fishie

I think we've narrowed down our options to San Souci and Jamaica Inn for a week getaway this fall. Any thoughts on the relative pluses and minuses of each? Context is this is a surprise birthday trip for my wife, late 30's, well travelled couple, but first trip to caribean. Looking for upscale experience. I like to party and explore abit. She is ahhpy on the beach with a book...so need a little of both.

A little afriad of all inclusive...should I be?

Would also like any perspective on the degree to which their websites actually reflect reality.

Thanks

Patty

Of the two, I've only stayed at the Jamaica Inn (twice and returning for a third trip this May) and can say that the pictures on their website are accurate and representative of the actual property. It's difficult for me to list relative pluses and minuses as I haven't stayed at Sans Souci, the resort and the beach look nice from the outside and I've only read glowing reports. It's probably hard to go wrong with either.

The atmosphere at JI is very quiet and relaxed with little nightlife to speak of and no organized activities of any sort on site (unless you count getting Rupert to organize a game of croquet). Sounds perfect for your wife but maybe a little too quiet for you?? They can arrange a variety of excursions but after a day or two, we find it hard to tear ourselves away.

If you decide on JI, I like the rooms in the west wing in particular that are perched right over the water. The verandahs are wonderful for relaxing and you can have any meal served there. The best part of JI is the warm, welcoming staff, some of whom have been there for 40 years or more. Hope this is of some help.

wjdom83

I just returned from Sans Souci. It was fantastic. The resort was certainly upscale with plenty to do or not to. The property is All Inclusive and the quality is A+.

SeeJamaicaCheaply

I am Jamaican and have visited both properties. I can declare without biase that both hotels are top range hotels in terms of service and ambiance so I am sure that you will not be disappointed with either.

golf_guy

fishie,

Concur with everything Patty said above (Hi Patty!!). Have been there three times. It's great and the web site paints an accurate picture.
If it helps tip the balance, check out the auction for Jamaica Inn on LuxuryLink.com. One just closed yesterday and there's been one up almost every week, so if there's nothing there today, check again later in the week or beginning of next week.
JamInn is one of my top vacation locations (a villa at Tryall is the other).

Patty

Hi golf_guy,
Are you jam-man? I was wondering why I hadn't seen you around lately. Didn't realize you had changed screen names. When were you last in Jamaica?

golf_guy

Patty, I changed my screen name with registration. I don't know if I can even remember why.

We rented Pinnacle villa at Tryall with our friends last July for two weeks and are taking Fairwinds at Tryall with them for two weeks this April (6 weeks from Saturday). Got in a round of golf at White Witch last time and will do the same this time, plus we play about every day at Tryall.
Understand that the Tryall beach has been improved by removing the little shells and stones that lurk just after you step into the surf. That was the only complaint I had about the beach at Tryall. Wish the beach was more like the one at JamInn.
Is your May JamInn a LuxuryLink auction win? My wife jokes about bidding for both of the two 5 day JamInn packages they have up on LuxuryLink and doing a 10 day stint in the lap of luxury the Morrow brothers continue to deliver to those of us who know and love the Inn.
When the North Coast highway is complete between MoBay and Ochie, JamInn will be so much nicer to get to.
Take care of yourself and enjoy your stay.

Patty

Yes, I'm doing the LL package for my Jamaica Inn stay. I think I bid on the very first package that became available last year for 2004 dates

Do you know when the road's scheduled for completion? Actually I don't mind the ride too much as coming off the LAX redeye usually, I just sleep through most of it

Have a great trip in April!

golf_guy

Patty,

Sorry for the delay in reply, but I was doing research on the road question and then saw a shiny thing and wandered off and forgot what it was I was doing.
The road is not done. In fact it looks like very little has been done yet. As Tivertonhouse says, the work always happens right around election time.
Sleeping through that ride is the right thing to do. When we take it, I always tell my wife to look out the side window, never the front one. A lot less frightening.
Only a few weeks for you before Teddy will be waiting for you in the Beach Bar, singing a song and ready to mix a little something to refresh and cool you down. And I can just picture you on a chaise under one of those little thatched bohios at about 11 AM, watching with anticipation as the waiter carries that tray of Planters Punch's from group to group dispensing liquid relief from the heat. Ahhhhhhhh...............

tivertonhouse

Golf guy/jam-man:It's a drive from JI but you might enjoy the links at the Manchester Country Club in Mandeville, the oldest course in the Western hemisphere (the old 9-box style),esp.since the greens fees are only about US$25 compared to US$150-200 or so up at Tryall.

golf_guy

T-house,

Thanks for the tip!!!