Caribbean Travel Dreams Blog

Couples Negril, Jamaica - July 28 to August 1, 2008

My husband and I spent 4 nights at Couples Negril with another couple for a quick getaway in July 2008

Upon arrival in Montego Bay's airport, after collecting your bags and going through customs & immigration, you are met by employees who are stationed strategically to lead arriving guests to their respective check-in desks/arrivals lounge. Couples arrivals lounge in MBJ was comfortable, complimentary Red Stripe beer & Ting (Jamaican grapefruit-like soda).

Transfers: Took approximately 1-1/2 hours to get to CNG from MBJ (we did not make a "pitstop" either way). Traffic was a little heavy from MoBay to Negril due to heavy traffic in Lucea; the return transfer was during the start of Emancipation Day celebrations in Negril, so it was getting a little congested (of note - Emacipation Day is 8/1, a major holiday in Jamaica). Still a painless drive ... smooth sailing for the most part, much better than in years past before the road from MoBay to Negril was finished.

Couples Negril: A comfortable sized resort, not sprawling like some resorts where you need to get around by shuttle or walk a mile to get from point A to point B. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Internet access at Couples is complimentary (great). The Internet Cafe is air conditioned with 6 computers.  I went down various times of the day, and I never had a problem getting a computer and access was swift. Wireless access is available in some areas of the resort (I believe the piano bar), but I didn't bring my laptop this time.

We were in a Gardenview Room #2310. A clean, large, comfortable room with a balcony overlooking the gardens (on the 3rd floor, no elevators). All rooms at Couples Negril now have mini-fridges and flatscreen TV's. Mini-fridge is stocked with beer, water, soft drinks & juice.There was also a bottle of vodka and rum in the room (not premium brands), with a menu to be filled out daily for your fridge preferences each day (restocked daily). I was told they are in the process of replacing soft furnishings in the rooms, but I didn't see anything wrong with those in our room. Coffee makers are in the room as well, room service is available for continental breakfast daily.

Beach & Pool: The beach at Couples Negril is beautiful, located on Bloody Bay right next to the Riu Tropical Bay. It's a long, walkable beach. Flag service on the beach for drink service (when it's just waaay too much effort to get out of that lounge chair for drink!). We never had a problem getting chairs or floats at the beach or pool. Also, plenty of shady spots on the beach. There is a local vendor area on the other side of Riu Tropical Bay (we call them "the outlets"), where some bargains can be found for t-shirts, wood crafts, etc. We spent most of our time at the beach, and surprisingly we were not approached by any vendors other than jet ski & parasailing solicitors. As with most resorts in Jamaica,  crafters come on property to set up tables throughout the week. The pool is fair sized, not huge, with a swim-up bar and jacuzzi. We spent 95% of our time at the beach.

Dining: Breakfast buffets were standard choices, including Jamaican specialties. Food was good. Lunch at the grill and buffet were fine, we actually preferred the grill. Snacks throughout the day were a plus ... popcorn maker in the air-conditioned pool room, nachos from the grill, soft-serve ice cream maker. Our favorite dinner was at Otaheite - excellent meal. Lychee (fairly new) - the decor was beautiful, the general concensus between the 4 of us was it was "OK".  We did not eat dinner at Heliconia (grill by day ... Italian restaurant for dinner). Of note - the Cassava Terrace (breakfast & lunch buffet) is not a buffet for dinner and no bathing suits/cover-ups allowed (shorts& sandals are OK for the menu). This isn't noted  on the resort fact sheets.The night of the Beach Party was a fantastic outdoor buffet ... loads of choices, Jamaican and International specialties.

Entertainment: The resort had activities planned throughout the day, but this time around was total relaxation. We did go on a snorkel trip (complimentary) to a beautiuful reef (large starfish, stingrays, beautiful coral & fish).

One of the best complimentary inclusions  is the sunset catamaran trip.  Reserve the day you arrive at the resort because it does fill up fast. It's a 2-1/2 hour catamaran cruise leaving at 4pm (holds 90 people) sailing west down the coast, anchoring just outside theRock House resort (before Rick's). Free-flowing Rum punches, Red Stripe,  music. The catamaran has a water slide and you have time to swim (into the caves, too). A tour like this at other resorts would cost about $70+ per person.  Of note - the crew are not Couples employees and do accept tips (they only had a tip box at the bar, did not solicit tips at all).

We traveled to Rick's Cafe one evening (one of the "must-do's" in Negril), approx. 25 minute drive from Couples Negril (depending on traffic). The resort has a shuttle for $15 per person (round trip), leaving CNG 4pm, departing Rick's I believe around 7pm. Taxi's are available if you want to spend more time at Rick's. Band comes on around an hour before sunset. Cliff divers (professionals and amateurs) ... bring tips for the professionals.  Drinks are reasonable and yummy at Rick's - $7 martinis, $3 Red Stripe. 

This getaway was just what the doctor ordered for us ... short & sweet (5 days/4 nights), but relaxing on a beautiful beach with nothing out of reach, friendly Jamaicans, good food & drink... and all included.

Pattie Mitchell, ACC
Travel Dreams
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