Beaches Resort???

[Alva218]

Hello, fellow DISers, we're considering taking our next vacation at one of the Beaches resorts in Jamaica and need some feedback on safety, value, and overall experience. TIA!

 

[Alva218]

Bump

 

[JeremyGNJ]

All the Sandals / Beaches resorts are totally safe. They're the same company. However, dont be surprised if even the people who work there, ask you if you want to buy some ganja....just politely decline if you're not interested....or take them up if you are. (in fact if there's anyone you can trust to buy it from, it's the people who work there, because none of them would DARE jeopardize their career at a resort....one of the best jobs in Jamaica)

If you're going without kids, definitely go for the Sandals resort and not Beaches.

 

[everylastbreath]

Never been to Beaches, but we have been to Jamacia, wouldn't recommend it. Beautiful place, but you are pretty much confined to your resort, not safe to travel around without a guide. Not much to see either or do (except beach activities), wouldn't go back there.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Never been to Beaches, but we have been to Jamacia, wouldn't recommend it. Beautiful place, but you are pretty much confined to your resort, not safe to travel around without a guide. Not much to see either or do (except beach activities), wouldn't go back there.

I will disagree with this. if you're a little bit street smart here's what you do:

Ask someone who works at the resort how to hire a private cab. They will recommend someone safe. We got a private cab who took us out nearly all day for about $180. He drove us anywhere we wanted....took us to lunch at the local places (which are delicious)....found us a reliable place to go parasailing.....took us to an old light house and got the owner to let us in.....took us to some beautiful lagoons and waterfalls....told us about local stuff, etc.

There is a group of young environmentalist-type collage-aged kids on the south shore who run a great butterfly-hiking tour...and will do more adventurous hiking if you're interested.

Just remember, everywhere you go, people will want some money for things they shouldnt really be getting money for. Just be friendly and pay what you think is worth it.

For example, he took us to a place where he said was a beautiful garden and lagoon.....the "owner" charged us like $20 to go in, but it was WELL worth it....we ate like 10 kinds of fruit right off the trees...got pictures of hummingbirds landing on "bird of paradise" flowers, etc etc. Could have gone swimming if we wanted to.

Just only take as much money as you want to spend.

 

[everylastbreath]

To each his own.... I personally did not like not being able to move around freely, just to go shopping or to dinner. But It is beautiful there.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

To each his own.... I personally did not like not being able to move around freely, just to go shopping or to dinner. But It is beautiful there.

I do agree that it can be a little intimidating to walk around the "local areas". But it's really just that, intimidating. As long as you stay in the common areas of shops and eateries, no one is actually going to *DO* anything to do...but they will certainly try to intimidate you into giving them money. They know most "bald heads" will just be scared and give away 20's.

I can pretty much handle myself and I will walk around without any real fear....but I may have grown up a little rougher than most.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

btw here is the excellant tour group

http://www.reliableadventuresjamaica.com

 

[NeedaVacation03]

We love Jamaica. We would go back in a second. We are hoping to take the kids there before the oldest graduates from High school. I think it is a wonderful culture and did walk around and take some tours. It is always smart to be safe no matter where you travel.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have been to Jamaica 3 times, never a problem. No proplems Mon. We also hired a drvier and went all over the place. The only thing is i don't like the beach in Negril where beaches is so we chose to take our kids to beaches turks and caicos instead. Negril has some awesome cliff divers there though at some restaurant, Charlies maybe I can't remember but we had drinks jumped off the rocks and watch the cliff divers and had a blast.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I also wouldn't go back unless we went to an all inclusive type resort. The town was dirty, people followed us all day long. I was even called a racist because I wouldn't buy some bracelet from some odd looking fellow. Yet, I'm married to a Hispanic man! My hubby says he will never go back either.

 

[waynesgirl]

I have been to Jamaica 3 times, never a problem. No proplems Mon. We also hired a drvier and went all over the place. The only thing is i don't like the beach in Negril where beaches is so we chose to take our kids to beaches turks and caicos instead. Negril has some awesome cliff divers there though at some restaurant, Charlies maybe I can't remember but we had drinks jumped off the rocks and watch the cliff divers and had a blast.

Rick's Cafe in Negril is where the cliff divers are.

As far a Jamaica goes, I think it is paradise. But, it is a third world country. However, when you get to the hotel, don't look like a tourist, act like you belong, go straight to the bartender, and tell them you need a taxi driver, a guide, or anything. Get pricing up front, negotiation is key, and do not pay until you are done, and always tip for decent service, even at the resort. A couple of bucks at the bar or slipped under the plate or the pillow always is appreciated and generally gets you the best service.

I have been so many times and even considered working for their sales departments. I prefer the Hedonism resorts, simply because there are no children, but for children, Beaches is unsurpassed. Their children's program is great and you feel comfortable leaving your children with the group director to swim, etc. I think that the culture and the emotion that most of the people have for their country is so soothing and if you are curious and you are kind, then you will be more than accepted and welcomed.

You will love it-again, it is a very poor country, but it is so beautiful and full of fascinating people.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

If anyone wants a REALLY good resort on Jamaica (that isnt one of those pricey exclusive ones) Go to Sandals Whitehouse......TRUST ME.

 

[Darcy03231]

This happened to some tourists last year while in Jamaica on a cruise:

Police kill suspect in tourist robbery

Horace Hines
Thursday, June 14, 2007



LETHE, Hanover - One of two men suspected to be involved in a brazen hold-up of 17 tourists yesterday morning in this community, was killed in an alleged shoot-out with members of a police party in the community last night.

The identity of the dead man could not be ascertained at press time, but the police said they had recovered a .38 revolver in the alleged shoot-out.

The police said the dead man along with his crony were hiding in bushes in the area when they engaged the cops in a gunfight.

Up until late last night, the police were still combing the bushes for his accomplice.

According to the police, the men held up and robbed the visitors who were touring the Lethe Estate owned and operated by former tourism minister and People's National Party constituency caretaker for West Central St James, Francis Tulloch.

Nearly half a dozen children were said to be among tourists who were all passengers of the Conquest cruise vessel which was docked at the Montego Bay Freeport.

Police say that approximately 11:15 am, the visitors were on a tour of the property when they were pounced upon by the gunmen who proceeded to rob them of their valuables. No one was, however, physically harmed during the incident.

Hours later, the police - who were assisted by citizens in a search of the area for the armed men - said they recovered handbags, credit cards and other items believed to be discarded by the bandits in the bushes.

The police later spotted the men and the alleged gunfight ensued.

The victims, in the meanwhile, rejoined the other cruise passengers aboard the Conquest yesterday evening. The vessel, which calls on the Montego Bay Freeport each Wednesday, subsequently departed the shores of the second city. The Conquest belongs to the Carnival Cruise shipping line.

I would think twice about visiting Jamaica with my children. The Beaches in Turks and Caicos is great!

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Police say that approximately 11:15 am, the visitors were on a tour of the property when they were pounced upon by the gunmen who proceeded to rob them of their valuables. No one was, however, physically harmed during the incident.

Hours later, the police - who were assisted by citizens in a search of the area for the armed men - said they recovered handbags, credit cards and other items believed to be discarded by the bandits in the bushes.

Mistake #1: "Leaving your resort with Handbags and Credit Cards"

When you go out of your resort in a place like that you bring2 things and 2 things only. Your Picture ID and as much cash as you want to spend that day. However stuff like that news report happens every week in the US, just read your local paper. The only thing that makes a place like Jamaica different is that the tourists are easy marks.

But yes, if you're with Children, I wouldnt leave the resort other than the few local shops.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

We have been to Jamaica twice and loved it. We stayed at Sandals Whitehouse the first time. It was very nice but is very isolated (which was a plus for us because the beaches were almost empty). If you want to lay around the beach or pool and have access to lots of yummy free food and drinks, it was a great time. It is all-inclusive except for the tips for the drivers who bring you back and forth to the airport--everything else is paid for. Beaches and Sandals are operated by the same people.

If you go to Ocho Rios, climb Dunn's River Falls. It was lots of fun when we did it and not as strenuous as you might think. We enjoyed it!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

DH nd I visit Jamaica every year and we LOVE it. We have always stayed at the Sandals resorts. We've stayed at the Whitehouse and Negril. We love each of these resorts so much we are afraid to try anything new.

We have never stayed at Beaches Negril but have visited during our trips to Sandals and it seems like a great place. We plan to take the kids at some point. The ride from the airport to the resort is over an hour and I don't think our 4 yo could handle flying all day plus the bus ride without a major meltdown.

We have been to Beaches Turks and Caicos twice with the kids and it is amazing. We actually plan to return in 2009.

I agree with Jeremy about Jamaica. Be smart and you'll be fine. We have also hired a driver for tours, recommendation through the resort and it is definetly the way to go.

 

[2bearsmom]

My dh and I LOVE Jamaica. We got married there, at Sandals Ocho Rios resort in 2000. We only left the resort to do the Dunns River Falls outing but we knew going into the trip we wouldn't be leaving the resort and we did not want to or feel like we needed to for any reason. For us, we wanted nothing more than to relax on the beach with a drink in our hand. There is a 3hr drive from the airport in Montego Bay to the resort in Ocho Rios. I would love to take the kids to a Beaches resort one day, I'm sure they'd have a blast, as long as they have sand to play in they wouldn't want to pack up and go anywhere else for the day.

 

[Alva218]

Thanks for all of the feedback. My husband and I are looking to renew our wedding vows at a safe, fun, and budget-friendly resort. While we won't rule Jamaica out, we'll definitely take at look at other places as well.