We were looking forward to Thursday all week. We had planned to go to Beaches Negril! The weather was beautiful! Not too humid. We went to the front desk, and they called a taxi. As we left, security took our names (I think...). It was a short taxi ride. When we got to Beaches, I'm pretty certain security took our names/room #.
At the front desk we got a map and headed out. Of course, I didn't actually get a chance to look at the map before we started moving. We were thinking about lunch, most of the food stuff was just starting to open. We kind of walked all over. I think we found some chairs on the beach, then went to the water slides (the left one, as you're standing at the top) was pretty intense, and it's the one Rob went down. Or maybe it was reversed. LOL.). While we were reading the rules, trying to see if I was tall enough, a friendly staff member joked with us we were too tall. He was great! He used to work at Sandals but wanted more excited. After the slides, we asked him where a washroom was. He started taking us all over, eventually at where he said the cleaning staff had washing machines, but it seemed they were gone now. We laughed. Bathroom! Restroom? Aaaah! That he knew. I wish I could remember his name. Alex? He had been a maintenance engineer and wanted a more rewarding job, working more with the people. He wasn't very old but I think he said he had been at Sandals for 7 years.
Photos are kind of random order, because it's all a blur now.
The food trucks by the beach opened and we went for the chicken tenders. Yummy. Just be mindful of the seagulls!
Main pool, it was so big!
Standing at the in pool bar, looking at their buffet restaurant. It's interesting that there are steps that go into the pool, but there's a railing up. There's also netting all along that side, so the birds can't get in. Why can't Sandals do that?
While we were in the pool, some Sesame Street characters came by. I don't know why, but it was kind of cool to see, even as adults with no young kids there!
I can't imagine being in one of those character suits in this weather!
We went in a hot tub briefly, but it was too sunny. The pool deck was also quite warm. There were quite a few loungers available, though mostly in the sun. This is very different from the main pool at Sandals. There, the butlers get to reserve loungers at 6am for their clients. There's not very many to begin with. Yet of course, when you go, most of the loungers are empty, with just a book and towel. Yet, there's no body in the pool. At the main pool at Sandals, we would have to put our towel and bag/shoes on the garden wall at the back, or on the half way separating the lobby. If they had cubbies to stash stuff, that would be very helpful. We don't lounge by the pool, but we need a spot for our stuff.
We spent a LOT of time in the lazy river. Why do adult only resorts not have lazy rivers? They're so much fun. We were the only adults in it most of the time. And any other adults had children with them.
The children's water park area looked like fun!
There were lots of different options along the beach. We started out under an almond tree and then realized it was not a good option, so we kept walking, and found these loungers under a palapa. There were some HUGE palapas, some with activity stations, some with loungers. The butler day beds were also pretty awesome looking.
Look at how deep the beach is! Look at the turquoise water! No sea grass here!
You can see that island just down from Sandals.
The swim area was all one area, much larger than Sandals, even if you combine their areas. The only downside was it was further from the lounger to the water, and there were quite a few boats just on the other side of the ropes offering tubing, parasailing, etc. They weren't bothersome, but it felt odd ignoring them.
I noticed these trays up in the rafters of the palapa! Why? We also noticed that these ones were real grass, while the ones at Sandals were artificial. A staff member (the gardener?) told us the grass ones only last 6 months.
Those are the butler palapas at the front right.
Looks like they were setting up for a big wedding. Imagine how great that would be!
At some point in the afternoon, we went to the Mexican restaurant, Mariachi. You have to be dry to sit inside. We fibbed a little. The waitress didn't seem too friendly at first, but by the end, she was! Our food was good, but the salad/nacho bar was almost bare. We didn't think we were too late for lunch, so it was surprising. Then we went to Yo-Yo's, frozen yoghurt. It was really good. The staff was amazing, so patient with the kids that came in.
At some point, Rob was getting too hot, so we asked at the front desk if there was anywhere air conditioned that we could go. At Sandals, there's the Club lounge for club level guests, but we usually just go to our room. Of course, we couldn't here. They pointed us to the concierge lounge, and it was heavenly. We just lounged, they brought us water, we chatted a little about how much we were enjoying our day.
Refreshed, we continued our exploration. We had dinner reservations at Yaku, the Peruvian restaurant. It was a bit of a challenge to find it. It's on the second floor in the main building. The giant main buffet did not seem to be open this day.
The first thing we learned is that the menu is served family style. Now, Beaches is a family resort. Sandals is not. There was SO much food. Each dish is basically made to serve 4, I think.
I wasn't going to have a cocktail, but decided to give one a try. This is their signature cocktail, the Pisco Sour. It was quite good!
Dishes are divided into Small, Medium, and Large plates. For Small, we got tequeños de pollo, and I honestly don't really remember what else. There were these little skewers of meat, but I don't see them on the menu. We got the Peruvian beef stir-fry and the Chinese fried rice, so two dishes had rice. I wanted to try ceviche, but none of the items on the menu were ceviche. I do think I had the salad with the hearts of palm. All the food was good, but way too much for two people.
I loved the wall decor--twisted and braided yarn hanging. And this little flocked fellow!
This is the Suspiro de Limeña. I'm pretty sure it was good.
It had been a tiring day and we wanted to get back to Sandals for the evening show--the fire show on the beach, and buffet. Earlier in the day, Rob noticed his room card was missing. We went to the front desk, and they did have a Sandals card turned in. However, there's no name on (like there is on a cruise sea pass card). The desk called Sandals, but there was no way to verify it was Rob's and they wouldn't give it to him. After dinner, we went back to the desk to get the taxi, and he asked again. No one else had come looking for a Sandals card. We said we'd give it to the Sandals front desk if it didn't work on our room. Of course it worked. Rob figures he lost it on the wild water slide.
Note to others--if you're wearing a Tilley's hat with a secret compartment in the inside crown, do not put your paper US money there and then go swimming. It was a little embarrassing paying for the taxi and tip with soggy money!
A foggy shot of the buffet. I don't think we knew about the buffet actually, or we probably would have chose a different day for Beaches.
It's hard to photograph a fire show!
I believe there was also a DJ, and a dance competition for the men. It was fun, but we were pretty exhausted. Beaches was amazing. Yes, we heard a couple crying kids, and watched some siblings beat each other up on the beach, but it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be. It made us wish we had taken our kids to something when they were younger...but at the same time, we know that would not be a very relaxing holiday and frankly, our few trips/cruises were intentionally with out the kids, since I spent so much time with them already. I hope someday we'll have grandchildren and we can take them here...or somewhere similar.
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