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Sandals & other AI resorts in Jamaica
This is obviously a ways off, since we're going on a cruise vacation in January... but the question popped in my head & won't leave...
Ted & I both really want to go to Jamaica some day & it seems like the big resorts there are Sandals and/or other AI. My only concern about doing an AI is that we aren't the kinds of vacationers who like to stay at the resort the whole time. We like to go out, explore, try different cuisines, etc.I'm wondering if an AI would really be the right decision for us because I doubt we would really eat there ALL the time or stay there all the time. I don't know... what do you ladies think?
For those of you who have left the resort to do things outside of it, what is it like outside of the resort? For some reason you only ever hear the bad stories, and I want to hear good stories, or at least both sides.
Sometimes when I'm bored I look at the Sandals resort websites and just dream.... 
Re: Sandals & other AI resorts in Jamaica
This sounds like it could be just our style. We've never stayed at an AI so I don't know if we would even feel guilty for eating out a few meals... we have plenty of time to decide, we're not planning anything right now anyways... just wondering.
Just the fact that everyone here seems to love Sandals really makes me want to stay at a Sandals resort at least once to see what it's like. And Jamaica - who could say no?! lol.
I stayed at Beaches and I loved it. But I had no interest in leaving the resort at all! I wanted a vacation that I didn't have to think about and it was wonderful to just walk to where we wanted to eat each night.
But I did want to tell you that my best friend works for a university and goes with the students when they do alternative spring break in Negril. She said it is a wonderful experience and had only great things to say about it. They eat out at different places and work in the schools. She said that Jamaica is wonderful seeing it from a different point of view. They went to lots of different places and did lots of different things when they weren't working at the schools too. So if the AI experience isn't for you I would recommend finding a different place and seeing Jamaica from a different point of view because she recommended it to us.
riu - we went to ocho rios for our wedding
sandals - we went to swept away in negril for the honeymoon
loved both.
When we stayed at Beaches Sandy Bay and Sandals Negril we left every single day. I cannot imagine vacationing in Negril and NOT leaving the resort. The beach is beautiful and there are so many things to see/do there. That being said, if I am to go to Negril again on my own vacation I will not go AI. Or if I do, I'll go Beaches Sandy Bay again or the Pineapple resort (another Sandals sister resort) because they're cheaper and will allow for me to leave and eat out and not feel bad about wasting money.
But I really want to stay at the Country Country, Tree House, or Coco La Palm hotels. They are all boutique and aren't AI, but that would mean we'd have more money to spend eating out at all the fabulous places Negril has to offer. Btw, it IS safe there. We never once felt threatened and we walked the entire beach at one point. BUT, one thing I love, love, love about Sandals/Beaches in Jamaica, especially after my experiences at other resorts/countries, is the lounge at the airport. It was so nice to walk into an air conditioned lounge, grab a bite to eat and a Red Stripe to drink, and go to the bathroom and not have to worry about finding the right shuttle or watching our luggage. It's a bonus I've learned to really appreciate!
I want to go back to Negril! Next time we go I think we're staying at the Grand Pineapple. Everyone who stayed there for our DW loved it (my uncles have been twice). And it's more affordable...the rooms/ bungalows on the oceanside are great (esp for the price). So I second this suggestion. Don't get me wrong, I loved Sandals, but it might not be in our budget. We've also been intrigued with Blue Cave Castle on the cliffs...not an AI, but looks so cool!
I also only went to Rick's when we were in Negril. But definitely want to check out much more when we go back (Mayfield Falls is one of them!). The thing to remember is that the locals make their money from the tourists. So when people were wanting to sell us stuff or get tips (divers at Ricks), we remembered that and weren't really bothered by it like I've read that some people are.
We also went to Bob Marley's Mausoleum in 9 Mile & we went zip-lining via the Chukka Tours (both more near Ochi where we HM'd...and both awesome but would about 3 hours each way from Negril). There's a zip-line at YS Falls near Negril though.
If you want to check out hotels & stuff to do around Negril...feel free to check out my wedding website. I have a bunch of info/ things to do on there: www.mywedding.com/shaneandjenni
(I'm fully caffeinated and feel like talking, can you tell? HA!)
Happy planning!!!
*The Wedded Plans/ Reality Bio - Updated Always*
* Wedding website w/ lots of Negril info*
*~FOR SALE~*
I don't think that link works...but I added it to my siggy.
HTH!!!!
*The Wedded Plans/ Reality Bio - Updated Always*
* Wedding website w/ lots of Negril info*
*~FOR SALE~*
your post makes me sad! i can't believe we where just there 2 weeks ago.
we stayed at montengo bay sandals. we where there for a week and we left the resort 3 times. we rented a private driver for a day to go to YS falls and pelican bar. (we ate breakfest at our resort and then dinner) we where gone for 8 hours. another day we did a bamboo raft trip and we where gone for another ate hours. we still ate breakfast and dinner at the resort. the other outing we went on just walking around on hip strip for 4 hours. same thing, we ate breakfest and dinner at sandals. all our outings where a blast. we never felt in danger or anything like that.
i would total stay at an AI. keep an eye on sandals website. they have huge sales all the time. we where suppose to stay at the swim up rooms, but turn it down cause we wanted our room right on the beach. we spent about $2600 for 6 nights 7 days with a butler.
if you have any other questions feel free to ask me love!
This! We got married at in Negril at Tensing Pen and the Rockhouse is also beautiful with amazing food. We had our own private bungalow and LOVED it! We wanted to experience Negril rather then feeling obligated to eat at an AI because we already paid for the food. I would recommend it in a heartbeat!
~Kimberly & Eric~ April 21, 2008 ~Tensing Pen ~ Negril, Jamaica ~ My Blog: One Sunset at a Time
I survived the RoLex wedding and all I got was this lousy husband.
One&Only Palmilla - Los Cabos, Mexico
Awesome! Thank you so much for the tip.
I have quite the great little list of places to stay and things to see now! I'm so excited. hahaha.