Couples Negril

March 9 through 18, 2025. We have been to Couples Negril four times and are never disappointed. Yes, this is a small resort with proportionally fewer activities and restaurant choices, but it is all around the best all-inclusive we've been to. ( We've been to resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Nevis/St. Kitts, Bora Bora, Bermuda, Bahamas, Hawaii, etc. so we have a fairly broad basis of comparison.) The beach is the reason to go to Couples Negril. It is wide so there is plenty of space. The water is shallow enough for just hanging out with a float and deep enough for vigorous swimming. Of course, it is quite warm with a totally sandy bottom--no rocks or coral outcrops so water shoes are not needed. There are plenty of lounges, chairs, and tables. The beach is raked every morning so the sea grasses are cleaned up daily. The beach waitresses are very good so you don't wait long for a drink. There is no problem with towels. The pool and pool deck are large and well-maintained. If au natural is of interest, there is a roomy nude area with a bar, lunch, shower, jacuzzi, shade, and an awning for a break from the sun. A three-sided screen of bushes allows for some privacy from lookers. This is strictly a nude beach, not clothing optional, and single sunbathers are not allowed. (I used the au natural area for swimming several times a day with no issues as my wife is a bit shy. I moved along after my swim and shower.) The food and drink are exceptional for an all-inclusive. (Don't expect great table wine as the selection is what we'd call "lower-shelf-grocery-store" wine, but you can up grade to something better for a reasonable charge. The Jamaican beer is great!) The buffet offerings are varied and fresh. The breakfast items are all you could want with two omelet/egg/pancake stations and plenty of fruit, pastries, etc. They offer breakfast foods for the varied clientele so there are cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, breads, meats, veggies, and so on. There are three "sit-down" restaurants with one finer dining restaurant requiring a reservation but this was not a problem when we were there. The fare was varied and very good. Presentation is top notch. The beach grill restaurant offers a variety of sandwiches, burgers, fries, rings, fish, salads, etc. at lunch. A healthy-food walk-up bar offers good alternative choices and some interesting juices. The coffee counter is really great as they will prepare any sort of latte, expresso, frappe, etc. and offers a nice selection of cookies, pastries, and so forth for an afternoon snack or a quick breakfast. (Yonique is a great barista!) The bar service was very good with a broad selection of liquors and specialty (tropical) drinks. The weak part of the resort is the evening entertainment. I'm sure many people enjoy it, but it was not our cup of tea. One stand-out was the Friday performance of a teen-age steel band. The house band is really good for dinner music but the later singers were not noteworthy. The entertainment pretty much ends at 10 o'clock so it is not a problem as the music carries throughout the resort. There is a nice piano bar with sing-along and dancing in the later evening. People have commented about the rooms being "tired." I suppose this is true to an extent as the resort is older than many others in the area. We find that the rooms are more than adequate in size, offer reasonable closet and drawer space, and have very nice refurbished bathrooms. The mattresses are firm so you may want to ask for a topper if you like a softer sleep. We'd like to have more seating but that is a nit. The private patio is great for relaxing. In any case, the housekeeping is impeccable. We have always stayed on the left side of the resort (buildings 7, 8, and 9) but many people prefer the building 1-5 as they are quieter. Note that building 6 is very convenient to the pool, beach, central services, and all of the restaurants but it is therefore more noisy--a trade off. Couples really is all-inclusive. Take a look at the offering in the web site for water sports, scuba, sail boats, etc. Golf greens fees are included but you need to pay for a caddie, cart, and club rental. I have no idea of how good the course is as I don't play golf. Tipping is discouraged but we like to offer a "thank you" gift to the housekeeping and some of the staff who are most helpful. The staff people are accommodating. Some employees are more reserved than others but for the most part they are friendly and helpful. Because guests tend to come in groups from the airport, the check-in may take longer than you might expect but it is not terrible. Keep in mind that the pace of life is slower than Europe or North America so tamp down expectations for "fast" and all will be well. One thing to note: the bus ride from the Montego Bay airport is at least an hour and a quarter and may be more than two and a half hours. (Best to arrive on Saturday or Sunday to avoid week-day traffic.) The road is very rough and the vans are not in great shape so expect an uncomfortable ride. You pass through three towns that are quite congested but you get a sense of the every-day life. There is an air service that gets you to the resort in about 15 minutes but is is somewhat expensive. Couples Negril attracts a more "mature" clientele so it is pretty laid back and quiet for the most part. There are younger people but I sense that the average clients are in their 50's, 60' and 70's. They have the usual beach volleyball, games on the deck, corn-hole tournament, horseshoes, and so on. The pool can get a little rowdy by late afternoon since there is a swim-up bar that is very popular. We've noticed that some folks come in groups so they are more outgoing than the couples who come alone.

My girlfriend and I stayed at Couples Negril for 4 nights after spending 3 nights at another resort. I’ve been to Negril more than 10 times over the years (last time was in 2012), so I have a good sense of the area and its vibe. Couples Negril definitely delivers what it advertises. The included water sports like scuba diving, sailing, and kayaking were in great shape and well-organized. The staff was consistently warm, welcoming, and professional. The beach party night stood out for food — otherwise, meals throughout the stay were just okay. At 63 (me) and 55 (my girlfriend), we’re both fit and active, and honestly, we felt young at this resort. Most guests seemed to be in their late 40s to 70s. Many were there to relax, enjoy the food, and soak in the sun. Several we met had been coming back for over 10 or even 20 times, so clearly, this place has its fans. However, if you're looking for a younger, more energetic vibe — especially for honeymooners or active travelers — this may not be the right match. The entertainment was nice, but geared toward an older crowd. The rooms were clean and comfortable, though starting to show their age a bit. While Couples Negril is great for those who want a laid-back, all-inclusive beach escape with friendly service and calm vibes, it just wasn’t a fit for us. We were spoiled by our time at The BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia, which offered more in terms of wellness, activities, and overall experience for the money. We travel internationally 3–4 times a year and love resorts that match our active lifestyle — so for us, we’d pass on returning to Couples Negril.

Wrong choice! Alligned between the busses at airport with our luggages - askes for 30 US$ by one guy to handle the suitcases to the bus! They put them to the back of the bus by a lateral window! The trip from the airport to the Couples Negril was not interisting, but more than risky. The driver was one hand to the mic, speaking, the other on the horn, none on the steeringwheel. Arrived at the hotel, around 13h30, at 15h00 the room was yet not ready. But the staff was quick, very, to ask for a hold of 300$ for any wrongdoing or any buy made on the beach. The manager in charge was not able to give a clearly clarification about the room that was not ready at 15h00 as advertised at the front desk. At the buffet, flies on the expsed food. Wrong choice, I regret already this trip. To be continued.

A wonderful place to stay. Great staff, excellent service and right on the beach. Great choice of restaurants and free water sports included. Majority of people we met are return guests so that speaks volumes. We have just rebooked for next year.

If I may start with the conclusion, my verdict is: it's a good hotel, although there are areas for improvement and they should indeed be addressed. We stayed for 13 days in one of the hotel's best suites—a beachfront suite (6301, Block 6). If you choose this type of room, the second and third floors are the best options (we were fortunate to stay on the third floor). However, if you're on the first floor, you'll have less privacy as you're exposed to passersby, and the view is not as good. The downside is that you cannot choose your floor in advance, as it depends on room availability. If you end up in Block 9, which faces the nudist beach, your view will also be limited due to dense vegetation meant to provide discretion. This makes it hard to determine whether the most expensive rooms are truly worth the price. I highly recommend checking the hotel's map and studying the layout of the blocks before booking. You won’t find it on the official website, but a quick Google search should help. Lets begin with the PRO: -Size & Convenience: The hotel is small, and everything is close by, which is a great advantage. -Cleanliness: Overall, the cleanliness is of a high standard. Our room was spotless every day, with housekeeping coming twice daily. We put up the Do Not Disturb sign in the evening, so they stopped coming, but if you prefer the extra service, it’s available. The pool was also clean (though we never used it—see our beach comments), as it was the hotel's designated beach area, including most of the loungers. - Beach Loungers: The loungers come with a floating cushion that you can take into the sea—an amazing and fun feature! There are also small chairs that people bring into the water to sit with their feet submerged—fantastic! There are enough loungers for everyone. Of course, the typical all-inclusive colonizers still exist—the ones who claim front-row or shaded spots at 6 a.m.—but don’t worry, you’ll always find available loungers. At the pool (which we never used), it seemed a bit more challenging to get a spot. -The Beach: Simply breathtaking. We’re beach people, not pool people, and it was so beautiful that we never even dipped a toe in the pool. The water is calm, warm, and crystal clear, with just a light breeze. You can walk for about 3.5 km along the shoreline. Some people talk about the "7 Mile Beach", but that’s misleading—this hotel is in Bloody Bay, which is not connected to 7 Mile Beach. To get there, you’d need to take a taxi. At both ends of Bloody Bay, there are hotels that block access, so you cannot walk from one beach to the other. However, Bloody Bay itself has a lovely, walkable beach with charming local shops. There are beach vendors, but they are not overly intrusive. There are other hotels along the beach, but this hotel has one of the best access to the sea, with almost no seaweed. On the same stretch of sand, you'll find two RIU Hotels: the one closest to Couples (a family-friendly resort) has a decent beach, but the one at the far end of the bay is awful—you can’t even enter the water due to excessive seaweed. Also, next to Couples, there’s the Royalton—and my goodness, the music is so loud all day (until 11 p.m.) that we could hear it from our hotel. If that’s your thing, great—we will never pick such a noisy hotel. Our hotel was calm! - Restaurants: • OK: The Italian (Heliconia)/Beach Grill were decent. • Good: The Asian restaurant (Lychee) was enjoyable. • Outstanding: The Otaheite—a must-try! You need a reservation, but it’s worth it. • Disappointing: Cassava Terrace (especially for brunch). • Breakfast (Cassava Terrace): Not great—very repetitive and on par with cheaper all-inclusive resorts. There’s a self-service station with pizza, ice cream, nachos, and patties available all day at the beach grill—a very nice touch! The pizza was fantastic. The house wine was acceptable (and I am a wine lover), and you can order other wines for an additional charge. - Service: I was pleasantly surprised. I expected not a very good service, but it was actually very good!!!. While not everyone is constantly smiling, most staff members were friendly and efficient. One of the best aspects of the hotel is its no-tip policy. I’m tired of the so-called “great service” in places like Cuba, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, where staff are overly friendly, call you by name, and act affectionate—only because they want tips. The moment you stop tipping, the kindness disappears. Here, it’s different. Tipping is not expected. Instead, a percentage of the room rate is distributed among all employees, including those who don’t have direct contact with guests. -However, there are some things to improve, and I guess these MUST be improved to justify the price you are paying (higher than other hotels) CONS Arrival at the Airport Upon arriving at the airport, you go to the Couples Lounge—a nice spot where you can enjoy a drink while waiting for the hotel bus. However, when the employees took our luggage, they very directly told us: "Now we go to the bus... and you must tip the people carrying your luggage." It was not a suggestion—it was an order. Once at the bus, in 30ºC heat, the doors were closed, and we were forced to wait while the staff ensured that every guest tipped. Only after about 10 minutes, once they confirmed that everyone had “paid”, did they open the doors so we could enter the air-conditioned bus. A couple of tourists who arrived later with their luggage were told: "You now give tip!!!" The poor couple scrambled to find money to pay. 👉 Note: I personally did not tip because I found the attitude insulting, but all the other guests did. In a hotel with a no-tip policy, this behavior should be controlled. It creates a bad first impression and contradicts the hotel’s own rules. WiFi – Extremely Poor The WiFi was bad—it barely worked half of the time. Strangely, we could detect the WiFi from the Royalton hotel, which was password-protected, while the Couples resort had an open, unprotected network. I don’t understand why an expensive hotel doesn’t provide secure and high-quality WiFi, especially since guests need to scan a QR code to make reservations or request minibar items. Without reliable internet, these services become frustratingly difficult to use. In-Room Dining – False Advertisement? Our beachfront suite was supposed to include in-room dining, as advertised on the hotel’s website. However, no one informed us about it, there was no menu, and no way to order food from the room. Either this service does not actually exist, or it is extremely poorly organized (see below). Organization Issues There are clear organizational problems at the hotel. For example, one evening, the Italian restaurant had to close because an oven broke down. The issue was not resolved by the next day at lunch, which is understandable—it happens. However, there was no sign or notice at the restaurant entrance, so guests kept arriving and waiting, only to be individually told by staff (after waiting and waiting) that it was closed. 👉 A simple sign explaining the situation would have saved guests a lot of time and frustration. Another point: Cassava Terrace is usually a buffet for dinner, but not always. However, there’s no way to know in advance whether it will be a buffet or table service, as this is not indicated on the restaurant menu displayed throughout the resort. It would make sense to have fixed buffet nights and set table-service nights, or at the very least, clearly communicate this information. Why isn’t it specified in the materials provided upon arrival? Speaking of the information provided—it’s quite disappointing. A black-and-white photocopy with minimal details, and not even a resort map. It lacks essential information that guests need. It seems that no manager is actively supervising or interacting with guests to address problems and improve service. Employees appear to be left alone to handle everything as best they can. Room Design – Strange Layout We booked the most expensive and largest suite, and while it was a nice room, the bathroom design was quite odd. • The bathroom is very large, but it is separated from the room only by a folding door. • The toilet is inside the bathroom with almost no separation from the sink and shower. • The wardrobe is also inside the bathroom! This means that if one person is using the toilet, the other cannot access their clothes—a very awkward design choice. 💡 While this setup might be fine for an older couple, imagine a young couple who has just started dating—it could be quite uncomfortable! I honestly wonder who the architect was that designed this layout. Veggie Bar – Great Idea, Poor Hygiene The veggie bar is a fantastic concept. They prepare fresh sandwiches, wraps, salads, and smoothies on demand. However, the hygiene standards are alarming: • When making smoothies, the staff handles all fruits and vegetables with bare hands, then places them directly into the blender—no gloves, no utensils. • There are no disposable gloves or tongs being used for food preparation. ⚠️ If they don’t improve their hygiene practices, they are bound to have a serious health incident with multiple guests getting sick. CONCLUSIONS -A beautiful hotel with an exceptional beach, great overall food, and good service. In February, you can expect fantastic weather. -However, considering the hotel's high price, there are certain aspects that need improvement.