Couples Negril

This was the second part of our twin centre holiday in Jamaica. We didn't have to move very far only 15 minutes down the road! We moved on to sister hotel of Swept away- Couples Negril. Located on Bloody bay one of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica. We took the shuttle bus from Couples Sunswept to Couples Negril. Even though they are run by the same group the hotels are very different. Couples Negril has in fact won more awards that Swept away. We stayed at Couples Swept away until 4pm still using our all inclusive facility then we checked in at Negril at 4pm so that our room would be ready. Couples Negril also has a no tip policy which puts you at ease straight away when the porter whisks your cases away. Couples Negril is a smaller hotel with only 234 rooms. The rooms are more tropical style and the hotel has a more laid back approach. The service and organisation however I felt was not up to ‘ Swept away’s very high standards. Couples Negril is more compact with the focal point of the hotel being the main pool . This is the nucleus of everything so it is easy to find your way about. It is a hive of activity there is always a basket making,hat making or jewelry class going on . There is water polo in the pool or volley ball on the beach. What was a nice touch was the craft fare on the beach where local traders on the beach several times a week this gave you an opportunity for browse without any hassle. We even had a couples massage lesson from one of the ladies from the spa. The hotel is located in a bay and is more sheltered. The hurricane brought up more seaweed here which took 2 days to bury so the beach was out of bounds though we were able to do the catamaran cruise at the end of our stay which was great fun. There is a flag system on the beach is you want a drink if you are feeling lazy or a swim up bar in the pool. There is also tennis tuition at Couples Negril with a tennis pro from the US putting us through our paces though there are not as many courts as Swept Away and they are all hard court. The hotel sun mattresses are water proof so can double as a lilo which was a brilliant idea . The fine dining restaurant at this hotel was top notch ‘Otaheite’ restaurant. But you do need to book we managed to get in twice. Once on a shared table which was great as luck would have it we knew them from tennis. The second time we got one of the ‘love seats’ which sounds a bit cheesy but is great for people watching we loved it! The ambience ,lighting and food superb . This fine dining restaurant surpassed its sister hotel. The hotel also had cinema on the beach one evening which was a laugh as you could lie on a sunbed late at night and watch a film. There was also a beach party with limbo dancers ,and steel bands Because we had only stayed 4 nights at the hotel it was difficult to get a real feel for the atmosphere of the hotel as we had at swept away

Couples hotels are excellent value for money when you consider what is included in your stay.I would definitely return and would not hesitate to recommend this group. The standards are high.