This was our third visit to Jamaica, but our first time at a Couples resort. It’s safe to say we’ve found our go to spot in Negril and so glad we decided to stay here to celebrate our wedding 26th wedding anniversary! Couples Negril is quaint, easy to navigate, and feels intimate, just a few minutes’ walk from one end to the other.
Rooms:
We stayed in Block 5, top floor (note: no elevators, so consider accessibility needs). Our balcony overlooked the sea, with breathtaking sunsets every evening.
The room was perfect without an upgrade.
The bed was firm and comfy (great for us).
The bathroom was a good size—though I’m not a fan of rainfall showerheads, everything else (water pressure, temperature) was spot on.
The bar fridge was restocked daily, housekeeping was excellent, and morning coffee and pastries delivered to our room became a daily treat by using the online app.
AC worked perfectly.
Dining:
Dining was a major win for us, as no daily reservations required (except for Otaheite, the fine dining restaurant). We loved the freedom of walking up and being seated anytime.
The food was very good, plentiful, and varied. Not Michelin star, but consistently enjoyable. We stayed 10 days and never got bored.
Favourites: Veggie Bar, Lychee, and Cassava Terrace (especially breakfast with fresh omelettes and fruit). Jerk Chicken, I miss you already.
Drinks were well-made and generous. Tip: bring a tumbler from home instead of using plastic cups.
Staff:
The staff truly make Couples Negril shine. While there were a few who seemed less enthusiastic (as is the case anywhere), most were exceptional, kind, and hardworking.
Special mentions:
Donna (Cassava + Beach Grill Terrace)
Shemaree aka Uncle Maree (morning pool fitness)
Franchesca (entertainment)
Shevon (pool bar)
The lovely lady at the coffee bar
We loved chatting with them, learning about their families, and sharing smiles.
Beach:
The beach is the absolute highlight of this resort. One of the best we’ve seen in decades of travel. Powder soft sand, crystal clear water, no sargassum. Great for long walks, plenty of chairs and shade. Walk all the way past the resorts and get some beach steps in.
Floats provided on every chair (no need to pack your own). No fighting for loungers.
Vendors were respectful and kept moving along if you politely said, "no thanks, mon." Donovan’s daily singing and guitar was well worth a small tip. (Ask him to sing “Wrap It Up”—you’ll be glad you did!)
We saw fish, starfish, and even rays passing by.
Au Naturel Beach:
We tried it! (when in Rome!) A totally judgment-free zone. We’ll probably use it more next time now that we’ve “ripped the bandaid off.”
Downsides: no breeze due to barriers, so it gets very hot (especially in August), and no pool. A few more shade palapas would be a big improvement. Security does an excellent job keeping curious walkers from neighbouring resorts moving along.
Activities & Entertainment:
Couples Negril strikes a perfect balance of relaxation and fun.
Options included: kayaking, paddleboards, snorkle, scuba, glass bottom boat, catamaran, water bikes, billiards, trivia, bingo, fitness classes, and live entertainment. The night bonfire, so awesome. You rarely see beach entertainment at night and we absolutely loved this part. We also loved the balcony swings overlooking the pool deck and terrace. Such a nice tough and we went here every night after dinner to enjoy the music and views.
We loved that the vibe was chill, not spring-break loud. Guests were like minded, here to relax and not party hard. If you’re looking for a high energy, party resort, this isn’t it. If you want peace, connection, and fun activities, it’s perfect.
Massage (Offsite):
We booked a twilight cliffside massage at Tanya’s Secret Escape in Negril.
Private car transport was sent for us. $150 for both massages + $40 for roundtrip taxi.
Hands-down the best, most relaxing massage of our lives. Sunset overlooking the sea while being massaged—unforgettable.
Pool:
The pool is a good size with a fun swim up bar.
In August, the water felt like a warm bath (still refreshing after the heat).
Pool is aging, some cracked tiles and grout work needed. Lots of loungers, but a few more umbrellas for shade would be appreciated.
Overall Impressions:
Couples Negril won our hearts. It doesn’t have the glitzy glam of some mega resorts. It’s more vintage, authentic Caribbean charm, which we found incredibly appealing.
We felt we got excellent value compared to other places without having that underlying "levels/butler/premium/exclusive" upgrades. Here, everything feels unilateral with no added fluff. It's one size, fits all essentially which was so refreshing. Couples, please do not every change this.
Only suggestion: offer an onsite rebooking promotion and make it evident. We would’ve taken it in a heartbeat. We saw signs to "rekindle and rebook". But a great option would be to actually deliver an offer to a traveller and one that would be hard to pass up. I am a softie for being caught in the moment and just wanting to come back when a super offer is presented to me.
After 10 glorious days, you won our hearts, Couples. Thank you for allowing us to celebrate 26 years of bliss in your beautiful home and country. ❤️
