Couples Swept Away

This was our second time at Couples Negril, and we had a great time again. We stayed in a Garden View room, which was fine for our needs and a comfortable place to come back to after full days at the resort. The atmosphere is romantic and relaxed, and the staff are the biggest reason we keep coming back. A few team members stood out: Shemarie on the exercise team kept the activities fun and energetic. KiKi on the entertainment team brought great energy to the evenings. Cecil in photography was friendly and easy to work with. Moveta and Carletta at the bars were attentive, welcoming and quick with a smile. Kenington Levy, the team lead in the laundry, was warm and professional. We had the pleasure of having him at our table for Repeaters' Night dinner, which was a lovely touch that made us feel appreciated as returning guests. Of the restaurants, Lychee was our favorite. If you're deciding where to book a special dinner, we'd put it at the top of the list. There were two small things we'd suggest. The spa prices were on the high side, so budget accordingly if you plan to book treatments. And while we enjoyed our meals overall, a few food items could be upgraded. Neither took away from our stay, but they're worth knowing about. Overall, the friendly staff, the setting and the memorable moments are why we came back a second time, and why we'd stay again. We'd recommend it to other couples.

The staff have been so attentive, and welcoming! Everyone is so happy to help and guide. They are so informative, so fun and friendly! Bar staff are absolutely amazing, the cocktails are so good and they don’t cheap on the alcohol 😁 They cannot do enough for you, most of them are so helpful but other staff members appear to not want to work there at all😬 The beach is public, so be aware of unofficial beach vendors (hawkers) they are a little relentless but beach is public so there is nothing the resort can do. We tried being polite (as we’re British) but this just made us a target and we had to start being really firm/a little rude to send them on their way. If you’re a cat lover, GREAT! They have a few cats that roam and are friendly. The resort has even set up little huts for them and feed them! Pack snorkelling stuff. This is so you can just go straight on to the beach, have a little swim and look at starfish, tiny fish and if you’re lucky some really big fish! The swimming pools and swim up bar are good but they certainly don’t feel very clean 😬 The food… the food 🤤is to die for! Such a good selection and there is the snack bar including loads of veggie options not that were veggies but loved the options! Breakfast and lunch is a traditional buffet, but at times tea (dinner) is à la carte but still lovely food options. The fixed menu can sometimes be the same stuff as before which is a little boring but the food is so amazing! They have a gift shop that has just about everything but it is expensive! $27.50 for 50spf sun scream 😭 and $11 for a share bag of crisps. There is a little shopping centre 2 minutes drive or a 10 minute walk from the resort which is perfect for grabbing snacks! It’s culture to tip in Jamaica. In the UK it’s not a thing and it’s something we found difficult to navigate. When the bellman helped us take our bags up we tipped him $5 but we weren’t sure if this was insulting? Given that we’re not paying for food as it’s all inclusive we found it difficult to tip. However, we were able to speak to a few American couples who explained that it was an all inclusive resort so advised that tips were not required or expected. We didn’t tip at all after the bellmen. I seen someone complain about the noise of the wildlife at night. It’s definitely noisy but didn’t stop us sleeping. If you’re a light sleeper it might be worth bringing ear plugs! Halfway through our stay we found out ITS SPEAKERS 😭 once you find that out it suddenly becomes irritating! The gym…. Is brilliant! It’s got proper equipment. Decent amount of weights and machines! There isn’t any aircon but it has large fans on the ceiling and three open walls. The 25m pool is pretty good as well! I would recommend not booking any excursions online! You get so many amenities with the resort and they’re so full of information that they can guide you towards the best stuff to do! Catamaran, snorkelling both day and night, and load of other water sports! They have two special restaurants which you have to make a reservation for. One is an open plan above the main dining hall called the Lemon Grass. We were booked in at 20:45 which was over an hour later than what we were told but that was fine. We get there and the entertainment was steel drums and it looked really cool. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see it as we were sat right at the back facing away from everyone… this was pretty disappointing and we were only there for 30 minutes so bit of a waste of time truthfully. The menu was standard, the same as what we would get in the normal dining area so wouldn’t really recommend this one. The other restaurant is called feathers and OH MY GOD… stunning! Food is phenomenal, the decor is beautiful and the staff are brilliant. Men make sure you pack trousers and a collared shirt for this one! Absolutely book this… great experience! I would avoid Ricks Cafe, total tourist attraction, waste of money and staff are rude especially when begging for tips. Overall, I’d say 5/5 experience. While I have had some moans, truthfully we had a beautiful honeymoon and we would absolutely visit again.

Awesome stay, wasn’t just one big ugly resort it was nice to walk around and the rooms were very cozy. Staff were all so friendly and helpful to me and my now wife as we have never experienced all inclusive. Can’t wait to go back.

Another great visit to this wonderfully authentic Jamaican resort. Despite arriving with a nasty cold, we had a lovely 10-day stay and were reminded once again why we keep coming back. Arrival Arrival was efficient and welcoming. We were greeted with a cool towel and a glass of sparkling wine before being escorted to check-in. We arrived early, so our room wasn’t ready, but our request for a ground-floor beachfront verandah room was accommodated. Once the room was ready, we were escorted to it, and our luggage and requested minibar items arrived shortly afterwards. Everything was seamless. I should mention that I was already on day two of a bad cold, which I’d caught during our first week in Ocho Rios. Unfortunately, it would affect much of this stay! Room and Housekeeping We were so grateful for our room location. I was able to settle comfortably on the outdoor couch, which became my home for the first four days while I rested and waited for the cold to pass. I picked up medication at the resort store and nurses’ station and simply had to ride it out. One thing that really touched us was how the staff responded to my husband during those first few days. When I finally had enough energy to make it to lunch at Patois Patio, or when he walked down to one of the beach bars, you could see how the staff, particularly the men, had bonded with him. Whether he was picking up food to bring back to his wife or stopping for a drink on his own, they greeted him warmly, fist-bumped him and treated him like one of their friends. It was such a genuine, human connection, and a lovely reminder of what makes Couples Swept Away so special. Those little moments mean a great deal. Our room was spotless when made up by Trudy-Ann, who remembered us from our previous visit. She did an exceptional job, and it was lovely to see her again. Unfortunately, when she was off, housekeeping was inconsistent. Our room was missed entirely one day. When my husband called to check, we were told rooms were serviced until 5 p.m. By 4:30, nothing had been done. He called again and was told someone would bring fresh towels. A handful of towels arrived, but the room remained untouched. The following day, after another call, someone came and did the bare minimum and left the towels piled up by the sink. The porch was not attended to, and the bed wasn’t properly made. We were very happy when Trudy-Ann returned and everything was once again perfect! I’m not exaggerating when I say this woman should be training the other housekeeping staff. Restaurants and Food The soups! The soups sustained me through those first few days when I could barely manage anything else. My husband went out to get whatever soups were available, and I was so grateful. I was able to venture out to all of the restaurants eventually. Breakfast at Patois Patio was great, and our first dinner at Feathers was excellent for my husband. I stuck to soup for both my appetizer and main course. We also enjoyed Lemongrass as I gradually returned to eating more normally. The one restaurant that continues to disappoint us is the grill. We noticed the same issues on this visit as last year. The staff aren't as attentive or forward friendly as they are in the other restaurants. Unfortunately, the food can be inconsistent too. The jerk chicken is often overcooked, and the fries taste as though they’ve been baked and were frequently served lukewarm twice. I do appreciate the self-serve soup, salads and fruit, but the service at the grill simply doesn’t match the standard we experience everywhere else on the resort. The pizza needs to be cooked more or in a hotter oven too. It was often very difficult to eat as the crust (if you could say that) was wet. No pizza boxes given for take out either, only one plate on top of another. On a much happier note, the martini bar was a highlight. They made us chocolate martinis decorated with chocolate in the shape of a heart for me and a king’s hat for my husband — the King and Queen of Hearts! Such a thoughtful, adorable touch that we appreciated enormously. The martini was fabulous! The Palms was closed during our stay, with breakfast moved to a buffet at Patois Patio. The transition was handled very well. I know The Palms was missed, but I was glad to see it getting a facelift, and we look forward to enjoying it again on our next visit. Simone, the head chef, was around and was, as always, a delight to talk with. Nicole, the Food and Beverage Manager, was equally lovely. These ladies do a fantastic job, and their efforts are evident throughout the resort. For guests staying longer than a week, some additional variety in Feathers and Lemongrass would be appreciated. Small changes (a different sauce on a steak??) can make a big difference when dining options are limited. The Beach Ridiculous! In the very best possible way. Couples Swept Away has one of the most amazing beaches we’ve experienced. It’s beautifully maintained, with soft sand, crystal-clear water, plenty of bars, beach drink service and comfortable loungers. I love that every lounger has a float pad, and there is plenty of shade. I had seen some negative reports on Facebook about finding loungers, so I was watching for this. Honestly, we had no problem at all. At any time of day, we could find loungers available. Yes, some are reserved early in the morning, but those guests tend to be particular about their preferred spots. There were still plenty of other options, so I really wouldn’t worry about it. One small improvement would be to provide more towel collection stations. Many guests leave used towels on their loungers because there aren’t enough convenient places to deposit them. We took ours with us, as did some others, but many were left behind. After rain, the towels become soggy and wet, leaving the beach crew to deal with the mess. The beach crew work hard. In the morning they ensure the beach is raked and in perfect condition for the guests and In the early evening, they’re out straightening loungers and putting everything back in order. This beach has to be one of the best in the Caribbean. The sand is beautiful, the water is crystal clear, and there is always something to see. One day, we spotted several starfish in the water. It was lovely to see everyone being careful not to touch or disturb them. A stingray also made an appearance, and every so often, tiny fish could be seen jumping in groups out of the water. Simply beautiful. Overall Couples Swept Away is a great resort. It’s authentic, welcoming and, I hope, never loses the Jamaican character that makes it so special. Karen, the General Manager, was very hands-on throughout our stay. She was visible from early morning into the evening, ensuring the Palms renovation and transition were progressing smoothly. She worked alongside her team and always took the time to greet guests and exchange a few words, despite how busy she clearly was. She is a real asset to the resort. The repeaters’ dinner at Feathers was very good, and Karen introduced the event, staff and guests with great charm. Despite my cold and the minor misses, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The people, the management, the beautiful beach and the authentic Jamaican atmosphere are what keep drawing us back. I've already book again for next year — and make sure I vitamin up before getting on the plane next time!

Great overall experience. Super happy with the cottage. Service was superior. Amenities were fantastic. The atmosphere is amazing with the clear blue water and staff was excited to be there. The grounds and cottage were kept extremely clean. It's a party so we wanted noise and fun sounds which all stopped about midnight. The only drawback is the long bus trip over bumpy roads but it's not that big of a deal in my opinion.