In the weeks that lead up to our trip to Negril, I regularly read the reviews on this site and was startled at the number of negative entries. After having prepayed a substantial sum for this journey, i feared the worst based on the mixed commentary.

After having just returned home I have reached a solid conclusion - that there are far more wining, sniveling people in the world than i ever imagined. I simply can't fathom how anyone could create a negative experience out of this beautiful place and hospitable staff.

My wife and our four boys (ages 13, 11, 7, and 5) have not stopped talking about the week we spent there. My older boys made fast freinds with band of like-aged kids and collectively made their own fun most of the time (even taking themselves to kimono's for lunch without adults one day). The younger boys went back and forth between the beach, pools, water slides and lazy river non stop and literally fell into bed every night after dinner.

The beach is every bit as amazing as many of the reviews made it out to be. We water skiied, sailed, and kayaked every day, with the exception of one where it was too windy and the waves were a bit rough (which provided great fun for ocean swimming though)

O.k., let's talk food. Jean-Georges it's not. What it is is thoughtfully prepared, high-quality, locally influenced cuisine that is served in a variety of settings. I really liked the buffet setting, outdoors, under a roof alongside a large pool. At every meal there were piles of fresh local fruit and vegetables (try the steamed kalaloo for breakfast and DON'T miss the fresh mango). The Jerk chicken and pork were not like any American version I've ever tried -just awesome. And hands down, Blue Mountain coffee is the best I've ever tried.

Most of the food complaints on this site were written by people with little imagination or sense of adventure in my opinion. If you spent your vacation eating pasta and chicken fingers, too bad for you.

Lastly, the service was awesome. To my way of thinking there is an unwritten contract in this regard. Go to Jamaica and imerse yourself in the natural beauty and soak up the naturally hospitable culture. Show a sense of respect for all that makes it special. In return for the right attitude, visitors are treated like freinds visiting good friends. For me, the staff at this resort went beyond the call of duty to make sure I was comfortable, safe, and most of all that my family and I were having a blast. What more could I have asked for?

Like many others I read the reviews and went with a very open mind. We were a family of 4 (2 sons ages 4 and 8). Overall, it was an okay experience. I guess I just expected so much more. Jamaica is beautiful and most of the staff is helpful. Arrival at resort was choatic and no one knew really what was going on and no staff was really helpful with instructions. Because of the type of room we had we were not even supposed to go in the Great Room, we were supposed to go to a "special suite"' and wait. No big deal, just the staff acted like we were supposed to already know this. The whole check-in was confussing, no instructions just everyone looking at each other asking what are we supposed to be doing? This changed of course once we were moved to the "special suite". We had a conceirge suite which was nice, bathroom needed some touch up. Tub and shower had seen better days. Food at resort was okay. Can not say that we ate anywhere where the food was outstanding. We arrived on a Saturday and resort was not very full, but it seemed staff was not as enthusiastic as they were when Monday came and resort started filling up. When we arrived on Saturday the pool area by the waterpark was a mess, empty cups and plates everywhere just didn't seem that the effort was as much until there was more patrons. Also because of having a suite we had turn down service (which we didn't use due to youngest one being worn out by that time) that did not start being offered until Monday evening. The kids camp, my 8 year old loved, wanted to be there all day so he could play with his new friends. My 4 year old just was not into it. The staff for the kids camp was a mixed lot, some were really friendly and some just didn't seem like they wanted to be bothered with you. The supervision at times I felt was kinda lax, my 8 year old was allowed to roam some on his own (go to xbox station, get drinks etc). We were in the Xbox station with our youngest and my 8 year old shows up with no counselor, now he is a good kid and will not wander I just don't know if it is done with everyone. The fitness center has a lot of broken equipment and could use some sprucing up. It is outdoors and there is nothing to clean equipment off with after use, so everyones sweaty bodies all over equipment and nothing to clean it off with. Overall, it was an okay trip but do not feel that it was worth the money we paid for it. We never had problems finding chairs or towels or using any of the facilities. I just believed we expected more for an all inclusive and this being our first time to one.

I just returned from Beaches Negril with my parents. While I was there I turned 29. I chose Beaches because my parents have been to Sandals Negril before and loved it, but unfortunately we couldn't go there because it's for couples only.

Beaches Negril is a great place for families. All the children that I saw seemed to be having the time of their life! We even saw kids crying when there parents picked them up from the kids camp because they wanted to stay with the Beaches staff. What's also nice is there's two pools so most of the kids tend to be over by the waterslides and the kids pool. I would definately take my niece and nephew here.

As far as the service goes I was a little dissapointed. I usually travel to Cancun and stay at the Palace resorts who treat me like royalty. Here you still are treated above average but I expected more for the money we spent to stay there. Many of the people who worked there didn't seem happy. But would you if you weren't aloud to accept tips for your hard work and you hardly got paid anything in the first place while everyone being spoiled and getting whatever they want! We should all feel lucky for the life we have back at home even though it can be stressful at times.

Some of the staff to look out for would be bartenders Renato and Clifton. Renato has to be the funniest guy in the place and Clifton is the one who always has a smile on his face! Revon, Ned, and Adrian all seemed like good guys too. Then there's Nashville, he works at a couple of the restaurants, he goes out of his way to know the guests. Michael from the spa is great. Our housekeeper was even a sweetheart and she's worked at the hotel for 10 years! But most importantly you should definately take advantage of the sunset photography session with Eaton. (You can request him) He's a sweetheart and the photos that he can capure are amazing and a great keepsake of the trip!

A couple of tips: mesquitos are very bad there so either take OFF with you or you can buy it in the gift shop, the Japanese restaurant has the best food and service but you need to call first thing in the morning the day before for reservations, the beds are the most UNCOMFORTABLE beds (you sometimes can feel the springs and they make a lot of noise any time you move), it's a waste to order the birthday cakes there because they tend to be very dry and the price is ridiculous for what you get, don't waste your money on the palm reader, make sure you go to the beach party and check to see what night it will be, and also take plain white t-shirts with you if you want to do tie-dye otherwise you have to buy them in the store.

Overall I would love to go back, especially if I had kids with me to enjoy all the activities. This wasn't the best place for my age group but I still had a relaxing and wonderful vacation for 11 days!

Just spent a wonderful week at the beautiful Beaches Negril resort. We were fortunate to have great weather. All-inclusive is definitely the way to vacation ie., no worries, just enjoy yourselves. The staff and service was excellent. Everyone is so friendly, always smiling and happy. A great resort for families...activities for all age groups including those difficult teenagers. Our 8 year old had a blast. The water park has two awesome slides and a lazy river. The food and dining was above average too with a good selection. A plus was being able to dine at the close by Beaches Sandy Bay resort for free. So much to do or do nothing but relax if you choose. Rooms were average but the resort was just so much fun. Take your sunblock and lots of mosquito repellent. We were prepared! Irie. DDBGTGI