Beaches Ocho Rios VS Negril
Beaches Ocho Rios and Beaches Negril in Jamaica are great luxury family resorts that offer all-inclusive packages. Sometimes it’s hard to decide between two amazing resorts, so we’ve put together a side-by-side review of Beaches Ocho Rios vs. Negril.
If you want to take a family vacation at a Beaches property in Jamaica but can’t decide which one to choose, this guide is designed to help!
Sandals Family Resorts: An Experience at a Beaches Resort
The Beaches Resorts offer much of the same luxury all-inclusive stay as the Sandals Resorts. However, the Beaches properties are for people of all ages and have things to do that will keep people of all ages busy and happy.
Beaches have new types of rooms and remarkable suites for families, but the high-end rooms that Sandals Resorts are known for are still there.
At every Beaches, you can do as many land and water activities as you want, just like at Sandals. You can ride a Hobie Cat, go scuba diving, play tennis, pickleball, and also more. Additionally, there are water parks, waterslides, and kids’ programs.
Every Beaches has a wide range of restaurants and food options, so there’s plenty to keep the kids delighted.
Scene
Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Golf Club
There are kids everywhere, and for a good reason. The resort has a deal with Sesame Street, so the staff came dressed as Elmo, Grover, and Zoe for daily sing-alongs. Families with young kids will find plenty to do, and teens can get away to the Xbox Garage or water park.
Even though this may not seem relaxing to parents, mostly it is for adults. Staying at a kid-friendly resort means that mom and dad will have less to worry about and fewer tantrums to calm down. When kids run away, it seems like the security staff is always there to help. The kid-friendly menus mean that there are lots of food choices that kids won’t complain about. Kids can play with other kids at Camp Sesame, which is supervised by certified nannies, while their parents go to the beach to relax.
The lobby at Beaches Ocho Rios is large and open, with elegant furniture and bright colors. There is a large front desk and plenty of places to sit on striped and floral sofas that are grouped around dark wood coffee tables. Silver sculptures and vases with tropical flowers add attraction to the room. There are brochures and information about tours, and there is also a concierge desk where you can make unique plans and reservations.
Since the kids’ camp is right by the entrance, Sesame Street characters may be there to say hello to guests. The open doors lead to some restaurants on the terrace, which has a picturesque scenery of the hotel property, the gardens, and the water. A glass elevator looks out over the beach and is helpful for people who don’t want to take a lot of stairs to get to the sand.
Beaches Negril Resort and Spa
The Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa, just up the road from the Beaches Negril Resort and Spa, is only for couples. The Beaches Negril Resort and Spa, on the other hand, is lively and made for families. There are lots of things for kids and teens to do, like a nightclub for teens with mocktails, a frozen yogurt shop, and breakfast with Sesame Street characters for an extra fee. The resort as a whole is fun and friendly, with free entertainment every day, two swim-up bars, and many free water sports. This is definitely one of the best resorts in Negril.
Even though the website says it is for couples, friends, and singles, almost all people who go there are families. Even so, the hotel is a popular place for weddings and has many wonderful spots for ceremonies, such as gazebos on the beach and in the garden. Modern low-rise buildings are connected by paths that go by lawns with gigantic chess boards, hammocks, and benches. Beaches Negril Resort and Spa day passes are available, with options for day passes, evening passes, and full-day passes.
Location
Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Golf Club
This resort is about 30 minutes from the center of Ocho Rios, so it feels far away and private. The hotel is right in the Caribbean, and most of the rooms have gorgeous views of the beach and water.
Guests who want to explore the area can go to the neighboring town center for shopping and activities, or they can go a little further to visit the city of Ocho Rios or nearby places like Dolphin Cove, Blue Hole, and Dunn’s River Falls. Most of these famous places can be reached in 30 minutes or less by car, and for an extra fee, the resort can set up trips and transfers for its guests. There’s no charge to park at the hotel.
Beaches Negril Resort and Spa
Beaches Negril Resort and Spa is still on the magnificent Seven Mile Beach, but it is a little farther up the strip and away from the huge queue of hotels in the center of the beach. On both sides of the land, there are still resorts. Gardens and plants help make the hotel more private, but the noise from other hotels could still reach rooms on edge.
Guests who want to see more of the area can drive five minutes to the town center of Negril, which has many restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, and craft markets. Rick’s Cafe’s bar and cliff-jumping site are 13 minutes away by car. Tourists can reach several vendors by walking along the beach. From Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, it can take anywhere between 90 minutes to two hours to get to the hotel; obviously, it depends on traffic and the weather. There are free rides to and from the airport.
Rooms
Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Golf Club
Most rooms can fit four or five persons and are decorated in an upscale Caribbean style with earthy colors, such as brown, white, sage, sturdy wood furniture, and tile floors. All of the rooms have air conditioning, mini-fridges stocked with free alcohol and drinks, coffeemakers, microwaves, amenity kits, patios, or balconies, and most of them also have pull-out sofas.
There are also Concierge Suites for guests who want more assistance booking tours and making reservations. These suites come with extras like champagne when you arrive, a guest orientation, and a private reception once a week. Even though the rooms are big, the more expensive ones have places to sit and views of the ocean, while the cheaper ones have views of the gardens surrounding the property.
Beaches Negril Resorts and Spa
Beaches Negril Resort and Spa has a wide range of suites and rooms to fit any guest or group. The largest three-bedroom choice can accommodate up to 12 people. There are some smaller rooms, but most rooms are big enough for three or four individuals and work well for that number. The styles range from classic and elegant to tropical and modern, but all rooms have mahogany wood furniture, including four-poster beds, patterned linens, and artwork. Also standard are outdoor spaces with furniture, most of which have ocean views. This high-end hotel’s bathrooms have shower/tub combinations rather than separate showers and bathtubs. There is air conditioning, a complimentary well-stocked minibar, a coffee maker, a microwave, an iPod dock, a place to iron, and a safe in each room. Most rooms also have pull-out sofas.
Concierge Suites are for people who want more assistance booking tours and making a reservation. They come with extras like champagne when you arrive, a tour of the hotel, liquor in the room, and bathrobes. Large Butler Suites that have their own butlers on call are more extravagant. Many rooms can be noisy. Rooms in the center can hear noise from the pools and diners, while rooms on the edges can hear noise from other hotels. Guests who want a quieter room must ask for a room on a higher floor. The spectacular views of the water are from rooms that face the ocean since rooms that face the ocean may only show a bit of blue, and rooms that face the garden may also show the street.
Restaurants and Bars
Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Golf Club
This Beaches property doesn’t have just as many restaurants as its sister hotels in Jamaica. However, the restaurants here are varied and get good reviews. No reservations are needed at any of the restaurants, which is a big plus. However, dress codes and hours vary, so it’s best to check with the receptionist ahead of time, especially if you have a big group or are making plans for something special.
Eleanor’s is the most expensive place to eat, which is only open for dinner, but the Caribbean-inspired menu still has things for kids to eat. The Venetian is also only available for dinner. It is Italian, in case the name doesn’t make that clear. At Neptune’s, you can eat seafood while looking out at the ocean, and there’s a place to grill by the pool.
Bayside has an open-air dining room where you can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, there is a buffet with food from all over the world. Stop by Josephine’s Creperie at any time of the day for sweets and coffee. You can also order room service and eat by candlelight. All Beaches properties are proud of the fact that they serve top-quality liquor and cocktails for free.
Beaches Negril Resort and Spa
You might need to stop by the concierge desk to get help sorting through the many restaurants and bars at the all-inclusive Beaches Negril Resort and Spa. There are different hours for each restaurant, and some need reservations. The main restaurant is a buffet that is open all day, but there are also Jamaican, sushi, Tex-Mex, and pizza places. The Venetian is the most expensive restaurant here and the only one that has a more formal dress code. Kimonos is a tasty Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant where reservations are required, and YoYo’s has a staggering 16 flavors of frozen yogurt.
There are seven bars with free top-shelf liquor and wines from Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks. Pubs and restaurants don’t stay open very late at this family-friendly resort, so there’s not much to do at night. Only suites with a butler level come with room service.
Pools
Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Golf Club
This resort’s biggest attraction is the Pirates Island Waterpark. The 27,000-square-foot park looks out over the Caribbean and has nine water slides that twist and turn, as well as soft, cushioned areas for crawling kids. The pool and park are excellent places for mom and dad to spend the day while their kids splash around. There are padded sun loungers, white umbrellas, and a swim-up bar. Lots of kids are running around and making a lot of noise, even in the whirlpool. There is also a unique pool for learning how to scuba dive.
Beaches Negril Resort and Spa
Families like to go to the Beaches Negril Resort and Spa because it has a lot of pools and a water park. And we can say that Beaches Negril is one of the best all inclusive resorts with water parks that exist on the Caribbean. There wouldn’t be the usual fight for sun loungers and umbrellas because there are three pools, a beach, and a water park. At two of the pools, there are swim-up bars that serve drinks. The resort’s 1,800-square-foot Pirates Island is an excellent perk. It has a lazy river, a plunge pool, long and winding waterslides, and a swim-up bar for parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Negril Near to Ocho Rios?
Both places are far away from each other. They are 83 miles (133 kilometers) apart, almost at opposite ends of Jamaica.
Which one is nearer to the airport: Negril or Ocho Rios?
Even though Ocho Rios is closer to the airport, it doesn’t take much longer to get from the airport to either Ocho Rios or Negril. It takes about 3 hours to get to Ocho Rios from the airport, while Negril isn’t that much further away.
Beaches in Ocho Rios vs. Negril
There’s no reason to suspect that Negril is the spot to be when it comes to beaches. But because Ocho Rios has so many things to do, several more people seem to forget that it has beautiful beaches as well. Both places have stunning beaches with white sand that will take your mind off of things.
The beaches in Negril are calmer and the best places to relax. There will still be parties and reggae music on the beach at night. You can’t go anywhere in Negril without running into the beach. The turquoise color of the water on the beach in Negril is excellent. Negril has beaches that are not only nice to swim on but also nice to look at.
Some people in Ocho Rios are upset that cruise ships block their view of the beautiful beaches. This can be a concern. Even so, Ocho Rios has safe beaches with water so calm that just looking at it will make you feel better right away. Schools of fish can also be seen swimming by.
Negril vs. Ocho Rios for Family
All these destinations are fantastic for family trips, so it’s hard to choose between them. But Ocho Rios is a better choice for this one.
Families can have a good time at the beach, but singles and couples who want to party and have more fun at night should go to Negril. But that doesn’t mean that Negril isn’t a good place for more laid-back families who just want to relax.
Ocho Rios is the best spot for families who want to try new things and spend time together. Your family can’t go anywhere else if they like to do things outside. There are so many things to do that your family will always be able to spend time together and never run out of things to do.
So, which is better: Negril or Ocho Rios?
It’s effortless to say that the best places to visit as a tourist are in Jamaica. Some of these beautiful places are Negril and Ocho Rios.
Negril has lovely beaches in the area, so if you want to relax and take it easy on your vacation, this is the place to go. If you wish to relax or have a good time, Negril’s white-sand beaches will take you in and show you a good time.
On the other hand, Ocho Rios is ideal for people who like to go out and try new things. Ocho Rios is the best place to go if you like to mix luxury with adventure. Ocho Rios is so beautiful and exciting that you wouldn’t want to look somewhere else.
Which place is better depends on what kind of adventure you want to have? Negril is the place to go if you are going to find peace and quiet. But go to Ocho Rios if you are going to spend a lot of money and have a lot of fun. The real question is, why not try both?
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