Couples Guide to a Jamaican Vacation
We flew into Montego Bay airport and hired a driver who brought us to Negril Beach. If you’re staying with one of the main hotel chains in Jamaica there is most likely a little lounge just for you after leaving customs in the airport who will take your bags and help you with transportation to your hotel.
Negril Beach is over an hour away from the Montego Bay airport so we stopped on the side of the main road and bought fresh coconuts. They were $1 each and we watched them get cracked open fresh with a machete!
Where to Stay
Idle Awhile Villas
If your big group is headed to Jamaica and looking for the perfect mix of privacy and beach life then Idle Awhile is the place for you. These are some of the most exquisite villas I’ve stayed in featuring enormous king-size beds in every room, breathtaking architecture, private pools, and just a few steps onto your own little slice of Negril Beach. We stayed with a group of six and had plenty of room for everyone. Idle Awhile provides sea activities at no extra charge including paddleboards, kayaks, floats, and even a Hobie Cat sailboat. If that isn’t enough, they will work with you to schedule a Catamaran for the day. We chose to take ours to Rick’s Cafe, an Infamous cliff-jumping spot about 25 minutes down the coast.
REPORT CARD:
Photogenic: 10/10
Rooms: 9/10
Food: 6/10
Fun: 10/10
Relaxation: 10/10
Exclusivity 8/10
Couples Swept Away
Couple Swept Away is a gorgeous property on Negril Beach. This is actually the only Couples location that we did not stay at. It is known for its huge property and fitness center that is a favorite among many loyal guests. We did explore the spa for an afternoon and were
REPORT CARD:
Photogenic: 8/10
Fun: 8/10
Relaxation: 10/10
Couples Negril
We LOVED our rooms at Couples Negril. Less than ten minutes away from the Villas and Swept Away, this resort had a very different feel. The resort showcases a beautiful greenwashed exterior that reminded me of the patina you find on antique copper. There were show-stopping pools in multiple areas and had a swim-up bar.
There are four restaurants on-site of varying cuisine and elegance. We loved our room here which was a top-floor corner unit with a huge bathroom, Jacuzzi, and balcony. My favorite aspect was the white hammock for lounging and the sunset view over the beach.
REPORT CARD:
Photogenic: 9/10
Rooms: 10/10
Food: 7/10
Fun: 7/10
Relaxation: 9/10
Exclusivity: 8/10
Couples Sans Souci
As soon as we arrived at Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios it was clear to see that this is the premier Couples location. Beautiful mineral pools overlook the crystal clear bay on one side. The property wraps around multiple peninsulas to create what feels like one of the most exclusive resort experiences I’ve ever had. In addition, we got to experience one of the newly remodeled rooms in the G-block that will soon be the norm across all of the suites at Sans Souci. The double-sided showers, backlit closets, whicker accents, and clean and minimalistic design were a fresh take on the usual nautical resort design.
I had the pleasure to visit in January of 2024 and experience the Brand New Lobby & Hibiscus villa. You can read more about it here.
The nude beach, which is the best place to watch the sunset on the property, is so popular with returning guests that It stays open year-round. We woke up early every day to fly our drone without disturbing anyone and people were coming out on the beach as soon as the sun popped up!
This location is in Ocho Rios near some of the most popular attractions in all of the Caribbean. Dunn River Falls is just a short ride away and I regret not visiting! With that being said, there is no reason to even leave the resort with a huge water sports area that offers speed boat tours, sailing, and tons of other cool opportunities.
REPORT CARD:
Photogenic: 10/10
Rooms: 10/10
Food: 9/10
Fun: 10/10
Relaxation: 10/10
Exclusivity: 10/10
Couples Tower Island
Again, Tower Island had a completely different feel than the other Couples locations. This second Ocho Rios location was the youngest age demographic that we noticed throughout all of our stays. There are two huge pools, both with grand views of palm trees and the ocean. There is a somewhat limited beach area which is beautiful nonetheless.
Some of my favorite meals also came from the restaurants at this property. There is another shortage of dining options here — We had dinner in an overwater bungalow one night and then on the private island another!
I also want to note how gorgeous the spa is at this location. White walls lined with rows of terra-cotta pots line the walls. The long oval blue pool is the centerpiece to the entire facility with a zen Buddha statuette
REPORT CARD:
Photogenic: 7/10
Rooms: 6/10
Food: 8/10
Fun: 8/10
Relaxation: 8/10
Exclusivity: 6/10
What to Do
Other Activities:
Snorkeling
What to Eat
I think it is important to note that I am a mostly plant-based Vegetarian and somewhat struggled to find options throughout my stay. Jamaican food is very much so seafood & chicken-based. I had a Jerk Tofu one night which was incredibly yummy. The national dish is called Ackee, which is a vegetable that can be cooked sweet or savory.
Get the Look
I’ve linked my favorite suits from Londre below - My go to suit on ever Caribbean vacation. Use code KARLIE20 for a discount!
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