Diana...

While I certainly share your sentiments regarding Sandals and other *corporate* AI's, I think it's important to point out that some of the upscale places that lower their rates in the off-season still apply that 15 to 20% service charge. I can still remember my shock and awe when I checked out of CJ...in the off-season !

Many folks who consider AI's do so because they don't want that shock at the end of a vacation. It's hard enough to go home. It's even worse when you're trying to understand just where and how your money was spent.

Just some thoughts on a snowy day in Maine !

Marion

That rate for Cap Jaluca is the room only - it is not all inclusive. I think there is a 10% tax and 10% service on top of that rate.

If it not AI then that explains my confusion. For 2400/wk plus 20% that is steep when you add in meals, drinks, watersports, etc.

Still out of my budget.

Still shopping for the perfect resort. So tell me what is the best AI for the buck. Understand, I chose Whitehouse because of the 50% off that I received when I booked it. I don't mind spending a little more, but understand I am a teacher and my fiance is finishing up nursing school, so finances are a little tight.

I really appriciate all the help that all of you have already given me.

Thanks,
Eric

The only AI I would ever recommend is Royal Hideaway in Mexico, but it is quite expensive.

I would NOT recommend AI to anyone other than RH.

For example, you can stay in any number of very nice ocean front hotels on Jamaica that are better than any Sandals or Couples for $100-$250 per night and still be able to sample the wonderful local food and culture of wherever it is you choose to stay.

My point was that for what you are paying to get sub-par food in an antiseptic environment, you can stay in some of the best resorts in the Caribbean and pay the same if you add the food and drink costs in.

I fully realize that the prices at Cap add tax and svc and that it's not AI. It's also not $4,000 to $12,000 for a week, (in the off-season when the OP is going) ergo, you can stay at a top resort AND eat for what you can stay at Sandals for.

What are you paying to stay at Sandals?

You coud stay at Moondance Villas in Negril or Idle Awhile or Rockhouse or Tensing Pen and eat at the great local restaurants and have lots to do and see at your doorstep - INCLUDING food and drink - for what you will pay at Sandals. You could even stay at Jamaica Inn (a super place) in Ocho Rios AND have breakfast and dinner included for less than what AI's charge.

I guess it's obvious I am not a fan of AI's.

My girlfriend and her husband just returned from Swept Away where they had a lovely room with a view of the ocean for 377/nt dbl.

I do not agree that all AI's are antiseptic with sub par food, although I am quite certain there are many that fit that description.

The grounds at Swept Away are lovely and the rooms tropical, large and private. They are in small buildings and are tucked away throughout the property. The food is quite good, especially at Feathers.

I recently returned from a long weekend at LeSport in St. Lucia. While the rooms could use a refurb, the grounds are beautiful and Tao, their Pan Asian restaurant, was excellent.

I also have stayed in many non AI's and very much enjoy that as well.

Last month, I wanted to visit Rockhouse, where I have enjoyed several visits. Villas are now $250 per night, plus taxes and service charges. When I dine out in Jamaica, dinner with wine is usually about $100.00. Then there is scuba diving, gym access, other meals, etc. Add tranfers to and from and this is well over the per diem at some of the nice AI's, IMHO. At Rockhouse, my tab averaged 200 per day and I am not a daytime drinker, nor do I drink hard liquor. This was for two.

I have stayed at Peter Island, Biras Creek, etc. It is a very individual preference. There is something for everyone and I believe that AIs can be a good choice.

It all depends what you are looking for.

right now for flight and 7 nights at Sandals Whitehouse I am paying $3200 and staying in their Luxury room. That is with the 50% off though. But that does include flight from Ohio to Montego Bay. You honestly think that I could stay at a better resort and go out to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus all the drinks we want for cheaper? If so, I would most definatly be interested in that. I will check out some of the resorts that you just named.
I wish I had more experience so that I could make these decisions, but I have no idea what to look for or what to expect.

Rockhouse - June - Top of the line room in summer:

$195 x 7 nights = $1586.76

Flight from Cleveland:

$373 x 2 = $746.00

Total = $2,332.00

Leaves $868.00 for meals, drinks, activities $124.00 per day.

OR, you can stay in their studio rooms for $100 per night and have it look like this:

Room with tax: $100 x 7 + tax = $813
Flight: $373 x 2 = $746
Total = $1559.
And you have $1641.00 left over for food, drinks and activities = $234.42 per day.

In general, I believe that AI's are a great deal for people who want to eat a lot of mediocre food and drink a lot of cheap liquor or beer. (i.e., people to whom quantity is more important than quality).

If food and drink quality are not important, I think AI's can be a great deal.

Both times we made the mistake of going to one, we were unhappy with the quality of the food and we ended up paying a lot more because we do not drink cheap booze and we have a bottle of (good) wine with dinner.

emccort, you specifically mentioned "GOOD food," and that is unlikely to be found at the majority of AI's unless through happy coincidence.

Diana,
I looked up a lot of the resorts that were mentioned. I thought that the Rockhouse looked really cool. My only problem is that we love the beach and it seems like there is no beach there.

Do you have to go to a public beach or just swim in their cove?

Rockhouse is on the rocky end of the beach in Negril. There are two sections/areas.

Check out Idle Awhile.

http://idleawhile.com/

Rockhouse is on the cliffs. If you book a villa, there is a private ladder that leads to the sea. It is a very special spot. And the Infinity pool is quite wonderful.

I would not stay in a studio as IMO it lacks the charm and privacy of the villas.

Regarding food, I grew up in Manhattan and my father was a chef. I have travelled extensively throughout the world. I do not believe a bad meal is worth eating. I also have had disappointing meals at restaurants that are well reknowned.

I do not think such a generalization of AIs overall is warranted.

Well, despite my opinion of Sandals, I must admit that $3200 is a pretty good price for 7 nights accommodations, all food, drinks, and airfare.

However, you mentioned that a beach is important to you. If so, and you still want to stick with Sandals, then I'd recommend staying in Negril.

As Diana as mentioned, I strongly recommend that you check out Idle Awhile, a small hotel on the beach in Negril. The rooms are lovely and even the most expensive category isn't very expensive in the summer. There is a restaurant on site (menus listed online, with prices, so you can see for yourself whether or not you think you can stay there for less money than at an AI). What's more, you have free access to the sports facilities at Swept Away by staying here.

It's an AI on another island, but I strongly recommend that you check out Galley Bay on Antigua www.eliteislandresorts.com. For the last two summers they have offered free airfare for stays of 5 nights or more. This is a pretty decent AI on a beautiful beach. You may find they're offering a similar deal this summer--if you email them directly, someone will get back in touch with you with a couple of different offers.

So, I'm sorry if I stressed you out over your honeymoon--I know you want it be a romantic and memorable as possible.

I'll go one better Diana: Blue Cave Castle's penthouse - 3 levels of room and decks for one couple is only $80 a summer. Best view in Negril, by far.

Would a place like Rockhouse be better than Sandals Whitehouse?

Liza,
Where or how can I find info. on Blue Cave Castle's?

By the way you all have not stressed me out. You have been very helpful to someone who has never traveled before, and I have made a list of almost every resort that you have mentioned and have checked out all there websites. I told my fiance last night, that a great goal for us to have is to try to see each one so that maybe we can be more knowledgable.

Thank you all again and keep the advice going.

Diana where did you find that flight from Cleveland?

www.bluecavecastle.com

..it is not a resort, it's a hotel, maybe 12 rooms, in a very kitschy castle on the cliffs in Negril. It's not fancy but it is unique and the penthouse (if you can get it) is one heck of a deal.

You'd eat elsewhere as there is no restaurant on the premises though Blue Mountian coffee is served in the yard each morning

Rockhouse is a "boutique hotel" meaning not too large. Their cliffside villas are lovely and they do have a pool, restaurant, bar, etc.

I second (third) the Idle Awhile recommendation...the suites there are something else.

emccort: a great website for general overview of hotels, restaurants and nightlife in Negril is www.negril.com.
In addition to Idle Awhile, which gets nearly universal positive reviews, I like the looks of the honeymoon suite at Kuyaba (www.kuyaba.com). There aren't many reviews of this place, but the restaurant gets pretty good raves.

Another place for you for sort of one-stop shopping is a website like luxurylink.com. It's a travel auction site that lists many of the top properties for auction packages. Sometimes you can get fabulous deals and sometimes it's much less significant savings off of the "Rack rate" prices. I've used them successfully for a couple of trips and would recommend them. Even if you don't bid on a package there, it gives you an idea of what to expect to pay for 5-7 night packages at various places all over the Caribbean (and world, for that matter). Some are room only, some are room with some meals, some are all inclusive, some are room with a meal plan and some extra activities such as a sunset cruise.

I'm glad you're not stressed out by all of the directions we're giving you. And don't forget that if you really feel you'd have a great time at Sandals Whitehouse, you should go for it.

Just checked two auctions at Luxurylink. Two might appeal to you and are in your budget. 5 nights at Goldeneye, private luxury villa, all meals, drinks, a few extras like transfers and watersports -- $2205 (Jamaica, by the way.)

Cocobay on Antigua--seafront cottage for 6 nights, all meals and drinks, $1835. Spa on site but not included in price.

So, there are definitely other options out there that are within your price range. Just talk to your fiancee and see what options and islands most appeal to you. You'll have a wonderful time no matter what the destination, after all.

emccort,

You are getting a lot of good info and doing a great job of sifting through it without getting overwhelmed.

I found the airfare on travelocity.com for June from Cleveland to Montego Bay. (I use travelocity for almost all of my air travel - I've tried the others and don't seem to do quite as well.

I do also agree that the price you have been given for air and AI at Sandals is a good one, but since you indicated that food is important, I would not stay there. (Just my opinion...)

There are so mnay amazing restaurants in Negril - it would be a shame to miss out on them.

As ejcrowe mentioned, you can check out luxurylink.com.

I got a great deal at Jamaica Inn - soooo romantic - on that site.

Oh, the lobster at Kuyaba was enough to make me want to stay there ejcrowe! I think I was embarassing my husband when I was eating it. I was starting to feel like Meg Ryan in "that" scene!

emccort, do you have to go to Jamaica (part/ all of trip paid for?) or are you open to other choices? Because if you tell us exactly what you are looking for, we can tell you where might be best.

Don't get me wrong, we just went to Jamaica six months ago, and I LOVED it, but there could also be other islands that would work better for what you want to do. (Like, if you want to dive or snorkel or travel on day trips to other islands, etc.)

Hi,
I have found the thread titled "Sandals or Couples" to be extremely helpful! My fiance and I are going to a Sandals presentation tonight and I am thinking about skipping it. We're trying to figure out where to go on our honeymoon on a 5k budget. Diana, I would love to hear about islands other than Jamaica you'd recommend. We like to go on boat trips, I dive and play golf, and she loves spas and a nice beach. Has anyone been to the "Caves" Hotel in Negril?