Where to start! Here is my review of our amazing week at Beaches Negril, at the end of April 2026. To start off, we have been to Beaches Turks and Caicos 5 times, and several Sandals resorts, so as Diamond members we think we know the Beaches & Sandals brand well. While we have enjoyed our Turks and Caicos trips, we have been more and more disappointed in our vacations at Beaches Turks and Caicos, and were considering taking our family trips elsewhere, away from Beaches. But, we thought we would give Negril a shot, and wow, the staff at Beaches Negril truly understand the word hospitality. From groundskeepers, to bartenders, lifeguards, waitresses, and butlers, all the staff at Beaches Negril go above and beyond to make you have a wonderful vacation. We will never return to Turks after experiencing the warmth and energy of Jamaica. In no particular order, here are some of the things I remember from our trip….
The grounds beautiful, no sign a giant hurricane had just gone through. We stayed in the newer Eventide building, but I found the whole resort to be in tip top shape, nothing dated here. Our room in the Eventide building was spectacular, and the daily housekeepers kept it looking great, even with 14 of us going in and our with sandy feet and wet bathing suits. Our room had games, a giant bottle of free Sun Bum sunscreen (50SPF) which they restocked, fullybsticled fridge, snacks. The beach was en par with Grace Bay in Turks, if not having some advantages. The water is warmer, the entry much more gradual. The snorkeling right at the beach is ok, but the reefs where the good snorkeling is at is just off shore, a 5 minute boat ride. Having said that we saw numerous (harmless) sting rays right at the beach, giant starfish, little Sgt Majors, crabs all right at the beach. The sand is powder. There are many people walking the beach, offering necklaces, excursions, but a quick no thanks and they move on. It is not an issue. A+ for the beach. We spent more time at the beach then any previous vacation. And there isn’t really any tides so you don’t have to worry about beach chairs of sand toys getting swept away. If you want even better snorkeling take one of the many daily guided snorkeling trips. Unlike in Turks where they drop anchor and tell you to get off the boat until they whistle, in Negril the captain dives in with you, dives under the water, brings up sea cucumbers, starfish, urchins, and lets you hold them, and points out different fish. Made the snorkeling so much more fun and interesting. The pools at the resort are smaller than Turks, but still lots of fun, one has a volleyball net, they all have swim up bars, and the bartenders in Negril don’t see you and make you wait. They actually look at you and ask you what they can make you. And they can make so many fun drinks for kids and adults. There are just so many little perks, some subtle but well thought out. At the miniputt course in the back of the resort, there is a worker there ready to make snow cones. Have I mentioned how friendly the staff is, it really needs to be said that while Beaches Turks and Caicos give a good customer experience overall, Beaches Negril truly make you feel they are happy you have come to visit. The entertainment, while not Broadway level is still well done. I would say the best shows we have seen any any Sandals or Beaches. The Magic show, and the Water show are two of our highlights. A big shout out to Jelly, a high octane member of the entertainment staff. There are so very many talented singers and dancers in Negril. Food was great, loved the pasta, steak, shrimp, lamb…..mmmmm one critique are the desserts, I have never found at Beaches or Sandals the deserts are great (except for the lava cake at the French Chateau restaurant at BTC). BUT Negril has Froyo, an all you can eat ice cream/frozen yogurt bar with different flavors and toppings. My kids (and me) must have went 6 or 7 times a day….6…7……The water park is smaller, but still fun, fast and curvy waterslides, great little lazy river. Another highlight is the water sports area. They have so much more to do. The addition of the banana boat rides and the ability to water ski or go kneeboarding is amazing. The staff, shout out to Lawrenzo, at the water sports are friendly, patient and are genuinely excited when they see you come back wanting to try new things. There is a great TV area with couches at the main bar, and again the bar staff more than willing to accommodate requests to change the channel and find that hockey game we wanted to watch every night (we are Canadians and it is the playoffs…), for those that enjoy running, there is a great sidewalk on the main road outside the resort that is wide and safe, its about 4.5 kms down into Negril. But bring water, even at 6 am it is hot and humid. Well I could go own, but I must say before we went I had a negative opinion of Jamaica from previous cruise ship stops, but the warmth and true hospitality of the staff at Beaches Negril have made me change my opinion 180 degrees. Got to give some love to our butlers Anthony Olivier, easily the best butlers we have had in all our Beaches and Sandals trips. Over the top with the attention they gave our entire group. I highly recommend requesting them both, except for the week we go back because we want them back, they became family! And the best, Negril’s pricing, very good compared to BTC. I could list off so many other things that made our week special (chocolate buffett, kittens, beach volleyball, local artisans, Kimonos, tie dye shirts….), but I want to leave you something to be a surprise. Trust me, Beaches Negril is Amazing, ya man! Respect!
