NEGRIL, Jamaica -- Jamaica's sleepy south coast and the more
visited city of Negril have undergone changes aimed at making the
destinations more attractive to visitors.
The following are some of the developments:
The newest hotel on Bloody Bay in Negril is the 396-room,
all-suite Riu Tropical Bay Resort.A member of Riu Resorts, the Victorian-style Tropical Bay is
located down the road from the popular bars and restaurants of
Negril's West End.
Riu has brought all of its signature touches to Jamaica,
including its children's program for ages 4 to 14; daytime and
nighttime entertainment, including live bands and theme nights; a
disco open until the wee hours of the night, and a wide range of
water sports.
For additional information or reservations, call (876) 957-5900
or visit the chain's Web site at www.riuhotels.com.
Jake's, a small, eclectic resort in the fishing village of
Treasure Beach on Jamaica's south coast, plans to start building
two new rooms this summer in time for winter.The new one-bedroom units will bring the number of rooms to 14,
including two two-bedroom units and 12 single units.
The rooms, to be designed by co-owner Sally Henzell, will be
similar in design to Seapuss, one of the resort's more popular
units.
The rooms will feature a private bathroom and shower and will be
furnished with Jamaican antiques, local art and CD-cassette
players.
Meanwhile, two other rooms at Jake's, Sweetlip and Treasure Cot,
were expanded into two-bedroom beach cottages with Internet
access.
In other news, Jake's added yoga classes on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
For more information or reservations, call (800) OUTPOST or
visit the Web at www.islandoutpost.com.
Couples Negril is taking a hands-on approach to guest
activities by offering massage classes taught by certified
instructors.For guests with a taste for the exotic, the resort is offering
Jamaican cooking classes.
Couples Negril also added a coffee house at the Beach Grill to
satisfy guests' craving for cappuccino, espresso, lattes and, of
course, Jamaica's Blue Mountain coffee.
For more information or reservations, call (800) 268-7537 or
visit the company's Web site at www.couples.com.
Times Square Plaza in Negril, a duty-free shopping plaza and
garden attraction on Norman Manley Boulevard, recently opened for
business.The attraction, which was built to resemble an Italian plaza, is
divided by two courtyards lined with 13 shops selling everything
from Jamaican arts and crafts and imported cigars to clothes and
watches.
Meanwhile, Negril's Rutland Point Craft Market added 44 shops,
selling made-in-Jamaica items.