HURRICAN MELISSA Oct 27 and how Couples fared and treated us 80 guests who couldn't get out due to Airport / Flights shutdown. We arrive on Oct 21 when Melissa was a tropical storm by Wednesday she became Hurricane and by Thursday flights were cancelled and airport shutdown. The day before Melissa arrived as a Hurricane Cat 5, the GM Caroline C had briefed us on what would happen. Couples generator had been serviced and water topped off, and trees trimmed and buildings secured, Meals were centrally located at the Buffett. Couples has 3 internet providers from Star Link, Flow and a 3rd source, TV was on until Tuesday after Melissa had left. The resort had moved guests and staff in secure locations and gave each room a battery lantern, food and water. Note: 8 hrs before Hurricane Jamaica shuts off water and power. While Hurricane was going, we stayed in our second story room and watched TV and the weather.
The next day we had hot food as buffet for rest of time there which was 11/3. The resort pool and pool bar were a mess with some trees and vegetation down. The staff cleaned up and had pool running within 2 days and we used the Buffett bar vs pool bar. The beach was a mess and they didn't want any guest in it for several days since they could be some health problems. The concentrated on cleaning resort. Since Royalton and the Riu's on Bloody beach didn't have power or wifi, their guests as many as 150 were standing on the beach using our wifi. Management ended up turning wifi off since the drain made it useless for us as well as they needed to fix minor problems. Wifi was sketchy were several days while they fixed it. Couples had Riu management set up specific areas which their guests could use for wifi. The day after Melissa, i saw a Royalton guest on the wifi for 3 hrs which is why Couples wanted to limit the wifi use.
All during this time Caroline C, GM, was great, she kept us updated and entertainment staff tried to give us something to do at night beside Wifi. Lee Issa, the owner, was staying at the resort while we were there coordinating the other 4 resorts.
Getting out was a mess, we were supposed to leave 10/31 Friday - flight cancelled, Saturday booked, cancelled, Sunday booked, cancelled - Monday we finally had a flight. Some of our group had boarding passes printed but flights canceled before they got to MBJ. The road was cleared from Negril to MBJ but much destruction and wires down. When we finally to to MBJ, the electric and computers at checkin for Delta and others weren't working so a long wait. We finally got on our plane and home. Delta and other airlines were sneaky, they wanted you to cancel and rebook (rebooking fee!!!) we waited til we were cancelled then rebooked.
I can't say enough about the staff who stayed with us and helped make the trip bearable. Couples is Family not just a place to go .
We have been going to Negril since 1999 and Couples Negril since 2012. We have been at CN 11 times and look forward to celebrating our anniversary and wife's birthday there the 3rd week of October. You have seen all the Sandals advertisement but rarely see anything on Couples except maybe through a knowledgeable travel agent. Maybe there's a reason with a return rate dependent on week as high as 40%, CN doesn't need to advertise, it rather spends its money on maintenance, staff and amenities. What do you get for your money at Couples? A room which maybe more like a Holiday Inn Express except Jamaican version - no keyed no problem. Booze in your room - wine, beer, liquor, mixes, coffee, tea - may not be Grey Goose but usually you either want a night cap - for us its champagne or starter - bloody mary. The beds are comfortable, the AC works- only complaint is outlets are little loose and you have to play with them to charge up your stuff.
Other Amenities - FREE STUFF - Scuba, if certified, as much as 2 dives per day with PADDI certified safe staff, snorkeling, catamarans, paddle boats, kayaks, Booze cruise which last 2-3 hrs. Floating mattresses on every chair - plenty of chairs on beach and pool so you don't have to fight over having one, though location depends on when you claim it. Beach - 2.5 mile Bloody Bay Beach to walk from Royalton to Riu Negril with Office of Nature and Local vendors.
Our favorite has always been the pool bar where Ivy reigns. We meet many old and new friends there over Bob Marley's and Monkey Brains ( if you don't drink at least one you can't come back!!! lol!!!. The drinks can be top shelf or well but all taste good and if not careful, you may go to bed earlier than you planned.
Food, we enjoy the 4 restaurants - Otaheite (fine dining - dress up with pants, collared shirt, closed toe shoes), Lycee - Jamaican-Asian fusian, Cassa Terrace -breakfast and lunch buffet during day and dinner entree, buffet at night, Heliconia- Beach Grill - at night good Italian place and during day and night has Beach Grill attached with ice cream cones, nacho's etc . There is also a Java Cafe with your coffee drinks, and Fruit and Veggie bar, which is great when you want to have light lunch or snack. Piano bar for top shelf drinks and entertainment at night.
Staff, in most cases are another reason to come back - very friendly and most of us get attached to them as friends not workers.
Entertainement -Piano bar - sing along with Paul Tucker - fanatastic, others stuff okay for us. Main stage usually have a Jamaican singer and house band is very very good. Not unusual to have you dancing during their performances . beach parties once a week weather permitting and various events to earn Funny Money to use in their weekly auctions for various items - we go for Rum Cream.
Repeat Dinner - if you visit more than once and are on Romance rewards will be invited to exclusive fine dinner.
Massages are offered and are not cheap but in some cases resorts may give you free massage. Note we did two - enjoyed immensely.
Resort rewards - if you signup for Romance Rewards and visit multitimes you get rewards - maybe tshirt, bottle rum etc and usually some money to be used while on resort. You use that time or lose it. We had $350 for this trip which we didn't use up due to Hurricane
Precheck in - Romance rewards- you can precheck in with what you want on minibar, gifts, reservations for Otaheite (first time scheduled and can reschedule another if available) Catamaran trip.
No this isn't Sandals or any of the fancy places, it a great place to enjoy your significant other, maybe do the Nude Beach, if want to try something different, meet old friends who are there when you usually go or meet new friends from honeymooners to old farts like us.
