Frommer's Review
This is one of the best beachside hotels in Negril -- it's certainly the one most conscious of both sports and relaxation, and the one that, thanks to its popularity, is the fastest growing. All-inclusive, it caters to singles and couples eager for an ambience that incorporates the possibility of many different diversions, including scuba and golf at no extra charge, but with absolutely no organized schedule and no pressure to participate if you just want to relax. As a staff member told us (privately, of course), "We get the health-and-fitness nuts, and Hedonism and, to a slightly lesser degree, Sandals, get the sex-crazed." The resort occupies 30 flat and sandy acres, which straddle both sides of the highway leading in from Montego Bay. Whereas most of the resort's accommodations and most of its food and beverage facilities occupy the beach-fronting 8-hectare (20-acre) side of the compound, most of the sports and fitness facilities, including its very large swimming pool, are on the compound's 4-hectare (10-acre) "landward" side.
The accommodations are contained within 38 two-story villas clustered together and accented with flowering shrubs and vines, a few steps from the 11km (6 3/4-mile) beachfront. Depending on your tastes, they come with or without a TV or minibar and, as such, are priced accordingly. Each room is airy and spacious, with a ceiling fan, a king-size bed, and (unless the vegetation obscures it) sea views. Wooden shutters let sunlight and breezes in. Units contain showers only.
The cuisine here is more health conscious and of better quality than that served at Sandals and Hedonism II, with specialty restaurants that focus on, among others, Thai, Caribbean/Jamaican, and international cuisine. The resort's social center is its international restaurant, Feathers, which lies in an open-sided covered pavilion directly astride the beach. There's also an informal beachfront restaurant and bar, plus a veggie bar serving fresh fruit, juices, pita sandwiches, salads, and vegetarian dishes. At press time for this edition, a brand-new "Great House" -- conceived as a reception and administrative center -- was under construction. Note: Non-residents of this resort can (and often do) use the sports facilities on its landward side for $20 a day, and local fitness enthusiasts visit the gym facilities as part of long-term memberships.
Facilities: 6 restaurants; 8 bars; 3 pools; 10 tennis courts; health club and spa; 3 Jacuzzis; sauna; bikes; tour desk; airport transfers; room service (continental breakfast only); laundry service; racquetball; squash; glass-bottom-boat trips; sailing; scuba diving; sea kayaking; snorkeling; water-skiing; windsurfing.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
