Befor reading this report, Couples Negril has a clothing optional beach section. Since we were there, they have moved the c/o section, it is now located next to Grand Lido Negril property.<br><br>This is part II (COUPLES NEGRIL) of our trip report under the DOUBLE TAKE OFFER, for staying at both COUPLES RESORTS.<br><br>With the double take offer, Couples flew us free from Ocho to Couples Negril. The flight was very nice, except we ran into a rain storm just prior to landing, our pilot did an excellent job on flying and landing the plane. When we landed, it was raining hard, ran to the terminal, waited for the shuttle to take us the resort. For the three days we stayed here, it rained for several hours each afternoon,<br>compared to four days of sunny weather at Ocho Rios.. The resort was five minutes from the landing strip. For our stay here, we booked deluxe ocean view rooms. I want to first say this resort is only a year old, it is spread out and very beautiful. There are some good points and not so good points as compared to Couples Ocho. Sorry it is so long but there is allot to cover.<br><br>When we arrived, the shuttle pulled in front of the lobby. This resort is spread out over the entire property, larger than Ocho. <br>The resort is laid out in the form of a 3, the main section, (which I described below) and the 9 blocks of rooms which are three stories each are configured in the shape of "U"'s on each side of the main section.The lobby was open aired, decorated in bohemian colors( pastels, reds, and yellows). On the walls were bohemian tapestries with the Couples Logo on them ( twisted palm trees, not the lions as Ocho uses). There was the front desk and numerous wicker couches and chairs with red cushions through the lobby. Walking past the lobby, on your left was the gift shops and overlooking the lower level were 4 swings were you could sit and relax. Going back to the lobby, to the right, you would find the PIANO BAR and restrooms. From the lobby, going either to your left or right, were two curved staircases leading to the lower or ground level. At the ground level, directly in front was the pool and swim up bar; to the right was the elegant restaurant " OTAHEITE GOURMET RESTAURANT". Around the corner from it was the BEACH GRILL AND BEACH BAR. Let's go back to the center at the pool; going to your left, you will find the MAIN BAR and THE TERRACE RESTAURANT. ( I will go into greater detail concerning the above places after finishing the tour of the property.) In front of the entire resort was the beach. All buildings on the property were painted in a light bohemian green color.<br><br>The sections of the rooms. On the right side of center of the resort, you will find the GARDEN VIEW ROOMS AND DELUXE GARDEN VIEW ROOMS . This is 5 blocks of rooms configured in the shape of a "U", each block consisted of 3 stories. All rooms are outside entrance with balconies. In the center of this U, was large trees and beautiful foliage with inter-twinning side walks though out. The difference between the standard rooms vs the deluxe, was that the deluxe rooms were located on one of the ends of each building, it was a double room with a hammock hanging out on the balcony. All rooms have balconies, two chairs and a table, the railings were curved strips of wood. On the other side (or left) of the main section are the OCEAN VIEW AND DELUXE OCEAN VIEW ROOMS AND THE BEACH FRONT ROOMS . These consisted of 4 blocks of rooms configured in the shape of <br>an "U", each block consisted of three stories. In the center of this "U", are two natural ponds, surrounded by palm trees and beautiful foliage, with intertwining side walks. Also on this side is a wedding gazebo (different than the one in Ocho), it was a grass covered hut with table and chairs under it. We booked a deluxe ocean view room, I want to be honest. NONE of the rooms in my opinion are Ocean View, to see the ocean you would have to lean way out over the balcony and look one way or the other, for most part you see palm trees and foliage directly in front of your balcony and also see the other blocks of rooms. If you go to COUPLES NEGRIL, book the cheaper rooms (garden view), well worth the difference in money. This side also has outside entrance to the rooms, and balconies just the same as the garden view section.<br><br>THE ROOM DESCRIPTION: As I stated we had a deluxe ocean view room. We were disappointed in that is was not exactly what I consider an ocean view room, it was more a garden type view, to see the ocean, one would have to lean over the balcony rail or peek through the palm trees to see the water. Oh well, for the room. Outside entrance, when you walk in, it is a foyer, there is a closet on one wall with bamboo beads as a curtain concealing the closet, on the opposite wall is the bathroom. The bath room consisted of a long counter with sink, hair dryer on wall, a combined shower and tub. The water pressure was great, you could regulate the water temp. compared to not being able to do so at Ocho. After walking past the foyer, there was a dresser in the corner ( four wicker styles drawers stacked on top of each other). The bed was a king size bed, built low to the floor, above the bed was a ceiling fan, on the wall behind the bed was a Bohemian Tapestry with a spot light pointed at it. On each side of the tapestry were two <br>round mirrors. On the night stand was a cd/radio unit. You also had a color TV in the room. The entire floor of the room was ceramic tile, on each side of the bed were two oval hemp rugs. There was a small red cushioned chair in one corner. There were two glass french doors that opened onto the balcony. The balcony had two chairs and a table on it, the railing was curved strips of wood.<br>I had read on a earlier trip report that the maid would at nite come in and make the bed down, and light a candle that hung in a suspended holder on the wall. Disappointment : Yes the bed was made down nitely, but NO candle was lit nor was there ever a candle in the holder while we were there. Plus after we got there, turned on the air conditioning, we went out onto the balcony, left the balcony door open, the humidity was so high that the tile floors sweated profusely, to the point of being very slippery. <br>The so called BEACH FRONT ROOMS, were not beach view either. From what I could tell , it was two large rooms, with a wet bar or refrigerator and the bathroom had a whirlpool in it, plus a hammock on the balcony. <br><br>THE SWIMMING POOL: The pool was quite a bit larger than Ocho, but the entire pool was only 4 1/2 feet deep. At each end of the pool there was a hot tub, that would hold six people. From the main pool, there was a water fall that emptied into another 4 1/2 deep pool which had the swim up bar located in it. There were plenty of lounge chairs around the pool area. The bar in the pool was opened from 10:30 am to 5:00pm. <br><br>THE BEACH AND OCEAN: This resort is located on what they call Bloody Bay or 3-mile beach. The sand is a powder white, and the beach is wider than the one at Ocho. The water is calm, no wave action compared to Ocho. I would say that the area that was roped off for swimming, one could walk some 50 yards out and the water would be only chest high. The water was clear, and you could see schools of fish swimming. A lot of people floated of floats furnished by Couples. Plenty of lounge chairs on the beach as well as shade trees. Saw just a few women topless on the beach compared to the amount at Ocho.<br><br>WATER SPORTS: At the other end of the beach, nearer to the Garden View rooms, was the water sports area. They had water skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling and sail boats offered free of charge.<br><br>A LA NATURAL BEACH: We were very disappointed . This is what Couples Negril, advertises in all literature, but the sign on the side walk leading to this area says you are entering the c/o section. And that is exactly what it means, c/o. We went there for just a few minutes, a few couples were totally naked, while some the men were naked but the women either had her entire swim suit on or just the bottoms on. <br>Plus this area is located right next to the water sports area, (that did not bother us) but it also was next to a public section of the beach, the only thing separating the c/o beach was a guard house and a line of bushes. There was a continuous parade of people<br>in front of the c/o section going from the Couples section of the beach and the public beach. I prefer Couples Ocho Rios for the <br>a la natural sunbathing.<br><br>OFF SITE ADVENTURES: <br>1. RICK'S CAFE: A very popular & scenic cafe, hold long lasting reputation for most brilliant sunsets and cliff diving.<br>2. SHOPPING TRIP: A shuttle will take you to a duty free shopping area, air conditioned shops, shop owners will not hassle the customers, then you will be driven to a craft market, where you can barter with locals for hand made crafts.<br>3. CATAMARAN CRUISES: Takes you on a relaxing journey along Negril's beautiful coastline.<br>4. GOLF: Held at Negril Hills golf club, includes daily transfers and green fees, carts are extra. 9 hole or 18 hole<br><br>RESTAURANTS AND DRESS CODE:<br>1. OTAHEITE GOURMET RESTAURANT: An exquisite dining experience for romantics. Reservations required.<br> Excellent food and service, for an entree, we had the filet mignon ( 2 large ones on each plate and mouth watering) For couples, that wanted to eat alone, you would sit in a small curved love seat with the<br> table in front of you. The also had tables in the center that would seat up to 4 couples. AIR CONDITIONED.<br> Dress code: Casual elegance, long pants, collared shirts and covered shoes for men<br> Casual elegance, cocktail dresses, sun dresses for ladies<br>2. TERRACE RESTAURANT: Serves a breakfast buffet each morning. Lunch is also served buffet style.<br> At nite, it was buffet style salad bar and desert bar, but ordered from a menu. What was very nice, that during<br> lunch and at dinner, they would have a live band playing instrumental songs while you ate. Lobster tails were on the menu, along with other nice items.This restaurant is open aired. Also adjacent to this is the MAIN BAR.<br> Dress code: Casual, short and shirts, no swim suits.<br>3. BEACH GRILL: During early hours and late hours they have hamburgers, hot dogs and jerk chicken.<br> At lunch time on certain days, they set up a buffet section and close the Terrace Restaurant. Music is also <br> provide to dine with. At nite, the beach grill, serves from a salad bar and desert bar along with a <br> menu to order from. Mainly specializes in Pasta dishes. Music is violins.<br>4. PIANO BAR: Located upstairs, starts around 11pm with disco.<br>5. BEACH BAR: Located next to the beach grill. Bartenders Leroy and Clyde were just great and kept you laughing.<br><br>ENTERTAINMENT:<br> Nightly at the Terrace Restaurant, they would have the house resort band along with local singing entertainers.<br> Instrumental music would be played for the lunch and dinner meals.<br><br>The service and attitudes of the bartenders, waiters and waitress of all restaurants was excellent and professional. The activities staff, compared to the activities staff at Couples Ocho was less to be desired, referring that I did not see them trying to get the guest involved in games around the pool.<br><br>Couples Negril, is situated next door to Grand Lido Negril, then Hedonism II and Sandals Negril and on the opposite side is a public beach then another resort.<br><br>Even though I have pointed out pros and cons from my view point, hopefully this will help others in booking rooms and seeing what this resort has to offer vs Couples Ocho Rios. We did have a wonderful time at COUPLES Negril.<br><br>BILL AND DEBORAH bsmith@msdh.state.ms.us<br><br>
