Couples Resorts in Jamaica
 

Looking for a getaway. Have any of you stayed at the Couples All Inclusive resorts in Jamaica? I've found a 6 night package is an Ocean Front Veranda for around 2 Grand. Anyone familiar with this place?

Troy

Go here:
www.jamaicans.com

Check out their bulletin boards.

They'll be able to tell you quite a bit. Just be aware that many Jamaica fans (both locals and tourists) have a prejudice against all inclusive resorts. When my wife and I planned our honeymoon in Jamaica, I spent a lot of time on that site. It eventually completely changed the type of honeymoon we took.

After living there for the better part of one summer I would recommend against Jamaica. Not at all tourist friendly for a place that relies on tourism.

Where did you live? I had the exact opposite experience, but I stayed out of the populated areas like Negril and Mo Bay. I found the Jamaican countryside to be filled with extremely friendly, hospitable people. We were invited into people's homes repeatedly for dinner and hanging out. We had a great time.

That being said, we were in an area that prides itself on community-sponsored tourism and strives to keep out the beggary and hassle that you encounter in places like Negril.

I recommend St. Lucia. Did honeymoon at Sandals resorts there.

Thanks for the link..."postive rep for you mon!" Curious, why the prejudice against the all inclusives? Does it cut down tourist dollars at local restaurants? What types of changes did you make for your honeymoon?

Thanks,
Troy

I lived in Kingston near the New Kingston Mall, if you know where that is. Just terrible. I was hassled daily by the same people about the same crap I didn't want the day before. Basically, everyone was unapologetically just trying to suck the money out of me. I'm not just talking about street peddlers. People working at legitimate businesses were absolutely rude. Even if someone else were paying, I doubt I would ever go back.

Kingston is the worst of the worst. It's like one big ghetto.

Yeah, it pretty much has to do with the fact that they suck dollars out of the local businesses. It's sort of like the Jamaican version of Wal-mart bashing here in the States.

I certainly see the attraction of AI resorts, especially now that I don't have the travel time that I once did. Now if my wife and I can get away, it's for a short weekend or a few days, and that's what is great about AI resorts. You can get away quickly, have no hassles, and everything is taken care of for you. Pure relaxation.

We used to travel for 2-4 weeks at a time, though. When I did that I didn't like AI resorts, because they tend to keep you from really experiencing the culture of a particular place (in my opinion), which was my primary goal in travel. Back then travels weren't really about relaxation and could actually be pretty stressful and even dangerous. Now my primary goal in travel is to get away somewhere with my wife and relax, so I love the idea of AI resorts.

Anyway, we ended up finding a small community on the south side of the island called Treasure Beach. It's catered specifically to community-sponsored tourism. Some Peace Corps volunteers came in there and set them up a web site to help them attract people. It's since taken off, and they have a very active online community consisting both of visitors, ex-pats, and locals. It's pretty cool, because you can hang out and chat with these people on their message board before you ever get down there. You get a view of local politics, characters, and life before you ever get down there. Then when you get there, it's like you're already very knowledgeable of the community. Anyway, here's the site www.treasurebeach.net

We stayed at a rastafarian-run place for a few days (Ital Rest), then moved to a place called Jake's which is a little more upscale. It was a very cool vacation experience, but it's certainly not for everyone. Probably turned out to be way more expensive than an AI would have been in the long run.

Negril is a third world country. You can't take 10 steps without someone begging for money or trying to sell you worthless shit you would never want in your whole life.
And, while I appreciated the easy score, they should give you a sign that says "Thanks anyway but I've already scored more smoke/blow than I can possibly consume before my plane is scheduled to depart".

We hated Negril. Cancun, Turks and Caicos were much more to our liking.

Stayed at Couples in Ocho Rios. It's beautiful and very romantic for a honeymoon. Had a beachfront room on the 2nd floor. It was awesome. All the offsite trips are designed to separate you from your money though. If you go, do yourself a favor and stay at the resort the whole time.
Someone said earlier in the thread that Negril is a third world country. It's not just Negril, it's the whole country.

Where did you find that deal? I was looking at the sandals stuff and it was closer to 3 grand.

I've been to the Sandals in Negril, and my wife and I absolutely loved it.

I'd say you can't go wrong with Sandals. I know people who have gone to the Ochos Rios ones and liked it too.

Just stay away from Montego Bay. That area is pretty old and run down.

The whole friggin place is a third world country, not just Negril!

Seriously though, Sandals rocks. If you are a hiking, trip through the countryside type, follow New Chiefs's advice. If you just want to have a nice time with your lady, Sandals is very, very cool. All inclusive is cool, it has its disadvantages, but the bottom line is that it's worth it if you don't want to be bothered.

Thats where we went. Where else can you eat what they call, "flying-fish" for breakfast? The only thing that kind of disappointed me there, was the water. The depth made it non-translucent.

Went to Sandal's Negril in 1997 for honeymoon, had a great time, AI's are nice because you stick your money and belongings in room safe and don't need to pull it out again until you leave or leave resort area. They had like 5 places to eat on property and booze is included. It was nice.

the ultimate place to stay and play is www.moondancevillas.com. we were there for a week last month. white sands, immaculate living arrangements, awesome service. its pricey but worth it. check out the 1 bedroom bungalow thing if its just the two of you. we went with 4 other couples -- so it wasn't an option for us. its really, really cool. the food is outstanding. we had so much fun that aside from 1 day of golfing (for the guys) and 1 day of shopping -- all of our time was spent at a place. ask for Barry (hospitality/butler) and Sarge (chef). can u tell i like the place?

Stayed at the Couples Resort in Negril in 2003. Best vacation we've ever had. Absolutely gourgeous beach, great service. All-inclusive is the way to go imo. Afte you are on the resort, you won't need another penny unless you want gifts, souveniours etc.

Once you venture off the resort it is a different story. A lot of poverty. We went on a shopping excursion and the sellers can be a little pushy but a polite no thank you is all that is required.

I can't wait to go back.

Here is a link to the Couples website...has a forum that is pretty informative.

http://www.couples.comhttp://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...87013035&idx=2

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...87013035&idx=3

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...87013035&idx=4

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...87013035&idx=7

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...7013035&idx=16

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...7013035&idx=12

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...87013035&idx=1

The wife and I spent a week at Sandals Ocho Rios in August. If you're looking for breathtaking and relaxing, that's it. It's ultra all inclusive, so you can do anything from drink to snorkel/scuba to windsurf(if you can figure it out). You can get food at anytime of the day or night, and the way they book you can go hours without seeing another person. We usually won't go somewhere twice, but we're making an exception for Ocho Rios.

Ralphie,

I found it on the couples.com website.

Troy

here are some pics from our trip
 

Couples Negril Jamaica 2003

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/f8d68d2f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...a/f8d68d12.jpg



http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...f/f8d68d50.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...f/f8d68cff.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5/f8d68d2f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...f/f8d68d6f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...9/f8d68d78.jpg

I am planning a trip right now to Beaches Negril mostly because we are taking a 10 yr old and can't have the couples only trip. They seem to have a great kids program without the overrun of 10 million screaming brats. But, we'll see about that. I plan on buying in the next week or so. Thanks to all with the advise here.

Nice pics Goshma,

bet there was a lot of He'n and She'n goin' on.

Troy

Best vacation the wife and I ever had was at Couples Ocho Rios. We met a couple on the bus ride from the airport and the next day they asked us to be witnesses at their wedding. That was in '94, they live in Jersey and we are still good friends. We are actually talking about a reunion trup back there.

9am - Water skiing on the ocean. Crystal clear, smooth water, it's a weird sensation seeing coral and fish under your skis.

10am - the bar opens. "Yellow Bird with three wings please."

the rest is a blur.... :)



Go with what the others said and stay at the resort, with the exception of a trip to Dunns River falls...