we are interested in luxury + privacy. would love our own private pool. some activities would be nice - beginner surfing too

what parts of jamaica should we avoid / unsafe?

is it really buggy?

thanks!!

Hi and happy honeymoon! I will admit right up front that I am biased in that we own a home in Jamaica. But that also gives me more insight into the island, I think. Our home is at the Tryall Club (which has about 60 villas) and the club offers much luxury. Villas have their own staff and pool (there are one and two bedroom condos that share a large pool and you can choose to have staff or not). Tryall has a gorgeous golf course and tennis courts and a beach. The web site is www.tryallclub.com and you can get plenty of info there about prices etc. Oh and they have some gorgeous weddings there!

Nearby is Round Hill which has hotel rooms and some "cottages" or villas and some with private pools. No golf there, but they have a lovely beach, spa, and tennis.

There are tons of hotels in Negril in various price ranges but I don't think you will find luxury and privacy there. You WILL find loads of sun worshippers and partiers there.

A few miles to the east of Montego Bay is a lovely lovely Ritz Carlton with golf, tennis, the fabulous service Ritz is known for. I don't think you will find a private pool there though.

Near the Ritz is Half Moon which has hotel rooms and some villas/cottages. It has loads of activities from horseback riding, a new spa, croquet, tennis, golf etc.

Re your other questions. Yes, there are bugs in Jamaica, mostly pesky tropical mosquitos. Just bring a good repellent from home and use it at dusk. I dont think it is any buggier than most islands. As for safety, the resorts I've mentioned by name have their own security. We have never had one problem with safety in Jamaica and we have travelled the island extensively. Having said that, I would NOT spend any time in Kingston and wouldn't wander off the tourist path at night in Montego Bay. Or do anything else that would be considered dumb in any major city anywhere.

We love the Jamaican people; by and large, they are happy, religious, fun loving, and appreciative of tourists. In the most touristy places (tee shirt shops for example) or just wandering around on your own, you may find Jamaicans begging, trying to charm you out of money, asking for tips, and so on. Just say NO MON or ignore them and realize that most Jamaicans are not that way.

I truthfully don't know a thing about surfing in Jamaica so can't be of help there.

And PS don't be lured by the marketing for Jake's Hotel on the south coast. It is eccentric (read: unappealling and shabby) as far as I am concerned. We spent one night there on a lark and would never go back!

I've been going to Jamaica for nearly 25 years, and my favorite part of the island is still Negril, because of its nearly 7-mile white sand beach.

I don't personally know of any hotels or villas that have private plunge pools, although there is a huge private house w/pool on the beach on the road toward Bloody Bay. But if you can do without that, here's a few recommendations for special places.

On the beach, I'd highly recommend IDLE AWHILE, which is a small, contemporary hotel with lovely one bedroom suites that all have living rooms, kitchens, and small terraces. It's on the best part of the beach in Negril, and a very short taxi ride away from The West End, which is where all the funky cliffside bars/restaurants/boutiques/hotels are located.

On The West End itself, ROCKHOUSE, famous for its gorgeous restaurant, has several private cliffside cottages to rent. The cottages all have open-air terraces and ladders down to the sea. The water there is excellent for snorkeling, if that matters to you. And the sunsets are breathtaking.

Also on The West End, is the luxurious CAVES property. It's reknown for its spa services, food, and interior decoration. I haven't visited there, but have heard that it's amazing.

The beach in Negril is very calm unless a storm is coming in, so not good for surfing. As far as bugs go, it depends on the time of year. August is probably the worst for that, although at dusk, you're best off putting on some repellant before you go out.

In terms of what parts of Jamaica to avoid, there are some areas in Kingston and interior Montego Bay, that I wouldn't seek out, but other than that, you'll be absolutely fine. The Jamaican people are wonderful- they are one of the main reasons that we keep going back again and again.

I would aviod the Ritz Carlton and Half Moon in August as I have found both to be overrun with kids in summer and on holidays.

Th Caves is very special and I also loved Rock House though there is no beach or private pool.

I prefer Negril to any other location in Jamaica (25 land trips there since the 70s) but I also have Jamaica Inn on my very special places list. Royal Plantation also looks small and luxurious.

Moondance villas in Negril has 3-5 bedroom villas with private pools and multiple jacuzzis. There are some 1 and 2 BR units, but they share a pool The best is one of the 4-BR, the pool is right on the beach and there is a pool table in the living room.

Comes with cook, bartender and housekeeping. I know all of the bedrooms are A/C, not sure about the rest. Cable TV and internet with computer.
www.moondancevillas.com

We love the Couples resorts. Couples Ocho Rios does have a villa suite that has it's own private plunge pool.

You can check out our stays at 3 of the 4 Couples Resorts on my web site at www.roselynn.net

Jamaica has surfing but only in Dec/Jan and only in the Port Antonio area (Long Bay and Boston
Bay Beach). Body boarding can be very good as well on Billy's Bay
beach (about 15 min. but light year's away from Jake's). See the
Treasure Beach community Web site
at http://www.treasurebeach.net
for a full spectrum. We'll also be opening a new super-luxury villa on its own beach with its own private pool, staff and 24/7 butler-concierge services at Silver Sands on the North Coast in about 10 days time that may well indeed fit the bill...

I have not been to Jamaica for several years but one place my parents always loved and returned to time after time was the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios. An older property, it does not have all the bells and whistles of newer resorts but it does have a wonderful beach.

They do have a suite with private pool. May want to check it out - they do have a web site.