swept away would be a great choice. have stayed many times as well as many times non ai. both great. don't let them scare you about getting off property. go to a show one night (if you can stay up that late). prob want to book thru negril one stop . won't cost any more for you and they can assist on a room. ensure you are not next to the road or right by the dining area.. my only complaint about swept away is you have to wear hard soled shoes to get into a couple of the restaurants.
I totally agree with Ras Walleye, there are many great options beyond the Couples compound. One of which is the Charela Inn where I have been visiting for the past two years. Great ambiance, excellent food and friendly staff who after checking in by day 2 they know your name. They make you feel right at home. They offer different meal plans to suit your needs, i always take the map which includes breakfast and a 5 course dinner giving me the chance to eat out for lunch. Am not much of a drinker so the AI wouldn't be an option for me.
Their rooms are nicely decorated and affordable. The front desk team can assist with the arrangements of scuba diving.
Hope you will have a wonderful vacation.
Thanks everyone for your responses. I will def. have to check out this Catcha that you all are talking about. I am just choosing AI to get my feet wet and to get a feel for where we are at. If we like Negril as much as we think we will...next time i will prob be looking for another experience. Where does everyone think i should go check out away from the resort?
Check out the schedule at realnegril.com and go to at least one of the web casts. The buffet and show at Seastar on Saturday nights is not to be missed. Canoe and 3 Dives also have great vibes and food. Ivan's at Catcha Falling Star and Kuyaba are both excellent for fine dining. Meet some people and make some friends for there are beaches and sunsets many places but it's the people that make Jamaica truly magical!
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. KJV Psalm 68:4
You said you want it to be as close to perfect as possible. Well, you're 90% there by picking Negril! I am not an AI person, so cannot comment on any of the AI's, but go for it! Do what you feel comfortable with ... I guarantee there will be other trips after - Once you go, you know! The boardies here are a great guide. Better than any travel agents.
If you do stay at an AI, get in touch with the One Love Bus Pub Crawl, and do that. It takes you up to the cliffs to see what is up there, and aside from a spectacular view, there are great bars, awesome restos and the nicest people on the planet to chill with. OUr fearless leader and great guru of all things Negril, Rob, can point you in the right directions for this! And more. It can be crowded, but that's half the fun! AI or not, I would heartily recommend a dinner at Rockhouse or Catcha Falling Star Cliffs (Ivan's). She will love you forever after one of those! (Coconut chicken at Rockhouse is to die for!). Blue Hole at Roaring River is an awesome trip. There are so many "not to be missed places" that you really need to start planning trips 4, 5 & 6 to get it all in.
Oh. You need to send us all a trip report! There is nothing more uplifting than reading a new visitor's take on our beloved Negril! Watching somebody fall in love! Please do.
Just one word of advice. RELAX. Enjoy. There's no hurry. No problem, mon. And BTW - Jamaican 101. "Soon come" has very little to do with "soon"!But hey, who cares!
You're in Negril. Take it slow!
Cool Runnings, Fozzy and the soon-to-be-surprised Mrs. Fozzy!
Fozzy don't even waste your time with an AI. My husband & I had our first trip week before last and I was damned determined not to go to an AI bc I wanted to experience Negril! You know how I did it... this board! I went and never batted an eye! The only thing I didn't do was learn how to GET HOME! May have been a Freudian thing... I don't know, but Gary would ask me "How do we...." and I could answer... except the day we had to leave and he said "How do we get back thru the airport?" I didn't know... but we did it! And now I'm home.... blah blah blah! Seriously, if you are on this board you're one step closer to non-AI! The best way to go!!! I'll be happy to help! Oh & Catcha Falling Star..... definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth... and a spectacular place to be with the one you love!!!
You never see it coming ... and the next thing you know ... UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Hi Everyone,
This is the first time I've posted here but I've been reading your comments for a few weeks.
Fozzy, if you want an AI then CSA is your best choice. Book an Atrium or if it's in the budget look at at the Beachfront Suites. There are 3 different types of Beachfront suites so I suggest you check out their website. My favorite is the Premium Beachfront Suites because of the large veranda's. CSA is in a good location to check out the other places to stay along the beach. They also do a shuttle to the Sands one evening so you can get a look at the cliffs too but it wont be long enough to look at the place you might want to stay in the future. I say that with full confidence because once you've been to Jamaica and IMO Negril, you have to go back.
Having said all of that about CSA, I have to tell you the reason I joined this MB is to try to break my CSA addiction and move on to a non-AI. I have a 15 trip habit and I need to give it up. I am quite comfortable in Negril and know many of the local people because even though I stay at an AI, I go off the property every day. We eat at least 1 meal a day at a the local restaurants or bars. I love the people and vibe in Negril. It's like going home when ever we are there. When I get the courage to step out of my comfort zone I will be posting on the MB to also ask help on where to stay.
BTW, the diving from CSA is wonderful. They have very knowledgeable dive masters and Anthony Morris is a great Scuba Instructor. I got certified while at CSA in April. I can't wait to get back to Jamaica so I can dive again.
Your wife is a lucky woman!
KK
Thanks KK. Well i did it moday. Booked my trip for April 13th. As much as everyone is telling me not to...I desided on CSA. I got the Beachfront Verranda Suite. Tried to get the Premium Suite but they were all booked already. I am gonna be there for 8 days 7 nights so i should have time to go off resort for a few trips. Pretty sure i wanna go see the Blue Hole. My question is how do you get there. Is there someone that the resort can refer. Or how does that work. I am excited to see what Negril had to offer. Now just the LONG wait till April 13th.
The resort can recommend a driver at a very high price. There are many excellent drivers in Negril that will take you there for less than resort prices. Remember to ONLY use red plate taxi's as they are insured to carry passengers. My favorite driver is Kenny. He can be contacted at kennyjamaica@gmail.com or 876-384-1371
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. KJV Psalm 68:4
OK...thanks Ras. I will prob go a route like that then. I will def check into that then when time gets closer. How do the drivers do things down there? Do they want a flat rate as to where you are going? Do they charge by distance? Then what happens while you are there? Do they drop you off then come back as a certain time or what?
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