We are returning to Jamaica for our 20th anniversary. We went to Swept Away for our 10th and really enjoyed it, but think we would like something different this time.

I have narrowed down to The Caves and Moondance Villas. We are early 40's and looking for relaxation, good food, romantic setting. Will we feel too "old" at The Caves? Can anyone compare the two or offer opinions?

Thanks

I can tell you this much, both places will be amazing! I think the decision comes down to what you like to do while in Negril. I feel that the cliff locations are more private and secluded. When I have stayed at the Rockhouse with my wife, we tend to stay on the West End and relax cliffside, not leaving the property much. However, when we have stayed on the beach, we are more free to walk up and down the beach, getting drinks at different bars, and eating at different restaurants. Since the Caves is All Inclusive you will be eating all your meals and drinks there, so you will not leave much. I like to get out and explore different places, and I feel the beach location it is easier to do that

We don't mind not leaving the resort. We are retreating from 4 kids, so we'd just like to relax and enjoy the sun. My main concern is no beach at the Caves. I loved being in the water at Swept Away. I am wondering if people miss the beach.

Moondance gets my vote. We couldn't go to Negril and NOT stay on the beach. Negril beach is an amazing beach!

I love satying on the beach, but the cliffs provide a different and new experience to Negril. I also greatly enjoyed jumping of the small cliffs into the ocean and swimming around the cave coves. I did not miss the beach when I stayed at The Rockhouse, but I like to switch back and forth between the cliffs and beach every time I go. Another option is to split your trip. I know a lot of people who do 5 says on the cliffs and 5 days on the beach. That way you get the best of both worlds

My DH and I were just at the Caves in March escaping our 3 kids for 4 nights. We are also late 30's/early 40's age range. We have been to many Very nice places and usually like to try different places, but I must say, we are already planning to return to the Caves next year...it was that good. We are both beach fanatics (we own a beach house in Delaware and live for the beach). We went to the beach for an afternoon and had passes to Idle a While (through the caves). It is a nice, beautiful long beach, but I must say that we could not wait to return to the caves. We walked up and down the beach and saw Moondance villas. It looks very nice, but is still in the middle of all the craziness of the beach area. The cliffs are absolutly beautiful and peaceful and the water is so clear/blue and wonderful. There is great snorkeling all around the caves and it is so fun to take a few leaps from all the different cliffs. It is the most romantic trip we have ever taken. It is such a unique resort. You get a cave dinner with a 100+ candles and flowers and a sunset in the private hot tub. The staff is wonderful (with the exception of Gary). The food is wonderful. Request Sea Turtle, Blue Dolphin, Butterfly or Stardust. It is truely what you are looking for and you will not be too old. There were only a few other couples there during our stay and they were all in our age range. A beach is a beach and you can always go there for a day, but the caves is really a unique trip that you will love. Feel free to email me any specific questions. [email protected] It is really heaven on earth.

I will differ with the "beach is a beach" comment. Hardly the case. And for those who don't have the luxury of owning beachfront property in Delaware or anywhere else....Negril beach fits our vacation "needs" to a tee. I have spent a lot of time and seen many places....Negril beach is it. As far as the "craziness"? Spring Break...maybe...but pretty quiet most of the year.

Negril's beach is very nice and has it sown unique vibe, but it's sort of true that a nice beach is not all that unique in the Caribbean.

I don't think there's anything quite like the Negril cliffs on other Carib islands.

I too find the beach busy, loud, etc....I get used to it if I am staying there but if I am staying on the cliffs and go to the beach for an outing I usually experience the urge to turn and run back "home" to the west end.

A split is really ideal, I think. Though I like to do beach first and cliffs second for the reasons above...if I do cliffs first I won't move.

Our last trip we had plans to stay at The Caves the whole trip. While we enjoyed the whole scene, especially the excellent food, we found ourselves missing the beach so we moved to Moondance for the last two nights. We were there the tail end of off-season and a few nights there were only four of us at The Caves, almost too quiet. We got them to move us to a 2-BR for no extra charge.

We don't have the luxury of going to the beach much, and don't like jumping off cliffs or swimming in rough water, so you may see things differently .

To me Jamaica is all about hanging out in the beautiful, calm water on the beach and enjoying the food and drink.

Our cook at Moondance, while very accomodating, did not come close to the quality and interesting flavors of the food at The Caves.

The accomodations at Moondance, while not as "interesting" as The Caves, were definitely very upscale. The air conditioning was very welcome, our villa had a huge marble bathroom, private pool and spas and was very close to the beach. We ended up getting a 5 BR for 1/5 the going rate, since it was unoccupied anyway. It was nice having out own bartender who would bring refills out to the beach for us.

I vote for splitting the time between the two if you have trouble deciding.

"swimming in rough water"

A point to consider. When it's calm the cliffs offer wonderful swimming and snorkeling, and there are ladders and steps so you don't have to jump in. But when it's very rough you can't go in the sea at all.

The beach is generally swimmable whether it is calm or rough....the roughest I've seen it is still good for body surfing, just not for floating. The exception to that is if a certain type of storm comes....a couple of times a year a northern storm can bring in tons of seaweed, shells, fish, etc and it can take awhile to get cleaned up...at those times the water off the cliffs will be crystal clear when the beach isn't.

Mmmmm had not thought about the rough water. The staff said it was rough on 2 of the mornings we were there, but it wasn't anything that was not swimmable, even by a novice. I'm sure there are times of the year that it can get rough. When are you planning to go?? I do agree if you are staying for a week...split the time. If you are going for 4 nights or less, I'd still do the caves as you can taxi down to the beach and use all the ammenities at the resort they give you passes to. There is nothing like the caves and the beauty of the cliffs. Negril is a beautiful beach, but it is not quiet or peaceful. If you don't mind crowds and vendors and tour boats all around, you may love it. We took a walk and had a Red Stripe at one of the beach bars. It was a fun day. I would choose the beach if I was going with my kids or if I was going long enough to split. I love the beach and live for the beach (especially beautiful white sand/blue water beaches), but I did not miss not being on the beach for our 4 night stay.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...108AcMWTdi5ctU

If this is what you would call crowded, then I guess it is. Late morning a couple of years ago in June, when we typically travel to Negril. You must have been in Negril in March. Also, recognize the color of the sand and water....doesn't get any better than this.

I also find a lot of people prefer the cliffs so they can imbibe in some of the local grown products without the Red Stripes (police) on the beat on the beach!

Hey CaribbeanSoul,
I know your trip is coming up with the new twins. As I said if I am there with family, I will be on the beach. It was late March, after most college spring breaks were over. Jamaica only had 25% of their usual spring break crowd because of the passport requirements. It was crowded...not packed...not as beautiful as your great photo. It is beautiful. Talking about the locally grown "products"...that's one thing we hated about the beach. We had about 3 offers while on Idle a while property and saw a group of young teenagers make a sale while their mom went back to the room and a father make a sale while his 5 to 10 year olds played in the water. This was all while the security guards ignored it happening on their property and their chairs. It was actually entertaining to watch. I never said the beach wasn't fun....just not peaceful for a romantic getaway...at least when we were there. To each his own, but if it was at the cliffs, it wasn't nearly as open. The closest we came to it there was a faint scent of it at the sands bar and an offer when we walked to Ricks. The couples we met at the caves were all there for the same reasons...to have a peaceful relaxing getaway. The OP asked if people miss the beach at the caves and I can say that we and the other couples there with us did not. When we return to the caves again, we will not be heading to the beach unless it is too rough to swim or in the off season when the beach would be less crowded.

When we were at The Caves, people were using the locally grown products in the public areas, including the dining room during dinner. It depends on who's there at the time, it's a very small property. Definitely no issues with people coming up to you unsolicited there, as opposed to the beach.

That is what is so great about Negril! There are the loyal followers of both areas. Even with just my wife and I, we rarely feel the desire to go to the cliffs. As a “day-pass” works with the beach, the same holds true at many places on the cliffs. We have done Xtabi and Drumsville Cove (long time ago) in similar fashion. The cliffs, as beautiful as they are, just don’t capture us for any longer than a couple of hours. The beach is great with tremendous opportunities to walk and experience many fine beach bars, restaurants and such. When we travel, it is very quiet and not very busy. We love to watch the characters and take in the sights and smells of Jamaica without feeling confined to one place. As far as the local products go, it is everywhere in Jamaica. Use is far more discreet on the open beach as there is a police presence that isn’t found in the cliffs

Wow eyeski,
I'm really surprised based on our experience at the caves. That would have been a turn off to have that smell while eating dinner. I may have a different opinion had I had that experience vs the hounding on the beach that we delt with. Despite all of it, I think Jamaica is a great island with lots of neat culture and food that anyone can enjoy and I can't wait to return. I don't understand all the fuss in the states over the safety there. It has an image that does not describe the tourist areas of the islands. It's a great place. CaribbeanSoul, have a RedStripe for me on your visit in June. I can't wait to hear how it goes with the little ones. We have 3 that we haven't taken out of the country yet, but it will be happening soon. Jamaica is such an easy flight for us, so I'd love to go there with the kids.

I'll be doing my best "beachbum" imitation, no doubt! We are traveling with 4 ranging from 9 mos (twins), 3.5 and 11 years old. We have a perfect room, ground level, right on the beach. Easy for us traveling from Seattle, as well....one connection in Houston each way.

The night people were imbibing at the dinner table, it was just us and one other couple. We had partied with them before, so we just lit one up and passed it around. It wasn't like that other nights when there were more people around, although it was very open in the other common areas, sitting areas aroung the cliffs, at the bar at night, etc. Very chill atmosphere.

That sounds more like it eyeski, I thought from your original post that you were offered several times at the caves. It's everywhere in Jamaica if you want it, but yes a very chill out atmosphere at the caves...nothing obvious. Caribbean Soul, make that 2 Redstripes...or 3...or 4. You are going to need them with 4 little ones, maybe even some locally grown product to keep your sanity. he he he