Couples Swept Away

Let me start by saying if you want a typical corporate all inclusive resort experience this is not the place to stay. What makes couples so unique is their "treat you like family" approach to customer service which most resorts do not come close to accomplishing. Since we moment we checked in we felt like the entire staff was there to help us and make us feel at home. Most of them will go out of their way to help you around the resort (easy to get lost on the paths) and to remember your name as if they knew you for years. Some pros and cons about the stay... Cons (minimal): -Drive to the resort: We knew it was an hour and half drive to Negril so there was no surprise here. My only advice is to use the bathroom at the airport before you leave, especially if you had a couple Red Stripes in the Couples waiting lounge. If not, you will have to ask your drive to stop off at a very dicey "rest area" to relieve yourself. Other than that the ride was smooth sailing and you get to see real Jamaican life. -Rooms: I do not know if other rooms have been renovated recently so I can only speak to ours. It was certainly dated, and had some pretty rough water stains and damage around the bathroom/shower area. However, the rest of the room was clean and the balcony overlooking the resort was amazing. If you are staying in your room on this trip you are not doing it right anyway. Had an atrium suite, which would not be for everyone, but my wife and I loved it. Look into your room situation before booking. Pros (Many): Staff: As I stated earlier the staff was absolutely awesome. Most of them will go out of their way to make sure you have a great stay with awesome service. Little advice, if you make small talk with them even the staff who are busing your tables they will treat you even more like a rock star. Kudos to their training staff and managers for such a great approach on customer service. The entertainment staff is also always working and walking around the resort getting to know patrons. They were all super accommodating and make sure everyone is having a good time. Food: We can sincerely say we did not have a bad meal the 6 days we were there. Ate at every restaurant on the resort and were impressed with every one. From the quick eats at the Cabana Grill, buffets at the Palms, and to the 5 star experience at Feathers everything was tasty. If you read someone's review on here complaining about the food they must dine at 5 star restaurants nightly or have a private chef. Best all-inclusive resort food I have had, and you can have as much as you want of it. Beach: I have been lucky to travel to many Caribbean islands in my life and can honestly say this was the best beach I have ever been on. White sand throughout and see through turquoise water everywhere. The staff gets up at the crack of dawn to rake seaweed and groom the beach before the guests start to claim chairs, which were also plentiful and easy to get. I am that guy who is nervous to walk around in the water in fear of stepping on something spiky in the ocean, and I can assure you this will not happen in their swimming area, it is flawless. Activities: I highly recommend you take 10 minutes upon arriving to look at their daily activity pamphlet and do a bit of planning. Every free activity we did on the resort was fantastic, easy to get to, and well organized. My wife and I even took a "couples massage" class, which was free, and taught by one of their licensed massage therapists. If you like to get out and try new things this is definitely the resort to do it. They also offer a ton of priced excursions as well through 3rd party companies you can book in the Great House. Also highly recommend hitting up the piano lounge to see the man "ultimate chocolate". He is hilarious and a master on the piano. Overall our trip was a 10/10 and could have not asked for a better resort to stay on for our week away. Couples has made it very hard decision for us to travel to other Caribbean resorts or continue to book with them going forward.

Yes, the title is as corny as it sounds. However as I sit here in Negril, Jamaica with my vacation coming to a close I truly ask myself this question. First, let me start off my saying I am a college student and this is my first stay at an all inclusive resort. For anyone who has went to college life is about balling on a budget. Couples Swept Away fit my criteria. My girlfriend and I planned this vacation in June of 2019. We originally were going to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. After the 10th person died we both agreed that it was time to look to vacation somewhere where we can come home not inside box. After extensive hours of research we found this hidden gem. We booked through vacations to go and used rich who was awesome! But back to our vacation. This place truly is amazing. When we arrived at the airport customs was a breeze. The one thing that may steer people away from visiting Negril is the shuttle ride. I was a little concerned about this myself, however it makes you really appreciate this country and shows you the real Jamaica. You see how impoverished people are in this country and makes you appreciate what you have at home. However, what a gorgeous country!!!! Once we arrived at the resort we were greeted by a nice cool refreshing glass of champagne. And check in was a breeze. We were escorted to our rooms and they did all the heavy lifting! Now as many men know. The ladies pack in the heavy side. But the employee from the resort did everything! Once we were settled in we went to the beach and just wow. White sand clear water and beautiful weather! The beaches are pristine and groomed daily. The first day we learned alot from talking to other couples about little tricks to this place. My first tip GET THE TOP SHELF LIQUOR. I asked for a drink of their menu and it almost knocked my liver out! The put like 3 shots in the drinks! But if you get top shelf they give you the standard amount of booze you would have at any bar. We ate at the Cabana Grill for lunch and I thought everything was pretty good. I wouldn't say it was the best meal in my life but you leave saying that was pretty good! The Red Snapper was really really good btw. We didnt get a chance to go to dinner bc we fell asleep early. But that isn't a bad thing! Why??? Well you go to bed early you get up early! The sunrise on this island is incredible! We came here during rainy season we learned when arrived. So that means gorgeous weather up until 12pm. Then the rain hammers the island for about 2 hours then boom gorgeous weather. So we took power naps. For breakfast we went to the Palms which is the buffet here and j have to say pretty darn good! We tried to order breakfast in bed but you have to put the menu on your door the night before. In order to get it at the time you choose. For lunch we went to the palms again and it was the same reaction as breakfast. Now for dinner we went to lemon grass and FYI when you check in at the hotel go to guest services and make your reservations for lemon grass and feathers then! We also booked our Catermeran cruise there as well. But back to Lemongrass. It is an Asian Inspired restaurant and gotta say solid 7 out of 10. Was very pleased with everything they had there. Now onto the Included snorkeling it was fair. Dont get to excited you are not going to see a scene out finding Nemo here but there was some cool things to see. The next day we did the breakfast in bed and wow. They bring it right to your door we got the pastry basket fruit tray coffee and yogurt . Everything was delicious, no joke the best fruit I have ever had in my life same going for the coffee. Pastries were also delicious. We got it at like 7 am so by the time 11 came around we were pretty hungry so we went to Patios Patio and the breakfast was also very good! Then back to the beach! Now just a fair warning. There are vendors that walk up and down the beach. They can get annoying quickly! If you talk to them they will sucker you into something! They all try to sell you weed and brownies. But if you ignore them or tell them no thank you the leave you alone they are all very respectful. After a couple days they know you have been here so they dont bug you as much. For lunch we went to sea grape or something like that and it was fair they have good fish tacos there and sweet potato chips which are addicting. FYI BARS OPEN AT 11. Breakfast opens at the palms at 730 and lunch starts at 1230. The Cabana grill opens at 11. I'm getting tired of typing so I'll wrap this up bc I'm sure by this point you are like this kid can go on forever. Patios Patio was not that good at least from our experience. We got the steak tenderloin and it was not that good. So we decided to get a pizza to go (which is a great tool if you get the drunk munchies), but we ordered it after we were done and it took like 45 min. Was not thrilled. Men reading this get the couples private dinner worth it! You get extra brownie points with your lady and it is relaxing and you are treated like a king and queen! We went to feathers for put last night and was delicious! All in all my lady and I were swept away by the amazing staff, cozy rooms, gorgeous sunsets, and the beautiful beaches. This country is absolutely gorgeous the people are polite and laid back!!! For the bang for the buck this place is a winner! Would 10000% come again! I hope this helped and I hope you enjoy your vacation!