Old Negril Photos

[johng]

Original Spanky,
Yes the Villas Negril was one of my favorite spots. Great pool, close to everything (Red Ground) decent rooms with AC and great view from the second floor balcony. I remember they used to have a Managers Happy Hour Open Bar, man!!!! I understand that the place changed hands a few times before being closed up. Too bad. Never knew the owner Mr. Cook. I never had a problem there. Used to bring a Coleman cooler down with me and a blender and juicer. Go to the Supermarket down below and buy a case of Red Stripe, a bottle of Appleton, some oranges, banana's, grapefruit, pineapple. Non stop Irie fixings. Those were the days!!!

[captaind]

Original Spanky,
Yes the Villas Negril was one of my favorite spots. Great pool, close to everything (Red Ground) decent rooms with AC and great view from the second floor balcony. I remember they used to have a Managers Happy Hour Open Bar, man!!!! I understand that the place changed hands a few times before being closed up. Too bad. Never knew the owner Mr. Cook. I never had a problem there. Used to bring a Coleman cooler down with me and a blender and juicer. Go to the Supermarket down below and buy a case of Red Stripe, a bottle of Appleton, some oranges, banana's, grapefruit, pineapple. Non stop Irie fixings. Those were the days!!!

Do you remember a band there on Sat nights in the early 80s called "The Mighty Studs"?

[johng]

Hi Captaind,

Can't say that I remember any bands playing at the Villas Negril while I was there. I stopped going to Jamaica in 1982 until 1998 due to work and family, was overseas so maybe it was during that time frame you're referring to. The Villas was always a great spot even when I was staying on the beach I was allowed pool privileges which I thought was pretty Irie. Buy a couple of drinks chat with the staff and guests and be able to hang out at the pool which was never crowded. A short walk to the Bread Basket for Coco Bread or patties. Man life was great. Brimsley was one of the bartenders at the Villas, another guy I can't remember his name but he was really cool too. Show respect get respect.

[Red Dragon]

I stayed at Villas Negril in 1981. It seems to me there was a band there every night. There was an American guy with dreadlocks who sang with them. He was very good. Brimsley was a great bartender. I remember a drink he made called 'Top me up again man' which would blow your socks off.

[johng]

Captaind,
After looking at some old pics of the Villas and seeing the bandstand of course I remember bands playing at Poolside but I honestly don't remember The Mighty Studs. I'm sure they put on a good show.

[captaind]

So nice to see the old place.

[johng]

Hey Spanky,
Just came across some pics at the Villa's. Hope it brings back positive vibrations.

[davevols]

Wow some great quality pics johng.

I didn't discover home till 2006, but love seeing the way it was.

[johng]

Hi Davevols,
Negril will always have its charm but like most everywhere in the world Negril in the 70's & 80's was pretty special. Remember no computers, cell phone, way fewer hotels, motor boats, cars, bike, people. Another thing to remember is that the commerce that tourism brings to a place, Negril, brings with it people trying to eke out a living and some times results in an element that does not really represent the true Jamaican. Early on I started traveling around the island in the country and found the people to be very friendly, kind and to a point shy. Negril back in 1975 was like a small village, Hedonism was just being built. There were maybe four hotels on the beach between town and Hedonism. The West End was in its infancy and very rustic compared to today. Beach erosion on Negril Beach has become quite drastic as a result of the building boom. Back in the day you could walk the full length of the beach from the Wharf to Hedonism without any impediment, fences, property lines, etc. For me who liked to run it was an awesome track where at the end I just jumped in the sea to cool off.

[original spanky]

great pics john. thanks