Rondel 1 bedroom villa vs Coco jr suite for 2 ladies, or????

[Melody]

Or Charela seaview room with 2 beds?

I'll be visiting Negril for the third time (in 13.5 months!) in April (16 - 23) to celebrate my 50th birthday. I will be taking a newbie along. She hasn't been on a tropical vacation....just separated from her husband within the last year....likes a nice place but has also gone camping....want to impress her with Negril and do my best to plan a nice holiday for her (us). Budget however, is a concern.

So...have booked cottage #4 at Xtabi for the first two nights....I have visited and love the views (and dirty bananas!) and am looking for a beach property for the remaining 5 nights. My first two trips were both spent at Country Country (loved it). I do love the beach and I think my friend would want to be on the beach the majority of the time, so I initially planned to wait until negrilonestop's Coco mad sale for stays after April 15th comes out the beginning of February to book either a Superior room or jr suite. Then I started looking around a bit (getting antsy waiting for the sale and a little uneasy as prices have gone up at Coco - maybe it won't be near as good a deal at last year...). I like the idea of the the 2 level cottage at Xtabi with 2 bathrooms - great for 2 gals! They'll bring in an extra bed for the living area so each of us will have our own sleeping space. So then I found a pretty good deal on otel.com for a one bedroom villa at Rondel - $158/night inclusive of all taxes and fees. It's not the beachfront villa, but directly behind those, beachfront is booked for our dates But...would be a nice setup with a separate bedroom (with 2nd tv) and bathroom, powder room, and a murphy bed in the living area and a nice big verandah with a hammock, private hot tub, kitchenette...

Anyone stayed at both that can help me make a final decision? I already booked the villa at Rondel as I can cancel with a refund on otel.com up to the beginning of April, so I've got that for "security".

Being close to the sea is important...I realize I wouldn't have a seaview at Coco either (was very fortunate to have the 2 seaview rooms at Country Country on my trips!).

I did find one sea view room with 2 beds at Charela but it looks like it would be a small room. I just tentatively booked that as well! (help!)

Opinions/suggestions please and thank you!

[Ziggy]

We stay at Rondel every year, the one bedroom villas are nice with the full kitchen, should fit your needs. I can't say about the other places.

[irie always]

I like Coco for the location and the size of the beach and the opportunity of plenty of shade if required. I have stayed there but not in a Junior suite. Not much privacy in the room so you need to be very compatible.
I also stayed at the Rondel - 1 bedroom beachside villa and must say this is a great option with a full size kitchen - equipped - living room area - second small bathroom - private hot jacuzzi and separate bedroom and bathroom. Nice beach bar and restaurant too.
Gotta love the many options that strip has to offer.

[yamon]

I have stayed at both and love rondell best

[heater]

Can't beat the Beach at Coco.

[jeffrey1]

coco best beach and location

[LadyK]

Been to Coco, not impressed. Rondell is good for the $ and spacious. My new favorite place is IDLE AWHILE but you would have to share a bed and bath. This boutique hotel is very very nice, private, great beach and food is great and Best of the West across the street and Charella next door for a change of food. My next trip they were sold out so I am trying ROOMS for the first time. Should be good since it is a Superclubs. Enjoy your trip. Soon come, 44 sleeps. Happy Holidays

[heater]

If you can get a room at Idle Awhile and it's in budget then hands down stay there.

Been to Coco, not impressed. Rondell is good for the $ and spacious. My new favorite place is IDLE AWHILE but you would have to share a bed and bath. This boutique hotel is very very nice, private, great beach and food is great and Best of the West across the street and Charella next door for a change of food. My next trip they were sold out so I am trying ROOMS for the first time. Should be good since it is a Superclubs. Enjoy your trip. Soon come, 44 sleeps. Happy Holidays

[Melody]

Thanks all - I just updated my post, as Charela has accepted my offer for their 2 bed sea view. The room patios don't look the nicest I've seen (in photos) and as mentioned, I'm concerned that we'd find it quite small compared to Xtabi #4, and in comparison to the space in a Coco jr suite or the Rondel villa. Anyone stayed there? Comments?

I know Idle Awile is the ultimate but to get a room with 2 beds, we'd break our budget...really want to keep it below $175/night....maybe some day...

[NYCGirl]

Melody,
I stayed at Charela in September with a girlfriend in the Oceanfront, lower level with patio. The rooms are fine and spacious for 2 people with two full-sized beds. The upper rooms have a smaller balcony. If you crave more space than just somewhere with a bedroom, bathroom and patio, then you may consider someplace with living space as well. When I travel with my kids I always get somewhere with living space. Charela has one of the best beachfront as well.