I'm in the process of planning a labor day weekend in Jamaica with a few friends. We would visit September 1 through September 5th. I'm looking for a Villa where it would be comfortable for a group of girls to stay. I want to be able to have what villas offer but also be safe to try some night life. Any suggestions?

I love Negril Jamaica, but I don't think it's really a "villa" kind of place. I think that is more around the Montego Bay area. September is a wet month with possibility of hurricanes in the Caribbean. Could you go at another time?

Since you mention "safe" staying in a villa you are kind of on your own. Would you consider a low-key hotel or resort instead. Are you planning on hiring a driver? I think you'd need that to stay in a villa and experience some nightlife both.

More things to consider... (wet, hurricane). The Villas I saw came with transportation at an extra cost. There's a chain called Tryall that seem to be pretty nice and also Round Hill. Not sure which one is better.

I think if you're at all concerned about staying "safe" in a villa, you should reconsider and book a small hotel/inn instead. I'll probably catch some flak for saying this, but I've been going to Jamaica for a very long time, and while I really love it, I would not recommend that my adult daughter and a group of girls rent a villa there.

most jamaica villas come with full staff & some have night security gaurds.
in negril:
you should look at rondel village. small cluster of rooms & villas directly on the beach. http://www.rondelvillage.com/

from this page
http://www.villasinjamaica.com/negril.shtml
you could look at catch a falling star (on the cliffs not beach but very near ricks cafe which has outstanding day & night life) or the moondance villas, which are on the beach.

not negril. we used to have a wonderful poster on fodors, sn tiverton, who had a villa company on jamaica. tiv has unfortunately passed on but the company continues to rent excellent villas all over the island:
http://tivertonhousellc.com/jamaica_...directory.html
are you definite on jamaica or would you consider another island?
can you tell us how many are going & what your budget is?

In response to "weadles" comment about safety, I do agree with you about many places in JA, especially Kingston and some places in Negril, however, Round Hill compound is a gated community with security. I have never in 35 years felt unsafe there. There are actually some very famous celebrities that frequent RH including one that also has a private home there

While I love Jamaica myself, the island can be a bit 'rough around the edges' and a little more rustic than some people expect. Depending the age of the "girls" and their level of travel experience, I'm not sure I'd really recommend the idea as proposed by the OP. But I do recommend going to Negril and staying in a small hotel or resort there, either on the beautiful '7-mile beach' or up on 'the Cliffs' overlooking the sea and the spectacular sunsets. As far as nightlife, again you need to use caution imho.

I need to backtrack a little bit. If the OP has the $$$ for Round Hill, Tryall, or another gated community in Jamaica, I'm sure the security is fine. But if not, my recommendation would still be for a stay at a small hotel/resort right on the beach in Negril. And, as Suze mentioned above, they need to use caution at night in town or walking on the beach.

The first time we stayed in a villa was last year on our last trip to Jamaica. We used to stay in an all-inclusive resort but maybe the same reasons with you, we wanted a relaxing and private place w/ laid back atmosphere. My friend who just came from a honeymoon trip recommended lemer luxury villas in lances bay.

We have already booked there for our trip in August.however, there is no night life (clubs, bars) unless you want to go out. My suggestion is that don't go out alone - always be in a group or better yet hire a private driver to take you from/to the resort.The owners can arrange it for you.