| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 48 |
| Copyright: Other |
Resort focus by Cathy Bartrop
For a family affair try the all-inclusive option
Beaches Inn promises value and luxury
KEEPING our entire family happy on holiday gets more challenging every year. With three boys aged between four and 10, their demands and tastes are diverse. No longer content with just a bucket and spade on the beach, they need entertaining on a grand scale but we parents need a break too. Billed as a “luxury ultra all-inclusive holiday at a value-for-money price”, Beaches Inn Negril, Jamaica, seemed to offer the solution. All that stood between us was a 10hr flight and a 90min drive from Montego Bay – a long way with kids in tow. Arriving in the dark at the equivalent of 4am UK time (10pm local time), we began to question our sanity.Thankfully, faith was restored the next morning as we got our first sight of the sun-drenched beach just yards from our spacious beach-front suite. One of the most famous beaches in the world, Negril sweeps a full seven miles around the west coast of Jamaica. Little more than 20 years ago, there was nothing here but fishermen. These days tourism has truly taken over and the entire coastline is taken up with mainly all-inclusive hotels.But don’t be fooled into thinking they are all similar – even neighbouring resorts can be worlds apart. Just a stroll away from Beaches Inn is couples-only sister resort, Sandals and next door to that the infamous Hedonism II. As predicted, idyllic though the hotel’s immaculately maintained 1,000-metre stretch of beach is, the boys’ attention soon wandered and they were off in pursuit of other pleasures.They found it in the shape of the Kids’ Kamp, complete with the star attraction – an air-conditioned Sega Centre. That, coupled with satellite TV in the room, drinks as and when from the bar, burgers, hot dogs and popcorn from the beach grill, plus the occasional stint of swimming, tennis, basketball and football, kept them happy. Big enough to offer great facilities but small enough for us to let them roam freely, Beaches Inn is perfect for their age group. As for us grown-ups, we found our favourite spot on the beach, within the shade of a Sea Grape tree, close to the water sports centre and just a short stagger to the bar.Beaches Inn is billed as the value property but in effect you get three resorts for the price of one. For parents there is the option (for the price of a babysitter) of time out at Sandals and for a different scene, family resort Beaches is a short drive away. Altogether bigger, brasher and busier, Beaches opens up a choice of a further five restaurants on top of Beaches Inn’s three, plus scuba diving, waterskiing and banana boat rides.Beach life and water sports are what a holiday in Negril is all about but venture beyond the confines of the resorts and there are some impressive sights to see. A visit to Rick’s Café on the West End cliffs is almost compulsory. As the most westerly point on the island, sunset watching here is an institution. It’s a tourist trap but the views are unbeatable and thrilling entertainment is provided by locals, cliff diving into the clear aqua waters. Hiring a car is easy enough but from a safety and interest perspective, guided tours in small groups are a better bet. We opted for a full-day excursion out into the parishes of Westmoreland and St Elizabeth. In the morning we cruised the Black River, hunting for crocodiles. After a Jamaican lunch of Jerk chicken and rice ‘n’ peas, a short drive through lush green countryside took us to the YS Falls. A truly idyllic spot and far less commercialised than the more famous Dunns River Falls, the water cascades 120ft down through tropical forest.At the highest point we played Tarzan on rope swings, splashing in to the cool, clear waters and then swam into the thundering falls and the slimy green chasm behind.Successful family holidays are all about compromise. All-inclusive resorts may be culturally restricting but on the plus side they offer a secure, carefree and relaxed environment.At Beaches Inn the staff were great with the kids and the range of activities and entertainment unbeatable. The verdict from our three boys? – “Jamaica was the best holiday ever”. n For more information try www.sandals.com, www.beaches.com or www.jamaicatravel.com, or telephone the London office on 020-7581 9895.
KEEPING our entire family happy on holiday gets more challenging every year.With three boys aged between four and 10, their demands and tastes are diverse. No longer content with just a bucket and spade on the beach, they need entertaining on a grand scale but we parents need a break too.
Billed as a “luxury ultra all-inclusive holiday at a value-for-money price”, Beaches Inn Negril, Jamaica, seemed to offer the solution. All that stood between us was a 10hr flight and a 90min drive from Montego Bay – a long way with kids in tow.
Arriving in the dark at the equivalent of 4am UK time (10pm local time), we began to question our sanity.
Thankfully, faith was restored the next morning as we got our first sight of the sun-drenched beach just yards from our spacious beach-front suite.
One of the most famous beaches in the world, Negril sweeps a full seven miles around the west coast of Jamaica. Little more than 20 years ago, there was nothing here but fishermen. These days tourism has truly taken over and the entire coastline is taken up with mainly all-inclusive hotels.
But don’t be fooled into thinking they are all similar – even neighbouring resorts can be worlds apart.
Just a stroll away from Beaches Inn is couples-only sister resort, Sandals and next door to that the infamous Hedonism II.
As predicted, idyllic though the hotel’s immaculately maintained 1,000-metre stretch of beach is, the boys’ attention soon wandered and they were off in pursuit of other pleasures.
They found it in the shape of the Kids’ Kamp, complete with the star attraction – an air-conditioned Sega Centre. That, coupled with satellite TV in the room, drinks as and when from the bar, burgers, hot dogs and popcorn from the beach grill, plus the occasional stint of swimming, tennis, basketball and football, kept them happy.
Big enough to offer great facilities but small enough for us to let them roam freely, Beaches Inn is perfect for their age group. As for us grown-ups, we found our favourite spot on the beach, within the shade of a Sea Grape tree, close to the water sports centre and just a short stagger to the bar.
Beaches Inn is billed as the value property but in effect you get three resorts for the price of one. For parents there is the option (for the price of a babysitter) of time out at Sandals and for a different scene, family resort Beaches is a short drive away.
Altogether bigger, brasher and busier, Beaches opens up a choice of a further five restaurants on top of Beaches Inn’s three, plus scuba diving, waterskiing and banana boat rides.
Beach life and water sports are what a holiday in Negril is all about but venture beyond the confines of the resorts and there are some impressive sights to see.
A visit to Rick’s Café on the West End cliffs is almost compulsory. As the most westerly point on the island, sunset watching here is an institution. It’s a tourist trap but the views are unbeatable and thrilling entertainment is provided by locals, cliff diving into the clear aqua waters. Hiring a car is easy enough but from a safety and interest perspective, guided tours in small groups are a better bet.
We opted for a full-day excursion out into the parishes of Westmoreland and St Elizabeth. In the morning we cruised the Black River, hunting for crocodiles. After a Jamaican lunch of Jerk chicken and rice ‘n’ peas, a short drive through lush green countryside took us to the YS Falls.
A truly idyllic spot and far less commercialised than the more famous Dunns River Falls, the water cascades 120ft down through tropical forest.
At the highest point we played Tarzan on rope swings, splashing in to the cool, clear waters and then swam into the thundering falls and the slimy green chasm behind.
Successful family holidays are all about compromise. All-inclusive resorts may be culturally restricting but on the plus side they offer a secure, carefree and relaxed environment.
At Beaches Inn the staff were great with the kids and the range of activities and entertainment unbeatable. The verdict from our three boys? – “Jamaica was the best holiday ever”.
n For more information try www.sandals.com, www.beaches.com or www.jamaicatravel.com, or telephone the London office on 020-7581 9895.
Our survey said: from left, Ben, four, Sam, eight and Jack 10, voted Jamaica as ‘the best holiday ever’
Beaches Inn: the pool is just one of the many facilities that will keep the children occupied