My first post didn't work - Couples questions!!

[PrecisePlans]

I've finally decided that i would like to do our honeymoon in a different location than our ceremony. We will be getting married at Riu Ocho Rios, and originally, we were scheduled to stay for the entire 2 weeks, but after finding out that half of my guests are choosingTO TRAVEL OUTSIDE of my SUGGESTED time frame and after thinking about friends and family members knocking on our door intruding on our honeymoon, I think it's best for us to go to a different resort for our honeymoon.

 

I am thinking about either AI Couples Ocho Rios or AI Couples San Souci. They both include all activities and excursions in their price (horseback riding, scuba diving, dunns river falls tours, golfing, cayaking, etc...)

 

Do you guys know anything about either of these locations? Which is better? I've heard mixed reviews. Any info would be helpful.

 

Thanks

[Heidi]

If I were making this decision, I'd go on tripadvisor.com and see how users reviewed & rated it. I LOVE that website!!!!

 

Couples Sans Souci: Couples Sans Souci (Ocho Rios, Jamaica) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

6th most popular resort in Ocho Rios

Avg cost: $436

 

Couples Ocho Rios: Hotel Reviews: Couples Ocho Rios - Ocho Rios, Jamaica - TripAdvisor

4th most popular resort in Ocho Rios

Avg cost: $362

[Heidi]

Couples Sans Souci: Couples Sans Souci (Ocho Rios, Jamaica) - Resort Reviews - TripAdvisor

6th most popular resort in Ocho Rios

Avg cost: $436

148 rooms

 

Couples Ocho Rios: Hotel Reviews: Couples Ocho Rios - Ocho Rios, Jamaica - TripAdvisor

4th most popular resort in Ocho Rios

Avg cost: $362

212 rooms

[PrecisePlans]

Yep Heidi.......i've been all up and down in Tripadvisor and couples even has a message board on their site, but i'm still having a hard time deciding which one. They both offer good and bad reviews........it's very mixed.

 

I'm confused because i've read that the rooms at couples OR are older and not so "up to date", but this resort offers more excursions including horseback riding where couples san souci may have better rooms, but offers less excursions.

 

Both are important to me. Has anyone ever been to either. If so,

 

Thanks!!

[Sharonie]

I have not been to them, but from what I've researched here are some of the differences: COR is older, CSS is newer. COR is livelier, CSS is quieter. CSS is more open with lots of stairs everywhere (you'll get a good work out just walking from one place to another), COR is more private (smaller beach but private property not sharing with anyone and an au natural island). CSS is more expensiver than COR. Hope that helps...

[BrittneyD]

My TA told me that Couples Ocho Rios will be renovating during our travel dates. I am not sure if they will have started in May, but I would look into that. We were oringionally going to honeymoon there, but for that reason we switched to Couples Swept Away.

[TammyWright]

Quote:

Originally Posted by md_ocr I am thinking about either AI Couples Ocho Rios or AI Couples San Souci. They both include all activities and excursions in their price (horseback riding, scuba diving, dunns river falls tours, golfing, cayaking, etc...) Do you guys know anything about either of these locations? Which is better? I've heard mixed reviews. Any info would be helpful. Thanks

TA Jennifer specializes in couples...lets see if she will respond to this.

[JenniferSS]

Hello Md_ocr!

 

Both COR & CSS are fairly quiet & laid back. CSS being the quieter of the two!The Riu Ocho Rios is a fairly high energy experience- there is always something going on at the activity pool and with the nightly entertainment, so it will be quite a change going to the smaller, intimate, laid back Couples resorts. After the wedding and visiting with family it may be just what you need!

 

As much as I enjoy the Couples products -in my humble opinion- the age and needed rennovations at COR will be glaring when you are just coming from RIU. When I was there in May the RIU was still "sparkly", the rooms updated and facilities were all very modern (as they should be with a newer resort !)

 

COR is an older facility that has quite a bit of charm of it's own but it is due for renovations in the rooms and some public areas.

 

CSS would be my personal choice for the Ocho area, it's a bit classier on the whole, many of the rooms have already been renovated (keep in mind that it was soft renovations - and that Couples philosophy is simple and comfortable) but it is also quieter. The free tours that COR offers that CSS doesn't are the catamaran cruise & horseback riding. I believe that COR has a few more water activities also.

 

I know it's a heck of a ride to Negril from Ocho but I would endure it and stay in Negril at either Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril.The Couples resorts in Negril are fab! Maybe take in a visit to Rose Hall-if you like ghost stories, do some shopping in MOBay to break up the trip. Staying inNegril would provide a whole other dimension to your visit to Jamaica. Ocho has that rugged, lush beauty with the mountains rising up from the sea and all of the small beaches. Negril has that fantastic 7 mile beach where you could walk forever. Plus the sunsets there are breathtaking!

 

My husband and I are taking our first real vacation (without the kids-woohoo!) this December and we are staying at Couples Swept Away. I can not wait to lay on the beach and just stick my flag in the sand when I need a drink!

 

Another option ( if you want to stay in Ocho Rios and at a more modern facility) may be to stay at Sandals Grand Ocho Rios,(large resort) or Sandals Dunnes River Falls Villagio ( midsize resort with a very Italien flair!). Of course these don't include any of the free tours that Couples does - like to Dunnes River Falls or the horseback riding but they do offer the kyaking, golf, diving, sailing, ect. Sandals is offering an up to 55% off sale at the moment.

 

Feel free to drop me a PM if you have additional questions!

 

Jennifer

[IrieBride08]

Wow! Your descriptions were so visual I could practically smell the salt air and see the lush beauty!!! I'll definitely be PM'ing you later to pick your brain!

[PrecisePlans]

Thanks for all of your help Jennifer!! Unfortuanetly, my budget won't stretch to Negril, so we would either have to remain in Ochi or Montego bay. I'm thinking that we will go with Couples Ocho Rios just because I really want to go horseback riding. I hope that I'm not terribly dissapointed by the rooms. I've heard that rooms in the "Main" building have been renovated.