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Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/22/2012 4:34:30 PM
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stuckinIndy
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My in-laws are taking the family on a trip to Beaches Ochos Rios next June. We could not convince them to go to our beloved Roo.
So, we are wanting the know the good, bad and the ugly that we need to know about this resort. There will be six adults, children ages, 1, 3, 10, 13, 15.
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/22/2012 5:31:48 PM
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cape cod ann
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I have not been to that resort. It gets very good reviews for family resorts. That said, I have been to RM many times and to Jamaica once with my daughter. My heart belongs in RM.
I did not feel as safe in Jamaica as I feel in RM. In RM I have wandered out alone. In Jamaica my taxi driver insisted on accompanying me everywhere - even when my daughter went shopping - he actually sat in the shop with us!. My daughter was trying on dresses and she said "Mom is Roger going to stay here with us while I try on dresses? and I said "Yup". Roger did not charge extra for this service.
I would make the most of it and enjoy taking the necessary precautions.
< Message edited by cape cod ann -- 7/22/2012 5:45:35 PM >
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/22/2012 6:44:39 PM
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judyper
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From: Chilliwack, British Columbia
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I have not stayed at that particular resort, as hubby and I love Negril and Runaway Bay and that is where we tend to stay when in Jamaica, but I have read that Beaches is a great resort for families, with lots of activities for children..
I have been travelling to Jamaica on and off since the late seventies and unlike cape cod ann, have never felt unsafe there. Even if hubby and I stay AI, we always go off resort for the odd meal each trip and also do excursions which we usually arrange independently of the hotel or tour desk. Sometimes we walk to a restaurant and sometimes we take a cab, it depends on the distance involved. That said, we don't walk around after dark in unpopulated areas, but then neither do we do that in our own town here in BC as bad things can and do happen anywhere!
Not suggesting for one minute that cape cod ann's cab driver had anything but the welfare of her and her daughter in mind, but I have heard of many, many people who were told by the front desk staff at their hotels that it was not safe to go off the resort by themselves and not knowing any different, they did as they were told. This is because lots of hotels want their guests to book through the tour companies that operate from their premises, or that they are affiliated with. So unfortunate, as this does put many people off from leaving the enclave of the resort grounds and they miss out on the culture and history of the island, plus the island is so beautiful and most Jamaicans are honest, friendly and very happy. My own two daughters and grandchildren stayed at Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios and they were fed this "spiel" by the front desk there. They decided that they were going to see some of the island anyway and were glad that they did.
Just a heads up though, the town of Ocho Rios has some very aggressive vendors , especially on cruise ship days. You need to be very firm about telling them "No, thanks" if you are not interested in buying anything.
BTW, we also love the RM and feel the same level of safety, no more, no less than when we are in JA. They are very different and unique each in their own way.
Have a wonderful vacation. I know there any several LGRs who. like myself, share a love affair for both places and maybe some of them will chime in.
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/22/2012 6:51:20 PM
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Sumgolf2
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From: near Chicago
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I have stayed at Beaches Ocho Rios.
There is almost no beach. The resort requires a lot of climbing up and down stairs. The resort does a good job of keeping younger children entertained. I'm not sure about the older ones you mentioned.
If you are snorkelers, you can sign up for a boat that goes out to a reef a few times each day. This is included in you price.
What was the reason for choosing this resort? If the reason was that they wanted Jamaica and a Beaches Resort, Beaches Negril has a wonderful beach.
If you have specific questions, I'll try to help with answers.
< Message edited by Sumgolf2 -- 7/22/2012 7:02:55 PM >
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/23/2012 11:23:55 AM
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cape cod ann
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Hi Judy,
Both times I left the resort I didn't want to go far. We were not near Negril (about 45 mins away) or Runway Bay, but rather near a small village that would have made me nervous to walk around in by myself. I had Roger take me to find some books and he accompanied me there also. I have been to Mexico many times and often wander off resort, most recently by myself and never felt uncomfortable. It is likely that different areas of Jamaica are safer than others as is the case in most places (including here!).
The hotel was offering trips to Negril and Runway Bay and I spoke to many people who took those on their own with no concerns.
< Message edited by cape cod ann -- 7/23/2012 11:34:20 AM >
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/23/2012 12:01:14 PM
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AnotherBob
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We have vacationed in Jamaica about 18 times now and stayed at several different resorts near Runaway Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. Some thoughts ...
-- NEVER rent a car or motorbike in Jamaica unless you have a death wish. They drive on the left side of the road which is not intuitive / instinctive to most drivers (unless you are from a UK country?) . They drive insanely. Tourists on motorbikes are always a target.
-- We never left the resorts except with a taxi driver who would stay with us 100% of the time, in/out of the stores, at restaurants, and whenever we braved the craft markets. He was our negotiator and we made sure we tipped him appropriately.
-- The craft market vendors can be extremely forceful. If you dare go into their stall (Ocho Rios craft market), you can find it difficult to get out without buying something. One more reason to keep the taxi driver with you.
-- Watch out for pickpockets and purse snatching in Ocho Rios. They are very skilled !
-- If you go to visit the waterfall near Ocho Rios, (Dunns River) and decide to climb the falls, there will be many JA's there to take your camera and take pictures of you as you stagger up the falls. They will expect a HEFTY tip and skillfully withhold your camera from you until you cough up enough $'s. We have heard many stories about expensive cameras just disappearing too.
We're done with Jamaica for the time being. Airfare and resort prices are just nuts compared to the Roo. And, our favorite resort near Runaway Bay, Grand Lido Braco, went belly-up.
AnotherBob 
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/23/2012 1:38:11 PM
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judyper
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From: Chilliwack, British Columbia
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AnotherBob:
Hi, I recognize you from your posts about CRT - you were very helpful to me when I had questions about the resort a few years ago :) :) .
We live out West in BC, and for us, it is costly and sometimes tedious getting to the Caribbean, period. Often we have to fly via Toronto or say Houston and sometimes even have to overnight if the connections times don't work. We really suck out here for direct flight at certain times of year and even when we have them, there are very limited destinations and flights available - sigh!!
Last year in May, we went to Jamaica for two weeks, one week at Breezes Runaway bay and one week at Breezes Grand Negril , AI of course. Then in November, we went to the Roo and spent the first week at Hotel Akumal Caribe, non AI and eating at the various restaurants in the area, and the second week at CRT. When I tallied up what each vacation cost, our Mexican trip cost around $500 more than our Jamaican trip. Now if we lived in the east it may be a different story, but for us so long as we travel in off peak periods, the price point between the two destinations isn't an issue.
This past May, we travelled to Roatan, Honduras for some fabulous snorkeling and stayed non AI. Our total spent was roughly the same as our Jamaican trip.
Back on topic, I too wonder if the OP would be better served by switching to Beaches Negril if possible. I didn't know that the beach at the Ocho Rios location was non-existant, but for me personally, even if the beach was pristine I wouldn't stay in Ochos Rios for the reasons that others have stated - too many people, too many pushy vendors and well too much city.
BTW, Dunn's River Falls = tourist trap rip off. There are falls on the west side of the island that to me are far nicer, YS Falls and Mayfield Falls are two that I have visited years ago.
< Message edited by judyper -- 7/23/2012 1:40:53 PM >
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/24/2012 5:09:10 PM
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stuckinIndy
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oops
< Message edited by stuckinIndy -- 8/28/2012 11:16:54 AM >
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/24/2012 5:31:10 PM
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cape cod ann
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Many hotels have food and beverage managers who will work with you on the allery issue. You should try and find that contact.
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/25/2012 11:28:13 AM
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LegendOnTheLoose
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quote:
ORIGINAL: AnotherBob
quote:
ORIGINAL: cape cod ann
Many hotels have food and beverage managers who will work with you on the allery issue. You should try and find that contact.
Good advice from Ann ! And, I think Jamaica has restrictions (like most other countries) on what foods you can bring in with you. No fresh fruits, meats, etc. Small quantities of canned goods are probably OK. But, be aware that Jamaica Customs can be very strict about foods you might have packed as they will suspect that you are bringing them in for others in the country. We've seen some very strange events at Jamaica Customs checkpoints, including confiscation of things that we suspected the Customs agents wanted for themselves, i.e. two 4 packs of AA batteries, a box of snack crackers, and some candy bars.
AnotherBob
Ahh, yes....the good 'ol Jamaican customs agents, they are definitely in a class by themselves 
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 7/25/2012 12:27:37 PM
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PamF
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LegendOnTheLoose
quote:
ORIGINAL: AnotherBob
quote:
ORIGINAL: cape cod ann
Many hotels have food and beverage managers who will work with you on the allery issue. You should try and find that contact.
Good advice from Ann ! And, I think Jamaica has restrictions (like most other countries) on what foods you can bring in with you. No fresh fruits, meats, etc. Small quantities of canned goods are probably OK. But, be aware that Jamaica Customs can be very strict about foods you might have packed as they will suspect that you are bringing them in for others in the country. We've seen some very strange events at Jamaica Customs checkpoints, including confiscation of things that we suspected the Customs agents wanted for themselves, i.e. two 4 packs of AA batteries, a box of snack crackers, and some candy bars.
AnotherBob
Ahh, yes....the good 'ol Jamaican customs agents, they are definitely in a class by themselves
I don't know...the Mexican ones are a bit rough themselves! They wanted to keep my tweezers; you know, that implement of destruction!!! 
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 8/4/2012 5:20:35 PM
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Fluffin
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We loved the snorkeling off the beach of ABR and the beach there immensely and have been to different parts of MX 7 or 8 times throughout the years.
I have to say that Jamaica is just as awesome! If fact we are heading to Negril in just 14 more days!! As for Beaches Boscabel (Ocho Rios) well it is what it is. Please do leave the resort! There is so much to do and see in the area! We were in Runaway bay for 2 weeks this past April as well. We were out and about on our own with no problems.
Have a great time with the Family!!
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 8/8/2012 12:10:30 PM
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Tamie
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We've done Ocho twice and we loved it, though I think that mainly has to do with the resort we stayed at (Couples Tower Isle), and the Jamaican friends we made while there. We did venture off property, but stayed with our friend, a Couples employee, and he was able to take us to all the cool back places that we never would have seen on any tour. He called it showing us "The Real Jamaica." I have to admit, some of it was horrific. The people live in conditions in some places that can only be desribed as desolute. However, even in those areas, they were so friendly and nice and giving, it just overwhelmed me. Now in the touristy areas, I found it to be a different story. There seemed to be more shady people around the cruise ports and at Dunns. I much preferred the tranquil setting of Mayfield Falls to Dunns River, plus there is a really nice museum there and the grounds are spectacular!
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 8/14/2012 3:57:22 PM
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MN Jeeper
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I stayed here with my family for a week a couple years ago (back when it was called Beaches Boscobel). My kids were 9 (son) and 13 (daughter). My kids and myself loved it. My wife hated it. The next year we went to Akumal and stayed at ABR. My wife and kids loved ABR - I could take it or leave it. My point is everyone is going to have a different opinion. If it is free trip, how can you not love it. 
The good: SCUBA is included!!! How can free SCUBA diving not be the most awesome thing ever. If you are not certified, you can take their resort course for $80 and dive once or twice a day for the rest of the time you are there for free. The food. There was a much better variety of food choices compared to ABR. Both of my kids are very picky eaters (and like different food from eachother) and everyone always found something to eat. The kids will love the water slides. There are more bars than ABR if you are into drinking. Dirty Banana - Yum! The snorkeling and diving were better here than I experienced in Akumal. Snorkeling is also free. The kids will love the banana boat rides. They have self-serve virgin pina colada and strawberry dacquri machines that my kids tried to wear out. They must have had 15 a day each. Do leave the resort. You can schedule a cab for a day (request Vivian) and you can do the Dunn's River Falls water fall climb, sight see in the mountains, or go shopping in Ocho Rios. I did all three on seperate days and not once did I feel me or my family was not safe.
The bad: The beach. The North side of Jamaica is all rock. Which makes for great SCUBA and snorkeling, but not great for a beach. (Take a cab to Reggae beach - awesome colored sand and maybe 10 minutes away.) The beach is at most 100 yards long of man made trucked in and dumped brown sand.
The ugly: The vendors in town and to the east end of the beach are quite pushy. And they will certainly want to braid yours and everyone in your party's hair.... And you will here it every five minutes for the entire time you are there. Do I look like I want my hair braided??? I don't think so...
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 8/21/2012 1:18:26 PM
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neilalex
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Beaches is part of the Sandals family of hotels.
Personally when we went to Sandals Ocho Rios we were very disappointed. We had spend a fortune and it did not live up to its billing. We later went to the Sandals in the Bahamas which was much better.
Now saying that if the highway they were building many years ago is now done (Montego Bay to Ocho Rios) the drive will not be as bad. It took us over 3 hrs to get to the hotel from the Airport, and it was in one of those 15 pax vans (no bathroom)
Now the good things, from what I know of Beaches your kids will be very entertained, although for the older ones it may be by video games (of which they can do at home)
The food and the drinks will be top notch. I suspect if you contact them ahead of time they will be willing to see what they can do for you regarding food selections. They should be able to accomodate the request.
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 8/23/2012 1:00:48 PM
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stuckinIndy
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I am looking forward to this amazing vacation with my family! My 14yr old son asked if he would be able to "drink" when we go, since he'll be 15 by then. Does the resort make everyone wear color coded bracelets like the ones in the Roo?
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RE: Not Mexico but Beaches Ochos Rios? - 8/26/2012 10:05:24 AM
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neilalex
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stuckinIndy
Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I am looking forward to this amazing vacation with my family! My 14yr old son asked if he would be able to "drink" when we go, since he'll be 15 by then. Does the resort make everyone wear color coded bracelets like the ones in the Roo?
The Sandals thing was that you did not have to wear a bracelet. (I suspect it will be the same for Beaches)
If you as a parent are willing to let him have a drink, I don't think the resort will stop you. If you don't want him to have anything, I am sure they have something in place for it.
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