By Julie Northington 

Air Jamaica has a very convenient redeye flight, departing LAX at 1030p and arriving Montego Bay at 6am the following morning.

Our accommodation was at Sandals Whitehouse, located on the pristine beach of the southside of the island of Jamaica. The 1 1/2 hour drive was quite an adventure. The highway cut straight through the island, up the windy, pot-holed ridden road and then down the other pot-holed ridden side. With all the tourist dollars.. you would have thought the government would have made the road more accommodating. At least they did build a nicer road between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios and Montego Bay to Negril.... The road to Whitehouse should be next on the list.

Once we arrived, it was merely 20 minutes of check in formalities. A nice glass of champagne and a cool scented cloth greeted us. Sandals Whitehouse is the "newest" addition to the Sandals family. It was a new build and opened about 5 years ago. Adult, couple only resort, I found it to be similar to Grand Wailea on Maui.. almost generic. If I did not know what island I was on, I could have been anywhere. To ensure all guestrooms had oceanviews, the resort is quite long.. stretching for it seemed like a quarter mile from one end to the other. Past that.. our accommodations were quite comfortable.. king sized, 4-poster bed, balcony. There are concierge level rooms, some with private butler service and are much more centrally located on the resort. In-suite mini-bars are fully stocked with water, soda and various liquors.A European style Beach resort and Spa, featuring 3 different architectural feature: Italian, Dutch and French Villages. 360 rooms and suites, 11 categories, All oceanview! However.. liquor was included at all bars and restaurants.. so you did not have to go far to get a nip.

Red Lane Spa is in all Sandals Resorts. Lovely to walk in to and lots of services to enjoy. Pricing list is typical of any resort. Includes 10 extensive Red Land Spa treatment rooms and an oversized Spa courtyard.

Restaurant choices were:

• Bayside Buffet for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is waiter service.
• Guiseppes (Italian)
• Jasmines (Asian)
• Eleanor's (Caribbean)
• Arizona (TexMex Fusion & Grill)
• Bluefields Beach Club (on waterfront, near pool of French Village (local Caribbean specialties and snacks)

and for the nightowls: Arizona Beach Club.. light lunch or midnight snack.. open till 500am. The more popular "Cafe De Paris" was a daily ritual. Countless pastries and coffee delights for the senses!

Nightly entertainment was offered in the Theater, which after 11pm, turned into a nightclub... well for who was ever left.. remember.. this is a couples only resort... The other gathering place was up in the piano bar..."Martini's". Was jumping around 1130p. I noticed.. no smoking in any venues at all! We were treated to a lovely "beach party" buffet spread under the stars... well, just after we finished eating the heaven's opened up and the scramble to cover was quite humorous! After 15 minutes of torrential downpour, the stars came out and stayed.

Next day we were off to Negril for the 1 1/2 hour drive. Again.. pot-holed ridden road. Take your Dramamine... We visited Beaches Negril, Sandals Negril and Beaches Sandy Bay.. all within a 5 minute drive from each other, and all on lovely Negril Beach.

Beaches Negril greeted us with Sesame Street characters all over the resort. Lovely kids/ baby area with trained supervisors. Highlights: All of these resorts are located on Negrils 7 mile beach! All are All-Inclusive! All are "Green Globe 22".. benchmarking and certification program that facilitates sustainable travel and tourism, companies and communities.

Sandals Negril: Adult Couples only 5 star Diamond Numerous dining options.. late night buffet, champagne breakfasts, martini bar..6 restaurants on property, but 13 in all Sandals/Beaches options Largest scuba fleet in Jamaica Voted "Worlds Leading All-Inclusive" 14 yrs in a row 222 Rooms and suites, 13 categories All rooms have marble bath, 4 poster beds, mahogany furnishing, mini bars, tv, coffee maker..iron..etc.. pretty standard... 24 hr. room service Red Lane Spa Concierge Level offers all those upgraded amenities + Concierge Lounge Butler Service in higher levels of suites Overwater cabanas for daily use.. $50 for just lounging, $75 with waiter (beverage service) $225 daily w/beverage service and special dinner in the cabana!

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa (families, couples, singles) 2 & 3 bedroom butler serviced suites available along with regular rooms Stay at 1, play at 2.. full exchange privileges with Beaches Sandy Bay.. ttl 8 restaurant choices between the 2 Kids Kamp & Nursery, Sesame Street Themed activities w/daily character appearances, parades and stage shows Interactive Teems program w/Trench Town teens center, X-Box 360 Physically challenged rooms are available Beaches Sandy Bay Negril: (families, couples, singles) All rooms oceanview (or at least a peak thru the palm trees) Turndown service for all rooms/suites Champagne Breakfasts In-water dining open to all guests at Beach Grill No Reservations required at any restaurants Children can be offered a sense of independence, while parents relax and "keep an eye" on them from any vantage point of the resort Full Exchange privileges with Beaches Negril, with convenient shuttle service, Enjoy 8 restaurants... Sesame Street Activities X-Box Game Oasis Kids Camp and Nursery w/supervised activities

Grand Pinapple was not open.. budget of the Sandals resorts. Offering "Beachside Location" and "Gardenside Location" (across the road). For singles, couples, families. 65 rooms. Located in the Heart of Negrils Night Life.