charlestoncpl

I am planning a honeymoon for the middle of April 2006 and have all but paid for an all-inclusive trip to Jamaica's Couples Swept Away Resort. Having never been there, I asked around and much to my dismay everyone cringes and asks, "Of all the places you could travel why would you want to go there???" I would love some input from folks who have either been to this particular resort OR have been to Jamaica in the last 6 months. I'd like to get the straight story on what it's really like. Thanks!

Diana

The next time someone says that, ask them, "Oh, what happened to YOU when YOU were there to make you say that?"

I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut they will either have nothing further to say or they will mumble something like, "well, my cousin has a friend at work who has a sister who heard of someone who was robbed there."

Swept Away (Negril) is an amazing resort on an amazing beach in an amazing country.

I went to Jamaica in 2004 for the first (but not last) time, and it is one of the most incredible destinations in the Caribbean.

My money says the naysayers are uneducated about the island and maybe jealous of your plans.

Go and have a great time and congrats!

ejcrowe

I could not have put it one whit better than Diana already did. Go to Negril and have a wonderful honeymoon and make all of those other people green with envy when you show them your photos from the trip.

CaribbeanSoul

1st trip to Jamaica-1985
1st trip to Negril-1987
Last trip to Negril-Nov 2005 (with many trips in between)
Next trip to Negril....well that is another story with twins on the way!
You'll have an amazing time....believe me. Make sure you get off the resort and check out the many places on the beach. Maybe you'll find a place you can return to if you choose to go non AI on your next trip! Swept Away is amongst the top AI resorts in Negril.

faithie

The exact same thing happened to me . I became really paranoid and scared , certain I had made a terrible decision . I found this site . Read information from people who had actually BEEN there . And in the end I made an educated decision and we had a wonderful trip . I LOVE Jamaica .

MarionCK

Diana said all that I would say.

There will always be *naysayers* about Jamaica. I encountered one at Logan airport in April/05. I had checked in and this woman was still trying to convince me to go elsewhere.

Although I have never been to Negril, you have received wise advice from CS and Diana.

I chime in here only to say that I spent 2 weeks in Ocho Rios in '04, 4 weeks outside of Montego Bay in the Spring of '05 and just returned from another month in Treasure Beach.

I have rearranged plans and will return to Jamaica for five weeks in February/March

Go to Jamaica with an open heart and mind, and you will have a wonderful honeymoon. Upon your return you can join those of us who try to educate the *naysayers*

Marion

ejcrowe

Marion, was the woman who tried to talk you out of Jamaica a traveler or employee at the airport? Did she give you a personal reason? How outrageous!

I hope you're well rested and gearing up for a lengthy trip report for us. Can't wait to read it!

MarionCK

EJ,

I attract the weird ones...my own personal *weird* magnetic field, I guess ;-) She was a fellow traveller, bound for her home state (I'll never tell !) who seemed to feel the need to *save* me from the perils of Jamaica.

I listened, as most polite women do ;-), and then assured her that my bags were checked, my boarding pass was in my hand, and I was HAPPILY Jamaica bound

I know a trip report is overdue. I'm not sure that mine help anyone, in the traditional sense.

But I'll work on something that will hopefully convey my joy of discovering Treasure Beach

I've cancelled Nevis and will return to Treasure Beach for the month of February.

Sasha has suggested a
party on the beach, bonfire and live music ...anyone in the neighborhood is welcome. Someone should enjoy the freshly caught fish ``

Marion

liza

Well if you need any more reassurance....we've gone 15 or so times, 4 times with our small children. Stayed in hotels, villas, gutsthouses...we all love it.

mah1980

You're going back to Jamaica, Marion? Are you going to become a dual national of Jamaica & the U.S.?

How fun!

mah1980

charlestoncpl,

It amazes me how pervasive the bad p.r. about Jamaica is and its unknown origins.

Right after my DH and I got engaged, I saw a picture of Rockhouse in Negril and decided we should go there. My DH, not an experienced traveler due to his parent's not liking to travel, said that he didn't want to go to Jamaica because of everything he's heard. We didn't know ANYONE that had been there, yet my husband, who had never been out of the country before, had heard bad things about Jamaica. So of course, I didn't want to make him go somewhere he didn't want to go.

Don't listen to people. Like everyone else said, the people that say these things generally haven't been there.

Couples Swept Away looks great and it gets wonderful reviews. Do not let naysayers dissuade you from taking a trip you want to go on.

MIM04

Marion - just read your post. Hopefully you will make it to Nevis someday. I looked forward to meeting you this trip, maybe next time

MarionCK

mah,

I didn't know one could be a "dual national". My daughter, (the newly sworn in attorney ) is doing a little reluctant research for me...or maybe she's researching *assisted living* facilities. I'll opt for Jamaica rather than the climate of Maine

My door in Jamaica is open...maybe your DH might take a chance ?

Marion

sherhatfield

Hubby & I got married at Beaches resort in Negril back in '98. We loved Jamaica and will definitely go back. As with a lot of countries, if you leave the resort, it's possible you will encounter bad areas. We were advised by the hotel not to leave the property at night, but during the day we went on excursions and to the market area. Personally, I like to stay at all-inclusives so I don't have to leave the resort! A beautiful beach, pool, restaurants and bars all in one place is paradise for me.

Go to Jamaica and enjoy your honeymoon! BTW, congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

CaribbeanSoul

Marion-
You have been quiet lately. Have you been working on that trip report? It sounded as if you had an amazing trip....would LOVE to hear more.

mah1980

Marion,

I didn't realize that your daughter is an attorney too.

Are you seriously considering becoming a dual national of Jamaica & the U.S.?

I really don't have any idea the rules/regs for becoming a dual national. It seems like the procedure may be governed by our treaty(ies) with Jamaica, but I really am not sure.

I am glad that you had a great time. I think each person has an alternate country that they could feel at home in. It will be especially advantageous to you to find that in Jamaica considering the winters in Maine. My grandfather in from the NE and he retired to Florida. Unfortunately, the cost of real estate in Florida is astronomical and Jamaica would probably be more reasonable for similar waterfront property.

DaveJJ

I echo the sentiments of the previous posters. Disregard the negative remarks....few have likely been to Jamaica themselves. You will absolutely love Negril. I urge you to get out from the resort and tour around, perhaps to Treasure Beach so you can 'taste' your next holiday destination.

Dancer27

Hi. I went to Jamaica 2 years ago. It is a wonderful, beautiful island. The people are nice and friendly. Just like any city in the US, there are some unsafe places, you just don't go there. Have a wonderful time on your trip you are going to love it.

dantheman

We went to Jamaica this apst November and stayed at swept Aways sister property, Idle Awhile. I was told the same thing my lots of people, all who have never been. I lover it there and am going back in April with my 16 yr old daughter. I walked down to Swept Away and swam in their pool at their sports complex (Idle Awhile guest are allowed to do that) It is a very nice property although I enjoyed the intimate size of Idle Awile.

alya

Dan,

Isn't a lovely hotel? We stayed there last April/May and I think you will like it better in April than November - not so many beach hustlers.

To any woman reading this post thinking of visiting Idle Awhile - pack a hairdryer!!!! This is the only hotel I have stayed at that didn't provide them - we paid $35 for a hairdryer that I used for 5 days