Just turned Blue, and got a Diamond review...how cool is that? :-)
Just turned Blue, and got a Diamond review...how cool is that? :-)
Member since:20.11.2004
Reviews:16
Members who trust:7
Trip details: ------------------- We stayed at Country Country in Negril for 2 weeks for our honeymoon, from 8th August - 22nd. We booked through Thomsons for a total price of £1,895 on B&B basis. We had to fly from GatwickAirport (which for us was a bit of a nightmare as we had to fly down from DurhamTees the night before...but never mind about that).
We had been dreaming about the sandy beach, the relaxed atmosphere and the lovely sun for months, checking out online reviews at www.tripadvisor.com and the like. It all seemed great, except as I read more and more reviews we heard more and more about the 'Beach Vendors' who try to sell you anything you could possibly think off - really. ------------------------------- Arrival at the hotel: ------------------------------- We arrived at Montego Bay airport in the afternoon, around 3pm, collected our bags, got our passports stamped and so on. A friendly baggage handler helped me and my wife take our bags to the coach
that would be transfering us to the hotel. The bus was a 70s Japanese throwback, with no aircon...well this was no big deal as we would only be on the bus for around 30 mins...or would we???
The journey from Montego Bay Airport to Negril is about 50kms (around 35 miles or so) along Jamaica's only main road, which runs right around the island and is called the A1 in the West of Island and the A2 in the East. However, the half hour coach tranfer ended up taking around 2 hours, in sweltering heat, terrible road conditions and the worst traffic you could immagine. There were people shouting and screaming at each other, getting out their cars and so on...we were informed by the driver that this was common place...anyways so much for relaxed Jamaica!
When we finally got to the Hotel we were exhausted, almost 2 days solid travelling will do that to you! But the hotel seemed very nice upon arrival and we checked in with minimum off fuss - a quick sign here, and can we swipe a card for extras.
We were in room 502, the one second furthest from the beach, but as that was still only about 50 yards or so it was no biggie. However, the room was not really a double like we had ordered, it simply had two twin beds pushed together...again we were not too bothered by this. The hotel room was equipped with tea/coffee facilities, had a fridge, satalite TV (american) and most importantly air con! Trust me, you need it there! ----------------------- Food and Drink: ----------------------- Generally, the drinks were very nice, we had all sorts of cocktails from the bar - most were charged at $5 US. A bottle of Red Stripe, the countrys biggest selling larger was a very affordable $2 US and if you've never tasted it then I would certainly recommend it, very crisp and refreshing, just what you need in the heat! --------------- Breakfast: --------------- Breakfast was superb, the best thing about the hotel I would say. It was included in the price, but of you had room only could be paid for each morning, it was $8 per person. Breakfast menu was the same each morning but we weren't complaining and neither was anyone else from what I gathered. It featured: Banana Pancakes (me fav!), Honey french toast, Continental Cinamon Role (never had that one), 2 Eggs any way you want them, Omlette and a Jamaican special (akee, saltfish, plantain - didn't like this one much). All served with bacon and fresh fruit on the side, oh and juice and coffee/tea ofcourse. ------------ Lunch: ------------- Lunch was good and varied, ranging from fish dishes, to hot dogs and burgers. We only had lunch at the hotel a few times but always enjoyed it a great deal. ------------- Dinner: -------------- We had dinner at the hotel on the 1st night, mainly because we were too pooped to venture away anywhere else - and it was awefull. The worst food I had ever eaten (I am not picky eater at all, spent years in the army eating anything and everything) - but we ate it all anyway cos we were absoloutlely starving. We went back on the 2nd night thinking it may have been a one off the night before, however, it was not, it was disgusting, we couldnt eat it. Thought this was very odd as breakfast and lunch were great! ------------------- The Beach ------------------ The beach has the nicest finest sand you could ever imagine! The water is warm over 20 Celsius every day, and very calm. The hotel security guy (who sits and 'guards' you all day on the beach) set up sun loungers for hotel guests every morning. We used to lie around in the sun from 8am (its already well over 28 degrees C by then) and stay there till 11 or noon as it got too hot to stay out in the sun sfter that. -------------------- The Vendors -------------------- If you go here you will be hassled a LOT by the 'locals' (and I know its how they make their living, but its very annoying and at times intimidating). They literally try to sell you anything, from Jet Ski rides to Ganja and most wont take no for an answer, they walk with you, sit near you, the whole time pestering and talking away. The hotel beach security guy does nothing about this at all. They really spoilt this trip for us as it is hard to walk more than 10 metres away from the hotel without one after another trying to sell you god knows what - mostly junk. ------------------- Water Sports ------------------- Watersports are available all along the beach, mostly off the beach vendors so I guess they do have their uses. Jet Ski cost - $40 US for half hour hire (for 2 ppl) Parasail - $70-90 per ride Snorkling at the Reef - $35 per person banana boat - $20 per person Waterski - Around $50 per person Glass Bottom boat - varied between $15-30 per person ------------------ Cleanliness of Hotel ------------------ The hotel was very clean and we got fresh towels every day, the bedding was changed twice a week so no complaints. The gardens were also lovely and well cared for. ----------------- Afterthoughts/tips ----------------- Mosquitos are a bit of a problem so bring pleanty of Mozzie repelant. At night there are loud frogs (but you get used to them chirping away all night long) so beware of this. If you go out past the reef, snorkeling or whatever, keep your eyes peeled for SHARKS, saw a couple of big ones, but were no trouble really. Dont bother bringing Jamaican $, everything is in US.
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