I reserved the Negril Beach Club Condos through RCI. I did thorough research on the internet regarding any source that had any review, photos, etc. on the property. I was particularly impressed with the reviews given on Tripadvisor regarding the property. I was very excited about staying at the property especially with the location next to the Negril Scuba Center as we had planned on diving.
We arrived at 10 PM on Saturday evening. We entered the hotel portion of the hotel which was less than impressive. No one seemed to have any idea about our reservation. We were guided around to the side of the hotel to a sketchy alley way to the Condos check-in. After 15 minutes of waiting, the lady at the check-in to returned (initially she had no information regarding our arrival).
We were guided to our room. The accommodations were less than impressive. Our condo was nothing that resembled the picture on the Negril Beach Condos website. The website photos would be a 5 star compared to what we received. Several cockroaches ran under the curtains and furniture when we turned on the light. There were several other dead cockroaches sprinkled across the condo. Our condo was situated across from the pool. The "locals" were using the pool until 1 am which made sleeping impossible. The noise from the tenants above us was also disturbing. In addition, there was only an old, almost see through curtain separating everyone that walked past the pool from seeing into our condo. There was no privacy. All sounds from outside could be heard like there were no walls.
The bed was the worst part of the condo. The bed covers and pillows were so old and filthy dirty I could feel the dirt, debris, etc. on the sheets. It was absolutely unsuitable for sleeping.
My wife and I immediately tried to call other hotels for alternative options. The phone was so poor in the place that we could not even make calls. First, you have to call the hotel operator (AKA front desk) who will make local calls for you at a rate of $1-2 a minutes. There was no way of using a calling card. Several of our calls were disconnected as there was a short in the phone. Thank goodness our cell phones worked (through Digitek???). Who knows what fees we'll incur but it was worth it. All hotels we contacted that night were booked throughout the week. We were forced to sleep there overnight. My wife was in tears.
Fortunately, i brought my own towels ( a tip another person had left from Tripadvisor) and i laid down the towels on the bed for my wife to sleep. I was forced to sleep on the sheets and bed covers and paid the consequences.
The next day I developed bed bug bites all over my arms and ankles which were left exposed. My wife developed several bites later on that day.
We did take a shower that morning. Surprisingly the shower/tub was clean, although the tub plug did not work so you could not take a bath. Of course while my wife was trying to take a bath she did notice the extreme funk and filth that covered the toilet underneath the seat.
Fortunately, we did find another place for the week on Sunday and quickly left.
Of course the lady at the front desk refused to give us our $20 deposit for the room key.
Of additional note, I walked 5 minutes, or about 100 ft down the beach before I was harassed by locals for marijuana.
I was never greeted by this "infamous" Jean. In fact when i emailed her prior to our arrival she redirected me to someone else who never responded to my email.
I would not recommend this hotel to anyone unless you are used to filthy conditions and want to risk having bed bug bites. I just can't believe all the reviews that would rate this place with 4 or 5 stars. That is on par with the Ritz or Sandals. Don't kid yourself. This is not even close.
I have traveled by back pack all over Europe on several occasions and spent 3 months straight in Australia and New Zealand by back pack and never experienced such filth. Even the private bath won't get rid of your bed bug bites. There is absolutely no concern with cleanliness at this location or with any satisfaction from the people who stay at this location.
I am sorry I did not get pictures but my wife was going to use them as humiliation pictures to friends for my choice in selecting this place.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
No way!
I recommend this hotel for:
Girlfriend getaway, Older Travellers, Families with Small Children, Families with Teenagers, tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young Singles, An Amazing Honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older Travellers, Great pool scene, pet owners, Families with Small Children, Families with Teenagers, tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Beach / Sun