Beaches Negril is for Families!

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa for Families!

Beaches Negril is an all-inclusive resort and spa that will appeal mostly to families and some couples. This is a good, solid resort with friendly staff, that are eager to please. The all-inclusive rate includes transfers from Montego Bay airport, meals at five restaurants and drinks at seven bars. Most everything is open air, with only two restaurants and none of the bars air conditioned. There are three freshwater pools and whirlpools--the pools are small, but the focus is on the beach!

The beach area is bustling with watersports, the tennis courts are across the street and the fitness center is fully equipped. Snorkeling & Scuba diving are included in the all-inclusive rate. This resort is smoke-free in all enclosed areas, but permitted outdoors. Beaches Negril is first and foremost a family resort, so topless and nude sunbathing is discouraged and security keeps outsiders from coming in via the beach. Singles and couples might feel overwhelmed with all the familys and unsatisfied with the PG-Rated entertainment.

Dine in a different room almost every night--choose from a Jamaican-International buffet with pool and sea views, an "Adults" restaurant(no children under 10)", an a la carte serving Caribbean cuisine, a Japanese teppanyake room that features tableside cooking, a Southwestern specialties, and the Cafe Carnival(my least favorite). Only two of the restaurants are air conditioned.

At the bandstand on the beach, themed barbeques and dances are hosted nightly for families. Quench your thirst at one of seven bars including a few swim-ups. The beach and pool area are not water-serviced, so be prepared to make trips to the nearby bars for drinks.

At Beaches Negril, children have their own swim-up soda fountain and pool in the "families-only" area. Children also have a nightclub, electric bicycles and cars, video game room, and the wandering Sesame Street characters. There is a lazy river and water slide that is closed for a break in the afternoon and shuts down for good at 5pm, so get out early. There isn't very much specifically for teens, the disco is open "just for teens" for an hour in the evening. There are adult entertainment shows in the theatre--but they are definately PG-Rated and family-friendly. An oversized chessboard, shuffleboard, sauna, massage and beauty salon are also available.

The rooms are in three-story buldings are moderately appointed rooms, graded into nine categories. All rooms have tile floors, french doors, A/C and ceiling fans, TVs and phones. Tiled baths have dressing tables and hair dryers. Rooms are small and will feel somewhat crowded with four to a room. All are clean and well cared for. **Guests in the suites have concierge service and an upgrade to four poster beds. For those that can't live without the feeling of being pampered the suites and concierge level will the worth it.

Guests can use three self-service laundries and the regular dry-cleaning service.

There is a no tipping policy but most guests slip their favourite staff members a few dollars at the end of their stay. As mentioned before, the service at this resort is really good; but realize that, with the exception of the suites and concierge service, it's pretty much a standard all-inclusive that has a well-deserved reputation for catering to families.

Yes, it's part of the Sandals chain, but the emphasis is definately on families. Couples and singles do stay at Beaches Negril, but it would be a mistake to expect Five-Star accommodations and pampering thoughout the resort, when the focus is on family entertainment.