Sandy

I've been looking through the descriptions of the AIs in Negril and I'm suffering from severe overload. We would like a quieter resort for couples that caters to an older crowd. I think I have it narrowed down to Couples Negril and Grand Lido Negril. <BR><BR>A couple of concerns-are the au naturel beaches really active and visible from the rooms? Just looking for a quiet place to try an au naturel beach. <BR><BR>The dining options at Couples look limited. Are the restaurants with the exception of the gourmet restaurant buffet style?<BR><BR>Any info that might sway us from one to the other would be most appreciated!

Islandgir

Sandy - try posting this ? at www.tropictravelonline.com<BR><BR>I belong to this board and there are lots of helpful people there!<BR><BR>Kelly

kk

Stayed af Grand Lido last year so maybe this helps. The C/O beach there is small and rocky, but private and low-key and good for first timers.<BR>One thing unique to GL that we loved is that room service is included, and if you dive the fees (not cheap) are also inlcuded, unlike most AIs. I think GL does tend to attract an older crowd than Couples.

Me

Hi, I have stayed at Couples Negril twice, and love it! It seems to me that there was topless bathing throughout the beach, and even a few up at the pool...I also saw one couple who were completely nude, off to the far left (I believe it was about 20 feet of unclaimed beach, meaning it was neither Couples property or the resort next door..The average age range when we were there was mostly 30's and 40's mostly. There are so many trees and plants that alot of the property is private. We enjoyed the food at Couples, they have a beach grill that is open during the day, closes for a bit and then open in the evening again, they also have The Otaheite, (which you make reservations for), and they have the Cassava Terrace restuarant, which is a huge buffet style restaurant, open during breakfast and dinner..pretty interesting varities , and pretty good at that!

Sandy

Thanks for the responses so far! I checked out that website Islandgir and saw some interesting photos of the au naturel beach at Couples. Looks like it is really close to the rooms! I think I may be leaning towards Grand Lido.<BR><BR>One more question, does either one have snorkeling from the beach? If not, do you have to find a paid excursion or do the resorts have boats that go out?

xxx

The nude beach section at Couples Negril was no more than a little sign that said something to that effect...and of course, naked people. There is no seclusion nor privacy. People walk the beach, including families and children from the Riu. If you would not be comfortable with that, I would consider Grand Lido.

ehh

I think that people fail to realize that ALOT of place in Negril, you are going to see &quot;topless&quot; people spread out along the beaches, I have been to a couple places there, and have seen topless on the same beach as there were children..I have been to Couples a few times, and saw a few topless women, but NO kids, as this is an adults only resort! , there is no longer a separate section, and I didn't even notice it after a day or two, plus the fact that there are so many trees and plants around the beach area! I was looking at the Grand Lido Negril web page, and you do realize they offer a clothing optional aquacise class....so you may have nudity right there in the pool.

xxx

Yes, there are topless women all along the beach on Bloody Bay. I was not referring to that. <BR>Yes, Couples Negril is adults only. However, many people, including families with children from the Riu walk the beach, including the beach in front of Couples. While there are trees and shrubbery a bit up from the water line, if you are going to walk to the water and swim nude, there will not be privacy nor seclusion. It is not a big deal, but given Sandy's comment regarding a &quot;quiet place to try an au naturel beach,&quot; I thought this may make a difference. For what it's worth, the children and teenagers walking past Couples didn't even seem to pay much attention.

Sandy

Thanks everyone, I've decided on the Grand Lido Negril. It looked like it was a bit more like what we were looking for although both look nice. I'll report back after we go in March.

Kristi

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