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Couples Resorts (Jamaica) which resort?
I am looking to stay specifically at Couples resorts in Jamaica. I'm not sure which to stay at. First, after debating over SEVERAL countries/resorts/cities, etc... I decided that my H would prefer Jamaica for his surprise bday gift. He is very much a beach person. I'm just wondering which Couples resorts you prefer? I am not opposed to Couples Tower Isle but I like it the least. I'm torn between the other three - Swept Away, Negril and Sans Souci. I'd like an ocean view from our room/balcony. I'd like "clearer" water and since I've never been to Jamaica I'm not sure if all of the water is crystal clear or just certain areas. I also wasn't sure if you can see the beach from the pools? If there is a pool from which you can see the beach, does that particular pool have a swim up bar? I know...odd questions but I'm looking for things that I think my H would like over what I would like. Are any "more quiet" than the others? On our honeymoon we stayed at an Excellence Resort and he didn't like how quiet it was. I think he'd prefer a more "active" crowd but I know we can't control whether fun guests stay when we'd go or not.
Any insight you can give me to the resorts would be helpful.
Re: Couples Resorts (Jamaica) which resort?
We went to Swept Away for our honeymoon. We didn't opt for a beach front room and we couldn't see the water, but we prefered it that way since it was more private. It was a pretty quiet; most of the guests were clearly on their honeymoons, too.
I've never been to Ocho Rios, but if your DH wants more of an active crowd, you can't go wrong with Negril. The beach is stunning!
Anything you can achieve through hard work, you could also just buy.
We stayed at CN and would not stay there again. While we didn't like CN we did fall in love with Negril(we're staying at the Rockhouse in Feb), so Swept Away it would be. When we booked our first trip CSA was under major construction so it wasn't an option for us and I have a couple of friends that have gone and liked it.
We stayed at Swept Away and loved it! We also got a garden room without a tv which felt much more private. It had a huge balcony with a hammock and we had breakfast delivered there every morning. The snorkeling trips are amazing as well and part of the fee you have paid just to be there. you can go out three times a day if you want and each time to a different area of the reef. We also loved the sunset cruise which you should sign up for on the day you arrive and I think there is also diving and water skiing available. Not sure if they take you to Dunn Falls either but check their web site. That would be a good two hour drive to get there.
The water is crystal clear in Negril and you can walk up and down the beach for miles. There are two pools. One has a swim up bar and you can see the ocean from it. The other is a smaller pool but fun and is located right next to a restaurant bar area and you can also see the beach.
There is a message board on the couples web site with lots of good info. One thing I read when trying to decide which resort to go to was to look at the panoramic tours and decide which vibe agrees to you more. We picked Couples Swept Away and loved it. We picked the beachfront verandah suite because the other room (basically the ones that don't have "verandah" in the name) don't have glass in the windows (just screens) so you couldn't have the shutters open and the AC on at the same time. The staff does organize activities like beach volleyball and soccer. You can scuba dive, snorkel, take the catamaran cruise, so there are some activities. I guess Ochos RIos has more ziplining, horseback riding kind of activities.
You do have the option of spending half your week at one of the Ochos Rios resorts and then moving to one of the Negril resorts if you really can't decide.
I agree with pps that Swept Away sounds like it would meet your needs best. (It hurts a little to say that, because we have gone to Couples Negril the last 2 years, and I think it is the most fabulous place on earth.) You may know this, but, Swept Away is also in Negril, so don't let the names confuse you.
Swept Away has better views from the room if you get a beachfront room. I didn't really care at Negril because we were on the beach so much, the room didn't matter. All the resorts have a wide range of ages, but when we were at Swept Away, I felt like it was a younger crowd overall, so that would probably be more "active," although you are right, it really depends on the crowd there that week.
I loved the warmer, intimate feel of CN, which probably is not a draw for you. CN does have a more active pool area and swim up bar, and I think the beach area is better because it is much wider, although not as long. CSA enthusiasts will fight me on that! (and the CSA beach is also great.)
We are going to Couples San Souci this year because the views look breathtaking there, and we got a penthouse suite for about the price we pay for the lowest level at CN. (OH, Couples has announced a rate hike on Jan. 18, so don't delay.)
I also agree with pp to check out the Couples message board, it's very active and full of great information. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with any of the Couples resorts. If you really don't care, you might want to see if they are having a "Secret Rendezvous" sale, where it is cheaper and you don't know which one you are going to until the week before. You usually wind up in one of the Ochos Rios resorts, but you never know. Have fun!!!
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