Play Day in the Caribbean

What would a trip to Jamaica be without a day in the sunshine and sea? Mike and Wendy arranged for the 9 of us to enjoy an Island Routes, Sandals own excursion company, catamaran cruise to the Pelican Bar. I had never heard of this Pelican Bar, but apparently it has been featured in magazines and travel shows for years as it is a restaurant built entirely of driftwood and it is located in the middle of the water off shore only accessible by boat. I met Jessica and Erin for breakfast. Some times I love traveling alone because it forces me to chat with the others in the group. I love meeting others who work in the travel industry. We bond so easily simply over our love of the industry. We boarded the huge catamaran around 9:30am with about 30 other people. Island Routes provided unlimited drinks and finger foods on board.

 

The water was apparently a bit too choppy for some people sitting at the front of the catamaran because we had several people get sick. The ride out to the Pelican Bar was a little over an hour but the reggae music was playing and we were loving the sunshine and getting a chance to laugh and talk with our group. The Pelican Bar finally came into view! 

We were transported by small dingy to the bar. The inside was decorated with flags, license plates, and anything else others decided to leave behind. Visitors carved their names into the driftwood. 

Jessica, Mike, Greta, and I decided it was time for a swim! The Caribbean Sea was so calm and blue!

 Since so many people got sick sitting at the front they moved to the back and it gave our group space to sit on one of the nets over the water at the front. We had an unobstructed view of the sea, sunshine, good music, and a waiter who kept the drinks coming!

Play day continued at the resort as we had to go check out the main pool and swim up bar. We made sure everyone knew our group was there when all 9 of us help hands and jumped in the pool together! We had Mikes butler deliver pizzas and the poor guy hardly got his hands out of the way before all 4 pizzas were devoured. Andrea, Jessica, and I went for a quick swim in the ocean and a stop at the French Villa pool before going back to our rooms to get ready for dinner.
 

The last 5 days all of my knowledge and thoughts about the Sandals and Beaches resorts came to life. I was able to see 7 of the 20 properties and really acknowledge the unique characteristics about each resort. There really is a Sandals for everyone. No matter your style or preference or priority there is a resort within the Sandals and Beaches family that will meet your need. I'm so grateful I was able to see and do so much during this trip. I met some wonderful people with AAA, Travel Impressions, and of course, the Sandals family. Jamaica is such a hospitable friendly island and I know I will return. 

 

 

Montego Bay, Negril, & Whitehouse

Our Sandals and Beaches training classes always tell us that each resort is unique, but it's one thing to actually get to see the resorts in person. They really have their own personality! There is a resort style for everyone!

We left Ocho Rios and rode the hour and a half to Montego Bay. We toured Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island. I already liked this resort before I saw it because it is 25 minutes from the airport so it is close, but not too close. Once I saw the resort...I fell in love!  Royal Caribbean is quiet with several pools and small beaches scattered throughout the property. 

My favorite rooms were the crystal lagoon swim up rooms that have a gorgeous pool and gardens connecting 8 first floor rooms. 

The views from the beach were breathtaking! We went to the private island and saw the Thai restaurant, the Red Lane Spa, and most importantly...the future location of 5 overwater bungalows! They are scheduled to begin construction on August 1. These 5 bungalows will have a glass floor and a private butler! 

Back on the bus for another hour ride to Negril! I visited Negril last year and it is truly a beach lovers paradise! Sandals Negril is located on the northern most stretch of 7 mile beach so while it is a public beach there are not many people walking by. The resort was built back before building codes restricted properties to be set back off the beach so many of the rooms and buildings are mere steps from the sand. 

Sandals Negril has slowly been renovating all of their buildings and we got to see their highest level category room, a Millionaire Suite with private plunge pool...and private butler. 

Who wouldn't love to wake up to your own peaceful paradise!? We got to see their crystal lagoon swim up rooms that have an oceanview too. I really can't decide which room I would prefer! 

The resort property is simply beautiful and there is an oceanview from almost every angle! Negril is the "Capital of Casual" and this Sandals property definitely fits the laid back beach bum vibe. 

Just down the stretch of 7 Mile Beach is Beaches Negril...the family resort. Beaches Negril is a low rise property on a wider stretch of beach with enough activities to keep the entire family happy. I stayed at this resort last year and I will absolutely return and bring my family some day. The beach is amazing, there is a large pool with swim up bar and the Pirates Waterpark has slides and a lazy river! 

The kids activities are incredible. Beaches is partnered with Sesame Street so Camp Sesame is home to the kids activities. Young kids have their own splash pool and playground while the older kids have a game room, scheduled watersport lessons and activities, theme parties, an XBox game lounge, and even a Scratch DJ Academy where kids (and adults) can take DJ lessons! 

I even met Bert from Sesame Street!

Thankfully our driver has his PhD...pot hole dodger...because the ride from Negril to Whitehouse was a bit bumpy! It wa so worth it though! Sandals Whitehouse is set on 50 acres and 2 miles of white sand beach. It is a large property and it was at 93% occupancy when we arrived, but I asked Mike where were all the people! Since the resort is spread out people are scattered everywhere. There are 3 villages each with their own pool. The restaurants and shops are all centrally located and easily accessible from any village. Each room has an oceanview so it's impossible to have a bad room or location! 

We checked in to our concierge, Club Sandals, rooms - no butler for us this time! - and met for dinner at Neptunes, the seafood restaurant, for dinner. We survived the work hard days...the next day we will play hard!