Jamaica, Made for Romance

Turn up the passion at one of these five resorts

By Katie Solan

Romance. It's that often elusive, intangible property that, when present, causes you to gaze at your loved one with stars in your eyes or makes your heart beat wildly. Romance can be as simple as ambling down a beach hand in hand, or as elaborate as dining by candlelight in a flower-strewn grotto. Sometimes, a setting of warm weather, blue skies and perfect white sand is all you need.

If romance is what you seek, head to the Caribbean isle of Jamaica. South of Cuba, this laid-back getaway is famously home to Rastafarian ideals, jerk spices and gorgeous scenery -- from lush green mountains to golden sands and turquoise seas. A variety of resorts here can ignite the fires of romance. Our five picks below combine luxury and relaxation with special touches such as private pools, patio Jacuzzis or even European-style streets for strolling.

And at these resorts, you can put your pocketbook away and focus on each other. The resorts below are all-inclusive, which means lodging, food, drinks and most activities, from live entertainment to nonmotorized water sports such as snorkeling and kayaking, are included in one price paid up front.

Read on to plan your next romantic escape. For more information, visit Vacations To Go, or call (800) 998-6925 to speak to a resort specialist.



The Couples brand of resorts deals exclusively in one-on-one romance, and its five-star Negril offering is no different.

"Everyone on the verge of a divorce should come here!" jokes Karen Kennedy, who vacationed at Couples Swept Away Negril in September. "There's nothing that isn't romantic about it," she says, describing the resort's vibe as "serene, easy and relaxed."

Kennedy also was impressed by the resort's "immaculate" beach, five-course meals and ultra-attentive staff. The 312-room, all-suite property offers six unique restaurants, eight bars and a variety of water sports and daily activities.

Where you'll find it: Just off the aquamarine waters and white sands of Seven Mile Beach, near Negril on Jamaica's western tip. It's 60 miles from Sangster International Airport (Jamaica's main air hub) in Montego Bay and three miles from town.

Favorite features: Breezy, British West Indies-inspired rooms, palm-anchored hammocks on the beach and a 10-acre fitness complex.

Start your day by: Heading for the beach. Pick out a comfy lounge chair, raise a nearby service flag and order a Bloody Mary from the waiter who will promptly appear.

To ignite romance: Attend the couples massage class. Enough said.

Take advantage of: A scenic catamaran cruise along the Jamaican coast, included in the price of your stay.

For a splurge: Opt for a private, moonlit dinner on the beach, available at an extra charge. "It was fabulous," says Kennedy, who dined under swaying palms with her companion. Up the romance factor with a bottle of bubbly on ice.



Its motto, "Love is all you need -- everything else is included," certainly rings true at the 529-room Sandals Grande Ocho Rios. Lush tropical gardens throughout the grounds create a romantic, Garden of Eden-type ambience. For couples only, Sandals boasts a private beach club, complimentary golf (plus mandatory caddy fees), 12 bars serving premium drinks and a whopping 22 whirlpools.

Where you'll find it: Tucked between tumbling hills and a pristine stretch of white sand on Jamaica's northern coast. It's 90 minutes from the airport and five minutes from Ocho Rios.

Favorite feature: The 93 private and semiprivate pools included with villa-style room categories. Robert and Devonie Baker, who vacationed here in 2005, enjoyed a semiprivate pool outside their suite. Even though they shared it with three other couples in their villa fourplex, they felt they had it all to themselves. "We never saw another person out by the pool," says Robert. "You just feel secluded," adds Devonie.

To ignite romance: Dine by candlelight at the Arizona Restaurant on the resort's pier. Enjoy Southwestern cuisine while listening to the lapping ocean waves.

Check out: The piano bar. "It was probably the most fun we had," says Devonie, adding that she and her husband gravitated here every night during their stay. "Yeah, I'm not a big dance-club kind of guy," jokes Robert, who notes that while most people at the bar are "terrible singers," that's part of the fun. So order up a beachy cocktail, gather 'round the piano and sing along (or off-key) to "Piano Man."

For a splurge: Stay in one of the top six room categories, ranging from an ocean-view Honeymoon Villa to the Plantation Great House Villa, where butler service is included. Your butler will attend to your every whim, from unpacking and packing your luggage to drawing a rose-scented bath for two.



On a secluded 50-acre slice of Jamaica, European-styled Sandals Whitehouse features ocean views from each of its 360 rooms. Most every night is date night at this retreat for couples only, with activities such as reggae and carnival parties and casino and "black and white" nights. At the seven on-site restaurants you can sample Italian antipasti, Parisian crepes or island specialties such as conch fritters.

Where you'll find it: On the edge of a 500-acre nature preserve on Jamaica's unspoiled south coast. Near the small village of Whitehouse, Sandals is 75 minutes from the airport and 45 minutes from Negril.

Favorite features: The romantic four-poster mahogany beds in all rooms and suites, a Roman meditation lanai and the largest pool in Jamaica.

To ignite romance: Stroll with your partner through the resort's three European villages and visit Italy, France and Holland in a day. Linger in a Venetian-style piazza, sample authentic Dutch chocolate and gaze up at delicate French architecture.

To unwind: Sink your toes into the sand on the resort's two-mile stretch of private beach. Wiggle and repeat.

For a splurge: One-up the standard vacation souvenir (i.e., a shellacked shell picture frame) and bid on an original work of art at the on-site live auction.



Five-star Grand Lido Negril offers a luxurious retreat. Limited to guests ages 16 and up, it's comprised of 210 junior and full suites spread across 22 acres of tropical gardens, interspersed with freshwater pools, a fitness center and clubhouses where you can retreat to a Jacuzzi and a cold drink. Activities fit for two include bicycle tours and pro-taught tennis lessons.

Where you'll find it: On the silver sands of Jamaica's western shore just outside Negril. Grand Lido is 55 miles from the airport and seven miles from town.

Favorite features: Centuries-old cotton trees standing tall over resort gardens, patio Jacuzzis and multihead showers in some room categories, and the Atlantis night club, where you don't have to go off-site to get your groove on.

Start your day with: Fresh tropical fruit and local Jamaican coffee, with a touch of sea breeze. The open-air Gran Terrazza serves a lavish breakfast buffet daily.

To ignite romance: Attend karaoke night. Sure, it's not your typical romantic activity, but you'll certainly look at your one-and-only with newfound love and admiration (at least for having guts, if not a sense of tune) after he belts out Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," or she rocks Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman."

Take advantage of: In-room dining. Sit at your room's table for two any time of day and partake from a menu that ranges from pizzas and sandwiches to beef tenderloin and snapper. Delicacies such as sevruga caviar and foie gras can be ordered for an additional charge.

For a splurge: Peruse the pillow menu and, for an extra $5 to $15 per night, choose the one that will give you a perfect night's sleep. Options include goose down, "snore no more," Swedish foam, allergy-free and "simply satin."



Only a few miles from the bustling Negril strip, the five-star villa enclave The Caves seems worlds apart. The adults-only accommodations consist of 10 wood and stone thatch-roofed cottages, all with ocean views and unique decor such as hand-carved beds. Privacy and tranquility make a recipe for romance, and you and your partner can choose to hide away in a cave-sheltered hot tub or float in the saltwater swimming pool.

Where you'll find it: Perched atop lava-formed cliffs on the westernmost tip of Jamaica. It's in Negril's West End and is 75 minutes from the airport.

Favorite features: The series of accessible grottoes, many containing fossilized marine life; the tropical reef system fringing the resort, perfect for snorkeling; and the outdoor Jacuzzi atop a sheer cliff.

Start your day with: An invigorating early morning jump from the cliffs into the sea. Or, make a more cautious entry via the ladders and walkways that lead to the ocean.

To ignite romance: Have dinner in a tucked-away grotto. Candles illuminate the space, and fresh flowers soften the craggy surroundings.

For a splurge: Indulge in a customizable, full-body massage at the Aveda spa and choose your setting -- outside, gazing at the unending blue of the Caribbean, or inside a cave, where all distractions are dispelled and the only light is from a few flickering candles.

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