Great Negril hotel with beachfront bar close by?
Apr 16th, 2009 | 10:50 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 42
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Great Negril hotel with beachfront bar close by?
I've really searched but am still trying to find "the place". I'm looking for a nice place with character on a good stretch of beach and very close to restaurants and an on-site or next door, beachfront bar. (just to lounge and drink - no loud music necessary)
Idle Away and others look good but not sure about the bars and none in particular are jumping out at me.
Just my husband and myself this time and we're looking to spend about $150/ night or more in low season.
I like the look of Sunset at the Palms but it's not right on the beach. Has anyone stayed there?
Where would you stay - please share!
Idle Away and others look good but not sure about the bars and none in particular are jumping out at me.
Just my husband and myself this time and we're looking to spend about $150/ night or more in low season.
I like the look of Sunset at the Palms but it's not right on the beach. Has anyone stayed there?
Where would you stay - please share!
Apr 18th, 2009 | 07:27 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Nirvana would be great and White Sands has a nice little bar right on the beach next door. And if you go the other way down the beach there is Irie Vibes at the Rondel Village which is about three properties away. How busy these bars are going to be in off season I don't know though has we go to excape the real cold of Canada in Dec., Jan. or Feb.
Apr 19th, 2009 | 06:40 AM
#5
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 899
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Idle Awhile or most any place on Negril beach would work for you. There are beach bars up and down the beach. Within a 5 minute walk from Idle Awhile, for example, excluding IA's bar, there is the For Real Beach Bar, Sun Beach, Firefly, Margaritaville (yes Jimmy Buffett's), Country Peppa (awesome beach bar at the water's edge), Treehouse, Palms and Norma's. Those are just the ones to the north on the beach. Take a left instead of a right out of Idle Awhile and you'll find White Sands, Tony's Hut, Boat Bar, Irie Vibes, Fun Holiday, 23/7 to name a few.
Can you tell I am suffering badly from Negrilitis?
Can you tell I am suffering badly from Negrilitis?
Apr 30th, 2009 | 04:30 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I would put a lot of stock into what CaribbeanSoul has to say!
I just got back this last weekend from staying 10 days in Negril. I stayed at Idle Awhile and frequented their Chill Awhile Cafe/Bar while also going to most of the places CaribbeanSoul mentioned.
Im in the midst of putting together a travel report filled with details, pictures, etc... and will post it once I have it done. In the mean time I can certainly say a thing or two about the character that I witnessed and allow you and others to chime in to see if it is what others can attest to and if it is what speaks to what you are looking for.
I traveled with my wife, 7 year old daughter, and my parents. Our daughter was the only kid at Idle Awhile as everone else were couples in their 30's, 40's, and 50's. We would regularly get up and go out to the bar at 6:45AM to have coffee and walk another 20 feet to dip our feet in the Caribbean before walking back to eat breakfast. Every morning a couple local beach vendors selling fresh juice would stop by where I would eagerly buy what I can say is the best tasting Orange juice I have ever had. This was a shared opinion by all who we met and I feel confident others will agree. We would tip the guys who set up chars in the morning and they would put out chairs, towels, and an umbrella specifically for us. If we left for a few hours they would watch it and make sure no one grabbed our chairs. Whether lounging in the sun, kicking back on the hammocks that are maybe 10 feet from the bar, or hanging out at the tables or at the bar for a glass of Coconut Rum and Pineapple juice, the staff were friendly and engaging as were the other guests. So if by lounging you mean that you would like to have a cool blended drink or sip coconut water from a chilled freshly cut open coconut, while feeling the powdery cool sand between your toes and going back and forth between the water and your favorite spot at the bar, then I would say that Idle Awhile is one cool place for that.
When I went I made it a mission to try the food and drink and to experience as much as I could. Let me tell you, there is something very cool about going to Chill Awhile, Coco La Palm, and The For Real Bar, and having each make you a Dirty Banana just so you can see which one you prefer. I have my personal favorites and im sure you too will have yours.
I know that the delux rooms, not the suites, at Idle Awhile during the off season are $150 a night. We rented the suites while there but on our last day made a point of checking out the deluxe room to see what it was like. They are just as the website shows and are plenty great for 2 people. The balcony is something that you cant help but like hanging out on. Personally, if I were to get a deluxe room at Idle Awhile I would ask for room #104. It has a great view and a great balcony.
The food at Chill Awhile Cafe (at Idle Awhile) is very good. I had found that their Jerk Chicken actually blows the Jerk stand across the street (Best of the west) out of the water. I know everyone has their preference but id put money on this one! They also make a mean curry chicken.
This may be more than you wanted to know, but then again Im even more excited after having visited that I was prior to going. And let me tell you I was plenty excited to go!
Its a cool place with a vibe that is casual. The people are very nice and you cant help but want to go back again and again. We are already talking about going back if that says anything.
Hope this helps.
I just got back this last weekend from staying 10 days in Negril. I stayed at Idle Awhile and frequented their Chill Awhile Cafe/Bar while also going to most of the places CaribbeanSoul mentioned.
Im in the midst of putting together a travel report filled with details, pictures, etc... and will post it once I have it done. In the mean time I can certainly say a thing or two about the character that I witnessed and allow you and others to chime in to see if it is what others can attest to and if it is what speaks to what you are looking for.
I traveled with my wife, 7 year old daughter, and my parents. Our daughter was the only kid at Idle Awhile as everone else were couples in their 30's, 40's, and 50's. We would regularly get up and go out to the bar at 6:45AM to have coffee and walk another 20 feet to dip our feet in the Caribbean before walking back to eat breakfast. Every morning a couple local beach vendors selling fresh juice would stop by where I would eagerly buy what I can say is the best tasting Orange juice I have ever had. This was a shared opinion by all who we met and I feel confident others will agree. We would tip the guys who set up chars in the morning and they would put out chairs, towels, and an umbrella specifically for us. If we left for a few hours they would watch it and make sure no one grabbed our chairs. Whether lounging in the sun, kicking back on the hammocks that are maybe 10 feet from the bar, or hanging out at the tables or at the bar for a glass of Coconut Rum and Pineapple juice, the staff were friendly and engaging as were the other guests. So if by lounging you mean that you would like to have a cool blended drink or sip coconut water from a chilled freshly cut open coconut, while feeling the powdery cool sand between your toes and going back and forth between the water and your favorite spot at the bar, then I would say that Idle Awhile is one cool place for that.
When I went I made it a mission to try the food and drink and to experience as much as I could. Let me tell you, there is something very cool about going to Chill Awhile, Coco La Palm, and The For Real Bar, and having each make you a Dirty Banana just so you can see which one you prefer. I have my personal favorites and im sure you too will have yours.
I know that the delux rooms, not the suites, at Idle Awhile during the off season are $150 a night. We rented the suites while there but on our last day made a point of checking out the deluxe room to see what it was like. They are just as the website shows and are plenty great for 2 people. The balcony is something that you cant help but like hanging out on. Personally, if I were to get a deluxe room at Idle Awhile I would ask for room #104. It has a great view and a great balcony.
The food at Chill Awhile Cafe (at Idle Awhile) is very good. I had found that their Jerk Chicken actually blows the Jerk stand across the street (Best of the west) out of the water. I know everyone has their preference but id put money on this one! They also make a mean curry chicken.
This may be more than you wanted to know, but then again Im even more excited after having visited that I was prior to going. And let me tell you I was plenty excited to go!
Its a cool place with a vibe that is casual. The people are very nice and you cant help but want to go back again and again. We are already talking about going back if that says anything.
Hope this helps.
Apr 30th, 2009 | 04:35 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Oh and one more thing. I was talking to the grounds keeper at Idle Awhile who proceeded to point out how Idle Awhile has more lush tropical foliage than most places you will find on 7 mile beach. I cant say that I checked every place out in the greatest of detail, but I can say that if there are places that have as much lush tropical foliage I didnt see them. The grounds keeper pointed out that you will notice hearing and seeing more birds as they deliberately plant trees and other plants that the birds like to feed on. My wife is a photographer and had no shortage of things to shoot while I just enjoyed hearing the sounds of the birds while sipping by drink.
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May 20th, 2009 | 10:52 AM
#8
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
we just stayed at coco lapalm, i would agree with eastside on everything he said. white sands has daily drink specials(2 for 1) sunset beach bar has good chicken $7 ask for white meat also a very good moonlight dinner on the beach(with a raggee singer).good dinners at normas,the palms,charela inn all within walking distance.the sunset cruise on the wild thing is a blast(drinks included)and parasailing is there if you want.remember everything is negotiable with the beach vendors, they start high expecting you to offer less.
coco was a great place, but i think they all are in that area,next time we may stay at idle awhile.also we spent about $120 a day on food & drink, maybe you could save some exchanging your money. this was our 5th trip to jamaica, 1st non inclusive and by far the best trip we've had--have fun!!!!
coco was a great place, but i think they all are in that area,next time we may stay at idle awhile.also we spent about $120 a day on food & drink, maybe you could save some exchanging your money. this was our 5th trip to jamaica, 1st non inclusive and by far the best trip we've had--have fun!!!!
May 20th, 2009 | 02:57 PM
#9
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,805
Likes: 0
STOP IT NOW!!!!
How are we going to keep Idle Awhile a hidden treasure when you all keep recommending it!!!
Seriously
it is a nice resort, we stayed there in 2004 and would like to visit again this year. We stayed at Jamaica Inn on the same trip but wouldn't go back there in a hurry.
Lots of restaurants and bars within walking distance and situated on the best part of the beach.
How are we going to keep Idle Awhile a hidden treasure when you all keep recommending it!!!
Seriously
it is a nice resort, we stayed there in 2004 and would like to visit again this year. We stayed at Jamaica Inn on the same trip but wouldn't go back there in a hurry.Lots of restaurants and bars within walking distance and situated on the best part of the beach.
