Most people do recommend Negril. For non AI look at Coco La Palm and Idle Awhile, which are on the beach. Tensing Pen and Rock House are located on the Cliffs. Try this site for additional information. http://www.negrilonestop.com/beachresorts.shtml

We are planning on Barbados this year. Would love to hear about your trip and where you stayed since you liked it so much. We really prefer AI's, but it doesn't look feasilbe for Barbados.

I love Negril. Rockhouse doesn't have a beach because it's in the part of town called "The Cliffs". Those places are... well on the cliffs offering spectacular views out over the water and some places with water access for swimming.

The other half of the town is on "The Beach", the beautiful famous 7 mile one. I like Charela Inn on the beach (also the two KVR recommended above always get good comments) or Catcha Falling Star or Tensing Pen for the cliffs.

luxurylink.com deals on www.roundhill.com very nice

Another recommendation for Coco La Palm in Negril. But ask for the upper floor rooms, away from the beach bar. The downstairs rooms are not as nice and can be a little noisy if they are near the pool. Coco or Idle Awhile which is next door, a little more upscale and pricier- are on the best part of Negrils' wonderful beach. If they are unavailable, take a look at the Charela Inn, which is in the same area, or Rondel Village.

Round Hill is very nice if you want to stay put. However, it has a much smaller beach than what you will find in Negril, much pricier accommodations, and much more difficult to get out and do things without a car/taxi.

Thank you for your suggestions...I will defintely focus on Negril and the places near the beach..I am just wondering how safe Negril is and is it safe to venture on our own since we prefer to not stay in all inclusives but will want to try different places to eat..

KVR...I love Barbados..I have been twice..but stayed in the Lawrence Gap this time and loved it. The Gap is an active place especially at night...we stayed at the Divi Southwinds which was not an all inclusive and under some renovation. I believe you can book it as an all inclusive though..It was very nice and probably even nicer since the renovations are done...make sure you ask for a room on the beach side..there are rooms also near the pool but the beach side is nicer as closer walk to the beach. I also would check out the Southern Palms hotel...it is practically next door and very nice as well... I would definitely stay a the Divi Southwinds again although I prefer smaller boutique type hotels with a pool a must. Hope this helps!

Suzyeq, thanks for the info. I debating between the Divi Southwinds and South Gap. South Gap is cheaper, but the Divi has the better pool. The reviews on TA are so mixed. We're not going to do the AI thing there. It's just not feasible.

We did the AI thing when we went to Negril. We did use taxis/tours when leaving the resort. We taxied to Rick's Cafe and the Craft Market and then did tours to YS Falls, Black River, Appleton Rum factory and Mayfield Falls.

We stayed at the RIU Tropical Bay on Bloody Bay Beach, which wasn't really close to much. The hotels you are looking at are closer to the town area and probably easier to get to restaurants.

We just returned from Ochi Rios in December. We hired a private driver to take us on tours and to the shopping complex. Personally, if the resturant/bar is not real close to the hotel you choose, I would take a taxi.

If you are wanting something more like Barbados, I would suggest Aruba or 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Easy to just walk out of your hotel to great restuarants, bars and nightlife.

My husband and I went to Negril last fall. We split our trip between the Cliffs and the beach. We enjoyed both.

While we were staying on the beach we walked everywhere (other than a few cab rides to places that were too far to walk). We never felt unsafe and were never hassled. We didn't walk the beach at night.

We also didn't walk very far on the Cliff road at night. Not for fear of being mugged, but, because it's very dark, very narrow and lots of curves.

I was in Negril 10 days, 5 days I was solo and 5 days with a group of friends. I stayed at Mirage on the Cliffs. Mostly I used the route taxis to get around, walking the road is a little hairy not that anyone would hassle you, but because it's narrow, curvy, not much on the sides, and there's lots of traffic.

I think it is safe enough but you do need to use common sense. Negril is a little more rustic and rugged than some other destinations. People will approach you to sell you things, etc. But it can all be very friendly. I wouldn't flash jewelry or money, go off with strangers, walk the beach alone at night.

Thank you for your help. I am wondering if anyone has stayed at the Negril Tree House Resort I do like Coco but am interested in not being around a lot of kids..somewhere I read that the family pool is loud and busy with small kids at Coco.

I've stayed at Negril Tree house, too, and unless something has changed in the last few years, you will find lots of kids there during holiday times. The upstairs units at Coco are much nicer than what we stayed in at Negril Tree House. And it has a much better section of beach. The beach in front of Negril Tree House sometimes gets almost totally washed out from storms and/or high tide.

About safety in Negril... We've been going there since 1980, and never had any real problems. But I would not suggest walking the beach alone late at night. I would also suggest not walking the cliff road ( where lots of the restaurants/clubs are) in the dark, since it is extremely narrow, with very little room for cars to see you and pass safely.

I meant to add that if you want a place with fewer kids, and a bit more upscale, check IDLE AWHILE, which is next door to COCO. It's much smaller than Coco, so books up fast, but in all our trips to Coco, we've noted that there seem to be fewer families staying there. And the vibe is a little quieter, too. It still has that same great section of beach that Coco is on.

Coco La Palm is a place I love to recommend as the owners come from MN!

KVR - I am so glad that you are going to finally experience Barbados! I know how much you love the AI's, but there truly are so many great places to dine. Some more luxurious, but many nice casual spots, as well. I cannot wait to hear all about it!

Knowing - yes, it's just one of those places were AI just isn't a good choice. I really hate doing non AI vacations, but will subcumb when I have too. Just one of the reasons why we haven't returned to Aruba. I've about decided on the South Gap just because is less expensive and closer to walk to everything. I am hoping we can do a day trip over to Grenada as I could never afford a vacation to that Island on it's own. We'll see.