Bird. Think I should check out when we are there. Special starting at $48 but don’t know which rooms that is. Says good happy hour there would like to check that place out.

Boss still wants to stay on beach for two days but have not got figured out where yet. I would like a great room at a good price or a good room at a great price.

BarBBarn
Read all the reviews on TA very mixed. Much better on travel reports on Negril.com. Did a search on Negril.com and read everything in last 2 years. People who like it seem to really like it. (Seveen) I read about some really bad rooms. Other people like rooms. I just will have to see the room in person. Beach looks good. No pool but not a big deal with the beach right in front of me and no kids. I know there will be lots of people try to talk to us. No problem. Special is $65 total with breakfast. $90 total for breakfast and dinner. $20 max per person on dinner plus complimentary drinks. Not counting drinks that’s $40 for dinner so that leaves $50 for the room and breakfast. Well if the room is acceptable to boss lady, seems like another sweet deal to me. Bourbon Beach is next door and they have a show on Monday Night might be cool. Jamaican owned.

August 16th, 2010 (D-Day minus 19)
Not much happening today. Looks like room is not available at Ritz Carlton Rose Hall. Another day and night in Negril. Nice. Don’t know where we will stay last night but so many places so many options.

Thinking it would be nice to stay at Seastar Inn first 4 days. Would be good for my budget and make things easier. Mrs. Rockefeller wants the beach so I got my work cut out for me. We are going to be on the beach Sunday at Aqua for webcast and Wednesday at Rhodes Hall. Maybe one day looking at places on the beach. Last night we are there stay at the beach such as Idle Awhile. Maybe 1 night.

Checked exact info for our trip last year to RIU Tropical Bay which is now the RIU Palace Tropical Bay. To get same flights and everything else the same as we had last year is about $3600 for which we paid $2600.

August 19th, 2010 (D-Day minus 16)
Still think the Seastar Inn will be perfect and affordable for the first night if they are doing the webcast and party.

More reading just makes me want to stay on the cliffs and play on the beach. I like walking on the beach but doubt long walks at night on beach.

Thursday August 26th, 2010 (D-Day minus 9)
Trying not to let work interfere with my vacation dreaming/planning. Checked Negril.com. Aqua’s bar is closed and no webcast for 2 weeks including the Sunday when we are going to be there. Lol. that’s 2 years in a row will miss Sunday webcast at Aqua. Well that kind of was the plan on Sunday sunset. Ok no problem

August 27th, 2010 (D-Day minus 8)
Agreed to book Seastar Inn (she is freaking? About going on vacation with no reservations.) Sure I know on the surface it looks strange to the uninitiated. But its offseason. You can go on hotel website and put dates in and see that many are completely empty. Not going to be a problem to find a room. I will book a room for first night. Just got to wait until have the money I guess.