Beaches Negril Resort & Spa

Unlike its couples-only sister hotel, Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa, just up the road, the Beaches Negril Resort and Spa is lively and geared toward families. From a teens' nightclub with mocktails to a frozen yogurt shop and breakfast with Sesame Street characters (fee), there's tons to keep children and teenagers busy. The whole resort has a fun, friendly atmosphere, with daily entertainment, two swim-up bars, and ample free water sports. Though the website claims it welcomes couples, friends, and singles, the clientele is almost exclusively families. Despite this, the hotel hosts many weddings and has gorgeous ceremony locations spread among the well-manicured grounds, including lovely beachfront and garden gazebos. Paths meander through low-rise contemporary buildings, passing lawns with giant chess boards, hammocks, and benches. Note that Beaches Negril Resort and Spa day passes are available, with day pass, evening pass, and full day pass options.
Couples without kids should consider an adults-only all-inclusive like Couples Swept Away Negril. Families, meanwhile, may prefer the more affordable Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort, though its location in northern Jamaica lacks the impressive beach found here.

While Beaches Negril Resort and Spa is still located on the beautiful Seven Mile Beach, it’s a bit farther up the strip and tucked away from the long line of hotels in the middle of the beach. There are still resorts on either side of the property. Gardens and plants help provide extra privacy, but rooms on the edge could still experience noise from neighboring hotels. For guests who want to explore the area, the town center of Negril is a five-minute drive away, with a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, boutiques, and craft markets. Rick's Cafe, a popular bar and cliff-jumping spot, is 13 minutes away by car. Walking along the beach provides access to a number of vendors. Note that it can take anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours to arrive at the hotel from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, depending on traffic and weather. Free airport transfers are provided.

With a wide variety of suites and rooms, Beaches Negril Resort and Spa is designed to accommodate any type of guest or group, with the largest three-bedroom option sleeping up to 12 guests. While a number of smaller rooms are available, most rooms are ideal for three or four people, and they’re all spacious. The design ranges from classically elegant to tropical and modern, but all have mahogany wood furniture -- including four-poster beds -- patterned linens, and artwork. Also standard are furnished outdoor spaces, some of which have ocean views. A bit surprising for an upscale hotel, all bathrooms have shower/tub combos instead of separate showers and bathtubs. Air-conditioning, free well-stocked minibars, coffeemakers, microwaves, iPod docks, ironing facilities, and safes are provided, and most units have pull-out sofas. 
Concierge Suites are available for guests who want extra help booking tours and making reservations, and include extras like Champagne on arrival, guest orientation, in-room liquor, and bathrobes. More luxurious are the large Butler Suites that come with on-call private butlers. Many rooms can experience noise; central rooms hear activity from the pools and restaurants, while outlying rooms can get noise from neighboring properties; guests who prefer a quieter room should ask for upper-level accommodations. Oceanfront rooms have the best views of the water, as ocean-facing views may actually offer only a bit of blue; garden views can include the street.

Beaches Negril Resort and Spa is built on world-famous Seven Mile Beach, known for its powdery white sand and calm blue water, but it’s open to the public, which means guests are often approached by vendors selling everything from jewelry to parasail rides to marijuana. There is a lifeguard and the resort provides sunbeds, umbrellas, and towels. Cabanas can be rented for an extra fee. Fun (and free) beach activities for guests include kayaking, banana boat rides, standup paddleboarding, and water-skiing. Scuba diving is free for those already certified. Snuba is available for an added fee. Free glass-bottom boat rides and snorkel trips also depart from the beach. 

The numerous Beaches Negril Resort and Spa pools and water park are major draws for families. Because there are three pools, plus a beach and water park, there isn't the usual fight for sun loungers and umbrellas. Two of the pools have swim-up bars and cocktail service. The 1,800-square-foot Pirates Island is a great perk at the resort; it includes everything from a lazy river to a plunge pool to long and winding waterslides -- plus a swim-up bar for mom and dad.

You may have to stop by the concierge desk to ask for assistance in wading through the numerous options of all-inclusive Beaches Negril Resort and Spa restaurants and bars. Each restaurant has different hours and a couple require reservations. In addition to the main all-day buffet restaurant, there are Jamaican, sushi, Tex-Mex, and pizzeria options. The Venetian (reservations required) is the fanciest restaurant here, and the only requiring a more upscale dress code. Kimonos is a tasty Japanese Teppanyaki eatery (reservations required), while YoYo's has a whopping 16 flavors of frozen yogurt.
Seven bars serve unlimited top-shelf liquor, and Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks wines are included. Note that restaurants and bars don't stay open very late, so there isn't much in the way of nightlife at this family-oriented resort. Room service is only included for butler-level suites. 

Beaches Negril Resort and Spa is an expansive property, with lots of activities and facilities on-site. Separate activities are available for kids and adults, and there's also plenty of opportunities to get the whole family together for bonding time. Fun events include bonfires on the beach, talent shows, and karaoke, plus a popular Sesame Street Carnival Parade. There are mini-golf and billiards, in addition to a foosball table, air hockey, and tennis courts.
The Red Lane Spa offers a variety of treatments for a fee (including on the beach), and saunas are free for all guests to use. A well-equipped fitness center with cardio and strength-training machines is available 24/7 for adults. Free fitness classes are provided daily, including stretching, kids’ yoga, and aqua aerobics.
Breakfast with Sesame Street characters is wildly popular at this resort. For true fanatics (and an extra fee) kids can bake with Cookie Monster or listen to stories read by Elmo. Little kids can spend the day with certified nannies in the nursery while slightly older kids can participate in the kids' club. There are an Xbox lounge and Trench Town for teens. Additionally, Liquid at Beaches Nightclub is open to only teens from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., serving up mocktails and DJ-led music while a bouncer keeps adults out. After 11 p.m., it becomes a regular bar for adults. Live evening entertainment is available as well.
A resort shop sells loads of gifts, snacks, and souvenirs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

Beaches Negril Resort weddings are a bit cookie-cutter, and the family-friendly atmosphere may detract from the romance. Weddings can be held on the beach, on the lawn, in the garden, or under a gazebo. None of the options are very private and the ceremony will be in clear view of other resort guests. Wedding packages and personal wedding consultants are available. Honeymoon packages are also on offer.