I put down my book to hear the soft music of ‘What a Wonderful World‘ playing in the Cucina Romana beach restaurant, just a few steps away from my lounge chair.
A sudden tropical rain, which the Jamaicans call ‘Liquid Sunshine’, had just blown through the area. This is the reason why my attention was on my novel, dry under the cover of a well-built palapa at Sandals Negril.
The rain had stopped and streaks of warm light came through parted clouds, once again bringing my surroundings to life. Everything dries up very fast after liquid sunshine, only a few lone drops come down from the dried palm leaves of my palapa. My book was still in hand yet my eyes gaze to the waters in front of me. I watch a sailboat with blue, green and yellow sails glide effortlessly across the water.
Sandals Negril lies on the famed and beautiful 7 mile beach, in a bay which houses many boats at any given moment. Unlike other tropical destinations visited in the past, I can’t help but notice that this location is unlike any other destination visited before.
Water kisses the shore gently and calmly at all times, yet I note that only when liquid sunshine is coming, do actual waves hit the coastline. I’ve tested this through the week and smile when the waters get a little choppy. Thanks for the heads up, friend.
Ideal for watersports and swimming, this resort really is in a prime location. My eyes search the waters for my husbands boat, yet it was still too far out to be spotted among the others. He had gone out snorkelling, something he made habit to do twice per day. Snorkelling at Sandals Negril is included at no extra few for guests, as is Aquatrikes, knee boarding, windsurfing, water-skiing, tubing, kayaking}.
Why wasn’t I out there as well? I opt for one trip out a day, and I bask in the sun on the beach, taking in the peaceful solitude and letting my mind wander, while he takes a second trip.
I close my eyes and feel the warm Caribbean breeze dance on my face, the location in the bay must also be the reason why the ocean wind is always calm as well, another difference than other beach holidays. Usually it’s so windy by the beach, yet here the fierce wind subsides and only remnants sweep the area. I think about this difference and settle on preference for the calmer ocean breeze.
The couple from Georgia returns from lunch, to their lounge chairs about 9 feet away from mine. I smile and wave at this pleasant couple, who are here for their 11th Sandals vacation {3 time visitors of Sandals Negril}. This story is the trend with many people we have met here, longtime returners.
I think back to the morning when I passed a couple arriving in the lobby, obviously they’d been here before with the many surprised and warm welcomes they received from various staff members.
Like they were coming home.
I can certainly see the appeal for this particular adults-only resort. The 12 acre property stretches and hugs the beach, so that wherever you are, you can walk to the beach in less than a minute. Yet, this doesn’t mean it’s a long distance from one end to the other since it’s a pretty small resort.
Sandals Negril has less than 250 rooms, many of which have just received a massive renovation to a modern upgrade. While there are many ‘types’ of rooms offered at the resort, there isn’t a bad one in the batch or any with a lacking location. FYI, this curious mind just had to see each type and was able to study them all.
The sun is out in full force now and the darker clouds which were dropping liquid sunshine, were far down the coast, making friends with people in other parts of Jamaica I’m sure.
It is then that I spot my husbands boat coming to shore, him standing with arms stretched in a ‘It was THIS BIG’ gesture. I smile, knowing that I’ll get a very descriptive account of the water-life he seen while out in the Caribbean sea. Perhaps I’ll get the story over lunch, the delicious Jerk Chicken at the beach bar was calling my name.
I took in another relaxing breath of sweet tropical air, just as the song was ending. I put down my book and felt that lump in my throat and my eyes swell for a moment. The time, the setting, the mood and the opportunity to be in this beautiful paradise which I had grown so very fond of.
It was perfect.
… Yes I think to myself, what a wonderful world …
tammy says
12/02/2013 at 11:48 amI love Jamaica, going again this year11
Tammi says
12/02/2013 at 2:06 pmNice!! Which part of the country will you be visiting?
Corry L. says
12/02/2013 at 11:59 amLooks gorgeous. Would love to get away from the snow to Jamaica!
Tammi says
12/02/2013 at 2:07 pmYou and me both! I’m back to the reality of snow {actually, we’re in a blizzard and are house-bound}, so I’m looking at the photos and longing for more time there!! Heaven!!
Myrah - Coupon Mamacita says
12/02/2013 at 12:04 pmI’ve had the pleasure of visiting this resort and it is absolutely paradise!
Tammilee Tillison says
12/02/2013 at 12:08 pmThis looks like heaven on earth. We have never been to a Sandals resort but have heard wonderful things about them. Oh the beach looks fantastic.
Jenness M says
12/02/2013 at 12:18 pmJamaica is one destination I haven’t been to in the Caribbean. Plan to go very soon so I will keep this resort on the list.
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
12/02/2013 at 12:35 pmabsolutely beautiful, it looks like a very relaxing place to be.
Melissa says
12/02/2013 at 12:36 pmWow, that looks amazing! I could really use a trip like that.
Amber Edwards says
12/02/2013 at 12:43 pmOur weather is absolutely horrid here today, with 0 degrees and nasty wind. I’m freezing and then I see pictures of this place!? Obviously I would much rather be there than here!!! I want to go! like right this second!!!
Angela says
12/02/2013 at 12:49 pmThis truly looks like paradise, as I sit here all bundled up and cold.
Susan T. says
12/02/2013 at 1:20 pmOutside my window right now is a huge blizzard! The beach looks so much better! 🙂
kristen visser says
12/02/2013 at 1:42 pmoh how i would LOVE to be there right now!!!!
Tammi says
12/02/2013 at 2:04 pmIt is absolutely stunning there!! better than my views out the window right now – we’re stuck in a blizzard!!! Time to plan the next trip!
lorie pitt says
12/02/2013 at 1:44 pmIn my dreams I would be there as I look out at the snow.
Tammi says
12/02/2013 at 2:05 pmYou and me both! I’m back to the reality of snow and I want to be back!!!
Tammy Harrison says
12/02/2013 at 1:47 pmwow- that looks lovely!
Clifford says
12/02/2013 at 2:05 pmWe’ve been to Jamaica but did not stay at the Sandals. After reading your posts it just makes me want to go back, it’s snowing here btw..trying to make you feel bad..lol. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:46 amTime to book a trip, I say!
Silvia D says
12/02/2013 at 2:05 pmwow, so relaxing and beautiful..I would love to go anywhere with Palm trees!
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:46 amAhh, another palm tree lover! I have a slight obsession with palm trees!
😉
Tara Jensen says
12/02/2013 at 3:24 pmi am so jealous looking at this as i hear the wind howling outside.. i need a holiday!
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:47 amLife is too short and too cold, right?!
😉
Jaime Brown says
12/02/2013 at 5:56 pmNever been there but it looks heavenly, next time someone here goes can I squeeze in your suitcase please:)
Elizabeth Vlug says
12/02/2013 at 6:23 pmI could imagine myself there with your descriptive report. Sounds blissful. Might add this to my travel list.
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:48 amThanks Elizabeth! I actually started writing this while there, a first to me. The moment had me writing, which I usually leave until I get home. The place was definitely inspiring!
Jo says
12/02/2013 at 6:28 pmI would love to go back to jamaica. Both the people and the beach are very warm and welcoming.
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:48 amThey are!!! I met so many nice friends there, they are great people!
Judy C (Judy Cowan) says
12/02/2013 at 8:16 pmCan I say that I am jealous? Looks amazing, I can only dream about the beach this year. No getaways for us 🙁
Suzanne G says
12/02/2013 at 9:03 pmWhat a great looking place to holiday.
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:49 amIt was amazing!!
Ira says
12/02/2013 at 9:15 pmWhat a beautiful place! That’s what I always needed for a perfect vacation.
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:50 amAhhh, and this was only the beginning! More to come!
🙂
Angie Andrews says
12/02/2013 at 9:52 pmNow that’s the sort of vacation I need 🙂 Looks wonderful
Rajbinder Kaur says
12/02/2013 at 10:41 pmHave never been to Jamaica, looks like the perfect resort to be at when I do!! Lovely pics!
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:50 amIt was an exceptional resort, we had a wonderful time!!
Sarah says
12/03/2013 at 5:02 amLooks a lot warmer then where I am. So beautiful!
Debbie Bashford says
12/03/2013 at 5:22 amwhat a beautiful spot!
Julie says
12/03/2013 at 5:37 amIt looks amazing, we stayed at a Beaches resort which was really nice but decided next time we go to Jamaica we would try a Sandals adult only resort as we got pretty sick of hearing Barrney every night, lol!
Tammi says
12/03/2013 at 5:51 amOh no, lol. I’m heading to Beaches Resorts tomorrow. I’ll watch out for Barney on repeat! lol
Soozle says
12/03/2013 at 8:06 amOh wow! so beautiful! You paint such an amazing picture with the description as well.. Very much a slice of paradise! 🙂 Makes me look forward (even more) to my own winter holiday to Mex in March! 😀
Edwina Donovan says
12/03/2013 at 9:11 ambeautiful pics, Wish I could afford to travel, thanks for sharing 🙂
Brenda Roy says
12/03/2013 at 10:06 amlovely post; would love to go there
Jenny says
12/03/2013 at 11:58 amYou are making me wish I was there right now!! Looks gorgeous.
Angie Andrews says
12/03/2013 at 2:10 pmThis looks perfect, I want to go 🙂
christel says
12/03/2013 at 4:09 pmsigh…. looks gorgeous. I’ve heard amazing things about this resort. I was in the Dominican from the 16th to the 23rd for a trip that I won, and it was stunningly beautiful as well. I really miss the warmth and hearing the birds.
Carole Dube says
12/03/2013 at 7:43 pmLooks so nice! I would love to get away from here now. Not only we just had a blizzard but it’s freezing!
Tiffany Wilson says
12/03/2013 at 7:59 pmI have yet to travel off the continent but boy would i sure love to go there.
Jennifer P. says
12/03/2013 at 8:54 pmLooks beautiful!! I feel relaxed just after reading this post – can’t imagine how great I’d feel if I actually went there! 🙂
shannon gowlett says
12/03/2013 at 9:11 pmi have never been to jamaca but i can travel now no dialysis machine
Doris Calvert says
12/04/2013 at 12:04 amI have always wanted to go but never went, wow it is gorgeous!! So nice you got to relax and do your own thing!
Janet W. says
12/04/2013 at 5:25 amThis resort looks amazing! What a calm and relaxing vacation this would be for me! Beautiful!
kristin smith says
12/04/2013 at 9:22 ambeautiful beautiful beautiful!!! if Im ever fortunate enough to travel outside of Canada, my son, my daughter and myself will be Jamaica bound!!!! thanks for sharing!!!
Judy Haughton-James says
12/04/2013 at 12:25 pmI certainly enjoyed reading this review Tammi! You describe everything so well. It is as if I was there too. Great review. I am so glad that your experience in my country was a wonderful one. I hope you get to visit again someday. Take care and my very best wishes to you and your family.
Catherine says
12/04/2013 at 12:59 pmThis looks like a wonderful place to stay and relax.
Tasha says
12/04/2013 at 6:43 pmWhat a beautiful, descriptive post Tammi! I felt like I was right there with you. So calming 🙂 Gorgeous photos!
Ali P says
12/05/2013 at 9:12 amLooks amazing! Sandals Negril is one of the resorts we’re considering when travel next year!
kristin smith says
12/05/2013 at 10:28 pmlooks breathtaking!! love your style of writing too tammi!! makes us feel like we’re right there with you!!
Gwen B. says
12/06/2013 at 12:29 pmI like that you have several pics in which there are no other humans whatsoever. It makes the resort seem especially secluded.
Tara Jensen says
12/08/2013 at 12:41 ami’m incredibly jealous… can i come with next time? Beautiful beaches!
Ester G says
12/08/2013 at 2:55 pmI love Sandals, we have been to Royal Caribbean (in Montego Bay), Halcyon (St Lucia), and Antigua. I would say that either Royal Caribbean or Antigua were my favorite, such good food!!!
Erika B says
12/09/2013 at 1:22 pmWow that is breathtaking!! Looks so relaxing and peaceful!
Amy Heffernan says
12/11/2013 at 2:13 pmWOW! Looks STUNNING! You are very lucky to be able to travel!
Cheryl Almas says
12/15/2013 at 4:02 pmIt would be so great to be there away from the snow.
Stephen says
12/15/2013 at 6:45 pmThat looks like peace and joy! Thanks for sharing!
courtney b says
12/18/2013 at 6:52 ambeautiful pictures, you’re a gorgeous photographer !! !:) i would love to go there…
Rosa Cross says
03/23/2014 at 7:31 pmSounds like such a great place to visit!
Brook says
07/27/2016 at 3:19 pmThink this should be my next vacation